We headed to Lokhandwala on Charlotte Street to find out what the restaurant and its new menu can do for events
If you've been to Mumbai, you might have visited The Grub Fest, India's biggest food festival. If not, fear not, as the people behind it are the people cooking up tapas-styled Indian delights at Lokhandwala.
You can now hire the whole 50-capacity restaurant for events. It’s ideal for a casual office get-together or an alternative Christmas party. The speakeasy upstairs, Vijay’s Bar & Lounge, can also be part of the experience (did anyone say after party?), where Indian-infused cocktails are on offer. They are easy both on the eye and the taste buds.
A few dishes stood out on the menu. We were particularly intrigued by the chargrilled lobster Aleppey curry with fresh mango and coconut milk; the seekh gilafi (minced rabbit meat cooked in tandoor); and the Goan crab – all using ingredients not often seen in Indian cooking.
Nevertheless, we ended up going for the pan seared scallops (disappointingly underwhelming and tasteless) and sweetcorn kebab (dish of the day) to start with. For mains, we opted for the vegetarian paneer makhani curry (lovely flavours of tomatoes and rich in flavour) and the chef-recommended chicken Chettinad, made with 18 different spices. The latter was deep in flavour and immensely spicy (the kind where you have to wipe your forehead after). The word ‘tapas’ is perhaps used fairly loosely, as two small dishes and two larger dishes with a side of rice and naan was more than enough between two.
The imperial Indian interiors make it an intimate and exotic space, full of atmosphere and vibrancy. Resembling a lost Indian palace with mirrors, foliage and bird cages, Lokhandwala is a stimulator for all the senses.
We recommend ordering everything on the menu (minus the scallops) and having a giant sharing feast among you. That is, after all, what tapas is all about.
Details
Capacity 50