Masti is a must visit restaurant on the southernmost end of La Mer. It was the first of the La Mer restaurants to have a liquor licence and as a consequence has a splendid bar on the second of its two stories. It is also the only La Mer establishment I know of which has dedicated valet parking. How posh. And yes, posh Masti is, in a funky, non-bling, unpretentious way. Its interior is a harmonious coming together of colonial and modernist India. The result is an ambience which, if I didn’t already know, I probably wouldn’t have guessed it was Indian at all.
The Masti menu carries forward this multi-layered fusion of east, west, new and old. I’ve visited the restaurant on several occasions and have enjoyed the tapas style food tremendously. Standouts (which I have reordered) have been the Black Bass Ceviche, Tuna Bhel Tartare, Razor Clams and Sweet Chilli Glazed Lamb Chops to name a few. Chef Hari and his team have stuck to combinations which work rather than impress, the sign of an experienced culinary team.
Service at Masti is exemplary…when there is someone attending to your table, which sadly, is not often enough. I really think they need more boots on the ground. The hardest job at Masti is running the front desk. That’s because so many people turn up without reservations. It is up to the girls there to manage expectations. I, myself, am guilty of walking in expecting to get a table without a booking. Masti is hugely popular…every day of the week so make that call before you drive out. Thankfully their excellent bar is the perfect, pre-meal waiting area. All in all, Masti has established itself as a prime beachfront venue, and one which is well worth a detour.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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