Food: What's cooking in 2017, Mumbai?

Romil Ratra on the abacusinspired wooden staircase that leads to the second level of Shizusan PicPradeep DhivarWelcome Shizusan to Lower ParelJanuaryldquoWelcome homerdquo beams Romil Ratra of Bellona Hospitality as he ushers us into the massive twostoried Shizusan that replaces Anita Dongrersquos store at High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel ldquoWe have not tampered with the structurerdquo he assures us We are greeted by the whiff of freshlycoated paint as we step in to find srirachared chairs a sushi bar carved out of a long tree bark and beautiful floral frescoes donning the ceiling mdash the handiwork of Patch Design StudioA spiral abacusinspired wooden staircase leads us to a highceilinged section with an open dim sum kitchen and a 27fthigh bar flanked by iron ladders above which is an alluring stained glass window A mature version of the ninemonthold Shizusan in Pune the space is themed on an Asian Shophouse and Bar inspired by the shophouse culture of 18th century Southeast Asia mdash twostoried structures that would often house opium or tea dens downstairs and a brothel upstairs until the colonists left in the 1900s after which they turned into eateries serving homestyle meals ldquoThe menu is inspired by street eats of China Japan Burma Vietnam Korea Philippines Malaysia and Thailand but itrsquos not fusion Chef Paul Kinny and I travelled across Asia to sample all kinds of foodrdquo shares RatraOn the menu yoursquoll find a wide selection of Maki Rolls Xiao Long Baos Okonomiyaki Japanesestyle savoury pancakes Asian curries ramen and rice bowls and a signature slaw packing in 17 ingredients Those with a sweet tooth can tuck into desserts like Hong Kongrsquos signature Portugueseinfluenced creamy Egg Tart Singaporestyle Kaya Toast Thailandrsquos Tub Tim Grob and Filipino Halo Halo The bar offers sake soju Japanese whiskeys and Asian cocktails infused with ingredients like kaffir lime kumquats Oolong and Butterfly Pea Flowers Since itrsquos an allday restaurant it will also host Yum Cha hours 4 pm to 7 pm with complimentary oriental tapasOne for BandraFebruary Wersquore still not sure about what books this one plans to stack but The Good Food Library in Bandra will offer comfortdining optionsHemant OberoiWaah ustadJanuary After offering delectable feasts of biryanis curries and kebabs for over a decade now the founders of Zaffran are ready with another offering A restaurant called Ustaadi a celebration of culinary mastery will be launched at Crawford MarketDrive byJanuary Rodeo Drive is another Dubai import The interactive space will have a rodeo bullriding arena American automobiles and drinking gamesA glimpse of the adventure resort Forest Hills inset Nitin MongiaHemant Oberoirsquos nextFirst quarter After cooking up a storm as the executive chef in the regal kitchens of the Taj Group for over four decades celebrated chef Hemant Oberoi hung up his apron in 2015 Now the culinary maestro is set to start his second innings with the launch of his very first standalone signature restaurantBrew on thisJanuary Verbena is a 10000 sq ft microbrewery from the owners of SMAAASH The rooftop bar in Lower Parel will showcase local produce in a new light with an inhouse garden and craft beer brewed at the space There will be a wide wine cellar and what they claim is lsquothe longest indoor and outdoor barrsquo The restobar will also host gigs and cultural eventsHappy ridingJanuary Dubairsquos famed The Stables is set to open in the city brought in by the owners of OPA Bar and Cafeacute The British gastro pub draws inspiration from worldfamous winning horses and is a classy and fun pub with a dedicated space for live gigs and performances Expect deacutecor from the Victorian era with a contemporary touchRooftop diningJanuary Dine with a view at Amanzi a luxury sky deck and a poolside bar serving contemporary European fare by owners of Andherirsquos 14 Sauce Story To launch on Hill Road it will specialise in grills bakes and woodfired pizzas fresh fruit cocktails and tiki drinks using molecular mixology In the evening the place will turn into a publoungeOff to the hillsJuneBespoke caterer Nitin Mongia is opening an adventure resort called Forest Hills in Tala Raigad DistrictRoyal highTodayGet ready to welcome DROP a European restopub that replaces the snazzy nightclub Royalty which bid adieu quietly sometime last year It is partnered by restaurateurs Mihir Desai and Amit Singh of Corum Hospitality the duo behind runaway hit chain The Bar Stock Exchange and Prashant Gunjalkar of IndoramaAsian extravaganzaUndecidedRyan and Keenan Tham the wellknown siblings who own establishments such as Trilogy in Juhu KOKO in Lower Parel and The Good Wife in BKC are planning to open a new restaurant mdash yet again in Juhu mdash right under the space occupied by Trilogy ldquoIt will be an Asian space but again very different from KOKOrdquo shares Ryan ThamGujarati lovinrsquoJanuaryThere hasnrsquot been a Gujarati Kitchen and Bar in the city until now Pravas this trainshaped restaurant from the owners of SMAAASH will pay homage to grandmarsquos homemade food and highlights regional cuisine at its finest The pure vegetarian Gujarati cuisine space will be helmed by chef Siddharth Parab and will open in Lower ParelAn Indian take on tapasMarchApril Juhuites gear up to step into the home of a certain general this year The Pritam Group of Hotels mdash the folks behind the cosy Grandmamarsquos Cafeacute and gamebased concept bar MRP mdash will launch General Singhrsquos Residence in Juhu in the first quarter Inspired by international tapas bar the restaurant offers an Indian version replete with fare thatrsquos a modern take on regional cuisines enjoyed best with drinks Meanwhile the team is also planning to open the second outlet of MRP in Juhu by FebruaryShots at Tamasha New DelhiAnother Delhi importJanuary Following on the heels of Summer House Cafeacute yet another Delhi joint is opening its doors in Mumbai and this onersquos also in Lower Parel Called Tamasha the space will have an elongated bar minimalisticallydesigned interiors and electronic music The menu will feature contemporary Indian and Indian fusion spread split into into trendy small and large platesTea talkMarchApril Enjoy high tea at Tasse De The TDT the French Victorian styled vintage tea cafeacute The menu will feature 300 teas and blends and healthy dishes that have tea as their core element The tea blends will be created by owner Jiten ShethA femme fatale comes to WorliJanuaryMatahaari is a nightclub that will be launched by Beluga Hospitality Mata Hari was the stage name used by Margaretha Geertruida Zelle a seductive exotic Dutch dancer and courtesan who was suspected of being a spy during World War I The charisma of the femme fatale might just infuse some muchneeded life into Atria Mall in Worli which has in recent years lost its sheen After the debut offering the same team is also working on another project Burn mdash an American diner and bar slated to open sometime during the first quarter at Pinnacle Corporate Park in the business hub of BandraKurla ComplexHigh up aboveJanuary Set to launch in Lower Parel 1Above will be a contemporary rooftop lounge that will feature live music On the menu you can expect to find global cuisine mdash only vegetarian mdash as well as some signature cocktails and sheesha The lounge will have two sections one airconditioned and the other overlooking the city skylineSweet treatsJanuaryTempt your sweet tooth with DOW or Desserts of The World which brings together global desserts and techniques to one cafeacute Started by the owners of 29 the allvegetarian space will open in Kemps CornerBranching outExisting brands will have a field day in 2017Birdthemed interiors at ZoobarZoobarAprilThe second outlet of the Vile Parle bar will launch at JW Marriott Sahar by April Though similar in concept this one will be themed on birdsSalmonacircAcircAcircu00c2u0080AcircAcircu00c2u0088CarpaccioFatty gets fatterMarch andacircAcircAcircu00c2u0080AcircAcircu00c2u0088 second quarterFatty Bao will be opening at Kamala Mills Lower Parel by early March The end of second quarter will see outposts in Andheri and Powai as wellSudheer Bahl and Ishaan Bahl owners of 145Second inningsJanuaryThe second outlet of 145 the highenergy cafeacutebar in Kala Ghoda by Sudheer Bahlrsquos son Ishaan Bahl is opening in Bandra Expect a breakfast menu with customised egg preparations waffles pancakes and fresh juices a cotton candy tower mac rsquon cheese hot dogs pork vindaloo baos beef vindaloo with rice Therersquos even a healthy segment In the cocktails menu there will be a version that has the aftertaste of BBQ chicken sauceEggs KejriwalFrom AD Singhrsquos fleetUndecidedldquoIn 201718 we will be opening a SodaBottleOpenerWala in Powai and Lower Parel our first Toast and Tonic in Bandra our first Japanese restaurant in Mumbai in BKC as well as a tweaked old brand also in BKCrdquo says restaurateur AD Singh of the Olive GroupLab talkJanuary end tentative Sample singleestate coffees from across India cold pressed juices readytoeat and plated desserts corporatefriendly meals and combos Eggs Benedict Avocado Tartine Stuffed Croissants and Mille Feuille at Sanjana Patelrsquos new La Folie Lab space in Kamala Mills