Nature's expensive basket

Loads of choice but all pocket damaging

It’s just been five days since we’ve been back in Bombay and I’ve already noticed a few new places that didn’t exist when I was here five months ago. One that particularly caught my attention was called Godrej Nature’s Basket, which is an upmarket gourmet food store that stocks a wide range of imported food. Yes, it was the first place that I visited.

Sean and I initially decided to check it out because we are having a tough time sourcing whole wheat bread that isn’t dyed or so white in colour that it is obviously not what it claims to be – despite what the label says. So off we went with my mother in tow with high hopes of coming back with a wide selection of bread and some cured meats as well.

The store had a no frills interior and was stocked with a wide range of pasta sauces, cheese, cold meats and had a small wine section as well. I was walking around like a kid in the candy store, getting overtly excited when I recognised brands that I picked up in Dubai, until I started looking at the price tags.

It was obvious everything was marked up exorbitantly. So although my tastebuds were goading me on to fill the shopping trolley with some Stilton and sherry vinegar, I exercised careful restraint knowing that my pocket wouldn’t justify such a splurge. Instead, we stuck to what we actually needed and managed to pick up some multigrain bread (Rs.65) and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (Rs.570) from Indian wine label Sula.

It’s fantastic that we now have a choice of an international array of food but it would be great if the import taxes were a bit more reasonable so everyone can enjoy a taste of the goodies on a more regular basis rather than just for special occasions. Now I have my eye on a bottle of truffle oil (Rs.675) that I might just convince Sean we really need for Christmas.

To make up for the loss, we visited Sandwich and Co. which also sells breads, cured meats and cheeses and drowned our sorrows in a hearty Country Club sandwich (Rs.325), while my mother enjoyed a delectable BBQ Chicken sarnie (Rs.175) with Emmenthal cheese. Touted as the ‘mother of all sandwiches’ on the menu, the Club lived up to its reputation as it was stuffed with ham, smoked chicken, egg salad and fresh veggies all sitting on a bed of garlic mayo. Best of all, the sandwiches were served on multigrain bread.

Three bites in and Nature’s Basket was long forgotten.

The saviour of the day