Donmai means ‘don’t mind’ in Japanese – in the sense of chill, relax – and the restaurant Donmai at Worli offers an ambiance that helps you relax. Muskaan’s smile at the entrance starts the relaxing process that’s enhanced by the interiors designed by co-founder Ish Patil. She has used the Japanese elements to create a cosy environment. Sameer Uttamsing, her partner and the man behind the menu, comes with decades of experience of opening restaurants. “But this is my first Japanese one and we have brought our contemporary take to the authentic Japanese food,” Sameer elucidates.
TakoyakiWatermelon Beetroot Salad
Their signature cocktails are teasers that prepare you for the more versatile flavours to follow in food. Though I am still wondering why they have so many vowels at the end!
Salmon DonabeShiitake Gyoza
They use traditional and Japanese ingredients to get that umami in their cocktails, not to mention that one of their cocktails is called Umammmiiii! And there’s a one that’s called Negroniiiii. The earlier one is whiskey based. And the latter is their take on the traditional negroni by replacing Campari with lilet blanc and sweet vermouth by dry vermouth. The Truffle foam that makes it a visual delight also adds the ‘umami’ to the drink. However, my suggestion is that they don’t call it a negroni but give it a different name that suits it better. It’s a delicious cocktail where the truffle foam takes the front seat. It goes well with their maki rolls – Salmon and Kappa. It is also great to just sip alone or with the bar bites – but it’s not a negroni.
Salmon UramakiShisssoooo
Matchaaaaa is a cocktail that’s difficult to make as even a little extra matcha powder can overpower the other ingredients making it grassy. But Donmai has conquered it. Sake, gin, a little vanilla essence mixed well and clarified with traditional method and not an elaborate clarifier is finished with drops of shiso oil. The result is a nice refreshing drink that’s good company to their vegetarian small plates or makis.
NigiriTofu Uramaki
Smoked Avocado, Ume Urmaki and Miso Buns are highly recommended to the vegetarians. Ume Urmaki is a maki roll made from cucmber, smoked eggplant and pickled ume. It’s the smoked eggplant tempura that does the trick. Smoked Avocado is a medley of textures and tastes – crispy, smooth, creamy and little spicy – served with kimchi cream cheese and generous springle of togarashi. You have choice of butters with the Miso Buns and you can choose two. Choose the seaweed and fermented honey chilli. The Kobujime salad is another tasty thing to start with. Kombu cured tomato, cucumber, greens and ponzu dressing. Just right and fresh. Match it with Matchaaaaaa.
Prawn KaraageUmammmiii
Nonvegetarians, especially seafood lovers, have a lot of choice in Nigris, Sashimis, Makis and even otherwise. Hamachi Carpaccio and Hokkaido Scallop Tartare in cold plates are the things not to miss. The yellowtail carpaccio with a drizzle of truffle yuzu served with delicate tomato jelly is delectable. The point to be noted here is that the truffle is subtle and not overpowering – a difficult thing to achieve. The scallop tartare is served with nori chips and asparagus making the textural combo quite tasty.
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If you love prawns, then do try the Prawn Kara age served with chilli oil, truffle n sesame paste. Their gyoza too is ‘not-to-miss’ dish. Served and plated elegantly with a rice net on top, it is finished on the table when the server pours chilli yuzu on it. Prawns gyoza and Shiitake gyoza are recommended. recomme
Miso RamenOkonomiyaki
Seafood lovers should surely try Okonomiyaki. The seafood and cabbage pancake served with the traditional okonomi sauce and topped with crunchy tenkasu is a delicacy which not many Japanese restaurants in the city serve.
Ebi RobataPork Tonkotsu Ramen
The Miso Ramen (veg) with oat broth is delicious. If you like pork, then go for the Tonkotsu Ramen. They have quite a wide choice in Donabe (a full meal in itself). Salmon and Kinoko (veg) are to be tried.
Nama Chocolate and Matcha Fondant must try in desserts.
It is advised that you go in a bigger group. You can try more dishes like their mazesoba and robata which too offer a wide range each.
Average cost for two: `3,500 (with alcohol)
Where: Donmai, BDD Chawls Worli, Worli, Mumbai
