My last stop in India was Mumbai - an enchanting place for a fast-paced city dweller like me. It’s worth noting that people connect to different places in India and feel like it’s ‘their place.’ Jaipur is a place a few of my friends have felt is ‘their place.’ Mumbai turned out to be mine. This is not just because of the food, though really food did play a part.
Upon settling in The Oberoi Hotel (which seemed like the boring choice at the time but is actually fantastic!), my dear friend Karla took us to the ‘Blue Hill’ / ‘Noma’ of the town called Masque. A prolific light-as-air tasting menu with a visit to the kitchen to see how they make sorbet and an insane clam juice martini that has no hangover effect? It was an all-star win!
The following day, Karla advised us to go to Britannia Restaurant. Brittania took our hearts. A Farsi restaurant that’s been open since 1923 (it felt special to know that Laroot launched in 2023), a simple cash-only cafe that serves a dozen house specials and nothing else. It was one of the best meals of our lives. It’s a must-stop in Bombay!!
The signature dish in Britannia; the rice pulao
But we didn’t just eat in Bombay. We enjoyed some incredible cultural visits. I will spare you the poetry here and give you a list to keep for the next time you visit Bombay, as well as a few special pictures.
Project 88 gallery- a great space for local up-and-comers owned by charming Sria
The Bajaj Museum- the original artifacts and local art museum. It is mind-blowing in every way. The plaque about the founder inspired me - not to mention the collection of Ragini miniatures
The founder of the Bajaj collection - endlessly inspiring
One of the miniatures in the extensive Bajaj collection
The David Sassoon Library- pictures are not allowed inside, but please give it a visit
The Mumbai Synagogue
Interior of the Sabyasachi boutique
Sabyasachi- the cultural shopping institution in Bombay
India will be in my heart until the next time I make it there. In the meantime, I am happy to be back to recover from jet lag with Laroot’s food back home!
Lots of love,
Tash
Appendix
The Oberoi, Mumbai, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India
Masque, Masque, Unit G3, Shree Laxmi Woollen Mills, Shakti Mills Lane, Off, Dr Elijah Moses Rd, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011, India
Britannia & Company Restaurant, Ballard Estate Wakefield House, Opposite New Custom House, Fort, Mumbai 400001 India
Project 88, Ground Floor, B.M.P. Building, Narayan A Sawant Rd, Azad Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
Kamalnayan Bajaj Hall & Art Gallery, Ground floor, Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Bajaj Bhavan, 226, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India
The David Sassoon Library, 152, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Off David Sassoon, Library Marg, opposite Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, 55, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400023, India
Sabyasachi, ICP, Veer Nariman Rd, near Horniman Circle, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India