Catering to Mumbai's Sandwich Pangs is Bandra's Newest Cloud Kitchen Dom's Bakehouse

A heavy downpour had just passed, making the charming lanes of Bandra feel like they were straight out of a movie. Now that every other lane in Bandra has a cafe, these quaint and quiet streets have been replaced by a swarm of hungry-looking individuals. As my colleagues and I were wandering through the streets, passing by Goan-inspired bungalows, we reached our destination. Amongst the green lush foliage, we saw a striking blue board, with bold letters, claiming this road as the ‘St. Dominic Road’.  As we made our way to the dead-end of the road, we saw Calvin Titus, the founder of Dom’s Bakehouse.

Located inside an old building in a corner of Bandra is Calvin’s brainchild, Dom’s Bakehouse, a cloud kitchen only a month old. While one can find a plethora of cafes and restaurants in this part of the city, Dom’s Bakehouse is different from the rest. Named after the street that houses this cloud kitchen, this specific eatery prepares everything in-house. From fluffy breads to scrumptious patties and sauces, every element that one sees in their freshly prepared sandwiches is a dream come true for all food lovers! In a world where 'Bambiya Sandwiches' stand out, what makes Dom’s Bakehouse different is Calvin’s passion for patisserie and bakery. 

More than Just a Sandwich

Since the first official opening date, May 11, Bandraites and Mumbaikars have warmly embraced Dom’s Bakehouse. “So far, it’s been really great. Since we’re based in Bandra, people have well-developed palates. Our Kerala Buff, East Indian Pulled Pork are a few crowd favourites.” Calvin further adds, “Our Eggplant Parm has also stood out amongst the vegetarians and food lovers. The contrasting textures, with roasted peppers and in-house-made herb ricotta, are what make the sandwiches well balanced in flavours as well” 

Most of us might be puzzled by the thought of eggplant in our sandwiches; however, Calvin highlights that one of the main motives behind using unconventional sandwich fillings and patties was to introduce something very common to Indian palates and kitchens. “We were on a mission to bring forth a creation which is heard of but uncommon. Our Eggplant Parm Sandwich was built on similar lines.” This particular culinary creation beautifully balances the paradox of contradicting flavours, like a crispy, fried patty paired with a soft, fluffy bun, that is prepared in-house. 

However, as I glanced through the menu, something very unusual caught my eye. It was the ‘East Indian Pulled Pork Sandwiches’. A flavour, an element that is rarely seen anywhere in other eateries. Though Instagram has exploited the term ‘hidden’, I’d like to refer to this as ‘hidden ingredients’. For those who aren’t aware, the East Indians are one of the earliest inhabitants of Mumbai. This particular culinary preparation highlights Calvin’s East Indian roots. Amused, I ask the founder how he came up with this idea, to which he expresses, “That’s one of the main goals of the brand. We are trying to figure out how we can use lesser-known ingredients, spices, mixes and turn them into extremely flavourful sandwiches.”

Two Men on a Mission

Dom’s is not just another addition to the city's long list of eateries; the brand is here to create something inimitable by utilising untapped regional ingredients and flavours. The flavours and the sandwiches might draw you toward Dom’s, but the real secret lies in the bread. During his search for a head chef, Calvin went through a rigorous process of tasting every bread from commercial bakeries, but wasn’t satisfied with the quality. “It was then, I came across Austine (the Head Chef at Dom's), who shared a similar passion for baking as I. Two similar-thinking brains came together and created the menu for Dom’s Bakehouse.”

Most of Calvin and Austine’s creations are a fine line between Indian and international flavours. May it be the Pulled Jackfruit and Chick Pea Patty Sandwich or the Fermented Sauces, by Calvin’s other brainchild, Staples & Co., Dom’s sandwiches are an amalgamation of cultures. Thus, naturally, my next question was, “What novel creation are you working on next?”, to which Titus shared, “Inspired by the West, we are currently working on bread swirls or pinwheels, as people call it. And, when it comes to Indian cuisine, the Goa sausage swirls are the main focus as of now.” Personally, what stole the show was the Hazelnut Choux pastry, filled with decadent chocolate and hazelnut filling and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, with a dollop of the Fermented Hot Sauce. 

From the Founder to the Foodies

As the evening set, it was time to end our visit at Dom’s. Before we left, we asked Calvin what he would like the readers to know before they order from Dom’s Bakehouse, to which he warmly replied, “There might be a cafe in every corner, but ours is extremely special. From savoury choux pastries to experimenting with sandwich filling, we are creating something new that doesn’t exist anywhere out there right now. And, I’m sure whoever tries Dom’s Bakehouse will agree to this”. 

Well, if you’re a foodie, looking for your next find in the city, without compromising on taste and flavour, do check out Dom’s Bakehouse in Bandra.