Mumbai’s hard-pressed for quiet, tranquil spots which is no surprise because there’s nearly no spots in town that doesn’t sit on a busy road. That's why when we came across Isvara we soon realised that it is like a world away from Mumbai, while also being right in the middle of it. It’s right behind Poco Loco, which is already a 'popping' spot.
What we love about Isvara is that it's rather calming with an appeal that makes you want to spend hours there. It’s the perfect spot to work, while also being the right spot to catch up with an old friend.
It has an outdoor-seating concept that’s sheltered by gorgeous cane lamps, with an organic, retro feel that's cosy and warm. What we love the most is that the menu brings zest like you’d never expect. There’s an unmistakable tempering of fusion cuisine, and a lot of it takes on the greats, if you will, of food. The menu is playful with respect to tweaking classic dishes, yet restrained and super balanced, since Isvara doesn't allow familiar flavours to get lost in the process. Our ride through the menu was proof of this!
We kicked things off with their refreshing Homemade Bubble Tea in Cranberry with Mango Pearls flavour (INR 320) which was a much-needed relief on a hot evening, this drink surprises you when the pop of mango which we loved!
To kick things off, we got the Mezze Platter with Kokum Hummus (INR 320) of course we did a double take when we saw Kokum Hummus on the menu, but we're happy to report that it’s an amazing match. The sour-sweet nature of Kokum adds a twist to the hummus and makes it somehow taste less dense. It enlivens it, and of course it tastes amazing with their House Pita and Falafels. This is a perfect example of how they take on the classics, without overpowering them with experimental additions.
We then got the Mushroom Tosti on Balsamic and Gooseberry Reduction (INR 310), another dish that we were super curious to try. Trust us, it isn’t often that gooseberries are featured on menus. The dish was moreish, filling and wonderfully tart, but had a complex tartness that we know could only be achieved by the chefs here. We’re sure they keep this recipe guarded, because it’s nothing like we’ve ever tried before. That’s why we also got the same dish in it’s non-vegetarian avatar—a Lamb Tosti (INR 360). The meaty touch was to die for, but we’ll say that we liked both variations equally.
We then tried the Akuri Style Keema Pao (INR 300) because we love a good all-day breakfast. Especially when it’s 9 PM. The nostalgic flavour on this was absolutely lovely. Well-cooked meat and fresh pav? What's not to love?
We ended our meal with the star of the show—a clever dish with multiple star ingredients that didn't overpowered each other—the Asparagus and Bhut Jholokia Rissotto topped with a Kokum Butter Glaze (INR 410). This one was truly sublime. It had us fighting for forkfuls, and despite being full, it’s the kind of dish that draws you in with its familiar soul food vibe. But for us it was also the the twists that surprise and delight your palate.
Our last order was a unique addition to the menu, inspired by the founder’s stay in Boston during her college years which was the Cream Cheese Tea! (INR 390) It’s a concept we’re new to, and we were curious about how the umami flavour of cream cheese would pair with tea. Safe to say, we loved the way the bitter, vegetal taste of the matcha was cut through with the salty sweetness of the cream cheese. It was a dessert with a twist, and to our surprise, it was quite light. We suggest ordering one of these for sure when you drop by.
All in all, we’re glad to have discovered this unassuming, quiet, yet chic oasis in the middle of Bandra. We think this is a lovely spot for a casual date, a work day when you need a change of scenery, or even a meal with the family.
LBB's Tip: They get plus points because they’re also pet-friendly!
