Mumbai Food: Here's the first look at Bandra's soon to open Kitchen Garden

Veggie Salad PicsPradeep DhivarAt this little cafe food is more than just about survival itrsquos a statement of ethics and health and one that you can read the minute you enter the menu pasted on the walls comes dotted with nutritious choices such as salads with organic kale sandwiches with a choice of organic multigrain ciabatta a variety of toppings for salads listed under proteins non vegetarian lean proteins etcThe interiorsJeremy Pro Antonia Achache and Pierre Label the team behind Suzette talk of their new venture which was born of a personal preference Antonia says ldquoThis is where you can eat out every day guiltfree because you wonrsquot be compromising on your healthrdquo Jeremy elaborates about their lsquofarmtotablersquo concept ldquoWe donrsquot own our own farm but work with various farmers based across Maharashtra These farmers concentrate only on organic fruits and vegetables No pesticides are used in the growing process the soil isnrsquot tweaked to grow foods out of season and artificial additives are a complete nonordquo says JeremySoba SaladWe start with the Veggies Salad Rs 380 listed under their signature salads Itrsquos got a variety of healthy greens edamame beans broccoli spinach kale along with beet roots carrots and quinoa which add colour Chunky pieces of tofu finish off the dish The dressing is that of spicy carrot which is too mild for the Indian palate The dressing doesnrsquot overpower the many ingredients thrown into the bowl Jeremy is right therersquos a wholesome flavour to the dish But my desi taste buds are grateful for the additional dressingFrom the nonvegetarian salads we pick the Soba Salad Rs 500 The Japanese dish is beautifully plated with four king prawns blanketing the noodles The flavour is mild but far from bland We skip the option of added dressing and we begin to think about what wersquore eating which seems to be just what Kitchen Garden is aiming atThe menu also fits in with the decor that is light and airy with floortoceiling windows colours of nature green lamps yellow and green table settings wooden tables etc Therersquos an al fresco area where you find yourself surrounded by pots of basil mint and even a banana treeNext we move on to the make it yourself section of the menu which offers salads and sandwiches We opt for the latter Jeremy who worked at a bakery in France which bagged a national award for their dough brings a unique sourdough bread to the Garden We naturally go with this loaf filled with Spanish cooked ham It is topped with buffalo mozzarella cheese which comes from a farm in Gujarat Added to this is a pesto dressing The loaves are large and the sandwich is enough for two with a small appetite you can taste the fresh olive oil and basil in the pesto sauce which goes beautifully with the ham This one is a winner but is also among the most expensive choices on the menu priced at R545 We wash it down with a Feel Good Smoothie R300 where you can feel the chia seeds while the berries give it a beautiful pink colour Itrsquos light yet the portion is large and filingOverall the restaurant delivers on its promise of health and freshness Add to this the organic food movement and Kitchen Garden may emerge as the new flavour of the dayAt Kitchen Garden Shop No 89 Gasper Enclave St John Street opposite Goldrsquos Gym Pali Naka Bandra WCall 26459775The restaurant is slated to open on October 12 Deliveries are currently offered only between Bandra and Santacruz Prices are exclusive of service tax