01 December,2014 08:42 AM IST | | Kanika Sharma
Up Street, a new food service located in Chembur is whipping goodies as the chef thinks of flavours out-of-the-box, literally
Paw Paw Preserve, Christmas Jam, Strawberry Butter, Oink!, Pesto Butter and Basilico
There is something uncanny about jams, preserves and butter. There are not direct foods themselves but morphed into various forms and whipped into unpredictable flavours - they make for the perfect stuff to start one's morning with. Like a flyer under one's door we discovered Up Street's bottled menu on Facebook. It calls itself an "attempt of a bunch of food writers, to reinvent and upgrade the food on Indian streets."
Paw Paw Preserve, Christmas Jam, Strawberry Butter, Oink!, Pesto Butter and Basilico. Pics/Datta Kumbhar
Spread the goodness
Their first public appearance was at the Bandra Wine Tasting Festival, earlier this month that had quite a menu of poutiness, sliders, appetisers, croissant sandwiches and more. As of now, it is only the bottled stuff that they are delivering, so we rang them pronto to place our order two days before the intended day of delivery. Situated in Chembur, they say their minimum order for delivery is R700 and delivery areas are Santacruz to Churchgate, and Ghatkopar to CST. As there was an option of picking up our goodies, we were happy to make the trip.
Our order was of Christmas Jam: R190, Paw Paw Preserve: R160, Oink! (Bacon butter): R180 and Strawberry Butter: R180, 125 ml each. The chef was 'sweet' enough to throw in complementary breads, crackers and samples - Orange-Honey-Cinnamon Butter, Monkey Jam, Pesto Butter and Basilico Butter. The Orange-Honey-Cinnamon Butter hasn't made an appearance on the menu and somehow, makes us feel 'chosen' to taste it first.
Christmas and beyond
Plum, port wine and walnuts was what made up the Christmas Jam and popped in our mouth with its acidity. A delicious smack of flavour, really. Paw Paw Preserve on the other hand emitted a funny odour given how two seemingly disparate ingredients - papaya and jalapenos were combined to give the sweetness a strong spicy hit. With the jalapenos being less, each scoop lacked the bite and thus, was a dull experience.
(From left to right) Paw Paw Preserve, Christmas Jam, Oink! and Strawberry Butter; on top samples are Pesto Butter, Basilico, Monkey Jam and Orange-Honey-Cinnamon Butter
Better butter
Oink! with candied bacon and butter was delicious to some. We, on the other hand, were left wistful for the lack of mentioning the 'candied' bit in description. The strong salty flavour is rather our favourite. Strawberry Butter can have your families divided, we warn you, for the cloying flavour is amiss and blunted by the creamy texture of the butter. Rather it's acidity and sweetness are both subdued.
The samples Orange Honey Cinnamon Butter is a must-try as it is a delicious combination and one can always count on Basilico and Pesto Butter for their chilly and garlicky notes respectively. Last but hardly the least, Monkey Jam is a mad combination of coconut, pineapple and banana, which could be the perfect spread to your toast. We could only wait to see how they handle the flamed dishes!
Log on to www.facebook.com/UpStreet.Mumbai
Call 9769377732/9960453453
Up Street didn't know we had ordered. the guide reviews anonymously and pays for its meals.
