If you remember the post on Monday, 23rd of April, 2012, we had spoken about Rachita’s birthday celebrations at Mainland China. In today’s post, we write about our experience at one of the finest eateries in South Bombay.
Mainland China
Awesome Ambiance
After the morning bike ride & post multiple discussions last weekend and where we should go to celebrate the Mrs. birthday we zeroed in on Mainland China. Although we have been to this place loads of time we decided to revisit the same. Reached there by about 12:30pm. Fortunately the restaurant is situated 10 minutes from where we leave at SOBO Central Mall, off Haji Ali in South Bombay. Going up in the elevator to the 2nd floor of the mall there was the distinct smell of food being cooked across the ground floor & even in the lift. At one point we did laugh about the fact that the building was on fire.
At the entrance, we were greeted by the manager who recognized us as regulars and gave us a quiet place in the corner of the restaurant. Walked in, got seated, were welcomed by an extremely polite staff of waiters. Here let me take a moment to describe the decor. It has a nice warm feel, I personally like the fact that the restaurant is not too brightly lit; it has a nice dingy feel. Also there are Ming Dynasty Vases and Statutes around and chandeliers which do not have any implication basis china 🙂 Back to the celebrations now! As all bikers do, I ordered my daily fix of beer………. Mihir, Rachita & Yooti ordered mocktails. The bar here is priced reasonably, though like most places Beer is the cheapest. Also there is a decent selection of Whiskys, Rum, Vodka, etc. the normal stuff. There was also some herbal tea given to the ladies basis request. Side by side the kimchi, which according to us is the bestest ever, was being devoured.
Crazy Spicy Chicken
Important point to note, we all love spicy food…the hotter the better. No soup was ordered though the normal Sweet Corn, Chicken, Talu Meian, etc. are available on the menu. We ordered crispy fried sichuan chicken with smoked chillies and peanuts which was crazily spicy (please see the picture of the chillies), the beer here was a life safer 🙂 there was also some lemon potatoes ordered & konjee crispy lamb. The chicken & potato were absolutely spectacular the Lamb though had a smell which was a bit fishy, the same was highlighted to the Stuart who replaced the same with the greatest lamb preparation humankind has seen – the cumin lamb :). While all of this was happening, plans for the evening celebrations were also being discussed & Rachita’s & mine first bike ride date also was the topic of discussion. Main course was sapo tofu vegetable and some fragrant pot fried rice. The same was just perfect!
The overall menu at Mainland China offers a variety of different foods which caters to all palettes: Lamb, Chicken, Fish & Vegeteable. Startes & main courses are brilliant, also a special note here to the service which is absolutely exceptional; not even in 5 star hotels do you get this kind of treatment. Remember the konjee Lamb we gave back & got the cumin lamb instead? Well, post our main course, we did not order any dessert as we were decently stuffed. We asked for the check. Though, to our surprise, we received a platter of chocolate spring-rolls complimentary. Boss! Free food… That being the first feeling let me tell you the desert was absolutely and totally awesome!
Exceptional Maincourse
All in all we highly recommend this place if you are in South Bombay and have a craving for Chinese food, Mainland is one of the finest places you can visit, add to that the service & trust me, you wont be disappointed.
Our Rating – Please note this is basis Km 10 to 100 (10 being the lowest & 100 being the highest)
Ambience – 85km
Service – 94km
Food – 92km
Burn – 80 km (Just about affordable)
Badbikegang Average Speed – 87.75 we give it an 88
Badbikegang 