Ballard Estate’s Kaboom comes to Kamala Mills with its farm fresh veggies, rotational menu and simple, delicious food at prices that won’t burn a hole in your pocket
You must be wondering why we chose to use the word blast instead of bursting with flavours, but more on that later. First and foremost, a question for the ladies. How many times have we slung our handbags on the chair in the restaurant or dragged an extra chair as if the bag is another friend, or quite simply, dumped it on the floor next to our feet? The answer is: countless! So a restaurant that offers us a simple solution to the above mentioned problem by hanging a hook under the table for the very purpose, gets a thumbs up from us instantly.
Two years after winning hearts and tummies in Ballard Estate, Kaboom is all set to make its presence felt in Kamala Mills and we were the chosen ones to get a sneak peek into the new menu and décor. Just like its predecessor, Kaboom will also have a rotational menu with international cuisines, but unlike the one at Ballard Estate, this is a sit-down restaurant, which will be open all day and have a separate menu on weekends. So expect Chinese on Mondays, Italian on Tuesdays, American on Wednesdays… you get the drift.
Ambience The minimalist décor with its shipping container interiors and lime green open kitchen has a fun, happy vibe and we seat ourselves on the tables and chairs made out of upcycled furniture. Soon, we get to know that even the servers’ uniforms are made out of organic cotton and that the cutlery is made using environmentally friendly material. Full marks to the eatery for sparing a thought for planet earth!
Food Since we’re here for a preview, the rotational menu doesn’t apply to us and we’re free to order away. A small device is handed to us after we’ve placed our order and we sit chatting with the co-founder Yohaan Dattoobhai, till there is a prominent buzz from the gadget lying on the table, all green lights flashing. Our order is ready! We’ve decided to start from the healthy side of the menu first and so we find a colourful bowl of fresh veggies staring at us from the Farmer’s Grain Bowl (`200). Fresh, organic vegetables such as beetroot, broccoli and carrot jostle for space with millet and quinoa, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds in a balsamic vinaigrette.
Simple and delicious.
The Chinese Omlette (`150) sandwiched between two lightly toasted breads gives delightful hints of red chilly, ginger and garlic and is over in no time. So are the Chicken (`250) and Veg Burgers with Hummus (`230). The former, with grilled zucchini and a smooth and light chicken patty is just right for a lunch while the latter, with its patty made of carrots and beets among other veggies (almost no potato!) is a big, sloppy, delicious mess. Just the way we like it. But we have saved the best for the last. The Banh Mi (`250) (Chef Darius Madon’s personal favourite) with its filling of chicken, pickled veggies, jalapeno and soy sauce will find a favour with all palates, while the Jerk Chicken Sandwich (`150) with crunchy veggies and chicken in Caribbean Jerk sauce is a winner all the way.
What doesn’t work: If we had to nitpick, we would say that the Sloppy Joe (`250) with its chicken mince, red and green peppers among others was a bit bland as compared to the other dishes. The Broccoli Salad and Scallion Pancake (`170), too, didn’t find much favour with us, mainly because of the above-mentioned reason.
Verdict: Think Kaboom, and the words light, fresh and delicious pop up instantly in our head. As they would in yours, once you’ve tasted the food.
AT: Kaboom, Trade World, B Wing, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
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