One of the most exciting events on the Mumbai dining calendar is the bi-annual Citibank Restaurant Week going on now through April 10. This culinary event showcases some of the best restaurants around India and the world.
Over 10 days, 27 of the best restaurants in Mumbai will be showing off both their skills and their signature dishes by offering a prix fixe menu, giving patrons the opportunity to sample their gourmet menus at a fraction of their normal price. Each restaurant will have three sittings per day, one at lunchtime and two dinner sessions.
Some of the restaurants that are not to be missed include:
Hakkasan and Yauatcha
Straight from London, both Hakkasan and Yauatcha are modeled after their sister restaurants in the UK. Hakkasan has a futuristic steel blue and wooden interior with dim lighting; it is the perfect place to romance that special someone while enjoying a delicate balance of modern Chinese flavors in dishes like steamed red snapper in assam sauce and braised aubergine with Shanghai toban chilli sauce.
Yauatcha is the more casual cousin but its dim sum is nothing short of sensational. With its clever blend of Eastern and Western sensibilities, you don’t want to miss the truffle edamame dumpling or crispy prawn cheung fun.
Ziya
Ziya is overseen by renowned chef Vineet Bhatia, who seeks to bring fine dining and fusion to Indian cuisine. With an interesting menu that spans the breadth of Indian flavors (think banana leaf-wrapped fish and tandoori chilli paneer), this restaurant serves “plated” food, which, whilst common in fine dining circles around the world, is a relative novelty in India. This just adds to the special and sumptuous experience of dining at this world-class restaurant.
Neel
For a more traditional-style Indian meal in a relaxed setting, try Neel, which is arguably the best Indian restaurant in Mumbai. With a focus on Nawabi cuisine, the menu incorporates international flavors into the classic preparation, creating dishes such as “kareli ka taar korma” (slow-cooked lamb shank in marrow gravy) and “ajwaini rawas tikka” (carom-seed-flavored, tandoor-cooked fish). For a classic gourmet Indian experience, this is the restaurant not to be missed.
The event is also run simultaneously in Delhi and Bangalore, so if you happen to be traveling across the country, it is worth trying to sample some of the great restaurants those cities have to offer as well.
Bookings for Restaurant Week can be made online at Restaurant Week India, with special offers available to Citibank customers.
Photos Courtesy of Hakkasan and Yauatcha
