#blahvsfood goes to Izumi

March 09, 2020

#blahvsfood goes to Izumi

Izumi is a scene. In fact, Izumi is THE scene.

I know that founder Anil Kably with his passion for food won’t like my saying so. But it’s true.

Make no mistake. The food is absolutely excellent and it’s no wonder that so many people are hoping that they come and open in Delhi/Bangalore/Goa soon. But this place is about more than just food. It captures a scene, a vibe, an energy.. it captures the essence of the locality of Bandra better than any restaurant has since Anil’s much loved and much missed Zenzi a decade ago.

I ended up chatting with the guy in the next table with a guy who is opening his own brewery in Goa in two months. The other table has Chef Picu from Jamun, one of the most well regarded young chefs in the country. All around me, people were chatting and eating and drinking, tables packed together, people sitting in the counter, people waiting outside to get in, to have not just great food but a great night.

India’s food places are so segregated into restaurants/bars/clubs/pubs that sometimes we forget that a place can be more than one thing. Slink and Bardot and Dirty Buns are great examples of places that may be food focused but it’s about a lot more than the food, and Izumi has taken that spirit and infused it with the restless, feverish energy of Bandra to create a unique space. Or maybe it’s not Bandra. Maybe it’s the energy of a izakaya in a cool Tokyo neighbourhood like Shimo-Kitazawa.

Hamachi truffle with wasabi jelly

Sashimi truffle

The food was superb with the highlight being hamachi truffle with wasabi jelly and birds eye chilli and the sashimi salad.

Liver with togarashi butter seasoning

The Yakitori is the best I’ve had in the country. Fantastic liver with togarashi butter seasoning, with a creaminess that felt halfway to pate and pork buta burra with enoki mushroom. And a brilliant black sesame ice cream dessert.

I feel that Izumi is a place that really should expand to other cities if they find a way to retain the quality. Because I can’t think of a place that offers affordability, coolness, vibe, great drinks and great Japanese food in the country. Most places lack one or more of these and places like Wasabi are absurdly expensive. When it comes to Japanese food, Izumi is a game changer.

I also ate a sashimi crab stick salad and a chutoro nakochi hand roll