Henna Achhpal tells you how Andheri’s Mesa Bistro measures up...
Svenska Hotels has five restaurants which include Miro, Miro Lounge, Sensen, Mesa Deli and finally,Mesa Bistro.
Mesa Bistro is tiny, with about 8 tables, separated from the lounge area by a glass partition. The hotel adheres to Swedish concepts of minimalist design and clear lines thus there’s not much about the decor to look forward to. Quickly shown to our table by the courteous staff, we started our meal with the
Mesa Bruschetta (`295), a platter offering chopped pieces of tomato and melt-in-the mouth mozzarella, minted artichoke and feta (which is a tangy delight) and thyme scented wild mushroom pate — which didn’t take us much time to wipe off the plate. Next up was the Roasted Beet Salad (`245), with pan fried
goat cheese and a pepper balsamic dressing. Personally, I’m not a fan of beetroot but this redefined my taste. The Four Mushroom Soup (`195) was comfortingly warm and creamy.
The main course began with saffron scented spring vegetables with white bean ragouts in the centre,surrounded by chilli mint couscous (`370). While the couscous was tasty, the saffron curry lacked flavour. The Pan Seared Ricotta Steaks (`370) that came with roasted vegetables, polenta wedges and paprika cream, were a bit too hard to slice into, while the Fettuccini Alla Norma (`350) was a bit too bland for my liking. All of these were washed down with the help of a Swedish Cosmo (`300), a concoction of cointreau and cranberry juice with a hint of peach. The Crostata (`265) topped with marinated zucchini, eggplant, sundried tomatoes and smoked cheese was a good companion to my drink.
Ending the meal on a sweet note were two innovative desserts. The first, Coconut Soufflé (`210) with caramelised pineapple and honey caviar and the second, Citrus scented dark chocolate mousse (`210) with roasted honey fig. Every dish is beautifully presented, making it heartbreaking to dive into them.
However, keeping in mind the price, the portions were small and do not leave you feeling full.
As opposed to most business hotels that are located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex area, Svenska is strategically located in Lokhandwala; a fast growing commercial hub. However, looks like it will be a while before Mesa Bistro can become talk of the town.
Where F-73/74, Oberoi Complex, SAB TV Lane, Off Link Road, Andheri (West)
Contact 44310000
Meal for two `1,500
Alcohol Yes