Take one successful 5 Star Chef-cum-Restaurateur who has also plied his wares on a Cruise Liner; a vantage homely location in Bandra; what have you? All the succulent ingredients for a happening to happen. And happen it did and how!
In the extremely competitive rat race of the burgeoning happening places in the Queen of the Suburbs, the emergence of the New York Cafe Diner at the Reclamation, opposite the Lilavati Hospital, stands out for its simplicity not opulence. Here’s raising mock toast (NYCD serves no liquor), to the man in the limelight, the unassuming, modest and multitalented restaurateur, Meldan D’Cunha.
Meldan, who has gone solo so far, be it in setting up restaurants or in his singing career, has now teamed up with Zareer Colabavala the business man. This Mahim-Bandra combo – just about 2 weeks old, is all set to shake, rattle and roll Bandra and Mumbai. The reverberations might be felt even beyond Mumbai.
The Bandra Buzz team checked in on NYCD on October 18, 2018 – Our verdict, it was not just 2 good, it was 10 good, very appropriately on Dussehra day! NYCD is lies tucked away in a little bye lane adjoining Candies, opposite Lilavati Hospital. The very pleasing colour scheme and tasteful décor of NYCD, is what first arrests your attention. Once inside, the cool ambience, lilting music, the cosy tables and chairs, sultry photo frames on the freshly painted walls, aromatic wafts from the open kitchen, all conspire to transport you to another world, a world where your senses readily succumb to the blandishments of NYCD. Believe me. It’s a seduction that evokes no guilt feelings.
After exchanging pleasantries with the genial Meldan, we got down to business, the business of tucking away on fabulous food or as Oliver Twist would say: Food Glorious Food…We started with the current favourite of the regulars of NYCD, 2 salads. The first was the OPA which means Grandfather in Greek. It is a salad that is well marinated in a bottle. You have to actually shake the bottle to mix the spices in the tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, red onions, lettuce tossed in the NYCD special dressing, topped with fresh cheese and fruit nuts. Whew! That’s a meal in itself and is guaranteed to remind grandfathers of their salad days! This tingling dish is priced at a mere Rs. 250/- Pricing has always been Greek & Latin to us. Who cares when we are the beneficiaries?
Next these gourmands gorged on another much in demand salad – the Salad Anthony Bourdain. Named after the late celebrated American Chef and versatile personality, this salad consists of chicken and fruit salad. A somewhat queer combo but blended to just the right degree as done in NYCD, it was just tony (pun not intended). Would you believe, even this arty salad is priced at a very affordable Rs. 250/-
This mini repast, will fill you with a rosy haze of contentment. After this intake, did we have place for more? You bet like gluttons we were going the whole hog! Next on the plate was the intriguingly named Chicken over Rice – straight from the halal carts of New York. Wow, this dish was dishy. Absolutely yummy. Tempered to Indian tastes, the brown rice was a meal in itself. The diced chicken? A sheer divine melt in the mouth variety. The falafel titbit was a bonus. I have no hesitation in recommending this chick to all the guys and gals.
The piece de resitance of this “Enchanted Evening” was undoubtedly the dessert. We had the very very sinful Choco cup and the Nutella ice-cream from Koldplay. What an amazingly heady concoction. It is instant karma which leaves you ecstatically screaming for more, guilt feelings be damned! Sorbets & an array of hot beverages were tempting but we decided not to ride our luck. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Besides, we had already tipped the plimsoll line!
Meldan as stated earlier, ever the genial host and indulgent parent, has a special treat for students and teachers. The number of educational institutions in that area is quite a handful. He is offering a flat 20% discount to students and teachers. What a truly remarkable man. Other highlights of NYCD – For one, it has a humungous smart TV which can play Karaoke without the help of a DJ.
Meldan has plans to hold regular jam sessions, poetry – book reading sessions, dance sessions, cook your own meals, exhibitions etc. Gear up for the ensuing Christmas season. Christmas sweet making classes are on the cards. Meldan, in case you do not know is the leader of a band – The Swinging Santas. Like Freddie Mercury, they are gearing to Rock You!
New York City Diner serves no wine, but one visit & even the most hardened whiner will be converted to a diner….
New York City Diner
ONGC Colony, opp. Lilavati Hospital, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050
Contact: 98202 82522
Edwin Fernandes
