Located at Kitab Mahal, Fort, KMC* is Chef Niyati and Sagar’s realisation of a desire. A desire to have a relaxed space with soul food.
Is it a co-working space? Is it a restaurant? Is it a bird?
KMC* is first and foremost, whatever you want it to be. Upset and looking to cry by a picturesque window? Need an office for a day? Keen to try something other than avo toast? It can all happen in this quaint little corner of Mumbai.
For Ekaa’s Chef Niyati Rao, it’s imperative we refer to KMC* as a community space. Barely 20 odd days old, the atmosphere surprisingly feels very lived-in and familiar. The high ceiling, wooden panels, and dollops of nostalgia scattered across the room will have your head turn without overwhelming you.
And nostalgia is one of the fundamentals here. There are postcards, journals, and Mango Bites for people to up their merch game. There’s a typewriter placed right at the entrance! Multifunctionality and a deep aversion to labels also lie at the heart of KMC*, illustrated best by the meeting cum screening cum employee downtime room located on the first floor.
If you thought things were getting comforting to the point of subdued, the menu steps in to amp the excitement. Much like Ekaa, KMC* under Head Chef Dhriti Mankame is cuisine agnostic as well. Almost like a distant laidback cousin of the fine-dining elite restaurant. The only, and arguably most important similarities lie in how tasty all the food is.
Guided by super-friendly and helpful servers, we kick off with the Spinach gnudi with green tomato. The gnudi is textbook, light, airy, and so good with the creamy sauce you could die. You might be left wanting for more spinach flavour, but it’s a knockout dish nonetheless. One thing’s for sure, the fried and super crispy bhindi on top warrants its own separate space on the menu.
We also tried the Muchim Shrimp with lettuce wraps. It’s exactly what it promises to be, and the shrimp paste filling is almost like an Indian home-style green curry. Paired with an array of condiments according to your taste, it’s a messy but fun bite.
What blew our minds, and will 100% have me going back for more, were undoubtedly the Coffee glazed ribs. Sticky, so tender they melt in your mouth, and most importantly, deliver on the coffee. Pro tip: The heavenly ribs might distract you, but don’t forget to squeeze a little lemon. Trust me, it’ll transport you to another realm.
Most people might not believe it, but reviews can get exhausting owing to large quantities. It’s to KMC*’s credit that even a few excellent and substantial dishes later, we could still eat a little more. And that’s where the Buff Sando stepped in. It was definitely far bigger than I could’ve ever anticipated, but every bit as juicy and delicious as I hoped.
As we gleefully hopped and skipped across dishes, the drinks came and disappeared just as quickly. KMC* offers a selection of teas and coffees to satiate every connoisseur and puritan’s palette and sensibilities. That aside, they also offer some craft beers on tap, as well as a meticulously curated list of vinoctails.
The Black Velvet on tap was the stout of my dreams. It’s coffee without the unpleasant aftertaste, and an absolute winner when paired with those lip-smacking ribs. Did I mention I loved those ribs?
What came as a pleasant surprise was the Poached Pear vinoctail. A tribute of sorts to eggnog, it comes in a bowl as opposed to a glass. The surprises don’t end there, however. There’s also a red wine poached pear for you to take intermittent bites of, and a warm hug in the bowl with every sip. Like every day can be Christmas.
For dessert, we first opted for the Banana Bread with Tahini and Miso. The bread itself was the softest thing, and the miso ice cream complemented it like nothing else. As someone who was getting a little sick of the same old chocolate safety nets, this dish offered much-need respite.
I was beginning to think that KMC* could do no wrong. Unfortunately, the Foamed Yogurt with Sage and Lemon was a bit of a miss. The flavours are definitely there, offering fresh and bright notes. But the foam was a bit too loose for my liking, and the lack of texture made for a boring bite.
The year is 2022. You’re sitting by a wooden framed window, people-watching on a quiet day as twilight approaches. Sipping your drink, indulging in soul food – you sigh. You’re at KMC*, and you don’t need a label to define the moment.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max: 5 stars)
Food: 9/10
Drinks: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Interiors/Décor: 9/10
Vibe: 10/10
One dish we loved: Coffee Glazed Pork Ribs
One dish that didn’t work for us: Yogurt with Sage and Lemon
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