KODE- MUMBAI'S FIRST FREESTYLE BAR AND KITCHEN

Forgotten Petal sour...must try cocktail from the many creative ones on the list

One of the most breathy and a brand new concept projects from the Massive team, this Kamla Mills freestyle bar has a freestyle take on their menu. It’s cozy and casual where you can find great cocktails and elevated fare that will generally put standard issue pub grub to shame. The menu is filled with lots of not quite so standard fare. The wall behind the long Island bar features an alluring spectacle of spirits and a wide-ranging selection of wines.

From the pondering section of the menu, the Herb crusted Scotch Eggs, with a crispy crunchy coating, a runny egg yolk and punchy flavours of Harissa, set the tone for the rest of the meal; food that is comfortable, imaginative and hearty! For starters we sample the Home Made Churros. Infused with delicate togarashi flavour, they jaunt the flawless tension between soft and springy. My favourite part of this dish is the house-made goat cheese mousse served aside these savoury churros; a hint of honey adds imperialistic flamboyance to the typically pedestrian sauce.

I instantly determine that this is where Kode earns its magnificent freestyle label. I also had the smoked chorizo Pide and Kode makes, without question, the best Pide I have ever had in the city, which is saying a lot since Pides are one of my favourite things. I personally really enjoy the fresh touch of parsley and coriander sprinkled on top.

If lobster, oscietra caviar, black truffles tickle your fancy, then the wood fired oven pizza featuring this should satisfy your cravings, the hand rolled pizza has a great flavour and the black truffles has a pleasantly subtle gamey taste to it.

Recommendations go all out for the 18 Hours Cooked Lamb Shanks, fork tender and scrumptious with add-on polenta, jus, and blue cheese truffles which give the dish panache. The Tres Leches lives up to its name. Served with a milk crisp, it has definite notes of sweet condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. The portion was ample and it cascaded into a melting river of yumminess, adding a lovely creamy consistency when I put it in my mouth.

I love the laid back vibe of the place and the familiarity of it all and I certainly recommend checking it out. Service is just as pleasant as the tasteful interior. Friendly without being obtrusive, our server did not hesitate to suggest his favourite dishes off the menu. If you haven’t experienced freestyle resto bar before then Kode will certainly surprise you…pleasantly. Both the bar menu and the food menu promise that all manner of appetites will be satisfied. One word of warning though, it’s quite popular, so get there early, it fills up fast.

This Bloody Mary  is to die for

FAST FACTS

WHERE? Ground Floor - 11, Oasis City, Kamala Mills - Entrance No 2, Lower Parel, Mumbai.

FOR RESERVATIONS: 077188 82924