Darshan and his wife Tina always wanted to start a restaurant of their own, given their passion to experiment with food.
They say that it was during a vacation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that they conceived the idea of a restaurant. Wasting no time in giving form and expression to their imagination, they set up the restaurant and called it Mangrove, reminding them of the place where the idea was born.
The couple has worked not only around the menu but also on the interiors of the restaurant. “We have been to places where either the music is too loud or where there is a lot of commotion in the restaurant. We wanted to take all these elements out of our place and give the atmosphere a sense of serenity. We have ensured that our joint exudes a lot of warmth and is spacious enough to give each table enough privacy. The only way you can enjoy a meal is when your mind is relaxed and you feel comfortable with your surroundings,” explains Darshan.
All the items on the menu have been thoughtfully put together by Darshan and Tina. “I am the chef for Mangrove and I’ve tasted every dish that goes out of the kitchen. In fact, we do many trials before the dishes go on to the menu,” he explains.
He says their interest for experimenting with flavours and combinations has brought them thus far. “We never shy away from pairing fruit with meat or playing with bold yet subtle tastes. Our menu is for those who don’t hesitate to try out different cuisines,”
he adds.
Mangrove is best known for its ‘sticky pork ribs’ that are first seared with different ingredients and then cooked for long until they become tender. The ‘rib eye steak’ is another must -dish.“The prime rib eye steak is grilled to perfection and served with red wine sauce,” says Darshan.
The burgers take on a different form at Mangrove. “The selected ground meat patty is seasoned with our spices, grilled and offered with various accompaniments,” says Darshan.
The ‘chicken burger’ is one where the chicken patty is cooked until soft and is mixed with the right amount of white sauce and vegetables. The ‘baked vegetables in pesto sauce’ is a mix where vegetables are over-roasted, tossed in pesto sauce and baked with cheese. The eatery also has a variety of salads.
Another fast-moving dish is the ‘Fiery Lamb Shank’ where the lamb shanks are slow braised cooked until tender and served with mushroom and celery sauce.
The dessert section has interesting variations of chocolate and fruit-based cheese cakes. The lemon yogurt mousse is popular with the regulars. It comes with Japanese cheese cake, count crumble and mango jelly.
Mangrove is located at 5C-829, 9th Main, 1st Block, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar. For details, call 9886028118.