Enjoy IPL with these gourmet combos delivered right to your home

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) games may be late by a few months this year. But, the fact that the matches have been moved to the UAE, with the players sportingly playing in stadiums minus the mindboggling number of spectators, the hype and the hoopla, just goes to show that the spirit of cricket enthusiasts stays strong, no matter what.

And this year, while we watch with bated breath to see whether the reigning champions – the Mumbai Indians – retain their title or not, there’s the added advantage of being able to enjoy some choice combos that will ‘match’ the mood of the moment! There’s no need to miss the service at a swish sports bar even while you’re social distancing at home. A number of restaurants are making reliably good deliveries that we can justifiably call ‘super sixes’!

Pitching it right
Asian Tapas at FOO has been almost a weekly staple for most, ever since the two branches of this charming restaurant came to the city. Accomplished restaurateurs Ryan & Keenan Tham collaborated with veteran Kishore Frederick to create this place with a friendly vibe and a focus on sensational-tasting small plates. Malaysian Chef Eric Sifu (also head chef of KOKO, which belongs to the Tham brothers) draws from his experience working with the Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung in Singapore, to present a medley of flavours from Chinese, Japanese and South-East Asian cuisine, as well as a few with Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) influences.  Foo has three types of IPL Tapas Combos, each with veg and non-veg selections. The Maximum Fours Combo (serving four) offers three dimsum (nine pieces), three sushi (12 pieces) and two small plates starting at Rs. 2500. The Super Six Combo (serves six) comprises four dimsum (12 pieces), four sushi (16 pieces) and three small plates starting at Rs. 3600. Their Power Play Combos are good for a larger family or if you’re having over a few friends for a watch party. You can choose six dimsum (18 pieces), five sushi (20 pieces) and four small plates starting at a price of Rs. 5000 to serve eight. You can’t go wrong with their Wasabi Edamame Dumplings, Nikkei Avocado Sushi, Charcoal Hargao, Wild Salmon Uramaki and Foo Baos. Order some of their Butterfly Pea Flower Fried Rice to go with your meal – especially if you’re rooting for the Mumbai Indians, as it’s blue like the team colours! Wash all this down with a growler of their unique Foo Brew, a refreshing rice beer.

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Bowled over
Chef Ananda Solomon, the legend who first introduced the city to authentic Thai food at his iconic Thai Pavilion way back in 1993, is the magician behind Thai Naam by Ananda at the ORB. While you may still hesitate to eat out and are missing the opulence and service of this gorgeous restaurant, you can at least enjoy some of their delicious dishes in your own home. Priced at Rs. 1000 ++, their combos comprise either vegetarian Corn Cakes Flavoured with Thai Herbs and served with Sweet Chilli Sauce or a Grilled Chicken Supreme with Peanut Sauce, along with Spicy Green Curry with Vegetables or a Mildly Spiced Red Vegetable Curry with Red Chillies, Lemon Grass and Coconut Milk, plus Papaya Salad with Crushed Roasted Peanuts, Steamed Rice, Fresh Fruit and your choice of ice-cream. Nothing like some delish Thai food to fuel your cricket-watching spree.
Order on: Swiggy, Zomato and www.thainaam.com

Sublime stroke
You’ve brunched at the splendid JW Marriott Juhu’s Lotus Cafe on weekends, celebrated at their many restaurants and even staycationed here when you needed a break from routine. Now, their ‘Marriott on Wheels’ initiative has Special Cricket Combos, specially curated by the hotel’s excellent chefs for the IPL season. They include signature recipes from the award-winning restaurants. Their vegetarian offering has an Arugula Feta Salad, a Creamy Mushroom and Penne pasta with herb butter and a garlic-rubbed baguette (Rs. 1150 ++), while the non-vegetarian version has the same salad, Crumb-fried Fish Sticks with Tartare Sauce and garlic bread (Rs. 1450 ++). Easy dishes to plate, heat and eat so you don’t miss a single ball of the game.
Order on: Swiggy or Zomato or call on +919004616506/+919004971400/ 02266933000 (minimum order of Rs 1250, plus taxes)

Howzzat!
If it’s IPL, and it’s got to be pizza, then Gustoso, the Italian fine-dine, has got you covered. Both outlets – Kemp’s Corner and Khar – offer a wide variety that will not only satisfy your hunger pangs but also please your gourmet tastebuds. Pick a regular or thin crust (do as the Romans!) and order away. Meat lovers can look no further than the diabolical Diavola (Rs. 750), lavishly layered with spicy ‘Napoli’ salami, jalapenõs, and mozzarella with San Marzano tomato sauce. Vegetarians will cheer for the Viva L’Italia (Rs. 795), that boasts a fresh basil pesto, San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Italian truffle oil. If you need a heavier meal, get some of their moreish Suppli (Rs. 600). These crunchy Italian Arborio rice croquettes, oozing with mozzarella, are traditional Roman street food. No one can eat just one! And of course, when the meal is Italiano, the Dolci just has to be Tiramisu (Rs. 550).
Order on: Swiggy and Thrive  

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Perfect partnership
The chilled-out Woodside Inn is a part of everyone’s fun memories, no matter which pin code you belong to. Over the last decade or so, owners Pankil Shah, Sumitraj Gambhir and Abhishek Honawar have expanded from their first one at Colaba to Bandra and Andheri as well, making a success of curated comfort food and craft beer. For IPL fans, they have created what they call ‘Perfect Beer & Burger Match-Day Combos’ for two, four and six. So, you can basically choose any two of their burgers and a one-litre growler of beer for Rs. 1,495, any four burgers and a two-litre growler of beer for Rs. 2,995, any six burgers and a three-litre beer growler for Rs. 3,995. Their unique creations such as the Sriracha Red Lentil and Carrots Burger and the Ghost Chilli Spiced Chicken Burger will add a zing to your weekend. And if you’re hosting your meat-eating mates on match day, you just have to get a truckload of the Woodside Inn Double Cheddar Tenderloin Burgers! When it comes to your choice of chug, there’s a lot on offer too. We like freshly brewed ones like Gateway Brewing Co’s White Zen, 2 Down Beer Co’s Dark Matter, the Bombay Duck Brewing’s Rise & Shine and the Independence Brewing Co’s Juicy IPA. The boys (and gals) will certainly appreciate your elevated take on regular burgers and beer, even as they binge on the perfect match-day meal.  
Order on: Swiggy/Zomato or call on +91 77189 00099 (Colaba), +91 84519 57787 (Bandra) and +91 88981 92961 (Andheri)

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