All day dining at Fenix, where weekends never end!

Fenix, the world cuisine restaurant at The Oberoi, Mumbai, not to be confused in any way with the celebrated English Chef, Gary Mehigan’s Fenix in Victoria, Australia, introduced delightful new additions to their existing menu of Western, Oriental and Indian cuisine. The dishes comprising the new order are primarily non-vegetarian, but the restaurant also has a separate menu for vegans. All you have to do is ask for it. Fenix’s charm lies in the open space it occupies in the grand Oberoi lobby, an enchantment in itself in a city that screams breathless on most days. The minimalist décor of the restaurant, broken only by splashes of vibrant, long-stemmed red Heliconias, is abuzz with coffee couples, business suits, happy families, a raucous twenty-something birthday group, a corporate celebrity - like a weekend that never ends – on most days and nights. What’s common among the motley group of diners here is that they are seeking the extraordinary hospitality that the Oberoi prides itself in and the culinary skills of 34-year-old Chef Satbir Singh Bakshi. We decided to order the new additions on the already exhaustive menu, but could not resist a couple of old favourites like the Green Apple Martini, Keema Kaleji Pav and the Kaffir Lime and Mint Margarita. The Kaleji was very stiff and chewy, and dropped off our favourite list almost immediately. The Espresso Martini was disappointing, unlike the Green Apple and Kaffir Lime cocktails which are simply the best! The bland sounding Steamed Asparagus with poached egg, Hollandaise sauce and truffle oil is surprisingly anything but boring. The asparagus, imported especially from Peru every ten days and costs thrice as much, is worth the effort. You can actually hear the crunch in every bite. The Purée of green pea with pine nuts, a new soup addition, is a tad insipid. [caption id=“attachment_242869” align=“alignleft” width=“435” caption=“Chef Satbir. Raju Shelar/ Firstpost”] [/caption] Chef Satbir has been very innovative with the vegetable least likely to be on a menu such as Fenix – the turnip – and it works! The Glazed Duck a’la orange with Balsamic Roasted Figs and Turnip slices is brilliant. Who would think the mere combination of duck, oranges, figs and turnips can turn into such a flavourful and delectable dish? The Chef did! The Shalgam Gosht from the Indian selection is my new favourite – the coupling of turnips with the tender lamb, adding a slight sweetness to the spiced, aromatic curry is just perfect with steamed rice. The Braised lamb shoulder with Gorgonzola polenta and red wine jus deserves an applause of its own – perfection on a plate! The Miso Marinated Black Cod with Shitake Mushrooms and Water Chestnuts is quite delightful. You can also try the Fenix pizzas, which are gaining some ground with the restaurant’s regulars, but they didn’t quite cut it for me. The Grand Marnier Blood Orange Soufflé was simply marvelous! It outdid the Chocolate chip and Vanilla soufflés that ruled as the grand finale to every meal at the restaurant earlier. The Grand Marnier is the best creation in their soufflé range and once you’ve tried it, you will agree and go back for more. Just be sure to order it twenty minutes before you are ready for dessert so that you don’t have to drool around waiting for it and then, sit about waiting for it to cool down either. For those that are familiar with the Fenix menu, you know your favourites and this review may entice you to try the new additions. And for first timers at Fenix, you will not be disappointed. There’s a dish for everyone! [fpgallery id=380] My Five: 1. Green Apple Martini (a Fenix must-have!) 2. Steamed Asparagus with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and truffle oil 3. Shalgam Gosht 4. Miso Marinated Black Cod 5. Grand Marnier and Blood Orange Soufflé Fenix – All day dining from 6.30am-11.30pm Address: The Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400 021. Telephone: 022 6632 6205.

All day dining at Fenix, where weekends never end!

The minimalist décor of the restaurant broken only by splashes of vibrant, long-stemmed red Heliconias, is abuzz with coffee couples, business suits, happy families - like a weekend that never ends – on most days and nights.

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