Mumbai being a very gastronomically advanced city goes through its own phases of food evolution. As more and more world-travelled restauranteurs and gourmets are making their way towards the city’s shores, the lanes of Mumbai have gained a sophisticated sheen. Casual dining scene, which at one time was limited to burgers and pizza chains have found a taste of European-style dining. Crisply dressed people lounging with a cup of coffee and laptops in those newly initiated bistros have become a common sight in Mumbai. But the debate is who started it all? Many say ‘The Table’. This chic quaint bistro first popped up on Mumbai’s dining scene in 2011 and since then has popularized the concept of brunching in the city. The Table bought with it the trend of community dining and gave it a stylish air.

The bistro can be found tucked at Kalapesi Trust Building in Colaba, Mumbai and is quite a hotspot for the fashionable set of Mumbai. Their menu is a mix of Continental and European, backed by a wonderful bar selection crammed with some mouth-watering wines. Food is ingredient-centric and once is a while the menu goes through a transformation as per the availability of the freshest produce. Their farm to table thumb rule goes down famously with the patrons. Let the sommelier do his magic while you focus on your first course. Foray into the menu with an assortment of salads and soups. Or pick, shrimp dumplings, pan roasted crab cake, zucchini spaghetti, boneless chicken wings and yellowfin tuna tataki. Feast on further with, red wine risotto, ratatouille sandwich, tenderloin steak, Provençal lamb ragout, swiss chard ravioli and cheese quesadilla.

The Table looks and is expensive. Polish off a helping of tiramisu or caramel ice cream before letting out a satisfied sigh. The food is out of this world, almost making you believe that you are dining in a city like San Francisco. Well, the chef is a SF native, so maybe that adds to the menu. The interiors are rather stunning. Name The Table hints on its community table concept where people from all walks of life can sit and eat on one long table in harmony. Out of two levels, the lower one is dedicated to this idea of community tables but for a cozier intimate setting, head upstairs. The décor is stylish, modern, elegant and yet a bit casual.