Tis’ no mystery when it comes to Mumbai being the city of dreams and culinary excellence. However, choosing the perfect place for a romantic dinner date or an intimate party does seem like a chore. To make it easy for you, we are here to spill the T(ea) (or should we say Torii!) on the newest and hottest spot in town at the moment.
Celebrity Interior Designer Gauri Khan along with restaurateur Abhayraj Kohli have unveiled ‘Torii’, a progressive Asian restaurant with plenty of global influences — something for every style that we know works well in Mumbai.
Torii by Gauri Khan offers an unparalleled dining experience that not only satiates your cravings but also leaves a lasting impression on your mind with its stunning decor and aesthetics. ‘Torii’ in Japanese literally translates to the traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the Shinto shrine. Once you’re in through the statement green door, you’re greeted by an explosion of gold, black and white with touches of red and green blending to create a comfortable sitting area. Further, our favourite space in all this is the large alfresco courtyard with lush greens and large mirrors making it the perfect selfie spot for your ‘gram.
The menu is crafted by Michelin trained expat Chef Stefan Gadit drawing inspiration from his Canadian roots with years of expertise in top restaurants (Noma in Copenhagen, Eleven Maddison Park in NYC, Alexander in south of France ) and hotels across the world (Delta by Marriott Toronto, Fairmont in Lake Louise and the W hotel in Montreal) — perfectly suited for our Indian palettes.
Right off the bat, we’d suggest their signature Yakiniku Lobster along with a good serving of Chu Toro — from the ‘Nigiri Sushi and Sashimi’ section. Dirty Torii Maki Roll and the Thai Chicken Mushi Gyoza Dumplings are a must-try for meat lovers. If you’re a vegetarian then you must know that their menu has plenty of offerings. Some of the star dishes are the Avocado tartar (prepared table side), Jalapeno Cottage Cheese Mushi Gyoza for starters and Truffle Mushroom hotpot for the main course, win the battle!
Keeping up with the Asian inspiration, Torii’s cocktails are to die for. Pair your food with our top two recommendations which are — the 'Simmered Shiitake-infused cocktail,’ reminiscent of umami-rich Japanese food as the leading choice, and the ‘Matcha Tea Ceremony Cocktail’ that offers a harmonious blend of tradition with innovation.
Further, you can also take a quick scan of their bar menu, and spot loads of fascinating options to choose from. Like us LBB crew, if you’re someone who always saves room for dessert too, Torii will not disappoint you. The plating, the taste, and the art are a solid 10/10. Get your hands on the delectable Shibuya Toast and Crème Chantilly, but if you’re a fan of the tropics, do not (and we mean it) miss out on their Coconut Panna Cotta, and Pineapple and Passion Fruit Sorbet.
Location: 21, Pali Hill Road, Union Park, Khar (West) Mumbai
Timings: Mondays Closed, Tuesday - Sunday | 12.00 PM - 3.00 PM and 7.00 PM - 1.30 AM
Cost For Two: INR 2,000 (Without Alcohol)
Contact: (+ 91) 9833373888 | 9820567679
