Three new eateries that you should check out in Mumbai

Try the Pav Bhaji cones at 145.

145, Kala Ghoda

A short climb away from the iconic Khyber and with large windows that frame a barren Kala Ghoda, especially at night, Sudheer and Ishaan Bahl’s 145 is a nice space to be in. The all-day bar café takes the place of Cheval, and is pleasantly expansive, with long bar counters — two of them — plush red booths, and even a pool table. The ceiling is an arresting sight, with Ayaz Bursai’s Subodh Gupta-esque and Mumbai-streets-inspired circular installation that comprises of yellow squeeze balls, plastic badminton rackets, orange tea kettles and fire buckets. The 72-seater café is big on small plates, and features a selection of both Indian — think Pav Bhaji Cones (Rs 195) and Kurkure Behl (Rs 195) — tacos and corn tempura. Other highlights include the Raan Bao (Rs 225), Butter Chicken/Mushroom Bunny Chow (Rs 375/Rs 325), and, for those who can’t do without dinner, Goan Prawn Curry (Rs 375) and Nasi Goreng (Rs 350).

Any barman who knows his classics — the Mojito was excellent — is worthy of experimenting cocktails, and the 145, which has an extensive bar menu, doesn’t disappoint. The Gin Kane (mango-blended coconut cream, orange juice and strawberry with gin, Rs 325) is properly showy, and arrives wreathed in smoke. The creamy cocktail — a second one — could also make for a nice desserty drink. If you are with friends, try the Sharing Bowl Cocktails (Rs 1101) — sangria and Pimm’s — and their Yard Glass Cocktails (Rs 478) are brilliant conversation-lubricators.

Address: No. 145, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400001
Phone: 022-40396632
Timing: 12.30pm to 1.30am

The 45-seater is welcoming and makes excellent use of space with two lounge areas. (right) The Papad Paneer Roll is a must-try.

District Lounge, Kemps Corner

The Shalimar Hotel in South Mumbai is where you’ll usually find middle-aged Gujarati businessmen getting into a lather about the stock market and, as we overheard, start-ups and venture capital. Four young men – Sunny Sara, Ritik Bhasin and Shashi Thadani, the trio behind LIV, the nightclub in Fort, and Rishi Acharya, the owner of Tryst, the South Mumbai nightclub – may be hoping to draw the crowd at their nightclubs to the hotel’s new all-day bar District Lounge (previously Smooth).

To bring down the average age by half, changing the bar’s playlist, which included 1970s and 1980s hits such as “La Isla Bonita” and “You Sexy Thing”, would be a good place to start. The 45-seater is welcoming and makes excellent use of space with two lounge areas, a compact communal table, bar seating and regular tables away from the bar. The classics listed on the menu as “Back In The Days” passed our Mojito test (Rs 345) with a full score and the Twisted Mimosa (Rs 700) was perfect for an all-girls night out.

The décor seems a bit confused with a poster of “Lunch atop a skyscraper”, the iconic New York City photo on one side and Leonardo da Vinci’s notes on his paintings on the other. But when you have a brilliant cocktail at your table, you’re willing to return for more, regardless of what’s on the walls. If you asked the barman nicely and tell him that whisky’s your poison, he’ll shake up a brilliant Bourbon mix with Laphroaig, limoncello, hand-crushed rosemary and apricot jam. For small eats, there are Papad Paneer Rolls (Rs 380), bits of juicy paneer in peppery papad cones, with enough bite to keep vegetarians going through the night and Bhuna Gosht Pav (Rs 430), mini pavs stuffed with mutton, for the meat eaters. For those who want a full meal, there are all kinds of biryanis or booze-friendly Chinese dishes such as chicken in hot garlic sauce (Rs 430).

Address: District Lounge, The Shalimar Hotel, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai – 400036
Phone: 022-66641000
Timing: 12.30pm – 3.30pm and 7pm – 1am

Craft Deli.Bistro.Bar, Kurla

When you step inside Craft, you immediately get a sense of having left the rush of the mall and mall rats behind. If you can get past the bizarre chic interiors that vaguely recall a paleoentology museum – Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. would fit right in – the warm lighting and quiet kitchen sounds from the open kitchen soothe you into settling in.

The modern European restaurant and bar has a wide-ranging food and drink menu, but T2 (Rs 500), a Craft original cocktail with tamarind and tequila is a good place to start. The savoury baklava (Rs 395), which is a delicately layered dish of microgreens, caramelised onions and a bhut jholokia pepper coulis are standout options from their generously portioned small plates. The peri peri shrimp pizza (Rs 525) with green peppers, jalapenos and pine nuts to cut the edge off was another dish worth a return visit.

If you want to go home miserable yet virtuous for not having piled calories onto your plate, order the No Carb Sphagetti (425), which is exactly what the menu says it is – slivers of carrots, zucchini, squash and almonds. Why not just cut up a juicy tenderloin steak (Rs 525) instead and put your dining partners at ease as well? Honestly, don’t go out to eat if you’re on a punishing diet because nothing justifies ordering a No Carb anything.

Of course, you haven’t done Craft any justice until you wrap up your meal with their excellent peanut butter pie (Rs 275). Skip the chocolate ganache and vanilla icecream that it’s paired with and you’ll realise that the dessert is perfect as is. No frills or trimmings required – just like everything else that Craft puts on the table.

Address: Phoenix MarketCity, L.B.S. Marg, Kurla West, Opp. Naaz Hotel, Mumbai – 400070
Phone: 022-61802073/74
Timing: 11.30am – 11.45pm