Somewhat contrary to the very nature of this part of this humble publication, we’re not here for the food. For at Foodgasm, that speaks for itself.
But we would need our heads examined if we were not to indulge. Let’s get to that later.
No, instead the time has come for Foodgasm to open its second location. Some duration in the making, after a lot of shopping around and wooing the right real-estate proprietors, Nanjing’s purveyors of epicurean Mediterranean delights now find themselves with a sizeable-sophomore store.
If small Foodgasm has a distinctly industrial vibe, then big Foodgasm has gone artisan. For it’s out with the former’s metallic cladding and in with tasteful pastels for the latter. It sounds incongruous, for sure, but as a testament to the strength of the brand, it’s all still so very Foodgasm.
Facing the 1912 interior on one side, the new outlet also backs on to a pedestrianised drag where various stalls are to be foundly nightly during the warmer months. There, the exterior’s imitation stone façade takes inspiration from the medieval old town of the fortified town of Kotor in Foodgasm’s co-founder’s home of Montenegro.
But far from everything has changed herein; the checkerboard flooring remains, as does the synonymous Foodgasm blue, restrained in all fairness, plus the various table adornments and attention to detail throughout.
While the kitchen may close, big Foodgasm turns in to a bar after 22:00, one which, The Nanjinger was told, shall soon be also serving up light bites.
Bringing us to the business end of things. There can surely be few meat eaters not fond of an occasional kebab. Truly the Foodgasm flagship, here they come spiced to authentic Mediterranean standards. “Succulent” was the word used by this publication when we checked into small Foodgasm for the first time a year ago, and little has changed in that department.
The same goes for the rest of the menu, from which we settled for just two dishes that satisfied for lunch and filled a doggie bag. Those would be the signature Foodgasm Kebab served with Saffron Rice and Grilled Vegetables (¥78), plus a side of Fried Cheese Rolls and Sambosa (¥36). Elsewhere, all the regular favourites on the menu remain. But now, the menus are brand shiny new, not worn through to threadbare.
