Bar Reviews > Mumbai > Moshe's

7, Minoo Manor, Badhwar Park, Cuffe Parade
Ph.22161226
Timings: 7:30 am - 12:00 am

What's a review of Moshe's doing in a site about drinking, the cognoscenti (the 5 odd people who have followed us since birth) may ask. Chuck it, say we, Tulleeho's about the good life and Moshe's represents that. Considering that in the last 2 weeks, I have visited both Moshe's Oliva in Delhi and Moshe's in Mumbai, the last a spanking new outlet, I consider I am eminently qualified to comment on them. Continuing in the fine tradition of Tulleeho's bar reviews that you don't have to know your liquor to write about it, I must admit upfront that I don't know my food. If you asked me to compare parmesan with gouda, I'd fail. If you asked me to chargrill a rawas, I'd faint. My wife applauds everytime I successfully operate the juicer or pressure cook some dahlia, cordon bleu is not my middle name, as you may have gathered. What however has always been the hallmark of Tulleeho is the ability to comment on places which offer you a good time.

Anyway, let's get on with chargrilling Moshe's. A couple of moot questions for Mr. Shek (Moshe's surname) first :
1. Why Moshe's Oliva and not Moshe's in Dellhi?
2. Are you an Israeli / part Israeli as is rumoured (just like to get one's facts straight)
3. Why are you shortchanging Delhi's glitterati with paper napkins while their Bombay counterparts get the full Monty ?
4. If, as one suspects, you have set up shop in the ghost of a Dosa Diner, then did you take appropriate vaastu/feng shui/ Dr. Batra's wellness centre tips to make sure that the bad luck which seems to afflict many parts of Mr Narang's empire doesn't turn around and bite you in the ankle?
5. Why don't you offer breakfast in Delhi?

If you can pronounce Lamb Bourgoignon (I'm sure I've misspelt it), then you're bound to have a whale of a time. It's a special in Delhi, and if it's around while you are, order it without a care in the world. Just make sure you haven't stuffed yourself silly with muruku (South Indian mixture) and bread before cutting open the pastry which encloses it. Also, don't bother too much about the flakes of pastry which scatter the table as you wield your knife. There's some excellent lamb concealed within in a red wine based sauce. Just focus on plying your instruments and feeding your mouth. I don't think Mr. Shek would mind. Moshe's brings to mind a French restaurant with tables snuck closely together and people focused on enjoying themselves. My mother had been dragged out for dinner on the temptation of a Sri Lankan Cashew curry. Having spent the bulk of her life on the Emerald Isle however, she fobbed off the dish on my sister and piled into a plate of Crepes with relish. Wisely so, as the Cashew curry missed it's sting, whereas the crepes were excellent.

Do not, however, forget to order their Chilli and Lime baby potato wedges, which are excellent. In Delhi I also had the smoked chilli marinated lamb with mozzarella cheese in grilled garlic bread sandwich, which was quite nice. My wife settled for the Chargrilled Rawas, which was very nice too. Presentation is a hallmark of Moshe's and the dishes did not disappoint on that or the taste front. If you like spicier fare then you may not like the Rawas too much, which has more of a delicate flavour, not overburdened by spices.

My daughter spent the bulk of her time on the narrow window sill which adjoined our table in Delhi and going for pleasure rides on the lift which forms a part of Capital Court (the office building where Moshe's Oliva is housed). The decor in both Delhi & Mumbai was quite similiar, as was the cutlery, salt shakers, jugs, etc. Magppie Zindabad. The first time we went, there was something which looked suspiciously like wheatgrass on the table. "It's just like Basilico", yapped a 20-something in Mumbai. If you're taking a date along, I would be weary, because some of the waiters have devilish smiles and I had to keep a close eye on my wife.

In Mumbai I t