Top 5 Restaurants

Around Bombay

Anglo Indian, Lonavala

One of the major factors that a weekend trip is centred around and defines it as memorable is the food! When you’re deciding your next short stay outside Bombay for the summer holidays, or just for a drive out of town, not too far from our cityscape, then take a look at these Top 5 eateries we’ve picked for you. You might have already visited some if not all, or may not have visited any, but either way they are yours for the picking, restaurants that are doing well and ringing in food lovers from Bombay. If you choose Lonavala, we have Fiori and Anglo Indian for you, Alibaug has none other than Boardwalk by Flamboyante, and Karjat has Saltt and The Plate. With this, your weekend scene is pretty much sorted; make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment upon arrival.

Anglo Indian, Lonavala

Head out to Lonavala and surround yourself with good, hearty, traditional food in the lap of nature. Anglo Indian café and bistro is situated on the 7-acre Le Sutra Great Escapes property, by the folks behind Out of the Blue. What you can look forward to is a Tiramisu Iced Latte and a range of herbal teas, among much more in the beverage selection. Non-alcoholic, with a Paan Mojito in the mix! You will find the Anglo-Indian more in the mains like the Anglo-Indian Curry with Coconut Rice and the Railway Mutton Curry but not much else. Oh well, the food and the ambience make up for that, and the Chikki Cheesecake with locally-sourced chikki will make you forget about that little nugget.

Boardwalk, Alibaug

Boardwalk by Flamboyante is by our very own, Amrish Arora, of Fountain Sizzlers fame. And what a getaway it is! Set upon the waters of the Arabian Sea, this pretty restaurant offers dining on the beach, with its own exotic wine bar to keep you lingering the evening away. Take a ferry from Gateway of India to Mandwa Jetty or even a private yacht and settle yourself in with the Mandwa Beach Iced Tea and the Lotus Stem Nachos. Cocktails are bottled like the Negroni and pizzas like the Goan Chorizo set Boardwalk by Flamboyante apart. Fresh seafood is served and desserts like the Basque Cheesecake, perfect with a sundowner. And hand-churned ice-cream, too, to beat this scorching heat. 

Boardwalk, Alibaug	Fiori, Lonavala

Fiori, Lonavala

We have to say Fiori is a go-to, one that we simply adore for the ambience more than anything. Come the monsoons, and it is oh so soothing, set in a glasshouse, while you dine fine on European and Mediterranean cuisine with the rain pattering on the window. The green, green grass outside perfects the picture, as you sip on sangria and fork up a Beet and Chevre Salad, and catch up on society goss with your bestie. Soup fans, the Cream of Mushroom with crème fraiche and truffle oil is to die for. The food by Chef Gracian de Souza leaves little room for criticism and the cocktails work well with the menu. Try the Bee Sting – tequila-based with a kick of jalapeños and honey, and Fiori will beckon once, twice, thrice. Fiori opens at 8 am on the weekends while on the weekdays, at 12 noon.

The Plate, Karjat

One plate is not enough, they warn you, at this vegetarian restaurant in Khalapur. Simple, neat and unhurried, The Plate is a good place to visit if choosing Karjat, for a nice meal that’s not on the higher side and offers more, with its snack and coffee bar and views of the golf course to keep you calm. Order a Tomato Basil Soup and the Tandoori Platter. Amritsari Aloo Gobi and the Kung Pao Paneer are worth a try. The Baked Mac n Cheese Pasta and the Four Cheese Quesadillas warrant a second serving. Certainly not fine-dining, The Plate is easy and fulfilling and adds to Karjat as a quiet weekend getaway destination more and more.        

Saltt, Karjat

Set amidst panoramic mountains with lush greenery around, this restaurant soon emerged a crowd-favourite, not just for its clean fare – European, Pan-Asian and Indian – but for its space, both indoor and outdoor, with the latter seating pets, too. Saltt, a dining destination at the luxury farm retreat, Oleander Farms – featured as a getaway in UpperCrust – is comfort. At Saltt, you can have your Tres Leches Cake and eat it too, it’s delicious. The Spinach Ricotta Corn Crêpe blends beautifully with your fresh, natural surroundings at Saltt and cocktails are crafted with only farm-fresh ingredients. Step into the Common House Brewery at Oleander if a craft beer is on your mind. 

The Plate, Karjat	Saltt, Karjat