ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Restaurant Name: Zima, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai
Phone: +919930888880, +919833966966
Address: Corner of 36th, Off Linking Road, &, 32nd Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 12:00 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 2,200
Cuisines: Lebanese, Mediterranean, Desserts, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Outdoor Seating, Table booking recommended, Desserts and Bakes, Indoor Seating
Double dedication! I dedicate my column to ‘passion’, the driving force that powers success and genius. It is also dedicated to the founders of Zima, the restaurant under review. I am joined by the fab family Gangji, my lunch guests today. They are not just Mumbai-based fashion designers who run a successful chain of stores across India and Dubai, but are also great gourmets. Riyaz Gangji is well-known for his exclusive fusion couture and custom tailoring. Few know about his other gourmet connections. They design uniforms for top hotels and restaurants. Along with his creative wife Reshma, they also run a unique business of rock salt manufacturing, which they export to global brands. Handling very successful wine business too. Riyaz is an accomplished chef himself and fusion cooking is his forte. All three are Middle Eastern food fans. Ananya (studying fashion in London) loves hummus. Reshma is always on the lookout for the best Fattouush Salad. What’s our take on Zima, the hot new Bandra restaurant? Read on to find out
Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco…
Meat lovers are in for a treat. Ask for their signature dishes like the Grand Mix Grill Platter, made with succulent robust and authentically spiced meat. Be it the Kafta Lahm, Kafta Dajaj, Shish Taouk or the Lahm Meshwi, Arayes, there’s plenty to choose from. We particularly enjoy the Riyash Ghanam (lamb chops). Nibble on Grilled Chicken Wings and note with delight the authenticity of the Iranian Lari Chicken and the Iranian Mutton Lari, Kebab Hallabi and the softness of the Telar (cheese) Kebab.
In the cold Mezze, it’s the Hummus Trio (Spicy, Pesto and Beetroot Hummus) which tops the list. In the hot mezze, we recommend the Prawns Othmalia.
Vegetarians can try Falafel Pockets and the refreshing Watermelon Feta salad and more. The Levantine Fattoush Salad, made with crunchy vegetables (and the perfect dressing) meets with our lovely gourmet Reshma’s approval.
End your meal on a sweet note with the unique Baklava Cheesecake and the soft wobbly Pistachio Milk Cake. It’s the creamy and dreamy Cremé Bruleé that takes the cake.
Celebrating something special? Ask for the large, freshly-baked bread (veg and non veg options), they will write your name on it too. We enjoyed the Tarha bread with the family Gangji’s name on it, as we celebrated them.
Zima, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: Indoors And Outdoors
Lush with trees, the outdoor patio is the perfect space for those particular about safety in these COVID times. It’s here that I bump into the renowned orthodontist Dr Sandesh Mayekar and Swati Mayekar enjoying a quiet lunch. They are Zima regulars and vouch for its consistency.
Zima, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: Passion On A Plate
Dubai based globe-trotting gourmets foodpreneurs, Zareen Baig and Atiq Kapadia serve up a taste of Lebanon, Turkey Egypt, Morocco and more.
Interestingly, even the origin of the name Zima lies in the initials of Zareen and Atiq’s family members.
When two extraordinary chefs come together, you can expect to be blown away.
Chef Mohamed Khodor, former head chef at the Palace of Prince Ahmad Ben Abdel Aziz (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the high profile TV chef Richard El-Khoury (who has set up several new restaurants around the world) join forces to offer authentic Middle Eastern fare. Merhaba! Welcome!
