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A few weeks ago, I walked into an organic farmers shop to do a story on its opening. As the owners took me through the fresh produce on display; I caught sight of a suspiciously empty basket in the corner. Even within the first hour of business, their avocados were sold out. You could blame it on the store’s location (Bandra has a reputation for running food fads first and furiously) or you could shrug helplessly like us and give in to the truth–avocados are officially the superman of the superfood. And no matter how many times it’s ‘snapped and socialed’ by the trendiest of the trendy, there’s no denying just how good it tastes. Why else would people be willing to shell out the frankly atrocious price-point it comes at? What else could inspire lengthy debates on everything from whether it’s too trendy to how it might be affecting millennials’ ability to buy a house?
And so the avocado came to find itself in everything in every way. Starters, desserts, giant meals and beverages; smashed, pulped, frozen, charred; tossed in a salad or blended into a shake. So roll your eyes all you want at the oh-so-hipster phenomenon that is this butter fruit but acknowledge your cravings just the same. We couldn’t avoid it much longer so without further ado, here’s a guide to pull you through. A guide that summarises just where you need to go if you’re going to burn a hole in your wallet. A guide that has truly reached peak-avocado.
I. Avo Bowl and Avocado Tartine
Where: La Folie lab, Lower Parel
Try not to get too seduced by this chic French Bakery’s perfectly coiffed desserts and order the Avocado Bowl instead. Think avocado with a peas emulsion, celery, tomato guacamole, and puffed, chipotle-spiced grains–healthy, filling and pretty damn delicious. However, if you’re looking for something a little more solid and even a little more artful, the Avocado Tartine does not disappoint. Complemented by crispy chickpeas, coriander pesto and red pepper humus gelled with fresh tomato and basil; the Avocado Tartine makes for a perfect mid-day snack.
Cost: INR 340 for the Avo Bowl; INR 310 for Avocado Tartine
II. Farmer Salad and Avocado and Feta Salad
Where: Bombay Salad and Co, Linking Road, Bandra West
There is nothing healthier than the combination of ‘avocado’ and ‘salad’, and who better to get this right than the Bombay Salad Company? Their Avocado and Feta Salad is a fine balance of Roquette, avocado, radish and cucumbers stirred with lemon mint vinaigrette and topped with some sweet corn. If you’re looking for something more substantial, then try their jalapeno and feta-stuffed ‘Tomato and Avocado sandwich’.
Cost: INR 370 for a large bowl/INR 270 for a small; INR 220 for Tomato and Avocado
III. Avocado On Toast
Where : It Happened in New York, Reclamation, Bandra West
Sometimes, there is simply nothing that hits the spot like creamy avocado on crisp toast - the perfect snack, some would say. It Happened In New York’s creamed avocado on rye toast with pickled baby radish served with salad, waffle or shoestring fries does the job just perfectly.
Subject to Availability
IV. Poached Eggs and Avocado on a Croissant
Where: Poetry by Love and Cheesecake, Linking Road, Bandra West
Poetry by Love and Cheesecake makes the best breakfasts in Mumbai list every time - this goes without saying. So who better to serve up the holy avocado, first thing in the morning? Their Poached eggs and Avocado on a croissant are what mornings were made for. Simple, neat and distinctively delectable; this breakfast will keep you on your feet the livelong day. This much we can vouch for.
Cost : INR 310
V. Beer Battered Avocado Tacos
Where: Pa Pa Ya , Colaba and Lower Parel
The avocado is a fruit that is primarily heralded for its freshness, almost always enjoyed in its purest raw form. Pa Pa Ya gives this ingredient a joyous twist in that they’ve concocted beer battered avocado tacos with a corn and scallion kimchi. This amalgamation of Japanese and Mexican cuisine is one that rests easy on our palate. The shells are made of Gyoza Sheet (used to make dumplings), stuffed with creamy avocado and topped off with kimchi and a zesty salsa to tie it all up together. Full points for creativity.
Cost: INR 395
VI. Avocado Punch
Where: Sequel, Pali Hill
Perhaps the healthiest option on our list, the Avocado Punch at Sequel is as enticing (and unapologetically healthy) as it sounds. Smashed Hass Avocado, homemade cashew cheese on wholegrain organic oat on a sorghum flour bed; this breakfast packs a punch and will get you going. Don’t think twice for guilt-free goodness.
Cost: INR 450
VII. California Roll
Where: The Blue, Pali Hill
No round-up of avocado delicacies is complete without this eternally popular incarnation of sushi. Though purists may turn up their noses at this ‘beginner sushi’ the combination of fresh or imitation crab, creamy avocado and crunchy cucumber never fails to disappoint. For those of you still hesitant about seafood, they also offer a Greenhouse vegetarian option which adds asparagus, cream cheese and yuzo (pomelo) mayonnaise.
Cost: INR 700
VIII. Prawn and Avocado Roll
Where: Woodside Inn, Colaba
Butter poached prawns with citrus sauce and guacamole inside an Avocado Roll; the Woodside Inn in Colaba serves its avocado the most creatively. Bite into the fleshy, creamy prawn and avocado roll and we guarantee that it will take you a long time to get over its piquant taste.
Subject to availability
IX. Vert Sandwich
Where: Suzette Creperie and Cafe, Pali Hill
If you wake up one sunday afternoon with the sudden urge to eat something healthy, green, creamy and energising, then Suzette’s Green and Healthy Vert Sandwich is your best bet. With freshly baked organic bread (always opt for the French baguette) layered with avocado, feta, fresh and sundried tomatoes, plus generous portions of Roquette drizzled with olive oil; the vert sandwich makes for one of the best damn sandwiches in town. Carnivores, don’t hesitate to add bacon. Just know that the price shoots up quite drastically if you do.
Cost: INR 570
X. Lobster Taco Breakfast
Where: Bastian, Linking Road, Bandra West
If you’re the kind of person who wakes up wanting to eat lobster for breakfast, you might as well try to do it in the most indulgent way possible. The lobster breakfast taco at Bastian incorporates ricotta cheese, scrambled egg and avocado stuffed amidst two tortillas filled with lobster. Don’t get too addicted though, it won’t be cheap to maintain this breakfast habit around the waistline or wallet.
Cost: INR 800
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