GLUTTONY @ YO DELI, KEMPS CORNER, MUMBAI

On a bustling street of the plush area of Kemps Corner in Mumbai stands the Shalimar Hotel. YO, the two-month old deli at this hotel is tucked away in a quaint corner of the property, distant from the cacophony of the city. This petite deli has about 12 covers and is done up in refreshing colors that remind one of spring time. These invigorating colors make up the name of the place as well - Y for yellow and O for Orange.

Since it has only been a few months since the place started operations, the menu at this place currently offers some sumptuous customizable sandwiches, made to order salads, variety of breads and delicious coffee. The offerings are kept simple yet boast of great flavors. The deli intends to soon serve pizza as well.

Here is a look at my gluttony at YO:

BAGEL & COFFEE
The only bagel offering on the menu is the one being served with cream cheese. The flavors were delicious, the filling of cream cheese was applied in generous amounts and there was a pleasant hint of sweetness to the dish. The bagel was substantially filling and went perfectly well with a hot cup of yummy Café Latte. However, the texture of the bagel was slightly tough.

In order to beat the heat of the day, I also ended up ordering a cold coffee. This was presented in a pleasurable way and the sweetness was underplayed very well to let the flavor of the coffee shine through.

SANDWICHES
The concept of sandwiches at this deli is to allow diners to customize and create their own sandwiches, right from the bread selected to the vegetables to the sauces. The only set component of the sandwiches one selects is the protein component/patty component.

1. BBQ Express
Barbeque chicken chunks and cheese were the set components of this sandwich. My picks to go along with the chicken were as under:

• Garlic baguette as the bread
• Lettuce, tomato, jalapeno and caramelized onions as the veggies
• Honey mustard and Thousand Island as the sauces

The portion size was very satisfying while the chicken filling was moist and delicious.

2. Cottage Cheese Delight
The protein component of this sandwich was silky textured Paneer Tikka.  The customized elements were as under:

• Garlic baguette as the bread
• Tomato and Onion rings as the veggies
• Mustard and Spicy Paprika as the sauces

This was one of the most delicious sandwiches of the evening. The flavors of paneer, veggies and sauces gelled superbly well with each other.

3. SOBO Deli Special
Chatpata Hariyali Seekh Kebab was the set filling of this vegetarian sandwich.  Other elements to make up the sandwich included:

• French baguette as the bread
• Lettuce, olive and mushroom as the veggies
• Mayonnaise as the sauce

The seekh was very dry for my liking and its combination with the bread somehow did not seem to work for me.

SALAD
Once can make their own bowl of salad by simply selecting their filling of vegetables, protein, and sauces and skipping the bread. I decided to go with a mixed vegetable salad comprising of chick peas and laced with mayonnaise, Caesar dressing and Thousand Island. The portion is mighty for one person and if you wish to order something more in addition to the salad you might want to think about sharing it with someone.

HOT DOG
The hot dog consisted of a yummy, grilled chicken sausage enveloped in a baguette of one’s choice. The addition of mayonnaise and caramelized onions made the hot dog very flavorful.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable meal at this deli.  According to me, the pricing of food is very reasonable and will not drill a hole in your pocket. The staff is affable and they ensure you are served well.

Do try out this place and let me know of your experience.

Till then, HAPPY EATING…