“Pass the salt” is such a common utterance, isn’t it? It is probably one of the most spoken sequences of words in the English language. The phrase evokes a comfortable image of a family or close group of friends breaking bread. It is this sense of familiarity and comfort that Pass The Salt – the newly-opened vegetarian restaurant in Kala Ghoda – tries to emulate. The restaurant is a labour of love and this fact was evident in the bearing of everyone, from the staff to the owners.
About Pass The Salt In Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
When asked about the restaurant’s lore, Kruti Sanghvi – Head Chef and Co-Owner – stated that her culinary journey began during the pandemic. As with many, she and her husband Vishaal Shah also began their culinary journey when a literal one was not possible. Sanghvi is completely self-taught so it was a long journey rife with trial and error.
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They experimented with various dishes, including their piece de resistance – the deep-dish pizza. The overwhelmingly positive response from their loved ones convinced them to open a cloud kitchen in Vile Parle. After its success, they opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, tucked away in the alleys of Kala Ghoda.
The restaurant itself is quite spacious. The cutesy floral roof and the mostly-white interiors are easy on the eyes. The staff is incredibly polite, helpful and prompt in their responses. Anything that we asked for, our server Ganesh got for us with a smile.
I went there with my aunt who also happens to be one of the foremost cardiologists in the city. Her penchant for cooking and her time in major countries across the world gives her a wealth of knowledge about food that even I don’t have. Needless to say, I was quite excited for what was to come.
Our Culinary Journey In This Pocket Of Italy
While the restaurant is not strictly Italian, its focus on pizzas and Italian cheeses like Burrata and Stracciatella definitely make it feel so. With offerings like Tartines, one can also detect the influences of French cuisine. The star of the show is the deep-dish pizza so we had to have that. It should be noted that these are made when ordered so it takes around 40 minutes. In the meantime, we decided on what to get.
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What We Ordered
Lone Star Deep-Dish Pizza
Mushroom Pesto Burrata
Rosso Calzone
Tomato & Cheese Tartine
PS We Love You
Sorbet
I ordered an Elderflower Yuzu Tonic and its strong coffee flavour turned out to be the perfect antidote to the soporific effects of the cheese-fest of a meal that we ordered.
The first to arrive was the Mushroom Pesto Burrata. As someone who had never tried Burrata before, I was quite excited. The cheese was soft and creamy and the mushroom confit cherry tomatoes provided a nice tang. The pesto was rich in flavour and my food-savvy aunt detected a hint of mint and coriander in it rather than basil.
Would I Order It Again? Yes!
It was time for the main event – the deep-dish pizza! Lone Star, I was told, would be a bit spicy. As someone who has been let down by numerous “spicy” dishes, I didn’t heed the warning. As it turned out, I should have. The pie actually had a kick to it and, for once, I felt that the warning before ordering it was valid. As an avid lover of all things spicy, I savoured every bite.
The fragrant marinara, the creamy cheese and the spicy capsicum were all perfect. But what elevated the pie even more was the crust. Usually, pizzerias do not pay due attention to the crust and even while eating, one does not realise how important it is in a pizza as all the focus is on the “masala.” But the fresh crust at Pass The Salt not only took the pie to a whole new level but also showed the meticulous attention to detail that had gone into the thought process of the pizza.
Would I Order It Again? Absolutely yes!
The next to arrive was the Rosso Calzone. This, too, had a pleasant kick to it. Once again, the freshness of the dough added such depth to the flavour of the dish, it was mindblowing. This delicious pocket filled with drippy cheese and flavourful sauce made me feel like I was eating – pardon me for the comparison – an airy Italian samosa.
Would I Order It Again? Yes!
The Tomato & Cheese Tartine seemed perfect for people who do not like their food to be encumbered by too many spices. It’s simple and straightforward and gives you exactly what the name suggests. The slices of the char-grilled tomatoes were as generous as the bread was thick.
Would I Order It Again? Maybe not.
PS We Love You is a grilled cheese with pesto and house-made Hokkaido Bread. If you’re not a heavy eater, this grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect choice for you. We ordered it out of curiosity as we wanted to see what the fuss about Hokkaido bread was. If this grilled cheese is to go by, it’s pretty similar to the bread we have in Mumbai.
Would I Order It Again? Probably not.
Time For Dessert
We were already full to the brim with the cheesy fare so we decided to go light for the dessert. A simple Sorbet. Although, their signature dessert, Pass The Salt, Please did sound very interesting. If you try it, let us know how it was! The Sorbet was light and fruity and exactly what we needed after such a heavy meal.
Would I Order It Again? Maybe not.
All in all, it was a great experience. Though the deep-dish pizza takes the spotlight, we’re told that the thin-crust pizzas are also great options for people who don’t want the calories of a deep-dish.
So, when are you heading there?
Where: 10, Calcot House, behind Bombay House, Kala Ghoda, Fort
When: 11 AM to 11:30 PM
Cost: ₹2,000 for two approx.
Cover Image Credits: Tooba Shaikh
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