Verdicts of Vipul

Tag: recipes

  • Where Nostalgia Gets a Sweet Makeover: My Bombay Sweet Shop Binge

    Where Nostalgia Gets a Sweet Makeover: My Bombay Sweet Shop Binge

    If you’ve ever been someone who thought Indian sweets were all just sugar bombs with no personality—prepare for a polite but resounding slap of reality, in the most delicious way. Welcome to Bombay Sweet Shop—where laddoos get couture upgrades, mithai dons a bowtie, and childhood memories get a five-star reimagining.

    But before we bite into the good stuff, a bit of origin masala.

    The brains behind this flavourful fantasy? Sameer Seth and Yash Bhanage—two chaps who gave Mumbai the iconic Bombay Canteen back in 2015 and the delightfully Goan O Pedro in 2017. Not content with just tickling our savoury buds, they decided to stir the mithai pot and launched Bombay Sweet Shop in March 2020. And no, they didn’t just wake up and say “Let’s open a halwai.” The inspiration? A layover in Istanbul, where Sameer saw hordes queuing for baklava at the airport. The penny dropped: if Turkey could globalise its sweets, why couldn’t India?

    They roped in culinary legend Floyd Cardoz (of NYC’s Tabla fame) to help shape the dream, and brought on board Girish Nayak, who once whipped up desserts at Olive. Thus was born the chicest mithai shop Mumbai had ever seen—set up in Byculla, with a vibe that’s equal parts old-school sweet shop and modern dessert lab.

    And then came COVID.

    As timing would have it, the shop opened just days before the pandemic put the world on pause. But instead of melting into the background, the team pivoted sharply. Out went the idea of a traditional store-first model; in came D2C e-commerce, festive hampers, and limited-edition boxes that could travel across India. Honestly, if Diwali had a flagship store, this would be it.

    Now, onto the main course—or rather, the sweet and savoury joys that made me feel like a five-year-old in a gourmet candy store.

    First up: the Pyaaz Kachori Kadhi Chaat. Sounds like a Jodhpur classic? Think again. This version swaps the usual kadhi for a velvety roasted pumpkin one that wraps around your tongue like a buttery hug. There’s goat cheese raita, kachumbar for crunch, and the pièce de résistance—flaky kachori that manages to be both rustic and refined. It’s like your grandma’s recipe went to culinary school and came back with a top knot and a side of sass.

    Then came dessert—and this one was a straight-up show-stealer: Canteen’s Rasgulla Tiramisu. Imagine a soft, spongy rasgulla (yes, the syrup-soaked Bengali staple) dipped in espresso, layered with mascarpone, almond brittle, and finished off with salted caramel ice cream. You’d think it would be a mess. Instead, it’s a marriage of textures and temperatures—hot, cold, sweet, bitter, crunchy, creamy—all in one mischievous, magical mouthful. Whoever came up with this needs to be knighted. Or at least fed rasgullas for life.

    The ambience? Pure edible nostalgia. From pastel hues and cheerful signage to the smell of caramel and cardamom wafting through the air, the whole place feels like a Wes Anderson film set in Chandni Chowk. The staff are warm, patient, and seem genuinely excited that you’re as excited as you are (which is a lot).

    And yes, let’s talk money. Bombay Sweet Shop doesn’t exactly fall into the “Rs. 50 samosa” category. My indulgent escapade set me back around ₹800–₹1,000. But for what you get—premium ingredients, inventive pairings, beautiful presentation—it feels justified. This isn’t your local halwai. It’s the sweet shop you go to when you want to impress someone. Or just yourself. Because self-love can taste like rasgulla tiramisu if you do it right.

    So, if you’re looking for a place that respects the past, flirts with the future, and hands you mithai in a designer box—Bombay Sweet Shop is your sweet haven.

    And that’s today’s verdict. Sweet. Surprising. And absolutely worth the sugar crash later.

  • Verdicts of Vipul: A Slice of Sea and Sauce at Pizza By The Bay

    Verdicts of Vipul: A Slice of Sea and Sauce at Pizza By The Bay

    There are meals, and then there are moments — the kind that sit comfortably between nostalgia and a well-earned food coma. My recent visit to Pizza By The Bay in Mumbai was precisely that: a coastal breeze, carbs, and cheesy contemplation bundled into one unforgettable evening.

    Now, if you’ve never heard of Pizza By The Bay, allow me to take you on a little trip down memory lane. Perched right on Marine Drive with an enviable view of the Arabian Sea, this place has stood the test of time like a loyal Bollywood extra—always in the background but oddly essential to the scene. Formerly known as Jazz By The Bay, the restaurant once thrummed with live music and soulful saxophones. Over time, the vibe shifted from smoky jazz to sizzling pizzas, but the spirit? Still deliciously dramatic. With its crisp white interiors, enormous windows, and the hum of waves just outside, Pizza By The Bay feels less like a restaurant and more like an edible love letter to Mumbai’s coast.

    Now, onto the good stuff — the food. After being seated by the window (pro tip: always ask for the sea-facing view if you can), I kicked things off with a bowl of Pink Sauce Pasta — penne with chicken. Now, I know what you’re thinking — pink pasta sounds like something Barbie might order after yoga, but hear me out. This wasn’t your average cafeteria concoction. It was the perfect marriage of tomato tang and creamy comfort, coating the penne in a sauce so velvety, it practically whispered sweet nothings with every bite. The chicken? Juicy, generously portioned, and clearly not just there for moral support. Every forkful was a creamy, cheesy, tomatoey hug — the kind you want after a long week and a longer diet you weren’t really sticking to anyway.

    Then came the showstopper: BBQ Chicken Pizza with stuffed crust. I can already feel the cheese stretching in slow motion as I write this. First off, this isn’t your timid, bite-sized pizza pretending to be fancy. This is a bold, hearty slab of indulgence. The crust was stuffed like it had secrets to tell, oozing with molten cheese that deserved a standing ovation. The BBQ chicken topping was tender, smokey and ever so slightly sweet—just enough to make your taste buds do that Bollywood head tilt in approval. Drizzled with just the right amount of tangy BBQ sauce, the flavours danced between rich and playful, much like the people jogging past Marine Drive trying to pretend they’re not staring at your plate.

    Portion-wise, both dishes were generous — the kind you order thinking you’ll split but end up guarding with the intensity of a sleep-deprived dragon. The pasta was enough for a satisfying main, while the pizza was ideal for sharing (if you’re feeling charitable).

    As for the service? Smooth as mascarpone. The staff were attentive without hovering, and the food came out at that Goldilocks tempo—not too fast, not too slow, just right. Price-wise, it’s on the slightly premium side, with my meal setting me back around ₹2,400–₹2,600 all in. But considering the view, the quality, and the sheer serotonin of that stuffed crust, I’d say it’s money very well spent.

    So, if you ever find yourself at Marine Drive with the sea calling and your stomach growling, Pizza By The Bay is your siren song. Go for the view, stay for the cheese, and leave with a belly full of happiness and just a little existential guilt. You know, the good kind.

    Final Verdict?
    Come for the coastline, stay for the crust.

    This has been another slice of life from Verdicts of Vipul. Catch you next bite.