Do you ever get that feeling of familiarity at a restaurant or bar which makes you gravitate towards it every time someone asks “where should we meet”? THEORY is one such place for me, and it has been from the first time I went there, before they opened, tried their food and cocktails, and had a complete rager of a night with my friends. I knew then that I had found a place that I was going to be dining, entertaining and partying at a lot.

THEORY is run by a couple of cool nightlife mavericks, Akash Sheth and Mickhiel Pinto, of Magnanimous Events, who understand the nightlife business, and the value of great product.

THEORY just started their lunch, so I went in and got their highly experienced Chef De Cuisine, Clyde Comello to take me through some of their signature dishes, and tried a few concoctions by their bartenders. Safe to say, it was one of the best lunches I’ve had in a long time.

With beautiful interiors that plays with lighting to create the perfect ambience, the “Theory” experience begins at the 100-feet-long coal-pressed island bar that curves in and out, allowing visitors to find easy huddle spots for cocktails and conversations. While a pianist will set the mood with world music and jazzy tunes at the ideal decibel level, a DJ will take over to play an upbeat set when it’s time to party.

Lunch at THEORY, whether with friends, colleagues or clients, unveils a dining experience that is a blend of Chef Clyde’s variation of the latest trends as well as some lunch classics. The menu showcases a happy mix of specials, ingredient-based items concept-based ideas and old favourites. Each serving is perfect for two to share, while the bowls are enough for one, without being overwhelming or overpowering.

An array of well thought out Small Plates include Poached eggs on toast; Soups & Salads such as Onion tortellini, micro greens; Cheddar & beer; Nicoise salad (served with Herbed kulchas, housemade mustard dressing); open sandwiches like the Charred corn & Avocado; Grilled peach & prosciutto (Whipped mascarpone & feta, pumpkin spread); Move over bagel & lox (Chive mascarpone, activated bamboo carbon bagel. Burgers on the menu are Chickpea & walnut (Grain mustard aioli, multigrain bun, fig jam);THEORY chicken burger (Chipotle aioli, apple slaw, orange chutney); Duck & Bao (Spiced pulled duck, thyme & garlic mayo, poached egg); Buff burger (Jalapeno spread, emmenthal cheese)

Bowls like Medi Veg bowl (Beet hummus, chickpea tabouleh, pickled vegetables, falafel & sour cream) and the Miso salmon in a bowl (Sticky rice, buttered broccoli); Surf & turf bowl (Theory’s version of the paella with Goan chorizo) are perfect heart-warming meals in the rains.

Other dishes present a vibrant but simple mix of flavours, textures and colour: No sheet lasagne (Cauliflower puree, tomato balsamic); Braised pork chop (Sweet potato mash, purple slaw); Moroccan roast chicken (Creamy polenta, beans).

Cheddar and Beer soup with a drizzle of chilli oil, served with crispy garlic toast

Mediterranean Vegetable Bowl

Miso Salmon In A Bowl

Pepper crusted tenderloin tossed in balsamic butter with a side of rosemary jus, served on a bed of wilted spinach with lyonnaise potato and cherry tomatoes.

Prawn carpaccio

Salad of asparagus and iced Fennel with gratinated raclette and endives

Surf & Turf Bowl

Theory’s no sheet lasagna served on a bed of cauliflower purée and dresses with a tomato balsamic sauce

Needless to say, lunch at THEORY is an experience unto itself!

If you haven’t been there yet, I’d say it’s time!

THEORY

Address: Unit C, Trade World, Kamla Mills , Lower Parel, Mumbai, 400013, Mumbai, India

For more inside scoop on nightlife in India and around the world, celeb interviews, men’s fashion and lifestyle, follow me on @kingofclubsIn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook