Tucked away in the heart of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) is a relatively simple-looking entrance which is adorned with a minimalist ‘Lyla’ sign that is easy to miss if you’re an oblivious passerby. But don’t be fooled by its unassuming exteriors! That the exterior is nothing like what’s inside is obvious to anyone who steps through the doors of Lyla for they’re greeted with a cacophony of sounds and a melange of colours that is anything but minimalist.
Lyla In BKC Is Where Maximalist Vintage Meets Modern Boho
As soon as you enter the restaurant, a pleasant clamour of various sounds greets your ears – glasses clinking, murmurs of chatter, sudden bursts of uproarious laughter mixed with ambient music in the background! This medley of sounds is complemented visually as well.
The space is sprawling and yet, every inch is adorned with fascinating trinkets of diverse aesthetics. Art pieces, vintage frames and the boho-inspired ceiling piece, all fight to grab your attention first. You’d think that having all these aesthetics shmushed together would be too chaotic but Lyla makes it work beautifully – the perfect embodiment of maximalist aesthetic.
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Lyla: A Crowded Oasis In BKC
I arrived there with a close friend and a former colleague whose articles still embellish the Curly Tales website. Anyone who knows her is aware of her witty sense of humour and so, we knew that the two of us would be adding to the sounds of laughter we heard upon arrival.
That Lyla is a well-loved restaurant is obvious from the outset. There couldn’t be a starker proof of this fact than the crowds of people that seemed to be perennially thronging the restaurant. Though we were intimated about the crowds beforehand, we underestimated its extent. Despite having a table booked for 2 PM, we couldn’t make it to our tables for at least another hour or so.
This would’ve been a problem if I was with anyone else, but since I was with Vaishalee, the hour melted away in the warmth of the memories and the laughter we shared together. The wait actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we not only got to talk in peace but also got to take in the diverse elements of the restaurants and give each aesthetic detail the attention it deserves.
Lyla’s Palatable Mexican Fare
When we were finally seated, we had already placed the order. While we were waiting for our food, we sipped on a delicious Elder Flower Spritz and Jalapeno Cooler. The Elder Flower Spritz was a refreshing sweet mocktail which any Sprite-lover would adore. The Jalapeno Cooler is a spicy and tangy mocktail, perfect for those who love to spice things up.
These are the items that piqued our interest the most: –
Appetisers
Pao De Queijo
Lyla Grande Nachos
Chicken Enchiladas Suizas
BBQ Tiger Prawns
The first to arrive was the Pao De Queijo, bread accompanied by two types of butter – Herb Butter and Chipotle Butter. The pieces of bread were light and airy – almost cotton-like. We slathered them with the two types of butter and devoured them in no time. The herb butter had a subtle and fragrant flavour whereas the chipotle butter had more of a spicy tang.
While we were unabashedly munching on the pao, the Lyla Grande Nachos made their entry. And let me tell you one thing, the ‘grande’ in the name is not for decoration. It arrived on a giant wooden platter which had chips smothered in sour cream, red kidney beans and guacamole. If those weren’t enough, two small bowls of ranch and salsa also accompanied it.
Despite the plethora of condiments, where I expected an explosion of flavours, it was more a polite pop. They weren’t bad at all, but my desi palate was expecting a bigger bang with a little more kick. If you’re planning a group outing at Lyla, the nachos are a perfect starter. The quantity is perfect for a larger group but the two of us had the appetite of a bird and so, we were sadly unable to finish it.
The BBQ Tiger Prawns and Chicken Enchiladas Suizas also arrived not long after. Flavour-wise, the two dishes were again quite muted but weren’t by any means bad. The prawns were well-seasoned and the meat was soft. The bits of grilled mango on top gave the prawns a pleasant twist. The enchiladas surprisingly tasted very familiar, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly tasted like home.
Main Course
Buttery Bay Scallops
This was the first time I was trying scallops so I was a bit nervous. I always watched the videos on the Internet with such intrigue and have always wanted to try them. I don’t know what I was expecting but a soft and almost creamy texture was certainly not it. It almost felt like I was eating a savoury custard with an ever-so-slight bitter aftertaste. The sauce was indeed buttery, as the name promised and it wasn’t long before the plate was polished clean.
Dessert In The Oasis
Chocolate Coma
Monster Churros
We were only going to order one dessert, the Chocolate Coma, because we were acutely aware of our not-so-big appetites, but were so kindly recommended the churros that we couldn’t resist. Both desserts had a Quenelle of ice cream each which we were quick to take care of.
The Monster Churros were deliciously crunchy and subtly sweet. If you don’t like overly sweet desserts, you’ll love this. If, however, you’re looking for something that’s more than a dessert – perhaps to impress a date – you must go for Chocolate Coma. It’s a dessert and a show rolled into one!
This dessert arrives in a flat white plate covered with a dome of white chocolate in the middle. At first glance, it almost looks like a white sombrero – a happenstance that surely isn’t coincidental. Then, the server proceeds to pour molten chocolate on the dome which collapses and reveals the sundry sweets inside.
Just like the ambience of Lyla, this dessert has a bit of everything. It is fruity and chocolaty with a strong peanutty flavour. A medley of textures dance in your mouth – crispy, soft and crunchy. Even the temperature of the dessert isn’t uniform. While the ice cream is cold, the chocolate poured is hot. The melange of flavours, textures and even temperature that you get in this dessert is truly unparalleled.
There were a few other dishes that we wanted to order but refrained (did I mention we have small appetites?). These were Chicharrones De Pollo, Tequila Lime Chicken Wings, Santa Monica Lobster Roll and Chicken Fajitas. If you head to Lyla and end up trying any of these, do let us know what you think of them.
Ambience Over Appetite: Go There For The Food, Stay There For The Vibe
Lyla was the first place I visited where I was more impressed by the ambience than the food. While everything we had was decent, the vibe of the place truly made our stay comfortable. Every time I looked up from my plate or was awaiting the arrival of a dish, I found something new that I hadn’t noticed before. It reminded me of that one scene from Howl’s Moving Castle where we get a glimpse of Howl’s cluttercore bedroom.
Once we couldn’t stuff ourselves any more than we already had, we thanked our hosts and made our way out of the restaurant to soak in the setting sun. What a day!
Also Read: CT Review: I Visited Aamchee At Girgaum & Rediscovered Bambaiya Flavours With A Continental Twist
Where: Platina Building, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
When: 12 PM to 1:30 AM
Cost: ₹2,500 for two approx.
So if you’re looking for a haunt that impresses your social media followers, head to Lyla and be smitten by its charming vibe!
Cover Image Credits: Zomato and Tooba Shaikh
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