Juliette Ristorante & Bar: Oshiwara, Andheri West, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Juliette Ristorante & Bar
Phone: +919324594718
Address: RAHEJA CLASSIQUE, 12, next to Infinity Mall, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,800
Cuisines: European, Italian, Desserts
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Valet Parking Available, Indoor Seating, Desserts and Bakes, Table booking recommended

Like Shakespeare ‘s Juliet, aamchi Mumbai’s Juliette has dollops of charm. She is feminine and delightful. I am intrigued by the name, had got a good feedback from my readers which propels me to take the traffic choked drive from South Mumbai to Andheri. I go without booking, lunch alone. It’s been my favourite way of dining: it helps me immerse, to have a white-hot focus on the dining experience, the food, the ambience and more.

Dining with friends is fun, it gives other perspectives and opinions on the food but it can, sometimes, also, distract from the main task at hand. The only downside to dining alone, is that I end up overeating (please see the photo of the food, pay a bill of ₹6683, including a glass of red wine). But, it’s super fun! So here I am at Juliette (sans Romeo!). Is it a star-crossed Shakespearean tragedy? Or is it, “All’s well that ends well?” Read on to find out.

Juliette Ristorante & Bar: Oshiwara, Andheri West, Mumbai – Decor

Refreshing and charming. Juliette sprawls into 4000 sqft, is decked with plants and lamps, it is the ceiling withthe interwoven fabric that immediately catches the eye. Love the interplay of textures, be it the stone work or the ceiling. Love the unique installation of fabric, metal grids, blown glass flower discs and fabric flowers in three different sizes. The lifelike plant installation with it’s trailing vine, pod art installations on the wall, add layers of charm. Kudos to Sumessh Menon.

Juliette Ristorante & Bar: Food

The phrase ‘give us this day our daily bread’ takes on a whole new meaning here. The warm, plump, oozing cheese, cream and comfort pull-apart bread is easily Mumbai’s best. The soft roll is freshly baked, has double reduced bechamel, cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan cheese sparkled with herbs. I pull the warm bread apart, dunk it one by one into the trio of dips marinara, chipotle mayonnaise and garlic aioli. But, it’s perfectly wonderful on it’s own. Bursting with texture and flavour, the unique pizza with its topping of mushroom duxelle and fresh burrata, crowned with rocket leaves, truffle oil and burrata is a must try.

Ask for the edamame hummus and mezze platter accessorised with Kalamata olives, harissa, tzaziki and my favourite the spicy garlic toum. It’s the seasonal sea bass with its amazing jugalbandi of cajun crust and beurre blanc with Bhavnagri chillies that is a delicious and original touch.

All-day breakfast has been added on, well-priced and varied choices. Benedict, Frenchtoast, pancakes, avocado tartine, Shakshuka and more. Plenty of healthy lunch bowls (quinoa, roasted cauliflower burrito, kale and chicken keto bowl). The aglio e olio passes the acid test of a well-made pasta. Many a delicious and romantically named cocktail and mocktail here.

End with luscious dark chocolate, nuttela tart with Pistachio Gelato and raspberry coulis.

Minus Points:

It’s the Assamese black rice risotto that strikes a discordant note with its delicate asparagus and parmesan stock. Overly sweet panacotta and overcooked tiger prawns dissapoint.

My Point:

I dine alone in Andheri’s nine month-old Juliette Ristorante. I do so amid a charming ambience (kudos Sumessh Menon). Chef Nikhil Abhyankar serves a delicious European fare. Adds his own creative touches and tweaks which don’t go over the top (thankfully!). Juliette comforts and delights. Comforting prices too. Andheri’s Juliette is not a Shakespearean tragedy. It’s open all day. All’s well that ends well!