The Platter Expands

Wine makeover

While wine continues to find favour in India, the fruity cocktail that uses it as the main ingredient — sangria — became the beverage of choice in 2012. One of the key attractions of weekend brunches and weekday lunches, the wine-based cocktail goes well with Mediterranean cuisine, which is the current favourite in the city. The sweet, fruity flavour and chunks of fruit floating on top aid its popularity as even those who haven't managed to acquire a taste for wine seem to favour it in this form.

Dessert over Mains

Mumbai has always had a large number of eateries opening every year. But 2012 witnessed a huge surge in the number of stores selling dessert and yogurt. Apart from Dolcemente Italia, Frozen Yogurt Inc, Pinkberry, Bianca, Guilt Trip and Sweet Desires in the suburbs, San Churros, Theobroma, Haagen-Dazs and Ice Cream Works launched multiple outlets. Even as Mumbai indulged its sweet tooth, desserts lost weight and became smaller in size, with mini cupcakes, cake pops and shot glass desserts gaining huge popularity.

Locally Yours

While 'organic' has been a buzzword for the last couple of years, 2012 saw it being coupled with 'local', as chefs and restaurateurs looked at their own backyards to source ingredients. And enterprising local farmers rose magnificently to the occasion, rearing everything from fresh oregano to live ostriches (with the latter, surprisingly, finding several takers).

Foreign Fancy

The West is still reeling from the effects of the economic downturn and even Asia is beginning to feel the pinch. But India seems to have disposable income handy. Foreign food and beverage players are capitalising on this fact and rushing to offer their wares to an increasingly rapacious Indian market. After much speculation, popular coffee chain Starbucks opened its first two outlets in Mumbai, in Fort and Goregaon East. Kala Ghoda became home to an outlet of UK-based Pizza Express. Internationally-renowned chef Sergi Arola launched his signature restaurant in Juhu whereas lounges F Bar and Lounge and Mai Tai opened their latest branches in Lower Parel and Worli, respectively.

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