A new playful, canine-focused café in BKC delivers on its promise of wholesome, innovative fare, but falls short of expectations with its logistics
Pratha Narang with Angel and Joy; (right below) Portobello mushroom taco
For a city that’s ranked second in the country in terms of its pet-friendliness, as per a 2019 survey by India International Pet Trade Fair, Mumbai still has a long way to go in terms of spaces that permit four-legged visitors. And so, when we came across an all-day café that not only permits pets but also has designed a gourmet menu for them, we were excited to find out that this was a bellwether of much-needed change. Named See Saw, this eatery is one of the latest additions to BKC’s tony Jio World Drive mall. We stopped by for brunch on a Monday morning, in the company of Khar-resident Pratha Narang and her two pooches — four-year-old Joy and 10-year-old Angel.
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Portobello mushroom taco
We had some trouble entering the space, since the one mall entrance and sole lift that permits dogs was not clearly demarcated and requires some searching. The mall valet service refused to park our vehicle, citing the presence of pets, despite the dogs disembarking the car before it was being handed over. When we finally made it to See Saw, we noticed that the café offers indoor and al-fresco dining spaces, of which the latter is accessible to patrons accompanied by dogs. The space is uncovered, with a fringe of potted plants enclosing it. In terms of aesthetics, See Saw ticks all the boxes — our furry guests were offered bowls of water and themed rugs to sit on. From the doggie menu (we wished even cats were allowed), we ordered A healthy bite (Rs 350), a salad with barramundi, cucumbers, apples, and spinach, for mains, and Matin de toutous (Rs 350), which had oatmeal with blueberry and raspberries, for dessert. While both Joy and Angel made a beeline for the dessert, Narang had to cut their repast short out since the oatmeal contained dairy milk that can upset some canine stomachs. The salad was met with a mixed response — Joy had no trouble eating it, but Angel found the portion bites too large. Our biggest concern was the lack of airflow in the al fresco area. Halfway through the meal, both dogs were uncomfortably hot and craving the air-conditioned comfort of the indoor area.
Crispy plantain salad
We moved on to the human-friendly menu, which had an interesting pick of international flavours — the curation has been inspired by the globe-trotting adventures of Aditi Dugar (who is also one of the names behind Mahalaxmi’s famed concept restaurant Masque), who manages the space. The Crispy plantain salad (Rs 395), a play on sev puri with its plantain chips topped with corn mousse, avocado and smoked onions got an immediate thumbs-up, as did the Portobello mushroom taco (R595). The flavours are bold but well-balanced and the combinations, unexpected. The Miso grilled beetroot salad (Rs 425) was a refreshing burst of flavours and colour, and a good pick for the sultry weather that day. We appreciated that the chefs were quick to adapt each meal (human and doggie) to the taste and dietary preferences of their guests, and that the portions were thoughtfully sized to accommodate a variegated dining experience.
A healthy bite from the doggie menu
All in all, the café’s playful but upscale vibe and interesting menu will see many human visitors returning for encores. But until the necessary tweaks to the menu and logistics are made to ensure a more comfortable visit for pooches, we’d suggest leaving Fido at home.
The café’s interior seating area. Pics/Shadab Khan
At See Saw, Jio World Drive, BKC.
Time 11 am to 10 pm
Call 35051111
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