The SpeakEasy Kitchen, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: The SpeakEasy Kitchen, Pali Hill
Phone: +917208656411
Address: Unit 3, 5AA, Mac Ronells Compound, St. Andrews Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 India
Time: 12 Noon – 10:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 400
Cuisines: Sindhi, Italian, Burger, Finger Food
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, No Seating Available,

I could never get enough of it. It’s one of my most favourite regional Indian cuisines. It’s the simply sublime Sindhi food. Sadly, it is rarely served in restaurants or focused upon by chefs. It was more than 30 years ago that I first fell in love with the authentic, home style Sindhi food in my dearest friend, award winning film director and full time gourmet and great cook, the late Gul Anand’s Peddar Road home. Before that, I used to pop in for the Sindhi dal pakwan breakfast at Kailash Parbat, some years ago, reviewed the very tiny pure vegetarian Joss by Sindhful located in Parel. I kept my ears to the ground and a wistful eye out for Sindhi food. And then my prayers were answered.

At Home:

Great news. During the pandemic, Maestro Vicky Ratnani opened The SpeakEasy Kitchen. I ordered in home delivery and also had the The SpeakEasy Kitchen’s vegetarian Sindhi food delivered to my all-time favourite vegetarian gourmets who have the finest Sindhi food in their home along with other cuisines, too. They checked out the food in their beautiful garden. Gir cows in their home backyard, organic vegetables in their garden, the lovable creative Harsha Ashok Hinduja redefined “homemade” when some years ago she sent me sandesh made from the milk of Gir cows at home. From spearheading Ikebana and Bonsai societies, this fine art connoisseur, trained vocal singer and philanthropist ensures that the finest most healthy and tasty food graces her table.

Shom Hinduja, the dashing Columbia University graduate, one of Mumbai‘s most eligible bachelors, is leading the group’s foray into the alternative energy sector, next generation digital technologies and sustainability and recently launched two new trailblazing companies in the electric vehicle space. He’s a great vegetarian gourmet, too. I’ve dined out with him regularly and I’m forever grateful to him for taking me to his vegetarian hotspots in NYC.

Yes, we all loved the Sai Bhaji, Dal Pakwan and Sindhi Curry. At my home, I ordered in the non-vegetarian mutton and more. Our review follows.

Authentic Home-style Sindhi Food

Nestled in a leafy Bandra lane, gourmet Sindhi food is being made to order by award-winning Chef Vicky Ratnani. This well-known celebrity chef has over 500 episodes of cooking shows showcasing global, urban Indian food and he travels around Canada, Australia, and Peru. He was awarded ‘Chef of the Year 2016’. He uses the finest ingredients and cooks with love and passion. And does so to authentic family recipes.

There is depth of flavour, perfection of texture in each dish. Full of the goodness of spinach and just the right flicker of tangy leaves, gently cooked up with dal and mashed together into velevetty bliss, the Sai Bhaji delights and comforts. As does the Sindhi Kadhi with the crunchy double fried Potato Tuk on the side. Be it the robustly flavored, succulent mutton, the flavour-packed Seyal Chicken Pulao, the non-vegetarian dishes are delicious. Ask for Moms Prawn Curry and Sindhi street food inspired Bun Kulcha Kebab Burgers. Well made Koki and Dal Pakwan, too.

Brilliantly packed and delivered all over Mumbai. They cater to small private parties, too.

The SpeakEasy Kitchen, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai: Labour Of Love

Chef Ratnani’s lockdown baby, The SpeakEasy Kitchen is not just a perfunctory bit of brand extension, it is an expression of ethnic pride, a genuine labour of love. It has planted its roots in Sindhi soil, but TSK branches out to many a global dish too, with roast chicken, pasta and burgers.

We are rejoicing and celebrating Sindhi food. Simply superb! Superbly simple!