212 All Day - A Diner For All Days.

Good news for many, offering delicious dishes that satiate the appetite as well as the eye is Two One Two All Day at Santacruz, Mumbai. Representing the brand name in a classy painted roman numeral, the kitchen is spearheaded by Chef Mickhiel who sure knows his food. The decor is easy and wood commands the majority of the cafe. Lack of branding may cause you to miss the place but the directions of it being the neighbour of MINI showroom should give you a headsup.

 

Retaining the quintessence, the finest ingredients and philosophy of its forerunner, Two One Two Bar and Grill, Two One Two All Day offers the most delectable and sumptuous meals that are easy on the pocket. It serves breakfast, soups, salads, appetizers and main course for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests.. Two One Two All Day is a beautiful and inviting delicatessen with a whimsical décor, open French windows, indoor and al fresco seating. I miss the bar from 212 but a smaller version of it makes up for it and churns out delectable cocktails!  The watermelon mojito though a tad bit sour for my taste has a good punch of flavour for those looking for a cooling drink and serves as a refreshing opening to the palate. A must try is the grapefruit mint cooler which is a surprise package with the mint playing a subtle but sufficient support in the drink. Not operational yet, the deli also has a bakery section offering the freshest produce right out of the oven and a cold cut section for meat lovers with a handpicked range of finest assorted cold cuts that can be sliced to order as well.

 

First up on your table will be the bread and pesto butter which MUST be given a miss due to its stale nature but don't judge the food just as yet because it will impress you and ensure that you return to possibly satiate your foodie cravings very soon. Strongly recommended is the trio of Oven roasted american corn soup (new on this menu), Cappuccino of wild mushroom and the asparagus cappuccino where one flavor distinctly stands out against the other with a pure burst of flavour on the palate. The Balsamic marinated rocket leaves with warm goat cheese croutons, roasted tomato and poached pear though on the sweeter side for me (because of excessive balsamic), is a crunchy feast for vegetarians (the croutons are absolutely heavenly).The smoked duck breast Caesar salad with parmesan shavings and garlic croutons is a different variation of the Caesar salad with a slightly smoky flavour and of course, the blue cheese in the dressing is a perfect hit.

 

The beef Carpaccio literally melts in the mouth and is the chef’s favourite with good reason – it may get quite filling so keep that in mind while ordering.The wild mushroom ragout puff pastry though crunchy lacks a little punch because the mushroom gets lost in the thick pastry but the Watermelon and goat cheese terrine is absolutely delicious with a balance that could not get any more perfect than this( the watermelon sweetness is offsetted by the cheese). No, you cannot be done with your meal at this café until you have a portion of the truffle fries which are hands down the most delicious fries you can get your hands on in the city . If there is still any place left, you can opt for the Tenderloin steak which is juicy and flavourful though not well done (as most Indians would like it) but leave yourself to the team as they definitely know what they are feeding you.

 

Top it off with their chocolate mousse which boasts of a texture that is so silky that you will adore the feeling on your tongue. A place you will most definitely return to, this diner already feels like a culinary winner!

 

Coordinates: Linking Road, Hasmukh Nagar, Near Mini Cooper Car Showroom, Near Santacruz Police Station,  Santa Cruz (West), Mumbai