God is a woman — says the painted text on the peach-coloured wall of Oheka. And the day we visit the skydeck and poolside bar, there is a gaggle of ladies seated right below the sign, trying out the food and enjoying themselves to the fullest. Clearly, they agree with the thought. But that’s just one of the quirky elements that make Oheka a fun place to be. The four partners — Ashish Mehta, Chirag Wadhwa, Nijaal Shah and Sachin Kalra — have given the interiors, a cool, Miami vibe with its bright tropical colours.
We scan the menu, pausing at the Potato Corn Bacon salad (Rs 320). The mustard mayo dressing provides a creamy base for the herbed baby potatoes, crispy bacon and corn, topped with cherry tomatoes. We complement it with the Brazilian Connection (Rs 475), a heady concoction of gin, coffee, chocolate bitter, jasmine syrup and rosso vermouth. It’s a treat for those who like their drinks on the bitter side. There is also a sugar-free cocktail section and being coffee lovers, we pick the Berbera Koffee (Rs 525). The cold brewed coffee and gin hit all the right notes. The Palak Patta Chaat (Rs 220) catches our attention for all the right reasons. The palak fritters topped with tamarind and mint chutneys are crisp and the addition of yoghurt and pomegranate seeds has a cooling effect.
Chef Akshay Kale comes out of the kitchen to recommend the Lal Maas Phulka Tacos (Rs 340). While the meat is perfectly cooked, we find the filling with its jalapeno, onions, spicy mayo and red chilli a bit too salty. But the cheerful chef sends us a fresh batch and we are perfectly happy with the fresh lot with its balanced spices. It’s a beautiful blend of flavours!
(Clockwise from top left) Potato Corn Bacon salad; Brazilian Connection; Kaffir Lime Prawns, Lemongrass Scented Rice
Although pretty satiated by now, we order the Kaffir Lime Prawns and Lemongrass Scented Rice (Rs 450), because, well, we like how it sounds. Turns out, we love how it tastes! It’s not just a beautiful-looking dish, the succulent prawn curry and delicate lemongrass rice is pure comfort and another reason to come again for more.
Verdict: Bandra’s latest addition has its ambience and food on point. Don’t forget to take a dip in the pool!
At: Third Floor, 132, C’est La Vie Building, Hill Road, Bandra West
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