Auriga, Mumbai – Rs. 1000 per person

Auriga is a pan-Asian restaurant-cum-nightclub – go clubbing in the ground floor and eat at the first floor. The most noticeable thing about this place, though, is its beehive-like structure, which, though avant-garde enough for a club, is a tad confusing for a restaurant.
CUISINE: Asian
FOOD AND DRINKS: The menu is extensive and while it is hard enough to choose what to eat, it is harder to pick a mocktail; there are some creative blends – pineapple-coriander, banana-wasabi. In the starters, we tried the shiitake mushrooms (spicy but too strong in garlic), the chef’s hat (seaweed rolls which take some getting used to) and the crispy pomfret (we recommend this). In the main course, we recommend the Vietnamese rice with lamb for its spices and great balance of meat and egg. We tried the vegetarian chargrilled flat noodles but found them too bland. The desserts were disappointing. While well presented, they just didn’t taste right.
OVERALL IMPRESSION: The mocktails are the clear winner. Non-vegetarians might find the meals more satisfying. Auriga is not cheap by any standard, so go in a group to make the most of your visit. Famous Studio lane, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
– Aparna Sundaresan

Volume 3 Issue 5