Lagerbay

Critic´s Review

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

-By Rashmi Uday Singh

I'm gobbling the globe and tracking foodie trends: was in London, attending the World's 50 best restaurant awards (as jury chairman of the Indian subcontinent). Onto New York for the James Beard media awards and now in Los Angeles. Here's the news... the casual café is more popular than ever as is the elevation of chocolate artisans to celebrity status. And the sweet news is that just before I left for my foodie trip it is precisely these two that I encountered in Mumbai. I lunched with the chocolate queen herself, in the brand new relaxed casual restaurant. Presenting... Zeba Kohli in Lagerbay.

Chocolate is not just her profession and passion but also in her genes. Third generation chocolatier, this glamorous, warm and ever helpful mother of two gorgeous girls is a true trail blazer...creating not only a huge spectrum of flavours, but also chocolate body paints to mobile phones, has made a movie on chocolates and Gandhi, chocolate fashion accessories ...you name it. All retailed in her six stylish stores, also through private labels for corporates, hotels and individuals too. Astounding creativity coupled with dedicated social work (including hiring lesser privileged people) and the fact that she is a science addict come as fabulous surprises through our relaxed lunch.

Two things to note about Bandra's new resto-bar: it's opened in place of Zenzi but has a quiet relaxed identity of its own. Secondly, Lagerbay does not take its name seriously as it does not have a longer-thanusual beer list, in fact doesn't even have beer on tap.

We walked into a warm wooden space (replacing Zenzi's flamboyant orange) Comfy seating too. We flopped into the chandelier-lit, colorful booze-lined corner and studied the comfort lined pasta, burger, sandwich risotto kind of menu. Most of it adequate. It was the moist, well-made chicken roulade that we enjoyed the most. The fish and chips passed muster, the pasta (Alio Oglio) too dry and fettucini too saucy. While the hummus lacked punch, the mound of accompanying pita chips were crisp and delicious. Generous portions and well made bar nibbles too. Since I had the perfect person to check out the desserts. We ordered one of each. All were a tad too sweet, but we still recommend the gooey chocolate cake, tiramisu and the blueberry cheesecake.

Would we still go back? Sure! It's open through the day, plays decent music (I Shot The Sheriff) at volumes that allow conversation, serves affordable cocktails and comfort food. We welcome the relaxed new kid on the block.