India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [119]
The Oberoi, Marine Dr., Nariman Point. 022/6632-5757. Reservations essential. Average meal Rs 1,500. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 12:30–2:45pm and 7:30–11:30pm.
Wasabi by Morimoto JAPANESE Rated as one of the world’s top 100 eateries, this is by far Mumbai’s top Japanese restaurant—hallowed ground for anyone who worships at the alter of celebrity chef Masahuru Morimoto, aka “Iron Chef.” Seafood is flown in from around the world for the extensive sushi and sashimi menu (which features sea urchin, flying fish roe, sweet shrimp, jackfish, and fatty tunny—stay away if you’re concerned about the carbon footprint), and there’s an extensive vegetarian selection (try the crispy “Oroshi Ankake” tofu, or Kinoko mushroom curry), not usually available in Japanese restaurants. For a bit of drama at the table, order the ishi yaki “buri bop”—a yellowtail dish prepared on a hot stone right in front of you. Also interesting are the miso marinated black cod, and the Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce, ginger and shaved scallion. Don’t leave before trying the wasabi crème brûlée, and when you come back, try the tofu cheesecake.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Apollo Blunder, Colaba. 022/6665-3366. Reservations essential for dinner. Sushi/sashimi Rs 325–Rs 500 per piece, Rs 2,050–Rs 3,945 assorted; sushi rolls Rs 500–Rs 750; main courses Rs 825–Rs 1,575; teppanyaki Rs 875–Rs 1,550. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 12:30–2:45pm and 7–11:45pm.
Expensive
CG 83 CHINESE This upmarket Oriental restaurant is highly regarded among the city’s elite—well-attired diners blend in perfectly with the slick and sumptuous decor. Despite its considerable good looks, though, this reinvention of the erstwhile China Garden is actually best appreciated for the quality of its creative cuisine. The menu here is dreamt up by Nelson Wang, the food hero who invented India’s nationally famous Manchurian chicken, and he continues to experiment by adapting Chinese dishes through subtle variations influenced by different parts of the Orient. There’s nothing on the menu that isn’t exceptional, but the prawns—either wrapped in bacon, or marinated with chilies and pepper—are a real highlight.
Om Chambers, 123 A.K. Marg, Kemps Corner. 020/2363-0842. Main courses Rs 280–Rs 390. AE, MC, V. Daily 12:30–3pm and 7–11:30pm.
India Jones PAN-ASIAN The menu is a treasure trove of exciting Asian dishes. If you’d rather not spend time wading through the menu, settle on the humungous two-person Grand Platter, which will take you on a veritable culinary odyssey, starting with soups and appetizers and culminating in a platter of green chicken curry, wok-fried prawns, stir-fried sea bass with celery, barbecued pork with honey, wok-fried mixed vegetables in black-peppercorn sauce—and the list goes on. For the not-so-ravenous, there’s plenty to choose from: superb silken tofu, wok platters, live seafood (try the grouper, filleted and steamed with Vietnamese mint), and a separate teppanyaki counter (extremely popular, so book your seat). Wait staff are also adept at making spot-on recommendations, so no need to panic about the voluminous menu. Finally, it’s a big tossup between India Jones’s legendary tab tim krob (jellied water chestnut and sago in chilled coconut milk) and the sublime green tea and wasabi ripple ice cream. Our only complaint? The cheap wooden chopsticks.
Trident Nariman Point, Nariman Point. 022/6632-4343. Main courses Rs 450–Rs 1,500, Grand Platter Rs 1,750 per person; unlimited dim sum lunch Rs 1,250. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 12:30–2:45pm and 7:30–11:45pm.
Joss PAN-ASIAN Since opening in 2004, this has grown into one of Mumbai’s best places for modern Asian cuisine. Chef Farrokh Khambata has carved quite a name for himself catering to the city’s discerning foodies; he specializes in Japanese, Malaysian, Balinese, Chinese, and Indonesian fare, tending to invigorate known favorites with a bit of