Restaurant Review - BARKING DEER

Restaurant Review

BARKING DEER

How else would you describe the fact that we land up at the brand new Barking Deer with a dedicated animal lover and conservationist couple? A meaningful coincidence (turns out to be a yummy one too), of course. Sure! Two things turn out not so right, firstly Barking Deer was touted as a “microbrewery” (they have yet to get their license) Secondly, “It is very small and very cute and not as big as depicted in the restaurant logo,” points out Sam Mistry, the committed and passionate conservationist since 1958 “and yes, it does actually bark,” he says. His charming and knowledgable physician wife, Dr Rati Mistry, has been trusted and relied upon by generations of families for over four decades. An accomplished cook too, she has even taken a short professional course in international cuisines and the couple love food, friends and fun. “We honeymooned in the forests in Kenya,” chuckles Sam and pauses to add, “I civilised her. She was wild.” And together they’ve lived life on the wild side, literally. They love both, the barking deer and the restaurant named after it too.
DÉCOR Dimly lit, exposed brick walls and ducts and wooden tables make up the décor of this large 4,000 sq ft space with its elaborate brewing rig (still not functional ) and bar at the far end. Thankfully, the music volume allows for conversation.
FOOD Never mind if the microbrewery has not been installed. We do a beer tasting of the stouts, ales and more. Murphys Irish stout it too bitter for us, the Belgian Liefman fruity beer poured in a champagne flute delights with its whispers of sweetness, the Mexican SOL and the Leff Belgian blonde wheat beer pair well with the robust starters. Moist pork ribs are grilled and tasty with bbq sauce. As are chicken wings dipped in blue cheese. Deep fried poppers with jalapeno and equally deep fried mushroom parlouft. (cheese stuffed) are tasty veggie options.
    Coming up tops are the generous portions of lamb shanks juicy and flavorsome with pilsner beer and jus. Bacon wrapped braised beef and grilled filet mignon are worth trying. As is the Capuccino creme brulee, heady with the flavour of coffee and mellow with cream.
MINUS POINTS The liquor is steeply priced and needs to be priced competitively. Overcooked prawn charmoula, stodgy crepes stuffed with mushroom spinach ricotta and a lacklustre Marscapone cheese tart with fruits.
SERVICE Attentive service. Since we do an extensive beer tasting and eat our way through the menu, my bill is a little over Rs 10,000 for four of us. Next day, I get a mail on my website id from Chef Parag Joglekar, pointing out that service charge has, through oversight, been levied twice and he would like to rectify that. I give them plus points for the readiness to acknowledge a mistake.
MY POINT No microbrewery license, yet (Gregory Kroitzsh, the managing partner is still awaiting it). However, Barking Deer is still worth a visit for beer-buffs looking for variety, (which comes for a steep price). An average meal per head is Rs 900 here, check about the soup, salad, sandwich lunch. All-purpose crowd pleaser dishes here, hearty gut busters too and desserts that go for gooey abandon.
A REQUEST FROM SINGAPORE Am getting a taste of this sultry, warm foodie paradise! On my last trip, I ate my way through the Michelin starred restaurants invasion here; this trip is dedicated to sniffing out “off the eaten track, VFM holes in the walls.” Will be really grateful for any suggestions and recommendations you have. Please e-mail: rashmiudaysingh2013@gmail.com, twitter@rashmiudaysingh
FOODLINE Am in Singapore and sending you thanks for all your messages, recommendations and queries. Sorry, cannot print all your messages due to space constraint. Mail (rashmiudaysingh2013@gmail.com, FB, twitter @rashmiudaysingh) or sms (7738028783) be listed here.
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    Call Kitty for biriyanis, Italian dishes cookies, cakes and muffins and more. Ph: 9820062797. QUERIES ANSWERED
    Umang for soya nuts you can call Home Foods. Ph: 26403798
    Ankit for homemade mukhwas you can contact Chandrika of Bawarchi. Ph: 24144251, 9320044251 QUERIES
Hetal is looking for a veg tiffin for lunch at Kandivli.

Dr Rati Mistry and Sam Mistry at Barking Deer

Rashmi Uday Singh