Two flights up

Bandra's delivery joint-turned-restaurant, Andy's Pizzas doles out comforting pizzas and a mean lasagne in an ambience that allows you to sit back and watch life rush past you

It's not like we don't love all that fancy food the world has to offer. But what a girl (even a boy, we are sure) can do with sometimes is a basic, cheesy pizza. The one in which the mozzarella stretches all the way to your mouth and beyond, and add-ons like olives and jalapenos make it even better. It might not be as comforting as a steaming soup on a drippy night, but it's comfort food alright.


10" Thin-crust Classic Pizza. Pic/ Prathik Panchamia

We wound our way past the reception of a slightly seedy New Castle Hotel and climbed two flights up to get to Andy's Pizzas, a delivery joint we much favour that has recently made way for a roomy restaurant. We took our place amidst pizza-coloured cushions, not failing to notice that we were the only ones there all evening.

We were tempted to say goodbye to the cheese with a smug smile after having spotted a teeny salad bar in the middle of the room. A quick glance and we were disappointed: the 12 'salads' on offer included limp iceberg lettuce leaves, slices of beets and sloppy slaw. Oddly, the price of a non-veg salad and a vegetarian one is the same. Even the hummus sitting pretty in a corner couldn't tempt us to pick a plate.

And so, the cheesy instincts overpowered, and with good result too. Our 10-inch Thin-crust Pizza Classic Pizza (Rs 310) with corn, olives and jalapenos was flavourful and delicious, but better still turned out our Veg Lasagne (Rs 170) with the combination of mozzarella and cheddar in its topping going beautifully with the broccoli, zucchini, peppers and the mushroom within. The accompanying two slices of Garlic Bread (Rs 55) proved to be a lovely marriage, and though the medium French Fries (Rs 70) were as crisp as we like them, the portion was shamefully small.

It was to be a non-debauchery night which meant that our drink was limited to a humble Fresh Lime Soda, but for the non-teetotaler, there is a sweet, little bar to sit at, and a drinks menu that won't disappoint. A good meal deserves to end with good dessert. The eggless brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream (Rs 80) was forgettable, while the Chocolate Mousse (Rs 50) had a strange consistency (did the gelatine do that?) but thankfully, did not taste synthetic. We spent the evening by the windows, taking in Bandra's quintessential joie de vivre. There is something comforting about Andy's, both in terms of its food and ambience. Yes, that does mean we will go back for more.

Andy's Pizzas
Food: good
Service: efficient
Ambience: sweet
At Second floor, Hotel New Castle, 355, Linking Road, Khar (W); Call 26480483 Andy's Pizzas didn't know we were the there. The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for meals