Delicious food and conversations are at the heart of Mumbai’s new KMC* restaurant
- Featured Food & Beverage
Schenelle Dsouza
- 7 minutes read
Schenelle Dsouza
Finding a restaurant that doubles as a cosy workspace can be a difficult find in the city. And Mumbai’s new KMC* restaurant offers just that. Conceptualized by the founders of EKAA, Chef Niyati Rao & Sagar Neve, KMC* is a space that is fluid in all its form — the food, the space, and the vibe.
Nestled in the heritage building of Kitaab Mahal, the duo, Sagar and Chef Niyati envisioned KMC* to be free of labels and boundaries. They imagined it to be a space that stimulates conversation about the mundane and esoteric, a place that feels young and old at the same time. From the typewriter at the entrance to the retained mezzanine floor, to the pop-culture posters to the shelves stacked with books, to the merchandise, every element at KMC* is carefully chosen to bring together a space that is old, new, and welcoming.
The restaurant has an open space plan with multiple windows bringing in an abundance of natural light. The space is characterised by wooden furnishings and earthy tones adding a cosy, rustic vibe to the space. While there are multiple areas for dining, the restaurant also has a selection of isolated spots with tables and comfortable chairs for a quiet and relaxing workspace.
Visiting on a weekend, I was received with a mostly empty space which was the perfect setting for a quiet Saturday brunch with friends.
The menu was filled with unconventional but exciting offerings, making it extremely difficult to pick just one! However, going by the expert opinions of the staff, my lunch date and I opted for the coffee glazed ribs and Shrimp Beignets. The ribs set a really high bar for any ribs I eat in the future. Sweet and spicy, these were tender and light at the same time.
The coffee flavour was subtle and not too overpowering, which was perfect for me. The beignets were an interesting curation, between sweet and savoury. The dough itself was sweet but not by much, complemented by the creamy shrimp curry. The podi masala complimented it, but I enjoyed the beignets better without it.
The cocktail list was just as intriguing as the menu, with a very peculiar mix of flavours. I opted for a Negrosine which is a twist to the white wine negroni prepared with raising wine and a homemade chiretta. This cocktail has a salty and spicy kick, which is ideal for those who prefer cocktails that aren’t fruity or too sweet.
For the main course, we went with poached chicken in garlic emulsion with turmeric bao, along with a side of kurkure fried chicken. The former was a delicious, wholesome meal that can be enjoyed on its own on any given day. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and full of flavour; my second favourite dish after the ribs.
Fully satisfied with the meal but not wanting to skip out on dessert, my lunch companion and I decided to share the infamous cookie skillet dessert. Having seen this trending on social media but never having tried it, I instantly jumped onto the option. The cookie skillet here has an interesting variation, a serving of vanilla basil ice cream. The cookie was moist, not too sweet and had the perfect texture with the ice cream. This dessert would serve as the perfect dish to binge on during a movie.
Overall, KMC* is the kind of place you want to be in on a weekend that is not surrounded by loud music, crowded spaces and finger food. Its for good food, experiences and conversations with friends and strangers alike.
