• The eighth Mumbai outpost of the Social chain of bars and co-working spaces, the Versova Social opened in Andheri West on Tuesday, January 10. The dark green three-level outpost, the design of which was inspired by the depleting mangroves in the neighbourhood, has been fashioned after a Victorian-style greenhouse. Among the additions to the food menu at the 175-cover branch, each level of which features a courtyard, are a selection of kebabs such as old school chicken tikka, Jose’s jalapeno chicken tikka, mutton seekh and basil and thyme paneer tikka; appetisers like gunpowder baby potatoes and chicken kebab magic; and mains such as Mind Blast mutton, Punjabi chole and dal makhani. Open daily, from 9am to 1am. Versova Social, 1311/2, Plot B, Savitribai Jyotiba Phule Road, Versova Link Road, Versova, Andheri (West). Tel: 86550 26123.
• New nightclub Matahaari, located inside Atria Mall in Worli, was launched on Saturday, January 14. The club, named after and inspired by Dutch exotic dancer Mata Hari who was convicted of being a German spy during World War I, is owned by Beluga Hospitality, the company that will also open American diner Burn this year. At Matahaari, the signature cocktails include Mystery Whiskey (Irish whiskey, ginger ale, mint, five spice); Secret Touch (white rum, sweet and sour mix, cinnamon, burnt rosemary); and The Scent (vodka, vermouth, lemongrass spray, gold glitter).
The multi-cuisine menu, conceptualised by food writer Nikhil Merchant, features sushi, salad bowls, baos, Asian and Indian appetisers, hot bowls, steamed packets and house specials like kare pan, okonomiyaki and maki rolls. The options include eel nigiri; grilled shiitake maki roll; spicy salmon ceviche; prawn sugarcane; rajma galouti; 5 spice chorizo bao; sweet and sour roast eggplant bao; orange chicken and edamame rice bowl; miso silken tofu packet; coriander white salmon packet; fried sesame balls; and chocolate brownie with matcha. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9pm to midnight; Monday, closed. Matahaari, Level IV, The Atria Mall, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli. Tel: 022 6736 3636.
• The Blue, an East-Asian joint that opened in Bandra in December, serves Thai and Japanese fare. The menu options include chicken gyoza; wasabi prawn; prawn and lemongrass salad; soft shell crab tempura salad; crispy sea bass with pineapple sauce; Thai curry with jasmine rice; chicken katsudon; prawn tempura soba noodle; Hokkaido scallop sashimi; tuna maki roll; eel and avocado maki roll; matcha soya pudding; and banana tempura with caramel sauce. Open daily, from noon to 11.30pm. The Blue, Ground Floor, Sai Pooja Building, on the junction of 16th Road and 33rd Road, same lane as Eddie’s Bistro, near Mini Punjab, Bandra (West). Tel: 022 3395 1655.
• LMNOPQ, a South-East Asian bistro by restaurateur Suved Lohia who also owns Mirabella in Andheri West, opened in Khar last month. The menu has items such as cold soba salad; crispy sesame sliders; edamame truffle dumplings; crab and avocado roll; spicy tuna roll; BBQ chicken tacos; Singapore prawns; black bean tofu bowl; steamed soy fish; kimchi fried rice; caramel tart; and peanut butter and Nutella pie. Open daily, from noon to 1am. LMNOPQ, Mangal Bhavana, near Cafe Mangii, 14th Road, Khar. Tel: 97699 74175.
• Drama, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, is slated to open in Andheri West on Wednesday, January 18. The menu will feature prawn taco salad; baked chicken kheema pao; Malabar chicken kheema stuffed paratha; chicken and pesto kebab; lobster bruschetta; grilled prawns in lemon butter sauce; Goan prawn curry with rice; lamb steak in pepper sauce; tres leches; and churros. The venue will host gigs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Open daily, from 6pm to 1am. Drama, Ground Floor, S.V.P. Nagar, Four Bungalows, MHADA Road, near Versova Telephone Exchange, Versova, Andheri (West). Tel: 99671 00066.
• Scoopalicious, an ice cream-focused food truck that launched in Bandra in September last year, has opened as a store in the suburb. The shop, which was launched on Saturday, January 14, serves homemade flavours such as beetroot, rum cake, paan, caramel, popcorn and fennel. Open daily, from noon to midnight. Scoopalicious, opposite St. Peter’s Church and St. Stanislaus High School, Hill Road, Bandra (West). Tel: 98202 15085.
• Bombay Cocktail Bar, a bar specialising in cocktails, was opened in Andheri West in the third week of December by Buena Vida Leisure, the company that runs the restaurant Blanco in the suburb. A few of the signature tipples on offer at the 4,500 square feet bar are the Ganna Mule (white rum, reduced sugarcane juice, candied ginger, fragrant mint, lime juice and vanilla sugar); Verano (gin, pomegranate reduction, grapefruit juice, all spice syrup, lemon juice and fresh basil); Mumbai Smash (vodka, muddled capsicum, bell peppers, orange juice, coriander, celery salt); and All Night Long (smoked whiskey, dark coffee, Red Bull); The multi-cuisine food menu has dishes such as kurkuri bhindi, wok toss prawn, naan pizza, grilled Cajun cottage cheese steak, nasi goreng, tofu salad, Puneri missal and mawa cake with Bailey toffee sauce. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 7pm to 1.30am; Monday, closed. Bombay Cocktail Bar, Deluxe House, Ground Floor, Plot No. B-50, off New Link Road, Andheri (West). Tel: 90292 98340.
• G5A, the cultural venue in Mahalaxmi, is now home to an all-day cafe called Port. They serve vegetarian nosh such as chilli cheese toast; mushroom and spinach ravioli; quinoa salad; grilled eggplant; and quinoa burger, and a limited selection of egg preparations. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm; Sunday closed. Port, G5A, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Lane, off Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi. Tel: 022 2490 9394.
• Andheri West got a new bar and gig venue called Drinking Kulture, which opened in the first week of December. The all-day establishment, which hosts electronic music gigs on Wednesdays and Fridays, serves signature tipples like Seven Island (vodka, tequila, gin, sour mix, coconut water, cranberry juice, beer froth); Gin Rose Sorbet (gin, rose water, sour mix, liquid nitrogen rose petals); and Stock Mary (vodka, tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, Maggi vegetable stock, lime juice, cherry tomatoes). On the multi-cuisine food menu are dishes such as paneer makhni tacos; zaatar spiced lamb sliders; wild mushroom and cheese risotto; and hazelnut mousse. Open daily, from 11am to 1.30am. Drinking Kulture, First Floor, Lotus Trade Center, next to the Audi showroom, Link Road, Andheri (West). Tel: 022 2639 9985.
• Sushiya.in, the online South East-Asian food delivery service from Delhi, has been launched in Lower Parel. They serve maki rolls, dim sum and meals in boxes. Among the choices are the salmon and tuna sushi box; grilled salmon in miso or teriyaki sauce with rice; chicken katsudon; prawn and crab teriyaki; crispy asparagus roll; avocado maki roll; crystal prawn dim sum; tofu and spinach dim sum; and grilled pork dim sum. They deliver from Lower Parel to Bandra against a minimum order of Rs500. Open daily, from 10.30am to 11pm. Place an order here or call 93124 44086.
CLOSING
• Andheri’s Soho Tapas Bar has shuttered after a year-long run.
• Villa Vandre, the all-day cafe in Bandra West, has closed down.