Restaurant Review - BIJOLI GRILL Bengali

Restaurant Review

BIJOLI GRILL Bengali

    First the bad news and then the good news follows. I admit that I’m a see-theglass-as-half-full person (love happy endings), so when a restaurant turns out to be lousy, I feel sad. But my first duty is to you dear reader, to give an honest assessment which is useful and usable. To help me get a broader perspective, I invite foodie readers. Here’s what they say about today’s restaurant under review, “If you care a wee bit about your money, please avoid this place,” says Nishant Gandhi, a successful corporate executive, an entrepreneur, author in the making, also a Trend-spotting and Ideation specialist, Blogger and Content Architect. “The food was quite tasteless.The desserts were equally disappointing,” says Godlevea Perreira who has a degree in hotel management from IHM Dadar. Our review follows…

AMBIANCE Tucked into a children’s amusement park in Powai, this no-frills Bengali eatery lured us with its very unusual location and price points. Much to our disappointment, we found that it was neither authentic nor tasty. The service was slow in both the small air conditioned room as well as the outdoor area with its red and green awning. The outdoor area overlooks the kiddy park and one sits (almost) nose to nose with the stone dinosaur.

 
FOOD Most of the dishes we tried, be it the Dimer Devil (mutton kheema stuffed with a boiled egg) or the Minced Chicken Kabiraja (with a lacy egg coating) were spicy, oily and deep fried. Kasha Mangsho (slow cooked mutton in gravy) was overcooked with a handful of tiny meat pieces.
Also on offer are Rolls (mutton egg, veg, etc.,) Ilish bhapa, Bhetki Paturi. And believe it or not, China Town Chilly Chicken and Paneer Butter Masala too. “The Mishti Doi was sour, the Rosogulla was not sweet enough,” says Nishant and goes on to add, “An extra word on the staff and service — pathetic.” My other two guests agreed. Dhiraj Kumar, software engineer is a foodie, poet and part-time professional make up artist. Arkesh Ayyagiri (student of SIES college of commerce and economics, Sion) kept us riveted about his volunteer work at his college fest “Fantasies” (Dec 7 and 8 with it’s Bollywood theme where Sonal Chauhan, Bruna Abdullah, Cyrus Broacha and Mir Ali are expected to attend.) No alcohol but very affordable price points here... if only they’d improve their service and food.
FOODLINE
Thrilled. Thanks for your Twitter, FB and email feedback. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2012@gmail.co m, FB,Twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms (77380 22873) to be listed here. Due to space constraint am unable to carry all your messages.
 

READERS RECOMMEND Renz: The ultimate range of fabulous home made syrups (using natural fruits and natural preservatives) great on their own and for mocktails and ice golas. Sugar free options too. Call Renuka 97020 10196.
SM Kitchen introduces surprise meals twice Shabnam Merchant Ph: 98190 78365. Corporate foods in offers daily lunch solutions to office goers Indian combo 60, walk away lunch 75 and ship shape options for diet conscious 60. Ph: 91677 75663, 98209 32963. For homemade paranthas and pulaos around Goregaon, call Veena Ph: 99690 06977. Meghna’s Kitchen for low fat cooking. Ph: 98339 90110. Himalayan rainbow trout, Minimum order of three kg with prior notice of 7/8 days. Rainbow Fisheries: 98924 92231.
 

QUERIES Koel wants to know where she can get cupcakes.
 

CONCRETE BLESSINGS South Mumbai foodies head here today and tomorrow...not only will you get the most unique and yummy food at their gourmet bazaar but will come away with a warm happy glow in your heart. At this annual exhibition cum sale, students with disabilities showcase their extraordinary talent. I’ve been privileged to watch and taste the SPJ Sadhana school’s fabulous offerings over two decades, Sister Gaitonde, Ranju Mahadevia, Tinu Sanghvi of the Hospitality and Catering Section are doing an amazing job of proving that “when life hands lemons, you can make the most yummy nimbu pani.” Cheers. When: Dec 7, 2012, 10 am to 8 pm and Dec 8, 2012, 11 am to 6 pm. Where: SPJ Sadhana School, Sophia College campus. Off Warden Road. 

INDIA CHOCOLATE MASTER A dream come true for chocoholics like me. Patisseurs and chefs from all over the country converged in Mumbai for the fifth edition of World Chocolate Masters. A professional jury announced the results and it was the Oberoi and Trident’s very gifted Executive Pastry Chef Vikas Bagul, who justifiably won the National title. He will be going to the World Chocolate Masters Final, Paris and before that, represent our country at the Asia Pacific Chocolate Masters. Success is truly sweet! Congratulations! 

 
QUERIES ANSWERED Kaveri, for non-veg tiffin at Andheri you call Health Kitchen. Ph: 93237 61400. 

 
TIMES FOOD GUIDE BIJOLI GRILL Hakone Children’s Park, Hiranandani, Powai. Call: 022-6528 6604/ 6528 6605 Meal for two 1,000 approx. No alcohol. Open lunch and dinner

(From left to right) Dinesh Kumar, Godlevea Perreira, Nishant Gandhi and Arkesh Ayyagiri at Bijoli Grill, Powai

Rashmi Uday Singh