ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: Floor 1, Jalaram Commercial Centre, Near Ansa Industrial Estate, Saki Vihar Road, Sakinaka, Mumbai Maharashtra India
Time: 12:30 PM to 3:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,200
Cuisines: Mexican, Italian, Finger Food, Greek
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Smoking Area, Dance Floor, Nightlife, Live Music, Valet Parking Available, Private Dining Area Available, Restricted Entry, Serves Cocktails, Live Sports Screening, Above 18 Only, Free Parking, Outdoor Seating, Rooftop
What!!! Korean (Dakdoritang), Peruvian (Pescado Sudado), Uzbek (Lagman), Greek (Garides Tourkolimano), Colombian (Bandeja Paisa Sizzler) and more such dishes in a Sakinaka restaurant? The intriguingly named ‘Oozo’ sure had us intrigued and excited. My reader friend past 20 years, Shilpa Chawla, advertising professional, foodie and social media influencer tracked the restaurant and reached there before Gaurav Roy and I could. Investment banker and foodie, Gaurav was equally excited (he and his wife Neha check out new restaurants regularly). Was there hope behind the hype?
Oozo, Sakinaka, Mumbai Multi-Cuisine Restaurant: DECOR
We walked through the dimly-lit staircases onto the boxed in, quirkily done up first floor (a lounge with a dance floor) and a bar. We sat in the alfresco rooftop with its open bar area, rustic chairs, big fans, planters and the strong fragrance of sheeshas. Despacito blared loudly. A live band took over a little later. So far, so good.
Oozo, Sakinaka, Mumbai Multi-Cuisine Restaurant: FOOD, DRINKS AND SHEESHA
Happy hours. Interesting cocktails (Tiramisu, Nutella Pretzel shake, etc). Well priced booze and sheesha. We flagged off our dinner with tiny cheesy Poppadum. Interestingly, on the menu, there was only one Indian dish (no prizes for guessing) — Chicken Tikka. We ate our way through the world menu and only four dishes met with our approval, the boldly spiced Feta Chilly Mushrooms and even though not the real McCoy, the Korean Cheese Buldak was lustily spiced to suit the Indian palate as was the succulent Jujeh Kebab. Okayish thick crust Pizza piled over with veggies… Chipotle Pesto, Mozzarella and Parmesan.
Oozo, Sakinaka, Mumbai Multi-Cuisine Restaurant: MINUS POINTS
No beef, lamb or pork. The waiters (understandably) were confused and unable to explain the exotic international menu. The watery Thai Curry disappoints as does the Italian Locro de Zapallo. It’s no point listing the long, tongue twisting names of the dishes we ate that night. Suffice it to say that even the sole Indian dish of Chicken Tikka was overdone and under spiced. And that Columbian sizzler with a fried egg and chips did not sizzle at all. Out of the five desserts listed on the menu, only the stodgy brownie was available.
Oozo, Sakinaka, Mumbai Multi-Cuisine Restaurant: MY POINT
Sakinaka needed a lively destination, for sure. Oozo, with its quirky interiors, moderately-priced booze and sheesha, has very brilliantly filled that gap. Why did it bother to fill in its menu with inauthentic dishes from around the world?
