Hi guys!
It’s been a while since I wrote a post on a food/menu based experience. But since I’ve been keeping a low key for a while now, I wanted to get back, but this time with something different…
Last week, I visited Lima – the city’s only stand alone Latin American Lounge & Bar. This is where you’ll come across some beautiful flavours from Latin America – from Peruvian to Mexican delights, all that have been skilfully developed by the very talented Chef Atul Kochhar and Chef Jerry Thomas. The food is certainly unique – after all, the cuisine itself is not as commonly available. I haven’t explored it as extensively so I can’t really compare them to other tasting experiences or comment about their authenticity.
The new menu additions include a lot Mexican street food offerings so if you’re a fan of the cuisine, then this one’s bound to be right up your alley. So here I am, sharing the preparations (some new, some old) that totally blew me over and would love to go back for more. In order of preference, here are the top 5 dishes that made an impact.
Ceviche Classico – One of their signature preparations, it is to a great extent – an acquired taste of sorts as the cold and tangy finish to it may or may not appeal to every taste bud. Personally, I could make a meal of this. Indian Sea bass served with red onions and leche de tigre, I see how it deserves to stand out for the most unusual style of preparation.
Zuppa – Oh my god, I wish I had the right words to share how weirdly sentimental the flavour of this one ended up being. I remember tasting something similar a whole ago in NYC (this was 17 years ago in 2000) and the nostalgia hit me like a boulder. This corn and butter esquites is as exquisite as it could get. A warm, buttery and hearty preparation that best complements a rainy day or even has the power to play the superfluous role of “comfort food” on the days you need it.
Chilaquiles – A traditional Mexican bake preparation that basically felt like a crunchy version of a lasagna, I quite liked what I tasted. One can certainly make a meal of it and feel satiated to say the least. PS. The bowl is hot (like a lasagna) so be careful while you indulge.
Bean Stew with Garlic Bread – If you’re hoping for a touch of desi in your meal at Lima, this could be your scene. The bean stew – which is exactly like dal but actually a melange of beans, tomato gravy, green tomato pica de gallo and topped with sour cream. It’s homely and has that special warm taste of tradition as one would describe it. Although the dish is originally served with garlic bread, ours came with some lovely, fragrant Mexican rice.
Quesadilla (Chicken) – Last but not the least, (for real, because we actually tasted quite a few dishes but these really stood out for all good reasons) the chicken quesadillas were nicer than the vegetarian (stuffed with green peas, potato and goat cheese) one. The non vegetarian one was stuffed with chicken, raisin, aji panca and of course oozing with just about enough cheese to make every bite enjoyable, it’s a nice semi-crunchy appetiser I’d want to kick-start my meal with.
Some other preparations that may not have made it to the top 5 list, but deserve some attention in case you decide to give them a shot… From burritos to chimichangas, there’s enough and more to try out. Special mention to the Sweet Potato Gratin, Tinga Chicken Tostada and Lamb Pibil Chimichangas that are all part of the new menu and were quite nice too. In the end, what prevails is… taste is subjective. So go ahead and experiment with your own buds and let me know what you think. 🙂
Address : Maker Maxity, North Avenue 2, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
For Reservations Call : 022 30005040
Restaurant Timings : 12:00pm to 12:30am – Open for Lunch and Dinner
Disclaimer: The blogger was invited to be a part of this #FBAISoiree but the views shared are personal + honest (always).
The Good Life Potpourri 