PAUL Mumbai Restaurant Review: Phoenix Palladium Mall in Lower Parel is home to an exclusive list of global brands that never fails to attract crowds from across the city. The newest addition to this list is French culinary brand PAUL, an artisanal bakery and all-day dining restaurant located on one side of the mall’s courtyard. With its opening in Mumbai, PAUL marks its foray into the western part of the country – its other outlets are located in Delhi and Gurugram. We got the chance to visit this fancy restaurant recently and try a few of its dishes. Here’s what we recommend:
Croque Monsieur. Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
We started with one Croque Monsieur, a classic French ham and cheese sandwich. Paul’s version comes with a side of home fries and a simple salad. What stood out first was the size of the sandwich, almost 3 times the size of a regular slice of bread! We enjoyed digging into the delicious layers, which were melted together with an expert hand.
PAUL salad. Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
Another favorite of the night was the signing PAUL salad – a refreshing combination of greens (mainly lettuce), green apple slices and Emmental cheese, topped with a generous portion of chicken. The dressing was a light vinaigrette which was a subtle delight. We loved how the crispness of the apple, the juiciness of the chicken and the nuttiness of the walnut came together. This is a dish worth coming back for.
Another green apple treat we enjoyed was Pomme Vanilla Spritzer. This mocktail is a mixture of apple juice, vanilla syrup and soda with fresh apple slices and mint leaves. It is delicately tart and undeniably rejuvenating. We also tried the signature Infusion – a mixture of grapefruit syrup, orange juice and soda, with orange slices and kaffir lime leaves. It was sweet like a mixed fruit juice. This drink is a safe choice that seemed to be popular with patrons, but we preferred the Spritzer.
A section of baked goods and desserts. Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
PAUL also has some delicious hot drinks including different types of coffee and a hot chocolate that everyone seemed to be asking for. Served in wide mugs, they seem perfectly formed, so you can dip a buttery croissant in it. Note that the food menu also offers burgers, pastas, pizzas, egg preparations, soups and various types of sandwiches. For the main course, there is a dedicated section for rice and seafood dishes, which are mainly inspired by classic French flavors.
Pain au chocolat almond. Photo credit: Toshita Sahni
Deciding which desserts to try was a dilemma unlike anything we’ve encountered before. There were just too many choices, from famous delicacies like creme brulee and eclairs to lesser known ones like millefeuille and tarte Normande. We finally came up with a classic with a twist: Pain Au Chocolate Almond. It created a perfect balance between the oozy chocolate filling, the buttery and flaky pastry and the crunch of almonds on top. Rich and decadent, we were left wanting more. Another must-try is Blueberry cheesecake. Here, blueberry flavor is also added to the cream cheese – apart from the usual topping of blueberry preserves. The base also had a great texture and no overpowering taste.
Blueberry cheesecake. Photo credit: Toshita Sahni
PAUL impressed us with their generous portions of elegant dishes as well as crowd favourites. We also appreciated the range of options, whether we’re talking about sweets, savory delicacies or drinks. If you like French cuisine, enjoy decadent pastries or need a hearty meal, a visit to PAUL in Mumbai will not disappoint.
Where: 462, Shop C-10B, Ground & Mezzanine Floor, Phoenix Palladium Mall, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m