You’ll find them everywhere — from the stretches of the French Riviera to the cafes that dot the Greek island of Santorini and
all along the squares in Rome — little cafes and bistros that bring the best of the weather to the dining table. And while Mumbai hardly allows for one to partake of the pleasures of eating out, celebs state the city could do with more eating ‘out’ spots.
Adman and gourmet Suhel Seth says, “Ballard Estate is the most suited area for dining out. We also have a great shoreline that’s waiting to be enjoyed. But unfortunately people in the city are so subjected to the hooliganism of politicians that they can’t see much into these things. That’s sad as the charm of alfresco dining is that you are absolutely harmonised with nature as you eat out.”
His favourite eat ‘out’ spots? “Those along the harbour in Monaco, as well as Le Bilboquet in New York on Madison and 62nd.”
For actor Gul Panag, nothing is better than enjoying her meals with the breeze. “To go on a holiday and not be able to enjoy a meal outdoors is so futile,” she sighs. “I’ve had some lovely outdoor repasts in Paris, Barcelona, Cambridge and London. In Rome, one always sits by the Piazzas (squares). I wish we could have them in Mumbai. But I don’t know how practical it is with the pollution playing spoilsport,” she says.
Restaurateur Rahul Akerkar is hopeful of a change. “In a city like Mumbai, which offers any gourmand or foodie so many exciting world cuisines, it is a shame that there aren’t cafes, restaurants, boulangeries and bars lining up even one street like other cosmopolitan cities in the world. Mumbai has tremendous potential for waterfront cafes and street-side patisseries, coffee shops and restaurants. If collectively we work together as a society and city at large, we could achieve gourmet haven status like New York, Barcelona or Paris.”
