Otto Infinito at Bandra Kurla Complex offers quality food at reasonable prices. Glynda Alves finds out if it’s worth a visit…
W hen Ka Hospitality, the team who brought down Hakkasan, Ellipsis and Yauatcha, launch a new restaurant, you can’t help but want to try it out. Their newest kid on the block is Otto Infinito, an all-day Mediterranean restaurant that offers a wholesome breakfast, quick lunches and a leisurely dinner spread. For breakfast and lunch it’s easy to see how they manage to draw in customers from the busy commercial area, but it’s dinner which gets tricky… does Otto Infinito have enough to lure in people post working hours?
The décor is clean and unfussy and even though it might lack a little personality as of now (we were told there were paintings and artifacts coming in shortly), it is inviting. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a Monday night. The crowd was a mix of working professionals, cozy twosomes, a kitty party and even a family enjoying dinner.
Like the crowd, the menu is also a mix. It brings together food from the Mediterranean — France, Italy, Lebanon, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Spain and Morocco. We started our meal with the Chorizo Ravioli (`375), which is such a different dish and wholly spectacular. Next we had the Tuna Carpaccio (`525) served on a thin cracker and the mezze platter (`295), which included our favourites labneh, hummus and tabouleh. All the dishes were beautifully presented and full of flavour.
While waiting for your starters, order the cocktail La Vida Dulce (`650). It’s heavenly!
For the main course, we had the Rock Salt Fish (`1,200) and the Vegetable Tagine (`385), served with Moroccan couscous. The former isn’t just a dish, it’s a process. The fish comes to the table covered in rock salt in a large pan. The waiter then covers it with a cloth while he chips away at the salt and produces a plate of fresh fish drizzled with lemon. The fish was cooked perfectly and the rock salt adds a distinct taste. The Vegetable Tagine is a great meal for the monsoon as it’s hearty and spicy. But, if you’re non-vegetarian, there are other options on the menu to tempt you such as the Braised Lamb Stew (`475).
We ended our meal with the Assorted Platter of Macaroons (`175) and the Signature Otto Chocolate and Passion Fruit Ganache (`325). The macaroons were a little disappointing but if you love passion fruit, then the ganache is for you. The passion fruit hit is intense but the subtle ice-cream served with it adds a nice balance.
What we liked about our meal here was that a lot of focus was put on the ingredients and of course, the bread basket that continually served us warm bread, didn’t hurt either. Another concept that will make Otto Infinito popular is their Grab & Go section that stock reasonably priced breads, salads, sandwiches and muffins starting at an easy-on-the-pocket `40.
Where Raheja Tower, Ground Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E)
Meal for two `2,500
Alcohol served Yes
Contact 26567777