This iconic Churchgate restaurant is celebrating 70 yrs with a new look and menu

Confession time Gaylord at Churchgate was the first finedine restaurant this writer visited without parental supervision She was 18 and has a recollection of spilling a glass of water and chuckling with a friend over transcending from pizza and Udupi cafeacute fare Both friends shared a vegetable au gratin PL Lamba started Gaylord with his partner Iqbal Ghai in 1956 Later Sunil Lamba took the legacy ahead His sons Dhruv and Divij run the business todayA view of the bar on the mezzanine floor PicsSayyed Sameer AbediSince that first visit the deacutecor had always scooped us into a time capsule The Europeanstyle garden al fresco and colonialthemed chandelierlit interiors frames of yesteryear Bollywood stars gracing its walls all in all a sepiatinted nostalgic experience To prepare for its 70th year Gaylord has initiated a sprucingup of its ambiance and menu The indoor seating is elevated with blackandgolden panels and maroon seating sections set against a glistening marble backdrop that lends it a purist touch Interspersing mirror work especially at the bar reflects playful charmGuava PicanteOver lunch Dhruv shares the idea behind the change ldquoWe wanted to inject a completely new life into Gaylord to keep up with the modern times Gaylord was one of the first established restaurants serving highend continental and AngloIndian fare It became a place where people wanted to come and be seen Stars including ShankarJaikishan duo Kishore Kumar Raj Kapoor to Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu all had their favourite tables It was a meeting and casting hub that also witnessed many a jazz live nightrdquo Lamba revealsMangalorean Prawn CurryThe group also owns the iconic 85yearold Delhi eatery Kwality which was renovated eight years ago While revamping Gaylord the team wanted to retain nostalgia and legacy and also make it inviting to the younger generation Dhruvrsquos wife Mandira a Delhibased gallerist who runs Blueprint 12 has invested a keen eye in the detailing ldquoThe mezzanine floor has photographs of Connaught Place by Madan Mahata Archives to narrate the Kwality story Most of his pictures are found in museums including Victoria and Albert Museum Tate Modern and MoMA We were fortunate to source some negatives from his family These photographs document the threekilometre radius around Gaylord mdash from Jacqueline Kennedyrsquos visit to the nowshuttered Cottage Industries across the street to Queen Elizabeth IIrsquos first visit to independent Indiardquo Mandira sharesGosht KareliThe lower level celebrates Bombay with frames of Bollywood stars at the venue The entrance by the chandelier showcases photographs from the family archives One particular image from four decades ago of AN Malhotra the Chief Executive Officer of the restaurant with the entire team is special ldquoThe day we mounted it numerous staff members were able to identify their uncles and relatives who have worked hererdquo she adds The space also has a collection of art pieces rendered by MandiraShakarkandi ChaatThe menu had inputs from Delhirsquos Kwality team along with head chef Vikram Deshmukh who has been helming the flavours in the kitchen since the past two years The bakery continues to bake fresh bread twice a day New additions include Stuffed Croissants in Mushroom Omelette and Ham variationsManager Noel has been with the restaurant for 38 yearsWe give Chicken A La Kiev Paneer Makhanwala and Lobster Thermidor from the classic menu a break and savour their new menu Kathal Shammi Rs 550 melts like a galouti and delivers fragrant and mild spice the Tandoori Shakarkandi Chaat Rs 495 teleports us to Delhirsquos winters Keeping up with the times Patata Bravas is served with a cheese and red garlic sauce The star indulgence is a silken Mangalorean Prawn Curry Rs 980 prepared with fresh prawns and cooked in a roasted spice masala boldly tempered with mustard and curry leavesDhruv LambaThe Kareli Gosht Rs 950 is a Nihari preparation of mutton shanks with a balanced seasoning of ginger and rose water We sip on Guava Picante Rs 740 that douses the spicy tequila and jalapeno with the fruity addition The Royal Mysore Rs 740 is a stiff drink with smoked Bourbon and aromatic bitters As we nurse our drink the piano catches our eye Herersquos hoping we also see the return of Gaylordrsquos famous jazz nightsGaylordAT Mayfair Building Veer Nariman Road ChurchgateTime 930 am to 1130 pmCall 7045556060