ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: 022 33956062
Address: The Sahil, 292, Belasis Road, Opposite Orchid City Centre Mall, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
Time: 12 Noon – 3:30 PM, 7 PM – 12:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,100
Cuisines: North Indian, Mughlai, Awadhi
Facilities: Home Delivery, Full Bar Available, Wifi, Valet Parking Available, Table Reservation Not Required
My rule no 1: Always be on the lookout for value for money for “off the eaten track” restaurants.
My rule no 2: And to do so, rely upon dyed in the drool foodies.
My rule no 3: No matter who they are, hang on to their shirt tails and not only go with them to their favourite eateries but also let them order (as they know best).
My rule no 4: Ensure that we do not inform the restaurant.
My rule no 5: Pay the bill (as always).
And so, it was last fortnight that two most interesting and well-informed foodies gallantly escorted me to one of their favorite haunts. The charming twosome, Mansoor H Matani and Feroze Mistry’s very business is as the core of the world of food, restaurants and caterers. They not only love food but also hire out crockery, cutlery and more – from the practical steel to the fancy gold and silver plated and even super fancy imported crockery sets – they’ve been hiring these out to restaurants and caterers, too. They promised they would take me to their other hidden favorites but this time we lunched at Rivaaz, close to their Mazgaon office.
Rivaaz, Mumbai Central, Mumbai: Decor
Enter Sahil, a non-descript four-star hotel, and walk right off the lobby into a pleasant and somewhat bare appointed room with a wooden wall.
Rivaaz, Mumbai Central, Mumbai: Food
It’s the generous portions and the large size of the kebabs and tikkas that caught our attention, which were attractively presented on triangular metal platters with a profusion of shredded carrot and beetroot ribbons. Moist and flavorful Chicken Tikka. Ditto for the Corn Kebab. Meltingly soft with a crisp covering, we all loved the Dahi ke Kebab. Cut into absurdly small pieces yet the Amritsari Fish retained its authentic ajwain-spiked deliciousness. Unerringly cooked “Bheja Gulmohur” got full marks from our bheja expert. And the sweet finale of the Mashuk e Khumas Gulab Jamun with phirnee had a restrained sweetness and a velvety creaminess.
Rivaaz, Mumbai Central, Mumbai: Minus Points
The location can be daunting, and getting to Rivaaz involves a traffic-choked drive to the Mumbai Central area. Some of the dishes need fine-tuning: Watery and lacking punch Nalli Nihari, greasy Paaya and soggy Biryani. Over salted Gunfah Kebab. Weird pink-colored Sundae, Taj Mahal dessert with paan masala.
Rivaaz, Mumbai Central, Mumbai: My Point
Rivaaz, tucked into a four star hotel, surprises with its robust and tasty Mughlai fare and its generous portions and affordable pricing (average meal for two Rs. 1,200). Should you happen to be in the vicinity… it’s a must visit.
