No ordinary Or-G, this

When you learn of a restaurant that's called Or-g, it's impossible to not raise an eyebrow. So, one Sunday afternoon, we decided to make that trip to Bandra, to find out the secret behind this culinary Or-g.

Jacket Potato with Cheese was well cooked and impressively presented

Strategically positioned on a busy lane off Linking Road, locating Or-g was easy. The place was dimly lit and the décor screamed out for attention. The owner's passion for Gothic elements was evident from its interiors, which were intermixed with bling to give it a striking appeal. Even the tabletops had leather covering and the predominance of black couldn't be ignored. Keeping up with the name, words like G-spot, whip me and kick ass were displayed inside.

Getting on to business, we called for the menu. Selecting what to have for starters was a bit confusing owing to an array of options available. The place offers a variety of culinary influences ranging from Italian to Sushi.

Sumac Chicken with Chick Pea Dip offered delicious tender chicken with a hummus-like dip

After much deliberation, we zeroed in on the Sumac Chicken with Chick Pea Dip (Rs 400) along with Cottage Cheese Cups (Rs 330) and a mocktail christened Passion of Love (Rs 150). Although we had just ordered for three things to begin with, the order was taking longer than we expected. That's when we were offered a complimentary basket of breads with dips.

While we waited for our food to arrive, we were surprised with the presence of a clown in the space, doing his juggling act. The place was not a kid's restaurant for sure. Hence this element was a total put-off. After a reasonable wait, our starters arrived, which not just looked appetising, but justified their appearance in taste as well. Sumac Chicken, which was cooked in Arabic spices, was tender to an extent that it was melting in the mouth. The aroma and the flavours were simply off the hook. The chickpea dip, which tasted quite like hummus, complimented the chicken.

The interiors of Oriental Gourmet (Or-g). Pics/ Neha Parekh.

The Cottage Cheese dish is a winner for vegetarians. The soft, mildly stirred cheese with partial filling of finely chopped olives and herbs made for an apt option to start with. The mocktail didn't disappoint either. With its right blend of sugar, orange and pineapple flavours, it was refreshing.u00a0Moving on, we wanted to add another dish to our starters since the quantity of the food that we ordered was lesser than what we had expected. Hence, we ordered Jacket Potatoes with Cheese (Rs 330). The service for that was surprisingly quick and we were served the boiled potatoes with a hint of cheese and cream with vegetable stuffing just when we wanted it. One bite and we knew that we had made the right choice.

Without wasting much time, we ordered for our mains, and called in for a Margherita Pizza (Rs 400) and Chicken with Creamy Spinach (Rs 480). This time too, the order took ages. But we were ready to forget about the delay when the food arrived, simply because it was scrumptious till the last crumb. The thin crust, cheese pizza with sun-dried tomatoes was light and a delight to eat. On the other hand, the grilled chicken breasts with boiled spinach cooked in cream made for a lip-smacking combination.

We made up our minds to return for another gastronomic sojourn. We were also told that at sundown, from Thursdays to Sundays, the place takes on the guise of a club. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. Now, if only the service quickens up...

At 8/9 Navrang Building, ground floor, Linking Road, Bandra (W).

Or-g didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.