Mesa Bistro

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3.5 / 5
• Service: 3.5 / 5
• Decor: 3.5 / 5

-By Rashmi Uday Singh

Please don't get misled by the name… neither "Mesa" (lettuce) nor "Bistro" here in this small (26 seater), very minimalistic, all-day dining, multi-cuisine restaurant of the new Swedish-style Svenska hotel in Andheri. Walk past the small lobby into the wooden-floored, glassed-in restaurant with bare wooden tables. Skip past those creatively named (but not-up-to-much) Hotwiches and Coldwiches and be prepared for pleasant surprises from Gracian D'Souza's kitchen. Svenska's executive chef, having worked in London's well-known restaurants fuses European food with Indian influences. An absolute must try? A superb Bekti, which has a thrillingly salty, nutty charge from the crusted almonds and paired with cous cous ratatouille in a grain-mustard cream sauce. Outstanding Roasted Beet Salad made crunchy with pine nuts and luscious with pan-fried goats cheese. Caesars Salad is good as well. Disappointing, overcooked Filo Strudel and coldwiches. Go instead for the risottos and pastas and the Swedish Gravadlax. Citrus-scented Dark Chocolate Mousse and oversweet Cinnamon Doughnut served with Coffee Ice-cream makes for a comforting finale. The menu has weak spots, with a few dishes not from the heart but from a marketing plan. Chef D'Souza's cooking, still, reflects a steady, precise hand, with the price points kept in control.rnrnP.S. Mesa Bistro Breakfast Buffet: (Rs. 299); Mon–SatrnrnMulti-Cuisine Lunch Buffet (Rs. 399) rnrnMulti-Cuisine Dinner Buffet (Rs. 499) rnrnLazy Sunday Brunch with Unlimited Beer (Rs. 699)