AER: Four Seasons, Worli, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: AER: Four Seasons, Worli, Mumbai
Phone: +912224818000, +912224818444
Address: 1/136, 34th Floor, Dr Elijah Moses Rd, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018 India
Time: 05:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 4,500
Cuisines: Spanish, Italian, European, Asian, Continental
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Romantic Dining, Restricted Entry, Dress Code Applicable, Wifi, Valet Parking Available, Live Music, Rooftop, Smoking Area, Table booking not available

On top of the world! The best place to welcome the new year and to wish you a miraculous 2022. Sexily glamorous, perched delicately on the rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel, Aer has been raising the bar (literally, too) and sparkling with await Much like my multi-talented gorgeous guest, master chef Shipra Khanna, who I first met when both of us were on a panel discussion in Spain. The long-legged beauty is not only an internationally acclaimed master chef, TV host, award-winning author, content creator and culinary ambassador to Spain, but a philanthropist, too. Her own fundraiser ‘Cooking For India’ with Care India is a huge hit as is her recent book on healthy recipes put together during the pandemic. Sure her strong digital presence with over 50 million followers is impressive, but what is truly inspirational is how she did not let her abusive marriage weigh her down and, in fact, went on to become a culinary queen. We catch the sunset, perch ourselves at the egg shaped bar and do a fun and swift tasting.

AER: Four Seasons, Worli, Mumbai – Bar Bar Dekho

Zoom up to the 33/4d floor and walk up one flight to find yourself in serene, pristine white open air space. Sunsets kiss the sky with a rosy pink and as the night comes on, multi-colored scanners and lasers beam colour as the large sign of the Fbur Seasons Hotel gleams above, never let-ting you forget where you are. Contemporary low-level white sofas (made of weather-proof material) and raised areas offer additional privacy And the egg shaped white bar remains the focal point. I’ve had great times (live saxophonist et al) DJ music (jazz, electronic, R&B), which gets louder as the night wears on.

Sup & Sip AER:

A few months ago, we ate our way through the menu and happily, the best of the dishes here rise far above bar snacks. Asia-inspired, innovatively paired and attractively served, too. The multi-talented Chef Anupam Bhatia ensures that each dish is infused with distinct flavours and textures. He effortlessly presides over mixed marriages… Prawn Balchao exuberant with Goan tanginess makes the perfect contrast with the comforting sour dough toast Truffle fries pair with velvetty mush-rooms snug inside sliders. When I had popped in for a celebratory evening, thin crusted pizzas with pepperoni were as delightful as Maki sushi, sashimi (on request from San Qi). For me, it’s the cliched Avocado Roast with a chatpatta makeover that comes up tops. Chef Gulati spikes it with green chillies and adds crunch with alfa alfa sprouts.

Shipra gives full marks to the robustly spiced succulent chicken. Served on smooth white pebbles, the potato crisp topped with asparagus and parma ham make for a light, bite sized snack.

I’m not a fan of mock meats, avoidable mock chicken nuggets. Shipra did a cocktail tasting of the signature cocktails, which Renzil Barrow was shaking and stir-ring with great expertise. Ask for the sig-natures All About Pineapple’ (gin-based pickled pineapple brine infused cocktail), ‘Sweet and Soy’ (unique cocktail with dark soy and parmesan). It’s the Espresso Martini which comes up tops.

Awesome Alfresco:

Now is the perfect time to go to The Times Food Award Winning Aer Perched on the 34th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Covid-times safe and the weather is cool and crisp most days. I’ve been many a time, found it rocking, ate my way through the menu and had delightful experiences. Kudos Sunil Narang for keeping up the consistency of the awesome alfresco experience at the 12-year-old Aer Chef Anupam Bhatia for a tasty, well-balanced menu (vegetarian, vegan, healthy options and indulgent ones, too). The only downsides? No desserts. Go, relax into the night as the tempo of the music builds up, soak in the star-spangled (sometimes smoggy) sky above and a glittering 360 degree city view below. Get yourself a sip in the Aer (now a nip in the air) An expensive, elegant sip, no doubt Raise a toast to welcome 2022. Cheers!

Note: Remember, it’s first-come-first-serve, no reservations accepted.