Bharat Excellensea

My friend surprised me by bringing me to a restaurant he used to visit during his student days. The experience was far way better than I expected for a student favorite! A long time old restaurant in this area he meant. Although the space is a bit limited, they've arranged it well to give a very cozy atmosphere . The restaurant has two floors, it is quite low so confused me a little bit at first. The seafood was excellent—no complaints at all. Prices were reasonable, and we had a great time for two people. Highly recommended!

I was invited to lunch at this restaurant by a local friend during my trip to Mumbai, and it was my first experience dining at a seafood restaurant in India. While the low ceiling in the upstairs seating area felt a bit confining and the air conditioning blew uncomfortably cold air directly onto my face, the restaurant overall has a warm, inviting atmosphere with a solid sense of authenticity. One unique aspect is the way the waiter presents a tray of fresh, raw seafood before you order, which highlights their confidence in the quality and freshness of their offerings. Among the dishes I tried, the Bombay Duck stood out the most. It was my first time tasting this delicacy, and I’d compare it to Dover Sole. The flavor was subtle and distinct, completely unlike any Indian cuisine I’ve had before.

#gluttonyreviews Bharat Excellensea #BharatExcellensea Churchgate A 34-year-old place, Suraj Salian-owned seafood restaurant located at Fort just ahead of Horniman Circle. Chef Ananda Solomon is the magician behind the food. Our reservation was at 2130 hours, and we were just about able to make that time. Bouncers at the door, a professional lady at the reception guiding you, and a two-level seating arrangement. We opted for the upper level, and Melvin, our genial server guided us to our options. Just so we would make the right choice, they actually bring out a platter of their seafood fare. Seer fish, Pomfret, Rawas, Crab, Prawns, Lobster - have your pick. And we did. Our Surmai in Ghee Roast (INR 625) was a surprise. A large fillet, bone-in, served in a thick red semi-dry gravy - tangy and spicy - cooked in ghee and roasted spices. The fish was fresh and generous, and soft and spongy like only the Surmai can be. One fillet was easily sufficient for us, and we relished it with Malabari Paratha (INR 65) and Tava Roti (INR 35). The star of the day. The prawn biryani (INR 600), on the other hand, was lacklustre. It wasn't even a biryani in the truest sense. More like Phodnicha bhaat, normally-grained rice with red chillies seasoning. Also, the prawns, though large by size, were too small in numbers. A needless cost-cutting measure, and a disappointment. But a great experience overall. A repeat visit yes for the next time. To complete the pilgrimage, you can also choose to stroll aimlessly by Marine Drive (the Queen's Necklace view around midnight is highly recommendable) and have a sandwich ice cream at K Rustoms and Company (Paan flavour my fav.).

We had asked our guide to take us to a top quality fish restaurant as it was our first day in Mumbai. He had previously worked for the boss of a Mumbai based multinational and this was his favourite fish restaurant. Simply put we had a superb meal. The fish could not have been better, nor the hospitality and guidance we received as to how to best enjoy the variety of such fresh fish on offer. Very highly recommended.