Restaurant Review: Ministry of Salads

You’ll agree with me that taste in food is very subjective. What is my nectar maybe yucky to you. And yet as restaurant critics, we strive to give objective and accurate critiques with relevant guidelines for majority of readers. Not only have I been finding different ways to do so through my 36 food books and restaurant guides but also studied restaurant-criticism by accompanying many an acclaimed international critics for a meal.So, what do I do when an all-vegetarian salad restaurant opens in swish SoBo Breach Candy? Land up unannounced for two meals. Lunch with a digital cookbook (vegetarian, of course) author and then months later dine with a confirmed carnivore. Sonal Ved not only has strong vegetarian roots but is also a charming, passionate food writer for a high profile lifestyle magazine and ‘Gujju Goes Gourmet’, her digital vegetarian cookbook has many an exotic, glamourous and yet easy-to-cook recipes. Sonal gave a green signal to MOS; my confirmed carnivore companion will not return but (since he lives nearby) would order home-delivery (Scootsy) and add on the meats. I also got the views of a diner there (Dr Shaishav Modi, a vegetarian) who gave MOS full marks. Giving due consideration to their views, my review follows…
DÉCOR
MOS is seriously small; it seats six diners. This tiny black, grey and white tiled restaurant has a long glassed-in counter with salads, is dotted with plants in wooden brackets, a hand sanitiser on each table, too.
FOOD
Pure vegetarian salads, sandwiches, wraps, juices and smoothies here. Here’s the best part: make your own salad (DIY) take your pick of leaves, grains (brown rice, couscous), protein (cheese, quinoa flax seed, nuts), fruit, comfort food (chilly corn, sweet potatoes), pickles and a choice of dressings (ask for Sriracha mayo). Whoa! My DIY salad with add-ons of black garlic pine nuts, beetroot, sweet potato, rice and green beans was crunchy with a yummy bite. Ask for the gluten-free nachni chips with the dips. Okayish pre-prepared salads, be it the watermelon and feta or boiled channa, mozzarella and burnt garlic lemony “beat the heat.” If you don’t like regular salads, go for the tangy, peanut, raw papaya rich Thai Crunch.
Spinach tortilla wrap plump with paneer and sundried tomatoes makes for a filling snack. Creamy, yum Banana Yogurt Berry Smooothie.
MINUS
Floppy salad leaves at one meal and crisp ones at my next check out. Soggy and tasteless ‘Grains in a bowl’; ditto for the ‘Lentil mental’, Caesars salad (the only salad with egg) lacked the anchovy in the dressing. Bland, textureless hummus. No desserts. Need more exotic vegetables and fruits and a bigger space.
MY POINT
For vegetarians, Jains and health buffs, MOS serves up a pleasurable and largely satisfying experience. Go if you’re in the vicinity. Be prepared to wait as it is a tiny space. A welcome addition to SoBo’s restaurantscape.