Is Lower Parel's new restaurant Theory worth a visit? Find out

Theoryrsquos interiors have been designed by architects Sameep Padora and Mansi Punde Padora is the man behind the design of Indigo Deli in Lower Parel too PicsSameer MarkandeLower Parel is saturated with restaurants and pubs to the point of distraction Some have weathered the whims and fancies of diners in the area while others have come and gone silently Entering this big bad jungle is Theory a restaurant that will be serving diners contemporary world cuisine We stop by to sample an abridged version of the menu before it opens to the publicThe fried eggtopped Duck Leg Confit comes placed on a waffle and is served with duck jus and maple syrupTheoryrsquos interiors are done up predominantly in black and exude sophistication The space can seat 114 people at a time and features an open kitchen and a 100footlong island bar made of pressed coal mdash no need to jostle for elbow room if you choose to settle at the bar until a tablersquos availableThe Zucchini Carpaccio one of the four versions of carpaccio on the menuSmall plates big flavoursThe menu has been designed by Mickhiel Pinto managing director at Artisan Food Temple which owns the restaurant in collaboration with Simarpal Singh Virdi who helms the kitchenThe Hickory Bong is a take on the classic Bloody Mary but swaps the vodka for ScotchOver five years ago SoBo restaurant The Table kickstarted a trend in Mumbai when they categorised their menu into small and large plates This trend doesnrsquot seem to going anywhere anytime soon and even Theory has chosen to ride this wave There is also a small selection of soups and salads to pick from Opt for the comforting Honey and Sweet Garlic Marinated Pumpkin Soup Rs 455Creme BruleeThe small plates section has four types of carpaccio among which the Prawn Carpaccio Rs 745 mdash with its cling filmthin layer of prawns mdash emerges the winner owing to the zesty yuzu dressing and the toasty sesameinfused olive oil Itrsquos nice to see that the menu places equal emphasis on vegetarian dishes turning out a Yam Gnocchi with Crispy Kale Rs 400 Grilled Artichoke R780 and a Mexicoinspired Black Bean lsquoMeatrsquo Loaf Rs 720 topped with a creamy avocado guacamole and served with tomato salsa and tortilla crisps on the sidePorcini risottoTherersquos a duck on my waffleThe large plates section is brief The Porcini Risotto Rs 675 is done right mdash rich and flavourful with the eversoslight bite coming from the rice The Duck Leg Confit Rs 1100 however takes the cakeA riff on UKbased Duck amp Wafflersquos signature dish it features a crispskinned confit duck leg placed on a freshlymade waffle Drizzle on a little of the duck jus and maple syrup and you have a winnerThe desserts hit the mark too The layer of caramel topping the Cregraveme Brucircleacutee Rs 395 cracks ever so gently to reveal a creamy centre The Blood Orange Sorbet Rs 295 meanwhile is for those whorsquod prefer to end their meal on a lighter noteThe signature cocktails in comparison are more experimental For instance the Hickory Bong 850 is a classier version of a Bloody Mary made special by the use of Scotch instead of vodka There are several options for teetotallers as well with the Carrot Ginger Parsley Spritzer 250 packing a refreshing punchOn the whole Theory plays it relatively safe with its menu That said it does succeed at doing justice to the flavours it presents on the plate But in a market like Lower Parel the hotbed of new eateries trying to carve a niche for themselves will it be enough to survive