House Of Mandarin, Powai, Mumbai Pan Asian Restaurant

Restaurant Name: House Of Mandarin
Phone: +919819696196
Address: B-Wing, Binge Central, 1st, Delphi Building, Orchard Ave, Hiranandani Gardens, Panchkutir Ganesh Nagar, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076 India
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,200
Cuisines: Chinese, Asian, Japanese, Seafood, Desserts, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Available for Functions, Valet Parking Available, Desserts and Bakes, Group Meal

House Of Mandarin, Powai, Mumbai: About

I’m getting high on Powai. Its energy, its restaurants and its lively bars are lovely. It gets even better when I dine here with a hugely talented actor-couple. Their chemistry is palpable and their joie de vivre, infectious. Both Gautam Rode and Pankhuri Awasthy Rode love Pan Asian food. But both have very different food preferences. And that is the acid test of House Of Mandarin (HOM). While Gautam is into fitness (has a gym at home) and is particular about healthy fare, Pankhuri is the opposite.

“Our cook has to cook two kinds of meals. Tofu and steamed food for Gautam, paneer, potatoes and tempura for me,” Pankhuri smilingly explains. She looks slender and lovely in white. We place our bespoke orders and as we await the dishes, it is a delight to learn about the screen lives of the couple and how they met during a hugely popular mythological TV show, where she played Draupadi’s role and he was Suryaputra Karan and till today their fans address them as such. Interestingly, before he became an actor, Gautam wanted to start a restaurant which served healthy food. He places his order, minus certain ingredients.

Binge Central:

HOM is located in a swanky complex, aptly named Binge Central. Zoom up the lift past noisy, loud music filled bars and restaurants. Walk into House Of Mandarin with its casual and comforting ambiance, well-spaced four-seater tables, booths and a private dining room too. There was a private party with loud music in the neighboring Sassy Spoon. Helpful staff guided us to a table where we could talk. Fabulous and fun evening with the young couple.

Food: House Of Mandarin, Powai, Mumbai

Chinese, Japanese and now Thai dishes too. Let’s first look at how brilliantly HOM’s chef J Papa Rao manages to deliver exactly what Gautam asked for California roll without cream cheese. Freshly rolled and delicious and yes, the cream cheese was excluded. The stir fry vegetables have the perfect crunch and once again they’re on point, the mushroom and soy sauce have been excluded as requested by Gautam.

Turnip Cake with burnt garlic is a winner as is the flavor infused with the sharpness of coriander. Ask for the Maki roll, crunchy with Prawn Tempura. Succulent and moist Chicken Clay Pot and the chef’s special Glazed Lamb are recommended. Well made chicken in red chilli oil. Both our rice dishes pass muster. Jasmine Rice With Edamame, also the Egg White and Chicken Fried Rice. Kudos culinary director Amir Bhatia.

The desserts may not be Asian but are a must try. The multi-talented owner is also a Le Cordon Bleu trained patisseur Rachel Goenka, author of award winning book Adventures With Mithai.

Sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream and candied ginger and seven textures of hazelnut and chocolate make for sublime sweet finales.

Minus Points:

It’s one of those party-time days and the music decibels from the neighboring party are very high. If we hadn’t wished to sit and talk, we may even have enjoyed Lungi Dance and Boogie, woogie. Some of the dishes need fine tuning like the Vegetable Crystal Dumpling’s thick glutinous skin and though tasty, the Kung Pao Chicken is a bit over cooked. Thai Som Tom Salad needs more punch.

My Point:

In Powai and looking for a high energy, casual fun dining Pan Asian restaurant? Head to London trained, award winning restaurateur Rachel Goenka’s (AKA Ms Sassy Spoon) House Of Mandarin. This youngest member of the management committee ( National Restaurant Association of India ) has set up several popular restaurants bars, bakeries and patisseries. She sure has her finger on the foodie pulse of Mumbai and Pune. Not only has HOM added more bar bites and appetizers and cocktails but also pruned the fine-dining angle. Generous portions, balanced and fine tuned for the Indian palate, freshest of ingredients make it worth visiting. Helpful staff overseen by restaurant manager Abu Talib, House Of Mandarin also ensures fine tuning dishes to individual tastes and therein lies its magic!