Otto Infinito

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3 / 5
• Service: 3.5 / 5
• Decor: 3 / 5

-By Rashmi Uday Singh

Now, why did I think that this newcomer “Otto Infinito” s name was inspired by the Ottoman Turkish empire? (Could it be because I am obsessed byTurkey?) While it does have a smattering of Turkish dishes, the name refers to “ 8 to the power of infinity” (it opens at 8am folks). Over a period of time I ate four meals here. But to check out the Turkish dishes, who better than Turks who are not only passionate about their country but want all of us to be too. The globe-trotting dashing Emin Cakmak, (chairman of the Turkish Indian Tourism Council) and the lovely Victoria, his wife and partner of Hello Tourism accompany me. Symbolizing the exotic, vibrant charm of Turkey is it’s consul general Ceylan Ozen who works round the clock mesmerizing all of us with the charms of Turkey, her dapper businessman husband Ender Erisen, plays the man that every successful woman needs in her life.

Food

Lets get it straight, the Turkish dishes “are not Turkish” as my Turkish guests pronounce “but tasty” . This is true of the Turkish kababs served with Harissa mayonnaise, while the Mezze dips (hummus, moutabel, labneh) are well-made. Their signature crisp Square Pizza topped with robustly spiced harissa chicken was good. On another day it was not topped with enough pepperoni. I also had a quick lunch of a dryish Multigrain Sandwich with Chicken; a well- made Spaghetti with Porcini and the above-average Maghrebi Mezze Platter.At breakfast the baked egg Berber omlette was worth trying too. It’s the aldente spaghetti aglio olio and the ravioli plump with chorizo that comes out tops, while the chocolate dessert’s marriage with passionfruit just about passes muster.

Decor

This unpretentious, large (over 6,000sq ft) bare space has alfresco dining too. At night, the restaurant is suffused in a dim fluorescent light and appears more like an airport lounge. Floor to ceiling glass walls letting in the daylight, make lunch a much better option.

Minus Points

Very noisy at lunch time. Cold and stale bread, over-creamy Mushroom ravioli, swamped with sauce Moroccan chicken, dense truffle soufflé are all avoidable. The biggest disappointment at dinner was the overcooked rock salt fish. While the tuna carpaccio was great one day, it was stodgy the next. Ditto for the Hazelnut cheesecake and Limoncello sorbet.

My Point

Moderate pricing is its strongest point. The takeaway counter with its well-priced salads and baked products a sure boon for the office goers. It is a open through the day, noteworthy but low-wattage addition to Mumbai’s eating out scene: an “if you happen to be” as opposed to a “you have to try” restaurant.