LA POZ Place, Fort, Mumbai Vegan Restaurant

Restaurant Name: LA POZ Place, Fort, Mumbai
Phone: +917009000246
Address: 105, Ground Floor, Mubarak Manzil, Samachar Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 12:00 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 1,800
Cuisines: Pizza, Italian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Healthy Food, Cafe, Pasta
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Vegetarian Only, Full Bar Available, Valet Parking Available, Indoor Seating, Table booking recommended

Admiration. Twice over. For my legal superstar lunch guest and Kala Ghoda’s new vegetarian / vegan restaurant we lunch in. La Poz Place fills a much needed gap. It uses mainly locally sourced ingredients. Our renowned solicitor guest Sanjay Asher, senior partner in an iconic legal firm, is no doubt a discerning vegetarian gourmet, a committed wildlife conservationist and also runs his own gaushala. His legal acumen is unparalleled as is his knowledge of wildlife, the jungles and his commitment to conservation. We eat our way through the Italian European menu, applaud the restaurant’s use of local organic ingredients. All the while our very alert legal eagle carefully and meticulously notes the ingredients, the service. Yes! His verdict is very favorable.

LA POZ Place, Fort, Mumbai: Decor

Tucked into the artsy Kala Ghoda district, La Poz is a charming, pleasant, tranquil space. The verandah flooring in pink and white marble complements the pastel walls and the plants. Plenty of interesting details, from the swing in the waiting area to the wrought iron bearings for the lights… Kudos Minnie Bhatt for incorporating simplicity and minimalism into the high ceilinged room.

LA POZ Place, Fort, Mumbai: Food

European dishes turn shudh vegetarian / vegan / Jain… take your pick! No eggs are used at all. Happily so. Small plates, large plates, pizzas and salads… Worth noting is that you can regulate portion sizes as per your preference. So you can request for a small plate to be served in a bigger portion or vice versa. It’s the vibrant, refreshing and multi-textured salads that are exceptionally good. Caramelized Fig Salad, Candied Walnuts, Torched Brie Cheese comes up tops.

Caramelized Grapefruit, Malta Orange and Hass Avocado Salad bursts with citrus, with fleshy avocado and springy cheese balls. Honey mustard and citric reduction dressings… generously and perfectly dressed, too.

Ask for the Fiamma Pizza… San Marzano tomatoes, vegan cheese (option), caramelized onion and fresh red chillies, feta cheese top the Neapolitan crust of the woodfired pizza. Several options are served.

A haven for vegans… hand rolled vegan tagliatelle. Mock meat burger (textured soy protein). Pizzas available, vegan cashew nut cheese made in-house. Crunchy, addictive golden fried fries dusted with Parmesan cheese, truffle oil.

Kudos gifted 31-year-old Chef Ernez Driver for not using commercially made mock meats. The servers are attentive, welcoming and well-informed, too.

Minus Points:

The desserts do not keep pace with the rest of the menu. Neither in flavour nor texture. Also, dessert options need to be provided for vegans and gluten-free diners. Tiramisu and Chocolate Truffle (Calibaut) Balls need tweaking. Dry and lacklustre roasted Vegetable Quiche, ditto for Jain option of Mix Vegetable Lasagne, avoidable.

My Point:

Relaxing haven for vegans and vegetarians (gluten-free diners, too) in Kala Ghoda. Amid charming ambiance, their backdoor bar whips up many a cocktail. The young Chef Ernez Driver’s vegetarian / vegan small and large plates serve up tasty options. Desserts need working upon.

Kudos for showcasing local flavours rooted in the Mediterranean, using freshly sourced ingredients from India and not opting for commercial mock meal options. Hard core non-vegetarians stay away! Kudos to the four Jain cousins for setting up this vegan / vegetarian / Jain La Poz Place. It fills a gap! And does so deliciously!