Wild Wild West, Mumbai

Hands down, one of my favorite restaurants that I’ve experienced in Mumbai so far has been Wild Wild West. Not just because the owner is a friend of mine, but because the food is actually REALLY GOOD!  It’s extremely clean and somewhat modern looking but with a western twist.  Check out all the amazing food we ordered, of course from multiple visits.

Chicken Wings

The Wild Wild West Sizzler!!!

Rosemary Lamb with Risotto

Veggie Sandwich

Prawns

Shepherd’s Pie

Nachos

Oreo Cheesecake

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Thali!

For truly authentic Indian food, I was introduced to a restaurant (located inside the Highway Gomantak hotel) that serves cheap and delicious food.  We ordered Thali, which is several dishes served in small bowls on a round tray.  It usually consists of rice, dhal, vegetables, chutney and roti.  I also ordered a shrimp curry dish.  The purple liquid that you see in one of the bowls is actually a salty yogurt flavored drink that aides in digestion.  Everything was so good that I literally wiped my plate clean.  To top off lunch, I ordered malai, a sweet milk-like jello flavored with saffron. See for yourself

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Bombay Blue, Mumbai

Bombay Blue is the perfect restaurant to go to when you’re with people who are each craving different types of food.  This place offers so many different kinds of food and cuisines including pizza, burgers, pastas, kabobs, sandwiches, sizzlers, you name it.

I ordered a chicken sandwich with mango and apricot chutney, but I got a little overzealous and ate it before I could snap a picture…lol…oops.  For a starter we ordered breaded cheese balls, which were delishhh.  But the showstopper of the evening was definitely the sizzler.

This sizzler came with a multitude of ingredients like cabbage, peas, carrots, potato, tomato, spinach, green beans, caramelized onions, all smothered in this AMAZING garlic sauce and topped with a beef pattie and an egg for good measure.

And just when I thought nothing could top the sizzler, I was surprised once again with this colossal dessert…a chocolate brownie on a bed of chocolate syrup, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with nuts. I think the end result picture speaks enough for itself of how good it was.  With its great food and clean atmosphere, Bombay Blue is a MUST!!

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MY easy peasy dolmeh recipe

Being far away from family and “home”, I wanted to make something that could comfort me into knowing that I can have a piece of home whenever I want (although nothing will ever come close the the real thing!).  I came up with the idea of making dolmeh all on my own. I have only made a version of this once before, and that was under my mom’s directions, a very long time ago. This time I had to figure it out all on my own, and with very limited spices and herbs.  Regardless, it was quite easy to make.  I have to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing, but it just goes to show that cooking is an art and everyone has their own style, my style being quick and easy, without the frills.  Check out my quick and easy recipe below:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken, beef or lamb

3 medium sized tomatoes

1 large onion, chopped

5 bell peppers and/or eggplant for shells

1/2 cup cooked chickpeas

2 cups cooked rice

1 Tbsp tomato paste

2 Tbsp oil

1/4 cup dry or fresh mint

1 Tbsp tumeric

1 Tbsp paprika

1 Tsp salt

1/2 Tsp pepper

Instructions:

1.  Start by frying the onion in oil for a few minutes until translucent, then add meat.

2.  When the meat is slightly browned, add the tomato paste, tomatoes, water, tumeric, paprika, salt, pepper and mint and simmer for 15 minutes.  It should have the consistency of pasta sauce, so add water as necessary.

3. After simmering, pour most of the meat sauce in a big bowl with the chickpeas and rice and mix together, but leave some sauce in the pan. Set aside.

4. Cut out the stems of the bell peppers and eggplants, but save them to cap the peppers once they are stuffed.  Scoop out the seeds of the bell peppers and the inside flesh of the eggplant to form a shell.

5. Next, stuff the bell peppers and eggplants with the mixture, and place back into the pot with the remaining sauce.  Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, making sure to add water to the pot as necessary so it does not burn.

6. Serve, and enjoy 

Note: If you don’t like chickpeas, you can mix other vegetables instead like chopped okra, cabbage, green peas, etc. Check out the pictures, it’s pretty self-explanatory.

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The Good Earth, Mumbai

If you want a great fine dining experience, and perhaps are looking to get some STEAK in India, then Good Earth is the place to go.  Not only is the food great, but the ambiance and decor is to die for!  I couldn’t get over how pretty it was.  The pictures do not do it justice.  But of course, we were there for the steak. I couldn’t bear the deprivation any longer.  We started with a prawns appetizer, tried some Indian red wine, then ordered, not one, not two, but 3 steaks between 2 people.  Followed by coffee and tiramisu. Everything was delishhh and I’m so happy I found a spot to get my steak fix

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Jai Jawan, Mumbai

Alright, this is the MOTHER of all places to go if you’re looking for some great chicken.  If you are ever in Mumbai, you MUSTTT try Jai Jawan. One taste and now we’re hooked.  This was another food stop that we went to based on recommendation and OH MY!  It was freakin amazing!!!!  We were going there up to 3 times a week but decided to cut back to once a week so that we don’t go broke from eating chicken.  Since it was my first time, we tried almost everything on the menu: tandoori chicken, fried fish, fried prawns, and seekh kabob.  Each plate comes with a side of onions and some cilantro chutney that tastes like salsa.  Everything was delicious, but the chicken is on a whole other level.  The marinade along with the fact that they cook it on the grill makes everything about the chicken so perfect and delicious.  Just to give you an example of the cost, one whole chicken costs 220 Rupees, which comes out to about $5 U.S. dollars.  Not bad for just about the most amazing meal everrrr!  Apparently, we’re not the only ones who think so.  Jai Jawan opens up at 6:30 p.m. and there is always a line of people just waiting for it to open and they usually sell out within a few hours.  I’m telling you, this is one gem from Mumbai that I’m so happy I found.

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India Sweets and Spices, Canoga Park

India Sweets and Spices

22011 Sherman Way

Canoga Park, CA 91303

818.887.0868

Wanna know how you can have surprisingly delicious and very affordable Indian food near you?  Well, just before coming to India, my cousins and I went to this Indian market that also serves ready made food.  I was VERY skeptical about it considering that they only serve vegetarian food and how it’s “really cheap.” However, once I saw the line I knew there had to be something about it.  My cousin was right about it though. The food was really good and tasty, and very affordable as well.  Although it was vegetarian, I swear you didn’t even miss the meat.  I couldn’t help but be a little giddy knowing that I’m going to a country that serves this food all the time, everywhere.  There are several locations, so you can always look for one near you.  If you’re not to keen on eating there, then you can get it to go.  Either way, be adventurous and check it out!

 Samosas

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El Indio Mexicano, Northridge

El Indio Mexicano

17019 Roscoe Blvd.

Northridge, CA 91325

Ok, enough with the Indian food for a bit.  Here is one joint in LA that you HAVE to try.  It is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Mexican food I’ve ever had, called El Indio Mexicano.  My mouth is watering just writing this.  I first found out about this from a friend after a night of clubbing…guess what, they’re open 24 hours a day!  I started out with the carne asada burrito, and nachos that are big enough to feed 4!  I loved it.  Then, weeks later, I accidentally came across the “al pastor” pork.  One bite of that and now I’m hooked for life!  I’ve never in my life tasted anything as delicious as their al pastor.  I always order the same thing, a number 8 burrito: meat, cheese, guacamole and of course, I make sure the meat is al pastor.  They also have chicken and beef as well, but I do not vouch for them. I can only say that the al pastor is what makes it so good.  FYI they only accept cash, and the place is a total hole-in-the-wall but don’t let that deter you.  I ate this twice before coming to India since I knew I’d be missing it, even drove there in the middle of the night…yes, it’s that good.

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