In today’s world of self-absorbed, materialistic, me-me-me, obsession, it is hugely refreshing to find a restaurant with a conscience. Mirchi and Mime is unique in that it almost exclusively uses hearing and speech-impaired wait staff. I am stone deaf in one ear, and I’ve lived with the constant fear of losing hearing in my other, good ear throughout my adult life. So, I totally, totally, totally dig this concept. Interestingly it’s not new. I read somewhere that the Mirchi and Mime owners actually got the idea from Signs, a Toronto based restaurant. Kudos to them all.
Take the deaf and mute aspect out of the equation for a minute, and Mirchi and Mime is a trendy, well-designed restaurant in the upmarket Powai district of Mumbai. It’s right next door to Hitchki, and only a few doors down from the pub/café version of itself, Madeira & Mime. But I’ll tell you what, morality is not enough these days; especially in a New York tough city like Mumbai. If the food was not good, for all its goody-good goodness, this restaurant wouldn’t have survived leave alone achieved a 4.9 rating on Zomato.
The food is absolutely excellent. In fact, I had one of my best meals (and drink) in India here.
Everything on the menu is good. The two things which stood out most for me were, the BEST Punjabi Tariwala Chicken I have ever had – ever.
And a cocktail I’ve absolutely fallen in love with; they call it the Indian Masala Sour. I ended up having…um, four. Accepted that it tastes a little like a sweet, spiked (with Vodka) Jal Jeera, but bloody hell, it really hit the spot…again and again.
Service is unbelievable. Given that we did have to stroke our imaginary beards a couple of times (the sign for the bearded manager to be called to our rescue…err, table), we quickly adapted to speaking with our hands and listening with our eyes. I loved this restaurant for its concept, for its morality, and yes, very much for its food. Do not leave Mumbai without trying it.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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