In my rare few visits to the other side of town, I chanced upon a new restaurant while on promotions for my new film near Kala Ghoda called Paratha Mantra. Nestled in one of the corners and bylanes of Mumbai’s busiest districts (Fort), this new restaurant was brimming with hungry buggers during lunch time. Seeing the crowd outside,
I was sure that this restaurant had something great to offer and it didn’t even take me two minutes to decide that I definitely wanted to go in after reading ‘Parantha’ on the board. After the past few healthy food reviews, I thought that this is the right time to indulge. So here I am standing outside the grand tall glass entrance of Paratha Mantra, a pure vegetarian eatery with fresh green palms that welcome me in. It took about five minutes to get a table.
Once in, I couldn’t help but notice the tall and shimmery undulating wave-like top along the entire ceiling that greeted me along with the long passage right ahead making the place look spacious. The place is mimimalistic, contemporary complete with wooden tones, crisp white walls highlighted by warm lighting and great lounge music to go with it.
Within minutes of being seated, I was handed over the menu. It did complete justice to the name, I must say. It boasts of a variety of parathas...from speciality, traditional to popular choices and also a make-your-own paratha from a choice of about 12-15 different ingredients. Then they also had a diet variety with minimum oil, but honestly, at a paratha place, who cares?
Trusting the waiter completely I let him choose my precious lunch as I was starving. It had been a whole two hours since I had eaten and not very long after my food arrived, I just got down to business.
My feast began by digging into the cheesy, delicious pizza paratha...and man did that taste yummy! Next on the table, the Dal Makhani was perfectly flavoured as was the sumptuous Lasuni Palak. My side order, the Mix Churi as they call it, was a crunchy mix of popaddam and khichiya/rice papad that just tangled my tastebuds. The chaas was very well garnished too and I was bold enough to down two glasses of this refreshing potion.
The friendly owners, Parin and Antariksh, happened to spot me and came over to chat and simultaneously convinced me to try a few more of their specialty parathas… an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. As we say in Hindi ‘pet bhari par neeyat nahi bhari’.Within minutes, a variety of parathas covered every inch of my table.
Having my reservations about the crazy combinations (I must admit I had my reservations at first), I sunk my teeth into those parathas and was pleasantly surprised that each of them lived upto my expectations. (Don’t worry, I only tasted these and did not finish these, I had my friends who were helping me with that).
From a close to the home Vada Pav Paratha, spicy Schezwan Paratha, Pav Bhaji Paratha to the more exotic Jalapeno Cheese Paratha and stringy Mozarella and Olive Paratha and (would you believe?) even a Chocolate Paratha that was sinfully divine. A perfect blend of sweet and not-so-sweet! I overhear people on the other tables that the Biryani and Mushroom Masala are equally excellent. Point noted.
Verdict: Excellent food, pleasant staff and a simple and contemporary ambience to go with it. Fusion parathas, Indian food, lounge music and a contemporary setting. Surely, it’s urban fusion at its best and food that touches the heart!
Vinay Pathak is an actor and a foodie.
Paratha Mantra
Navbharat House, 6/8 Burjorji Bharuch Marg, Military Square Lane, Fort
Call: 9769115114
Rating: ****
Meal for two: Rs 800
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