Oven Fresh has such a vast regular menu… but their current Strawberry fest menu is equally titliating. So what does one do? One decides to indulge!
So, I start with Strawberry, Fig and Burrata Salad as per the advice of Chef Pradip. It comes with generous dose of rocket leaves as well. The tangy sweetness of strawberries mixed with sharpness of leaves and burrata and smooth finish of figs… it’s a treat. Their traditional vegetarian Caeser’s Salad is also delicious. They get the dressing just right.
The Strawberry Tostadas are a must. Slices of crisp toasts piled with fresh strawberry pieces that are marinated and sprinkled with mild spice and dressed with mint. "They are our best sellers this season," says Chef Pradip.
Move on to the soup – you are really spoilt for choice with 14 veg soups on the menu. If you like the tang and little spice, choose Tomato Lemongrass. Chef Pradip recommends Broccoli Jalapeño Bisque that comes sprinkled with white cheddar. And I am so glad I tried that. Smoothness of broccoli piqued with spike of jalapeno is delectable.
Sicilian Cottage Cheese |
If you want to just do a soup and salad then go for the little thicker soups like Pesto Minestrone Stew or Morrocon Quinoa Stew. Like it spicy, then don’t miss Spicy Corn Tortilla. The spicy hot broth with veggies cut by the tortilla crunch is ideal.
The Hummus served with lentil kebabs and fresh pita bread is perfect combination of textures – hummus is rightly spiced and not too smooth, the mildly spiced kebabs give you the roughness and fresh, hot pita helps bind all, tastily. You should surely try the hot skillet meals – Sicilian for the normal and Mexican Chili Bake for the spice lovers. The Dahi Kebab served with muhammara and mint chutney are delicious as well.
In case you are confused, we still have not reached the mains. There is, of course, a variety of breads that come fresh from the oven; the Pull Apart with Burrata is the best option. It oozes cheese when you pull it apart. They have an interesting twist to the regular Fondue using aged cheese – Herb Fondue with dukkah spice mix.
Don’t miss the Palak Tarkari served with carrot 'n' dill pilaf and black bean kebabs. Juliens of mix veggies cooked in spinach gravy – not too raw, not to mushy – served with delicious kebabs and rice. You can order for just the kebabs as well if you want and enjoy them with salsa and chutney. The Achari Paneer served with Malwani gravy and green peas pilaf is a wee extra spicy, but if you enjoy that tikhat taste, then please go for it.
Lemon Cheese Cake with Mango |
You have to try the Spinach Canneloni served on the bed of Quinoa rice. The presentation is so enticing that you will want to attack it immediately. Full marks to the chef for that. But you are advised to savour it slowly and appreciate the flavours. Ratatouille with Pesto Foccacia is just one of the other temptations that floor you with their flavours.
Oven Fresh has a reputation for their sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, enchiladas, and woks. Their multigrain sandwich with variety of mushrooms, the Sauted Spinach in Brioche, and Paneer and Black Bean Sandwiches are specially recommended along with Mexican burger. Roma Tomatoes Hand-tossed Pizza with rocket leaves, capers etc. comes with feta cheese and is endorsed by many, including me.
Their Wok is served with varied sauces and you can choose rice or a variety of noodles to go with. Hunan sauce is subtle in taste but my favourite remains Burnt Chilli.
Currently, Strawberry desserts are the best to go for; especially the Strawberry Tres Leches. However, their bestseller for years is a burst of flavours and textures that melt in the mouth and/or leave you wanting for more – Espresso Panacotta served with chocolate mousse, vanilla Chantilly, hazelnut gelato and a bit of almond brownie. Croustillant is another dream treat for chocolate lovers. Darek chocolate mouse on the base of biscuit is served with dark chocolate gelato and raspberry sorbet. "Lemon cheese Cake topped with fresh mango slices and served with cold raspberry soup is a great option if you are not a chocolate fan," recommends the restaurant manager Deepa.
If you are one of those who thinks vegetarians have limited choice at restaurants, please visit this all-veg restaurant with a 30 years run just to be spoilt for choices.
Also, their website ovenfresh.in has more than 50 varieties of cakes and other baked goodies that you can order from any part of Mumbai and get delivered home.
