Eight, Lower Parel, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Eight, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Phone: +919152031614
Address: Palladium Mall, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 3000
Cuisines: Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating

Eight, Lower Parel, Mumbai

What does it all add up to? I refer to the four-month old Eight at Phoenix Mall. Checked out this brand new restaurant twice over, once by sending ahead four foodies and giving them my credit card to pay on my behalf (they paid ₹ 8085). The advantage? They went unannounced and could accurately check out the food and service. When I get back from chemothermia, I immediately pop into Eight to sample the dishes myself (I paid ₹2587). I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. I did not expect Eight to be as good as it turned out to be. So how much does Eight score? Read our review to find out. . .

Food

I’m grateful to the foursome for going ahead incognito, dining on my behalf and sending me copious notes and comments. Mumbai’s leading and celebrated fitness couple Sunil and Madhuri Kudva are known for their boutique, state-of-the-art personal training center in South Mumbai where they share knowledge, expertise and most importantly, care. Madhuri is an Indian Odissi classical dancer by passion and in their busy lives, they ensure that they cook themselves. Sunil specializes in meats and Madhuri in soups, salads and stir frys. Japanese and Thai are their favourite cuisines and they are the perfect guests here. As is their buddy , former gymnast, squash and golf buff and a consummate cook, Japanese food addict, Shyam Ghia. Brilliant lawyer and vegetarian foodie Kalpana Merchant, was The Kudva’s very first client in 2007 and trains regularly. She enjoys golf, swimming and cooking for parties and at home too. They enjoy the food here. As do I on my visit later on. Our verdict follows.

Décor @ Eight

Located in Phoenix Mall, this small, 64 seater restaurant has lightened up and brightened up the old “Typhoon shelter” replaced. Chinese lanterns, a red and jade colour palette, banquettes and a sushi and tempura bar complete the décor. The focus point of the restaurant is the sushi bar (can watch the action and dine at the counter) but we opt to sit in the comfy banquette.

Sushi, Dimsum and Then Some

Canton, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan distil themselves onto our plates. The freshness of the ingredients, the house-made sauces and authentic flavours delight. Having worked in Song Qi in Monaco, Hokkaido in Japan and Hakkasan in Mumbai and travelled extensively, Chef Sagar Sarkar ensures a memorable experience for vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Two dishes come up tops: Mumbai’s best, melt-in-the mouth pork belly with daikon and my all-time-favourite soup dumpling from Shanghai. Xiaolong bao are not to be missed. Our Japanese food addict Shyam Ghia, approves of sushi chef Bharat Dhakal’s range of sushi and sashimi.

Dim sum haven! Over 20 thin skinned parcels of delight. Spicy Hargaw, Peruvian Asparagus Cheung Fun are recommended! Tempura? Assorted Yasai, veg tempura are airy and crunchy.

Cheung Fun Prawn Rolls and the Crispy Duck Salad are the Kudva’s favourite.

Both the Yuzu Tart and the sticky toffee pudding desserts have the perfect sweetness and crunch. Kudos patisseur Archana Gaekwad!

Minus Points

Perched in a busy mall, Eight is small and boxed in. “Edamame and Truffle Dimsum was strange and were very pasty in taste,” share the Kudva couple. I agree with them, this trendoid is avoidable in almost every restaurant where it pops up with regularity.

Overly sweet Som Tam Salad, Plain Sticky Rice is missing and needs to be added to the menu. Limited choice of desserts are some of the few downsides.

My Point

Here it is. A brand new standalone destination for premium Pan Asian and Japanese fare. Never mind if it’s located in a mall. Fortunately it has a short cut to get there. Powering it are two hospitality superstars, Atul Ruia (who needs no introduction) and Prashant Issar. Prashant has set up 35 unique restaurants in London, Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai. I first noted his unique talent and his finger on the foodie pulse when several years ago I dined at his Mirchi and Mime (Powai). Attention to detail and consistency marks his restaurants. If only they would expand the small, boxed-in Eight. Till then, it remains our Chinese lucky number. Eight lives up to its name!