Restaurant Review: NRI (Not Really Indian) Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai

Having had enough of "NRI" friends on a flying visit to India trying to meet up to discuss why they left home and how they miss home cooked food had made me a little apprehensive about this restaurant in BKC. But who had not heard of the twice Michelin starred Chef Atul Kochhar? And the fact that NRI (Not Really Indian) restaurant serves an eclectic menu that features traditional Indian dishes with a twist was too much to resist. Simply put, the menu offers Indian dishes that transformed with a touch of local ingredients wherever they traveled with NRIs - think dumplings from Madagascar, Indie-Brit fish and chips, Malaysian style biryani and more!

We started with "Mumbai Martini" an ode to Mumbai - a delicious vodka cocktail with hints of ginger and curry leaves. The "Thai Margarita" was a heady concoction of tequila, pineapple, kaffir lime leaves, crushed mint leaves and subtle hint of chilies. While sipping on cocktails, we were delighted to note that the restaurant was celebrating a British Indian Festival - select dishes served in an indomitable British style!

The Piri Piri Chicken Wings served hot with South African spice mix paired well with cocktails and the Hare Masale Ka Promfret made us remember good times! From the British Indian Festival menu we tried Karara Kekda - Chef Atul's signature dish, soft shell crab, batter fried till crisp and served with passion fruit chutney.

Vegetarians should try Mushroom Multan - soft bite-sized mushrooms stuffed with cheese and spinach.

The salad section though small, features innovative salads and we loved Laphet Thoke - traditional Burmese fermented tea leaf salad with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, peanuts and other condiments, a must try!

For the main course, do try Dal Makhni - with choice of Indian breads. If you love experimenting try  Bunny Chow - a delicious curry from Durban that can be enjoyed in three variants - Veg (made with spicy beans), Chicken or Mutton. The presentation of the dish and the story of its origin is unique - half loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with delicious curry and served with plantain chips and slaw, enjoyed by plantation workers as cheap and practical food. As we tried the delicious curry filled bread that originally was called "Bania Chow" we thought of the many stories hidden across dishes from different cuisines.

For desserts we tried the carrot baklava - filo pastry filled with carrot (gajar) halwa, served inside a chocolate dome- a delicious combination.

If you like tasting Indian cuisine served with an hint of modernity, visit NRI. Conceptualized by Chef Atul Kochhar, NRI brings you an interesting mix of dishes, inspired by India and Indian diaspora that traveled far and wide, yet enjoyed a taste of the food from their homeland laced with local flavors!

Where: 2, North Avenue, Maker Maxity, BKC, Mumbai 400 051

Timings: 8 am to 10.30 am & 12 pm to 11.30 pm.

What Do You Pay For A Meal For Two: INR 2500 plus taxes

Call: 022 3000 5040 / +91 8691-085784 / +91 8691-085781 (reservations@nrirestaurant.com)