An hour-long wait for a table of three on a Saturday night is common for restaurants at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel. Thankfully, in 15 minutes, we get a call to be seated, right next to a table with VIP guests. What this meant was that you watch plate after plate of food being served to them (pre-ordered, perhaps), while you patiently wait for your first course. PAUL, a French cafe founded in 1889, serves a selection of country-style and fancy bread, viennoiserie, pastries, cakes, and desserts, snacks, meals and sandwiches that are made to order and prepared on the premises. The menu is elaborate and leaves you spoilt for choice.

Australian John Dory