Enjoy a healthy open-air meal at this new Bandra cafe to make the most of the season
Avocado and hummus sandwich
Tucking into sandwiches and fries with a side of beer, while digging our toes in the sand on the beaches of Goa, remains one of our favourite life experiences. And we have often pondered over how Mumbai could offer a similar experience, with its many beaches; (a relatively) chilled out population; and sunny winters. These musings float through our mind as we sit with a yellow passion smoothie (Rs 275, all prices exclusive of taxes) and our iPad under an umbrella at The Bandstand Pantry (TBP), a breezy new all-day cafe in Bandra that is dressed in black and white tiles, and potted frangipani.
ADVERTISEMENT
Slow-roasted veggies mac and cheese
A group of off-duty models discuss the importance of standing up to clients at a table next to us, as we mull over a menu that offers eggy breakfasts, keto and gluten-free options, coffees by Blue Tokai, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, salads and mac and cheese. We narrow down our order to an avocado and hummus sandwich (Rs 575), slow-roasted veggies mac and cheese (Rs 495), and a roast chicken and basil bagel sandwich (Rs 575). We spot actor-singer Arjun Kanungo (who is best pals with owner Sinan Kader) walk in for a bite. Kader, a former Ranji cricketer, roped in Mana Shetty (interior designer, wife of actor Suniel Shetty) to design this small space, which so far looks like it’s been attracting the cool kids of Bandra in good measure.
Yellow passion smoothie
The wintry sea breeze runs through our hair; by now our sandwiches arrive at the table. TBP offers a choice of sourdoughs and bagels to make your toasties or sandwiches, and we enjoy both options that are served to us. As we relish our dishes, we realise that what’s on our plates is exactly what the menu says — so our veg sandwich has avocado, hummus, chilli tomato chutney, goat cheese and cucumber. With such simple recipes, it’s important for the produce to be fresh for a dish to feel tasty, and TBP scores well on this count. The bread, veggies, dips and other ingredients in all of our meals have a delicious fresh crunch and make for expensive-yet-tasty options that are also healthy pleasures.
The fare at The Bandstand Pantry comes with a side of sea view
The bagel is equally delicious, and the basil pesto beautifully complements the oven-roasted chicken. Our final dish, a skillet of mac ‘n’ cheese with veggies and smoked cheddar, is the decider that firms our opinion of what we feel is TBP’s signature — home-style simple cooking, made with the best ingredients.
The indoor seating area. Pics/Shadab Khan
The pasta dish is cheesy in the right proportions and doesn’t make us feel bloated — just how we like it. It could do with a bit more of what the menu describes as slow-roasted veggies. Satiated, we catch a last glimpse of the sea in fading light as we leave TBP, yearning for a holiday by the sea to eat sandwiches with our toes in the sand.
Time: 7.30 am to midnight
At: Bandstand Apartments, shop 1, BJ Road, next to Barista, Bandra West.
Call: 9920100084
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
