There are many pizza joints in Mumbai, giving the curious pizza lover a wide array of options. From affordable and popular staples to the finest artisan-made versions, the city has a wide variety of pizza choices to offer. So how can one stand out and keep foodies coming back? The answer isn’t too complicated. A new pizza destination in Fort, Pass the Salt, shows that it’s all about thoughtfulness and technique. Our recent dinner at the cafe gave us a chance to taste some of its signature dishes and we experienced a wonderful amalgamation of flavours and textures.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
Co-founders Kriti Sanghvi and Vishal Shah first set up Pass the Salt as a pizza delivery kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kriti taught herself to be a chef after quitting her job as a biomedical engineer. Operating from Vile Parle, the cloud kitchen specialises in fabulous Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas and Vienna-style thin-crust pizzas. The first pizza Kriti was particularly excited to deliver to Mumbaikars was the first. After building a loyal customer base across the city, the couple decided to take their venture to the next level and set up a dine-in establishment serving their bestsellers and other innovative dishes.
Finally, in June 2024, Pass the Salt opened its café doors in a heritage building in South Mumbai’s Fort area – located on an alley opposite the St. Thomas Cathedral. You might miss it if you stroll through the more famous streets of this historic neighbourhood. But it’s the thrill of finding a hidden gem that seems to be hidden in plain sight. Inside the establishment, the decor exudes simplicity and comfort through its checkerboard flooring and B&W striped seating. The well-lit space has a cozy and warm ambiance, creating an atmosphere for relaxing through a meal. Those looking to grab a quick bite and drink can also sit at the coffee bar opposite the entrance.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
The entirely vegan menu includes two specialty pizzas, plus sharing plates, calzones, tartines, burrata plates, grilled cheese sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks. Beverages include specialty coffees, artisanal hot brews and cold coffees by house brand Koinonia Coffee Roasters. We started our meal with a generous portion Avocado and grapefruit saladwhose perfection was the opposite of pleasure and luxury Spaghetti Cheese Croquettes. Though the cafe doesn’t serve pasta, its alternative use as a filling is fun and satisfying (there’s even a pizza filled with mac and cheese on the menu). Many appetizers have a bread base, but the croquette is one of the few exceptions.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
We took our time deciding on our pizza order and then had a few sips. Chamomile Blue Pea Iced Tea – which turned out to be a very polarizing drink at our table. It’s a unique combination that may win you over or seem too bizarre to taste. A refreshing low-risk option Black Currant Iced Tea With a green tea base. Our favorite drink discovery of the evening was Ocho-Caribe Iced LatteMade with cocoa from the Dominican Republic, the Cold Mocha beautifully balances the flavors of chocolate and coffee. It also had a slight bitterness to it, which we really liked.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
Chicago-style options Double Crust Deep Dish Pizza, We made a selection San Gennaro (stuffed with onions, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, marinated black olives and jalapenos). All deep-dish pizzas here are made with a rich San Marzano sauce and whole milk mozzarella. Our server lifted a slice from the pan to the plate and the sight of the stringy ‘cheese pull’ looked like a foodie’s dream. As we bit into the crust and layers, we closed our eyes in pure bliss. The crust was solid enough to hold the weight of the pizza without making it too heavy. Despite the apparent decadence of the dish, the freshness and balance of the ingredients ensured we didn’t feel unpleasantly full after eating so much.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
The pizza that followed was also a testament to Pass the Salt’s mastery of technique. thin crust pizzawe chose Hawaiian Barbecue. It’s the only one in this category that doesn’t have San Marzano sauce. Critics of “pineapple on pizza” may disagree, but when made well, this fruit can lend a wonderful complexity to this beloved dish. And the version here is proof of that. The sweetness of the juicy marinated pineapple (along with grilled onion rings and smooth barbecue sauce) clashes deliciously with the heat of the green chilies and red paprika. The other aspect that surprised us was the buttery and flaky base, which was reminiscent of a crunchy croissant. It was a notch above a regular thin crust, as it added another dimension to the pizza without stealing the spotlight from the toppings.
Photo Credit: Pass the Salt
For dessert, we tried Burnt Basque CheesecakeWhich was good but needed a creamier texture. We didn’t get a chance to taste the brand’s namesake savoury dessert as it was finished by the end of our dinner. But we enjoyed a heavenly bowl Salted Caramel Gelato in its place.
Pass the Salt is well worth the walk to Kala Ghoda and luckily it is located a few hundred metres behind the Flora Fountain. Those who already visit the area should take advantage of having such a place in their vicinity. And those who can’t make it to the cafe can enjoy the delicious delicacies at home (within the extended delivery radius). We are told that the pizzas here sell quite well and that is a matter of pride for the brand.
Where: 10, Calcott House, Behind Bombay House, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai.
