Exotica -- Food served admist nature

Though Mumbai serves almost all the varieties of cusine preferred world over, the surrounding in which is it presented is almost the same. We come across restaurants located in the city, with top class ambience and polished hosts. What I mean to communicate is that apart of the difference in food and its taste, the experience of visiting a restaurant remains almost similar.

This is where Exotica is different than other restaurants in Mumbai. Located admist forest, which come under Yeur Village, a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Exotica delivers an experince quite unique in Mumbai where almost every restaurant has a very urban feel.

One might have dufficutly in reaching the locating considering there are no proper sign board and you litlery have to pass though a forest range but the experience of dining out in Exotica is simply amazing.

From the time you cross the reception desk, you would find yourself walking on a wooden carpet which seems like raw logs of wood, semi neatly shaped to enable people walk on it.

One can choose to dine either at the pool side, or the bar which also has a platform where classical Indian artists perform in the evening. You may even choose the Manchan for dining, but I feel it shouldn't be called a Machan, since its just a minor elevated structure or more so the upper storey of the restaurant. The Machan usually opens after 7pm.

Exotica is not a speciality restaurant. It serves a subset of Punjabi, Moglai, Desi Chinese,Thai and Continental food. They have a very rich bar menu, with a wide variety of cocktails and mocktails. Try their Virgin Pinacolada (Rs 180) and Long Island Ice Tea (Rs 250). Also some of their continental starters (Five Jewels, Crispy Veg) are really worth tasting.
I had Malai Kofta, Dingri Dolma (Potaoes and Mushrooms), Dal Makhani with stuffed Naan for the main course.

The food taste is average but eating the same in a well done ambiance close to nature makes it a pleasureful experience.

This is one place I would recommend for families who wish to dine peacefully and away from the Mumbai rush and also to guys who would want to woo their girls over nice romantic dinner date :)

Ratings:

1. Food: Average
2. Ambience: Excellent
3. Service: Average
4. Value for Money: Yes
5. Recommended: Must Visit
6. Pocket Quotient: Carry around Rs. 1500 to Rs 2000 for a dinner for 2 which incl Drinks