Hunger pangs on the New Link Road in the Veera Desai area, send a colleague and me scuttling into the Autumn Bar and Bistro to compensate for a missed brekkie and lunch. Vivek, a partner with the establishment, ushers us to our cosy, quiet seat in the subtle nouveau art deco interiors.
He helped us order the drinks round – Whisky Sour and Sex on the Beach, while telling us about the owners having award-winning restaurants in Jaipur and Autumn, inspired by the season of change, being their first footprint in a city that is not pink. My companion likes his poison neat and was initially dismayed by the egg white in the Sour. But 15 minutes later, the drink really grew on him. The other drink did a cheery yet balanced dance on our palette as well.
Soon the appetisers found their way to our table and we sprang on the Cheese Cigar Rolls. They were spot-on light filos with the mozzarella spiced, oh so right! The two dips were good, leaving no love for the sauce. Vivek told us this was a house special and we agree, as we did about the Baked Kheema Pao that was so tempered that if I could have fought off my companion, I would have saved the entire dish for myself. The pao was nearly as nice as Goan poi, with the kheema baked inside it (obviously, hence the name) spiced as I like it.
Cheese Cigar Rolls |
We had also ordered Jalapeno Grilled Chicken which was nothing to write home about, and Char Grilled Chicken Skewers. The latter is just perfect for the spicy Indian palette.
The Tandoori Chicken Salad that followed cleaned our palette and got the juices flowing again. We peg it all onto the awesome chili lime dressing and quality fresh produce. What a dish! Onto the Grilled Lime Fish, the snapper and prawns were standard and the herb pilaf didn’t grab our attention, but the lemon butter and capers sauce was a class act. I could have that with plain bread and die a happy girl. Spoken too soon as I was yet to be convinced to have the dessert. We finally settled on the Oreo Choco Tart, a choco bomb of a dessert that is not to be missed!
The multi-speciality menu boasts of a vast selection of European, Chinese, Italian and Indian dishes under the aegis of Head Chef Ahesan Mohammad having nearly 20 years of experience. Autumn regularly hosts special events and picnic themed Sunday brunches, and your four-legged babies are welcome in the alfresco section anytime. With extended timings, from 9 in the morning to 1 in the night, Autumn may soon become the go-to place for a quick breakfast or a leisurely celebratory dinner.
Autumn Bar & Bistro Opposite City Mall, New Link Road, Veera Desai, Andheri (West)
