As kids, we were told to watch out for omens. We were listening to Duran Duran’s Ordinary World when we dropped by Funjabi Tadka on Bandra’s Hill Road. It was a weekday and despite the crowds outside, the space was empty. Our presence was registered only after we sat down. We should’ve heard these warning bells. Instead, we focused on the little temple bells on the ceiling; its brightness broken by dull grey pieces of rock suspended nearby.

Funjabi Tadka
Food: Avoidable
Service: Disinterested
Ambiance: Stone coldu00a0

Mushroom Ki Galouti was the best dish of the day

Harpal Sokhi, the “Namak shamak” chef on a popular 24x7 food channel, started this restaurant. Naturally, we were hoping for the real deal since Funjabi Tadka claims to serve authentic Punjabi food with a twist. Think Pudina Mirch Lassi (Rs 90), Green-Apple Spiked Sugarcane Juice (Rsu00a080) and Mirchaan Wala Halwa (Rs 175). This, we were to realise later, came at a cost. We were the lone customers and despite at least five wait staff milling around, service was bad. We began with the delicious sounding and self-proclaimed ‘world’s best lassi’, the Ferro Rocher Lassi (Rs 160). It disappointed — too thin and sour, the chocolate overpowered it; we couldn’t finish it. The tiny bits of Ferrero, not Ferro, played saviour.