While we totally get how weekends are sacrosanct, taking an hour out or two to explore the rapidly-evolving culinary scene around you is always a good idea. More so, as mid-February seems like the right time to step out, soak up the slight nip in the air, and tantalise your taste buds to new menus across the town. Scroll away for fail-safe food recommendations to get the most bang for your buck. 

Mumbai

Stop By Veronica’s For A Foodgasm

Precisely three years since the launch of the uber-popular Bombay Sweet Shop, The Bombay Canteen is back with another culinary offering— Veronica’s. Located in Bandra, drop by this newly launched sandwich shop and café housed inside Jude Bakery and savour the menu as they open doors to public starting this weekend. While we’d always suggest that you gowith the flow, the in-house specialities that everyone seem to be raving about are the Hangover Tacos, Morning Momos, stuffed-sandwiches that are best when paired with specialty coffees, sparkling wines, and refreshing kombuchas.

Where: Veronica’s, Waroda Road, off. Hill Road, Ranwar, Bandra West.

Opens to the public on February 25

Mark Your Calendars For The Vault Home Bar Festival 

Whether you’re in the mood to step out or not, here’s a fest that’s worth dressing up for and checking into. True to its name, the Vault Home Bar festival brings a curation of personal home bar collections, while meshing story-telling, tasting and food pairing experiences under one roof. What’s more, 20+ master distillers will be present at the event to drop deeper insights as you feast your senses to over 100 handcrafted spirits from around the world. 

Where: Jio World Garden, Gate 3, Mumbai 
Timings:  February 25 and 26 | 11 am onwards 
Call: +919820626823

How About A Bit Of Bombay On Your Plate?

Bombay Brasserie needs no introduction. However, the new retro vibe-esq outlet in Colaba boasts a new menu alongside its signature specialities. Nosh on plates like hot kadhi samosa chaat, crispy Madurai mushroom dosai and crunchy Street fried chicken in addition to street grills like charred chilli roast cauliflower, homemade spice marinated spicy meetha achar chicken, Marwari papad kofta, home-style garam masala inspired Punjabi cooker chicken and Irani café styled Parsi berry pulao. For drinks, sample some of their latest additions—the signature Pauwas such as the Bi Bhitaki (an Ayurveda inspired ancient ingredient Triphala combined with gin and passionfruit), Madras Raja (whiskey mixed with bitters and fresh curry leaf shrub) and desi cocktails like Kaapi Martini (a blend of whiskey and rich espresso) and Aam Rush ( a desi household mango drink mixed with white rum). Finish up with a slice of sweet decadence— Anglo-Indian bread pudding. 

Where: Bombay Brasserie Colaba, 2 Dhanraj Mahal, Block A, Ground floor, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai 400001 
Timings:  Monday to Sunday, 12.00 pm to 12.00 am 
Call: +91 86559 79257 

Add Some Cheer With Burgers And Beer 

Since burgers and beer can never be a really bad idea, just drop by Brewdog and sink your sink in an array of juicy burgers— from chicken and cottage cheese to fish and pork — with mug of beer on the side. The new pop up menu packs in the punch with best-sellers like grilled chicken and lamb patty burgers, Who Shot Beanie (for vegetarians) alongside signature pale ales like the Hazy Jane, Punk IPA, Ten to Tango, Your place or Mine; or wash it down with a classic wheat beer like Insta Cloud or Wild Card Wheat.

Where: Brewdog Bandra/Brewdog Midtown Mumbai 
Timings: 12 noon to 1:30 am. On till February 28.  

India’s First Meadery Is All Set To Host Their Inaugural Hive Mixer Event 

Wine lovers in Mumbai can expect a great weekend ahead of them. Dig into a range of succulent burgers and desserts, all while sipping on the finest meads, expertly crafted by the talented folks at Moonshine Meadery. And well, the Hive Mixer event promises to be a gastronomical delight, with great music and art to feast your senses on. Drop by this pop-up event— collaboration with Ground Up Cafe and The Good Butter — for an evening to remember. 

Where: Moonshine Meadery Pirangut 
Timings:  12 pm to 4 pm| February 26  
Ticket Link: https://linktr.ee/moonshinemeadery 

Delhi

Nothing Like A Cosy Café Experience

Delhi’s thriving food and café culture is no news. But, just in case you’re in the mood for some cosy me-time, and love the peace and quiet of quaint café, the Zoca Café won’t disappoint. Drown inside your favourite book with a side of signature delicacies like the strawberry shake, tandoori nibbles, or even their cheesy pizzas. Nothing like a low-key plan on a lazy weekend evening, right? 

Where: F -262, opposite  Dusshera Ground, Vikaspuri, Tatarpur, Rajouri Garden, Vikaspuri, New Delhi 

Timings: 1pm to 11pm 

Call: 07838280513 

For The Love Of Good Drinks  

Reflex Bar Brewery and Dining, a newly-launched space in Gurugram’s bustling Golf Course Road promises patrons a lively gastro-experience over eclectic cocktails, gourmet food and live Latin, pop, jazz and rock music. Must-tries on the menu include rosemary grilled chicken with mushroom sauce, chicken thai basil dim sums, and the Mediterranean veg platter. Having collaborated with one of India’s famous and finest mixologists, Yangdup Lama, it’s needless to say that the bar counter remains as the highlight of the outlet.

Where: REFLEX – Bar, Brewery & Dining, Ground Floor, M3M International Financial Centre, Unit R3013, 15, Golf Course Ext Road, Sector-66, Gurugram 

Timings: 12:30 pm to 1:30 am 
Call: 085158 98989 

Tuck Into European Classics

In keeping with how clean, fresh, and wholesome food can also be delectable, the all-new outlet of Smoke House Deli — one of India’s thriving European cafes — in Gurgaon’s tech park that promises good views and even better food. Tuck into classics on their menu such as the Ol’ School pancakes, french toasts, Smoke House dips &chips, grilled prawn sambal skewers, crispy Panko chicken tenders, signature spicy spaghetti meatballs and bacon-wrapped chicken, and watch the world go by. 

Where: M3M International Financial Center, Shop No. R3 025, Ground & Mezzanine Floor, Sector 66, Badshahpur, Gurugram, Haryana 122002 

Timings: 11 am to 12 am 
Call: 8130755883 

Bengaluru

Up For A Hearty Lunch Over The Weekend? 

Bengaluru’s favourite spot for music and food, Hard Rock Cafe on St. Marks Road has rolled out a Rock n Roll lunch menu that features signature dishes, juicy burgers, and local favourites that will leave you wanting more. A few highlights on the Rock n’ Roll menu include the Caribbean Jerk chicken, Southern spice cottage cheese slider, Tupelo chicken tenders, Bhuna chicken roll, penne arrabiata chicken and much more to dive into. And of course, no lunch menu is complete without a variety of burgers. Choose from signature specialities like Country Smash burger, Legendary burger, big cheese burger, and quesadilla veg burger, or try something new like the Local Legendary burger!  

Where: Hard Rock Cafe, St Marks Road, Bengaluru 

Timings: 12 noon to 4 pm 
Call: 080 6122 4722 

Good ‘FOO’d In The ‘Luru! 

Helmed by culinary master Chef Eric Sifu, FOO loyalists can now savour their favorite orders even when in Bengaluru. Spanning new age dishes like Hamachi Carpaccio, Smoked Duck Salad, Nikkei Avocado Uramaki & Truffle lobster dumplings, to the traditional well-known dishes like Foo chilly chicken, Tempuras, & the immensely popular Foo Blue Butter Japanese Fried Rice with Yellow Curry, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to  dig into dessert specialities like Mount Foo-ji & the Black Marble Sesame Cheesecake. End things on a good note by sipping on cocktails like the Foo King, Foo Kaapi & the in-house Yuzu Negroni & Wasabi Margarita, which are the top sellers.

Where: Ground Floor, Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Rd, Bengaluru  

Timings: 12 pm to 1 am  
Call: (+91) 9321707545 / 9321707546 

Dial your Kaapi Experience Up a Notch

Bengaluru loves its kaapi, and Maverick & Farmer has been taking notes. Known for its avant-garde approach to coffee making, the new café boasts specialities made from in-house experiments like cold smoking and fermentation of the cherries to give you a burst of fresh flavour profiles. Some of their notable selections include Cinnamon almond coffee, The Parama cappuccino, Vietnamese coffee, coffee cherry soda, cold smoked coffee, and clarified cappuccino. The café also dishes out vegan specials like the Chickpea omelette, Square burgers, and a variety of sweet baked goodies. 

Where: Maverick & Farmer, No. 162, 80 Feet Rd, JSP BMW Motorrad, Koramangala, Bangalore 

Timings: 8:30 am to 10 pm 
Call:  +91 88265 82632 

Goa

For The Love Of Good Views And Snacks 

Curated by Delhi-based chef Megha Kohli, the French café, which is housed inside the new boutique hotel, is a great spot to stop by for an indulgent snack or two. Bite into innovate snacking options like their croissant sandwiches, quiches, wholesome cakes, Neapolitan pizzas, mezze platters and the like. Pair it with a wine of your choice, wipe it clean and call it an evening in style.   

Where: Mademoiselle, House No. 90/3, Assagao Panchayat, Bardez 

Timings: 9 am to 8 pm 
Call: 09112004853 

A Bite Of Progressive Indian Cuisine  

Badmaash offers its visitors breath-taking views of the cliffs facing Ozran beach, with a sie of progressive Indian cuisine paired with zesty cocktails. Choose from innovative street food-inspired options like the tender chicken Katsu bhel, puchka shot with Kalamata olive. Healthy eaters can order up the Super green bowl made with edamame, avocado, green lentil sprouts, honey ginger dressing and ghati masala or Xacuti chicken salad with pickled raw mango, toasted peanuts and pomegranate. The small plate section features succulent dishes like the Chili and mint lamb seekh, cafreal spice cottage cheese, almond flake and corn gallets, and Togarashi butter garlic lobster to name a few. 

Where: Small Vagator, Ozran Beach Rd, Vagator, Goa 403509 

Timings: 12 pm to 1:30 am 
Call: +918956323422