Attain a state of Moksh

Lost in a humongous home d ufffdcor mall in Vikhroli? Chances are you might reach Moksh for some much-needed comfort food that won't burn a hole in your pocket

Attain a state of Moksh

Lost in a humongous home d ufffdcor mall in Vikhroli? Chances are you might reach Moksh for some much-needed comfort food that won't burn a hole in your pocket

Most shoppers on auto clock mode who embark on daylong adventures at Home Town, in Vikhroli, are most likely to miss Moksh. Situated a level above the football-field-sized mall, at the far end of the food court, this Indian-Chinese fine dining restaurant is doomed for obsolescence if it doesn't do a rethink as far as its signage is concerned. Little wonder then, that we were relieved to spot this oasis after having to negotiate rows of Ikea-inspired home d ufffdcor and shopping cart shenanigans.

Angara Paneer Pics/ Shadab Khan

Despite noticing a packed food court en route, we were surprised to walk into an almost-deserted restaurant. Except for a bunch of yummy mummies, probably on their night out, we were the only souls at Moksh. Starving after our mini trek, we gladly went by our attendant's recommendations for salad and startersu00a0-- Chicken Tom Yum Soup (Rs 75) and Fish Koliwada (Rs 150). Moksh's d ufffdcor had all the typically predictable elements that have become a prototype in most fine dining restaurantsu00a0-- ambient lighting, fake tropical vegetation, a bar that stocked only canned fruit juices (pray, why?) and an open-air lounge for parties.

The soup arrived firstu00a0-- it was hot, was of the right consistency, and unlike many previous Indo-Chinese misadventures, it had generous portions of shredded chicken with the right mix of vegetables. The Fish Koliwada was a winner from the first bite.

Chunks of fresh-from-the-sea Rawas were fried in a spicy chilli-turmeric marinade, and with a dash of lemon, we were in seventh heaven. Immediately, we checked if our eye had skipped another fine dine restaurant accessoryu00a0-- the overpopulated fish tank. None around, we carried on, guilt-free.

By now, it felt like our private party, complete with giant screen television and a string of attendants on call. Buoyed by our run of good luck, and despite a few pesky mosquitoes that compensated for the lack of piped music, we were in no mood to rush through our soul food soiree. We opted for Kalani Paneer in Bhuna Gravy (Rs 130) and Murg Gulmohar Nawabi (Rs 165) with Tandoori Roti (Rs 25) that arrived in spotless, white crockery, about ten minutes later.

Of the two, our vote went to Kalani Paneer, which had sheets of paneer cased around assorted veggies and cooked in a semi-thick gravy. While the gravy of the Murg Gulmohar Nawabi was rich and flavourful, we couldn't say the same for the chicken meatballs. The robust spices weren't allowed to permeate within the marinade and tasted artificialu00a0-- the lone downer of the evening.

The temptation for an Indian mithai was realised with the freshly-made Kala Jamun (two halves, Rs 75). It was served sans the Caramel Custard, as promised on the menu. We let that pass to the closing hour curse.

At Blue Coral Food Court, 247 Park, above Home Town, LBS Marg, Vikhroli (W);
Call 25770303 / 25780203
Moksh didn't know we were there. Theu00a0guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals