Think inside the box

Give desi dabbas a break to take away single-portion Japanese Bento boxes that have all the ingredients of a perfect meal packed into little compartments

Dabbas have lost their charm ever since we graduated from school. Look East and you'll find a lot more joy in a lacquered, wooden Bento box. O-Bento, which is what the Japanese call their packed meals, come with internal dividers to segregate your food. Traditionally meant to be filled with portions of three parts carbohydrate, one part protein and two parts fruit or vegetable, they hold a balanced meal. The Guide scours the city to bring you 5 hotspots to try an Oriental-meal-in-a-box.

Frangipani {5-star}
AT: Trident, Nariman Point. CALL: 66326310
(At-restaurant service only)
Kickstart your day with breakfast that comes out of an ornate, authentic Jap bento box. These guys keep it authentic, refusing to offer a veggie option since Jap food simply doesn't allow it. So, you have Miso Soup, Sushi, Japanese Omlette, Tofu and a Teriyaki Salmon with a fruit platter (Rs 925).

Tetsuma {High end}
AT: 41/44, Mon Repos, Minoo Desai Marg, Colaba.
CALL: 22876578
(Served at restaurant plus pick-up boxes available)
You can't have a dedicated, standalone Japanese restaurant and not serve a bento. Tetsuma does this with panache by giving you a choice of five different options. If it's your first time at Tetsuma, go for the Signature Bento (Rs 800) that allows you to sample several signature items like Black Cod in Mosi and Pepper Scallops. The Garden Bento (Rs 500) packs in Tofu and Veggies. The Oishi Bento (Rs 550) comes with chicken or seafood optionsu00a0 Chicken Teriyaki/Sashimi Moriawase, Yaki Gyoza/Prawns, Prawn Tempura/Chicken Berbiqutte and Chicken in Miso or Bulgogi. For Sushi lovers, there's a Sushi option in veg and non-veg (Rs 750).

Kebab Korner {High end}
AT: InterContinental Marine Drive
CALL: 39879999
(At-restaurant service only)
For those who find the concept of a Bento interesting but can't let go of traditional Indian spices, here's a combination of sorts. While it retains the wooden box, it packs the compartments with desi fareu00a0- soup, salad and either a Kebab Wrap (Rs 750) or a High Protein Grill (Rs 850). The Health Bento (Rs 950) comes with Low GI Rice and Chaas.

Elbo Room {Mid range}
AT: 500, Sant Kutir Apartment, Khar Linking Road, Khar (W).
CALL: 2648 3315/6
(At-restaurant service and home delivery within Bandra and Khar)
The month-old watering hole might be more into continental cuisine but it lives up to its tag of delivering global cuisine by looking East. Chef Nirmal Monteiro's decade-long experience in Japan comes in handy for the reasonably priced Veg and Non-Veg O-Bento (Rs 400 and Rs 480). Eggplant and Cabbage Stir Fried with Rice along with Charbroiled Paneer on Bamboo Sticks make up the Veg bento, while non-veggies can dig into Mixed Seafood and Charbroiled Chicken. Both
bentos include Spring Rolls, Corn Salad and a delicious Peach Pie to round it off. A bento offer is currently on: drop in between 1 pm and 5 pm till November 15 and get a free beer with your bento.

Smokin' Lee's {Budget}
AT: Outlets at Andheri, Malad and Nepean Sea Road
CALL: 32215310 / 23695227 / 32675252
(Free Home Delivery)
While Smokin' Joe's got us pizza-in-a-box, its Chinese counterpart lays claims to being the first to pack an entire meal in a box. Though this one is an ordinary, flapped plastic one, it comes with a choice of meals for one or two people. The Veg Meal (Rs 100) gets you fried rice/noodles and a main course while the Non-Veg Meal (Rs 125) does the same with chicken. Add a vegetarian or chicken starter to this and you get a meal for two in Veg (Rs 260) and Non-Veg (Rs 315) again.