ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: +91 9833373888
Address: 21, Pali Hill Road, Union Park, Khar West, Khar, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
Time: 12 Noon – 6:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,000
Cuisines: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Gluten Free Options, Nightlife, Live Music, Resto Bar, Smoking Area, Serves Jain Food, Live Entertainment, Valet Parking Available, Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating, Keto Options
Hola! It’s a reincarnation. Sanchos magnetised packed houses (in two locations) and closed three years ago. It’s born again in Khar, different management, same owner and the same Mexican Chef Victor Manuel. Gauri Khan’s designed new avatar.
Almost four years ago, I’d dined in Sanchos (Colaba) with a Mexican food expert, the Spanish ambassador and his family. And they’d given it full marks. At the reborn Sanchos, I dine with a high profile, lovable, picture perfect family as much into food as fitness and photography. Maestro photographer and multiple award winner, the dapper Dabboo Ratnani remains down to earth and charming in spite of the iconic status he has achieved in fashion, portrait and celebrity photography (From Bachchan to Michael Jackson). He loves to cook and try out new restaurants with his lovely wife Manisha, who manages every aspect of his ever growing business (including shooting behind the scenes) and his adorable budding photographer and foodie children, Myrah, Kiara and Shivaan. They give it a thumbs up.
Sancho’s, Khar, Mumbai: Decor
Fresh. Vibrant. Pops of colour. Plant-filled. Gauri Khan’s split-level space with an outdoor and indoor section is elegant and vibrant. We love the multi-coloured, Mexican motif rug mounted on the upper third of the walls, the trellised trompe l’oeil mirror and the bar that looms happily.
Sancho’s, Khar, Mumbai: Food
Tacos, nachos, enchiladas… bring on the usual but do ask for the traditional roasted corn esquites sparkled with jalapeno. And the “chefs suggestion” appetiser, the bold, spicy, “legendary habanero” infused options of chicken, paneer and prawns. This is neither Mexican nor Tex Mex, informs the menu, but “a special request by the Boss”.
Vibrant, citrusy and excellent quality seafood ceviches (Blue lagoon ceviche of prawns, fish ceviche sashimi grade tuna ahi poke tostada) are recommended. Choose between corn soft shell, corn hard shell or wheat tacos, delightfully loaded with lamb and arbol chile salsa. For the mains, it’s the jumbo prawns, juicy yet firm with Habanero and tequila that come up tops. The large leg of lamb is an exemplary fall of the bone tribute to the legendary bar Victoria in Mexico. Artisanal churros with tequila dulce de leche and salted chocolate are the perfect finale.
Sancho’s, Khar, Mumbai: Minus Points
High levels of noise and low levels of air conditioning and service need fine tuning. Sadly, the most crucial… the avocado based guacamole is lackluster and sans enough citrus. In the old Sanchos, it not only had the perfect texture but also the flavor. Unfortunately, the traditional chocolate mole is over sweet served with dry chicken breast. Burrito bowl with a mish mash of ranchero sauce disappoints as does the overcooked prawn appetizer. The holy leaf, Hoja santa overpowers the fish. Finally, the old Sanchos outstanding tres leches is an overload of creaminess now. The authentic Mexican ingredients, nopal, huitaloche are not on the menu.
Sancho’s, Khar, Mumbai: My Point
Mexican in Mumbai. While I’ve enjoyed authentic Mexican food (worm salt, ants et al) in Mexico city’s greatest restaurants, Tex Mex has never been a favourite of mine. It’s always been a mystery as to why Mexican and even Tex Mex restaurants have not flourished in Mumbai. The president and The Oberoi Hotel’s Casa Mexicana and El Mexicana’s authentic Mexican shut down. The vegetarian Mexican Quattro (Lower Parel) and Samy Sosa in the suburbs continue to hold its own. However, the only stand-alone Mexican which made a mark was Sanchos; it shut down. And now, Sanchos is back.
It is back with a sexily glamorous look. A well-stocked bar. Its main dishes outshine many a ho-hum appetizer. Its guacamole needs a serious overhaul as does the mixed up service. But there’s a paucity of Tex Mex and Mexican restaurants in the city. And just for that, Sanchos has the Mexican and Tex Mex fans rejoicing!
