At the very outset, I must clarify I am not a mall person. Then, why am I writing this review? I found Phoenix Mills, in Parel, a better place than most of the malls I have visited in Mumbai. Partly, because I like open spaces, and this is one area where the mall scores above the rest. You can find people sitting on the sides, chatting, without having to forcibly sit in cafes and drink coffee, you can simply enjoy the breeze. Although there are no trees, but then, it’s away from the bustling roads and traffic, you can buy food and sit outside and eat. Sounds quirky? Well, try it.
Whenever I go to malls, I get a feeling I am being forced to look at rows of shops stacked one against the other, with every blink, I can see shoes, mannequins wearing pretty dresses, and purses et al. This gets frustrating, because each time one decides to let the eye wander, scores of people are rushing to and fro, with their eyes fixed on these stores, and it feels like we’re all in a fish bowl, and in a chaotic one. I am not against brands, no, not at all, but, I like a bit of leisure tucked away in places like these, where it isn’t just about food and shopping.
The advantage for this mall is the sheer space. For brand lovers, there’s Palladium, which practically offers all the elite retail brands in India. Apart from that, there are good eating places like Indigo, Moshe’s, among others.
I would also recommend the Dolce Vita food store, which is inside the Grand Galleria. Cosy ambiance, inside a food store.
The disadvantage is that Landmark hasn’t re-opened, and once that comes in, it will be a near-complete leisure space.