Gaylord is now a landmark at Churchgate. One cannot imagine the area without this restaurant. And mind you even after all these years, the restaurant has its fair share of regulars who refuse to try the new copycats around the area as well as around Bombay.
The restaurant is split into 3 sections: one is the seating area outside (or the non AC section) which has the quaint wrought iron seating that makes it a perfect romantic setting. The greenery outside the restaurant is carefully placed to cut off the noise and the intrusion of the activity on the road outside. This is where you can come with friends or that special one for a cuppa (tea or coffee as you like it) and idle away your time. The next section is the bakery (ohhh the smell!!) which beckons you to try its various treats. Normally people take away the stuff but you can also buy the breads, croissants, pastries etc and have it in the seating area outside.
The main restaurant is the A/C section where both Indian and Continental food is served. It is split into 2 levels which makes the dining experience all the more pleasurable as you enjoy the ambience. Service is fairly decent but its the food that will bring you back time and again... especially the Indian food.
The classics are the best out here: be it the Dal Makhani (one of the best you get in Bombay leaving aside Sheraton’s Dal Bukhara) or the Butter Chicken. The breads, raitas, everything is good. I liked even the paneer dishes though there was a vegetarian (only sabzi) dish that was not as good.
The downside is that the restaurant (any of the sections) is not easy on the pocket, especially for the collegians nearby so not a place you can frequently patronize unless you’re one with deep pockets!
Yet, if ever you yearn for the usual Indian fare, forgotten in the pastas and the pizzas of today, then head to Gaylord. Hail!
PS: Don’t know much about the Continental food here as whenever I go, I can’t get over how good the Indian is.