Rashmi Uday Singh’s Good Food Guide

O le Caliente!

Think about it. There are many isms, but Foodism is the best one. Food is understood in all languages, it knows no barriers and it crosses all frontiers. French, Lebanese, Italian, Thai, Korean, Mongolian, Japanese Teppan, Chinese and now Mumbai has it's very own brand new, dedicated Spanish food eatery. I love the unique tomato and sandalwood soup here as I do it's cozy three-rooms. Tucked away in a leafy South Mumbai lane and set up by two enterprising 29 year olds, Romil Ratra and Vikram Munshi, "Caliente" is worth a visit after you've weighed the pros and cons.

Plus Points

• Take your pick. Tipple at the wood-floored bar, relax in the blue intimate lounge, dine at the pine-wood, high-ceilinged dining room in this 2,200 sq ft Colaba flat converted into a restaurant.
• I prefer the veggie food here. An equal choice of 15 tapas (starters with pistas, water chestnuts, yoghurt dumplings et al) and as many main courses for non-veggies. Go for the tomato and sandalwood soup and smoked tomato paella made with imported `Banda' rice. Try the meltingly soft `Jalapeno cheese poppers' .
• Non veggies will delight in Chef Arzooman Irani's steaks and seafood. Having trained in Sydney and Switzerland, he is very particular about the freshness of ingredients.

Minus Points

• You need a compass to find the restaurant. No signage at all.
• Desserts can be stodgy and extra sweet and the breads just plain stodgy. Though there are plans to introduce new ones.
• The portions of the dishes are small.
• Finally, how many of us desi-bhais will enjoy chicken with chocolate sauce? The untutored palate is likely to be disappointed with the blander styles here, even though the flavours (saffron, garlic, cumin, cilantro, onions) are familiar.

My Point

Veggies rejoice! Those looking for a quiet drink with tapas or a swift lunch or a leisurely dinner will be happy too. Do remember that some of the food can be inconsistent, though the choice of ambience is a definite plus point and so is the presence of the young owner Romil who regales you with Spanish stories.

Dinner per head (Rs 500-600) and lunch (Rs 250), while the "tapas" starters are priced around Rs 125 to 185, main courses Rs 175 to 450.