What happens when an old city favourite undergoes an image change? rustic goes colonial as the fictitious lord worlington lurks around while you have a meal

Sure, this city has its share of theme restaurants now. But a few years ago, Mela, the carnival-themed restaurant at Worli, was the only place that offered Mumbai residents a dining experience against rustic settings. Its replacement, India and Beyond, opens its doors and hopes to entice you with a different theme altogether.

A sign on a glass door reads, Old Flames and the cozy interior of this bar-area beckons. Retro music plays in the background, but at a volume that makes conversation audible. The English pub du00e9cor impressed us. After being led to our dinner table by the captain, we placed our orders. He enquired whether we would like garlic bread with our soup. What he failed to mention was that each soup portion comes with a serving of butter-soaked garlic bread. Soon, we realised that there was enough garlic bread to feed a small mob.

The soups (we sampled a Mushroom Soup and Cream of Chicken, both priced at Rs 115) were satisfying but not extraordinary, as was the Paneer Anaardana (Rs 235) -- Paneer Tikka with an identity crisis. The Calamari Rings (Rs 230) weren't nearly as crisp as they should have been and the Chicken Blu'dane (chicken roulade stuffed with blue cheese), which was mercifully ticked off our bill after we complained, was pink in parts. However, both, the Reshmi Kebab (Rs 260), served as a replacement for the Blu'dane, and a Tenderloin Stroganoff for our main course (Rs 325), were par excellence.

The restaurant's theme revolves around the fictitious adventures of Lord Worlington, who, according to the menu, owned the premises. He's an outcome of cute imagination. This mustachioed English explorer easily captured attention of wide-eyed children. It's pity then that the restaurant doesn't have child-friendly paper mats with theme-oriented puzzles, or organises an indoor treasure hunt to incorporate the explorer theme.

At: India & Beyond is located on the ground floor of Building No. 1, Mahapalika Nagar, KAG Khan Road, Worli. Call: 24920022, 24920033.

India & Beyond didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels