Head to this Asian soiree in Santacruz

Spinach and corn pakchoy rice; (right) Gaeng pla horapa

Food: Good
Ambiance/Asian
Service/Polite
Cost: Expensive
Verdict: 1/4

In the last few months, with several exciting culinary ventures, such as Dubai's Michelin-starred Indian vegetarian restaurant Avatara, the Japanese Nikkei resto-bar Megumi, and even all-vegetarian bar-forward restaurant, Charlee opening its doors in Santacruz, the suburb is swiftly becoming a hub for foodies. Recently, we visited Takumi, the newest eatery by Richboyz Hospitality, the team behind All Saints, Raeeth, Occo (Goa), and Secret Story (Bengaluru).

The restaurant, serving inspired Southeast Asian fare, gets its name from the Japanese word for artisan. It has two seating slots. We chose the 10 pm slot over the 7 pm. We reached an hour earlier but since the place wasn't packed, the staff kindly agreed to seat us. At the entrance, we were greeted by a custom-made Japanese torii gate and an Asian sculpture of a woman warrior. Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, the space is designed by Sumessh Menon, and uses a red and grey colour palette in the indoor and outdoor seating areas. Patrons will spot bamboo trees, minimalistic light fixtures, cane lampshades and painted Asian screens across
its interiors.

Takumi signature flambe

Takumi has an extensive bar menu - from matcha-infused concoctions to a tequila base drink made with butterfly pea flowers, and a unmai sake with in-house whiskey foam - the cocktails, priced between R850 to R1,000, draw inspiration from Asian flavours. We skipped the drinks menu this time, and turned our focus to the food.

Chef Passang

Dorje Lama's menu is as diverse as the flavours of Southeast Asia. Our scorecard had a mix of hits and misses, and we are not big fans of the pricing. The som tam salad, a traditional raw papaya and peanut salad (R495) and the prawn and chive dumplings (R495) were strictly average. The coating for the dumplings could have been thinner and the filling, less pasty. The mains though, hit the spot. The delicate flavours of the spinach and corn pakchoy rice (R425) and the robust gaeng pla horapa, a seabass curry with lime and basil (R795) were both worth coming back for. We also enjoyed the dramatic Takumi signature flambé (R545), a gooey chocolate sponge cake layered with chocolate, infused with lightly-roasted coffee and flambéed with rum. To our disappointment, some of the mains were served before the appetizers.

Interiors of the restaurant. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade

Takumi scores points over other Southeast Asian restaurants with their performances that add a layer of magic to the dining experience. Throughout the evening, diners are treated to engaging performances. Artistes brought to life forms like Bushi, a dance form that evokes the spirit of the samurai, the enchanting Nihon Buyo, a classical Japanese dance believed to be almost 200-year-old, and the graceful Shibu, performed using fans and various other props.

Takumi
Time 12 noon onwards
At Ground floor, Savoy Chambers, Linking Road, near Porsche Showroom, Santacruz West.
Call 9833741741

4/4 Exceptional, 3/3 Excellent, 2/4 very Good, 1/4 Good, 0/4 Average. Takumi didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals