Don't be shy, why not try!

That's what the invoice for our meal at Powai's Cafe Bean Garu proclaims. It's true -- one doesn't need to have a weakness for fusion food to drop by this new South Indian inspired eating house

That's what the invoice for our meal at Powai's Cafe Bean Garu proclaims. It's trueu00a0-- one doesn't need to have a weakness for fusion food to drop by this new South Indian inspired eating house

Having survived unearthly 7.25 am lectures in college after gulping down piping-hot filter coffee (or metre kaapi as it was referred to by the in-house anna / thambi) from Mani's Lunch Home at Matunga, we take our South Indian fare seriously. The aroma of coffee beans should snap you out of slumber, the sambhar is never sweet and gunpowder (chutney) should be super fiery. These are the very basics we expected from Cafe Bean Garu, the new fusion South Indian 'bistro' at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. The cafe, however, stayed true to only one of our three basic tenets.

Pizza Dosa; Dravidian Risotto. Pics/Rane Ashish

For ambience, Cafe Bean Garu relies largely on the buzz that Haiko Mall generates and guarantees with its central location. A bunch of tables occupy space in the passageway on the first floor and a lungi-wearing coffee bean -- their mascot, Mr Bean Garu -- stands guard at the entrance. It took us a while to get over the noisy shoppers in the area to concentrate on the menu.u00a0

The menu offers regular South Indian fare, Andhra-style, as well as fusion food. We're more used to Udipi-style South Indian food, so even their non-fusion dishes appeared different. We decided to try out the Pizza Dosa (Rs 95), Podi Tossed Idli (Rs 65) and Masala Dosa (Rs 85). The Pizza Dosa had an Utthapa for base and a salsa-ish topping with cheese. Unfortunately, the cheese on the pizza was burnt and the burnt cheese taste overwhelmed any other flavour we might have tried to detect. The Podi Tossed Idli had undercooked Idli in a coating of not-so-fiery gunpowder. Thankfully, the Masala Dosa did not disappoint even though the potato filling was a bit bland. The sambhar was absolutely delicious.u00a0

Having abandoned two out of three dishes, we were still hungry, so we ordered Malabari Curry (Rs 135) and Majjiga (Rs 50), which is a thicker version of Chaas, and Andhra Filter Coffee (Rs 45). The curry was a creamier and yummier version of the Vegetable Stew that most restaurants serve, with Appam. Here, you have the option of complementing it with fluffy dosa, rice or idli.

Perhaps our expectations from the filter coffee were too high, which is why we left with such disappointment. When a South Indian joint messes with the precious filter coffee, it's unforgivable. That's why the Nutella Dosa was overlooked and we strolled down the street for cappuccino and doughnuts.

Cafe Bean Garu
Food: experimental
Service: prompt
Ambience: noisy
Atu00a0Cafe Bean Garu, first floor, Haiko Mall, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. Call 40153258 Time 11 am to 10 pm Cafe Bean Garu didn't know we were there. The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for meals.