THEORY Mumbai: Embrace Small and Big Plate Culture
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Kamala Mills complex in Lower Parel, there’s a new kid on the block that’s been blowing away South Bombay’s foodies since its December 2016 debut – THEORY. With its fancy decor, sophisticated menu and stylish ambience, it’s quickly becoming the talk of the town!
A bold dash of neon yellow illuminates the facade of this stylish joint, beckoning you to step into its luxurious interior of charcoal-hued sophistication. Offering a unique blend of vintage vibes, modern furniture, and dim-lit rooms, THEORY has all the retro tunes to get you groovin’ the night away.
Escape to THEORY, the downtown lounge bar that’s split between a bar and a restaurant. This retreat is owned by Mikhail Pinto and Aakash Sheth, and serves unforgettable European cuisine with a twist – a fascinating menu of herbal cocktails to tantalize your taste buds. Relax, unwind and be pampered – you’re sure to find something truly exquisite here!
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Herbed Cocktails
My tryst with THEORY was ignited by a sampling invitation from Aakash Sheth, the mastermind behind the establishment. I was transfixed from the start as I sipped on their signature cocktails and particularly savored the ones with a hint of herbs. Gin and fermented Whiskies were a must-try, and I was immediately enthralled by the art of ‘molecular mixology’ and the delightful concoctions that the mixologists were able to craft. It was an experience that won me over, and I fell head-over-heels in love with THEORY!
The Gin cocktail tasted delightfully like a Dutch Jenever, and it was mostly because the herbs imparted an intense character. This one was garnished with bright thyme, juicy citrus peel twists and a star anise – a surefire way to transport you to Scotland, where this botanical brisk is making its way back into the market with a flourish.
Embracing The Small Plates
I immersed myself in THEORY’s small-plate culture, embracing the deliciousness of Truffle-scented Wild Mushroom and Chicken Soup, the exotic flavors of Moroccan Pumpkin, and the protein-packed Quinoa Salad, with crunchy Kale leaves, roasted buckwheat, pomegranate, beetroot, and a zesty chilli lime vinaigrette – perfect for those Select dieters out there! And, of course, the cocktails were out of this world!
No matter how committed you are to your diet, it’s hard to resist THEORY’s delectable Bovine Carpaccio! Crafted with basil-marinated tenderloins, arugula, gherkins, capers, shaved parmesan, Maldon salt and balsamic vinaigrette, this masterpiece melts in your mouth with just a gentle touch of your fork. And that’s not all! The Yam Gnocchi, Smoked Zucchini, and Almond Tortellinis will tantalize your taste buds. Accented with roasted and crispy Kale and sesame seeds, the Yam Gnocchi was downright delicious, no doubt in part due to the honey-balsamic salad dressing drizzled on top by the talented Sous Chef Jagdish.
The delicate Italian rings of smoky Zucchini and Almond Tortellini were a delectable delight, with the extra crunch of toasted almonds in a decadent blue cheese dressing. For a truly unforgettable experience, the Japanese Tuna Tartare was a must-have. This magnificent, chilled and saucy delicacy is served with succulent cubes of bluefin tuna, guacamole, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a heavenly drizzle of ponzu dressing.
Big Plates For Mates
The Big plate menu at Theory is nothing short of a glorious culinary celebration! My taste buds were tantalized by the unique and delicious offerings, like the scrumptious Tuscan Goat Cheese Fegatini, stuffed with chicken liver pate, dried cranberries, figs and walnuts, and sublimely served with sage butter foam. Then I moved on to the Beetroot Risotto, delightfully infused with arugula, pine and crumbled goat cheese. But that’s not all – the Saffron Fettuccine, cooked in a creamy sauce, and the succulent Braised Australian Lamb Shank made sure that my taste-bud extravaganza was complete!
I was over-the-moon with delight to sample the delectable Saffron Fettuccine, adorned with roasted bell pepper, baby aubergine, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and bocconcini cheese. But the highlight of my Big Plate tour had to be that melt-in-your-mouth Braised Australian Lamb Shank, delicately slow-cooked in a gremolata and rosemary Jus, with a unique ‘original’ curry. As if that wasn’t enough, I indulged in the tantalising flavours of the Smoked Chilean Sea Bass, accompanied by a generous helping of cauliflower puree, bok choy, poached egg and mornay sauce. Truly a memorable feast!
A Date With The Desserts
At this downtown European lounge bar in South Mumbai, desserts are more than just a lavish affair; they are an experience! My journey down the sweet path of indulgence began with a truly unique creation – French Chocolate Cremeux. This deliciously-creamy chocolate pudding was served with a creative twist – chocolate crumble. It was by far the creamiest hazelnut mousse I have ever tasted! When I asked the chef what the secret was to making it so heavenly, he simply smiled and said, “just a light touch and a bit of finesse.”
As the finesse persisted, the Cremeux and the deconstructed Passionfruit and caramelised popcorn Mousse proved to be just as magnificent. This delectable mousse consists of a velvety raspberry jelly, a zesty passion fruit curd, crunchy cocoa nibs, a light cocoa tuile, and a creamy coconut ice cream – a real treat for the taste buds!
The desserts at THEORY were simply divine, making the dinner outing a truly memorable experience. I can’t wait to revisit with my friends and fellow foodies!
Wow the food look so good.