26 November,2010 06:26 AM IST | | Aviva Dharmaraj
The six-month old eatery on Chapel Road revamps its menu. The Guide comes away with a glimpse of the Bandra that was and is now gasping to be
Chapel Road in Bandra continues to be a law unto itself. You can catch glimpses of its rebellion on the stoic faces of its residents, its trellised windows, its outside staircases and the eateries that occasionally pop up on this congested lane.
Naughty jonny's accepts party orders. pics/ santosh nagwekar
Six months ago, when Naughty Jonny's opened (past Noronha Stores and Gorakhnath Hair Dressers, if you enter from Hill Road), it did so with little pomp, but much pride. Not much has changed since, aside from the shiny snack counter they've acquired and their revamped Indo-Chinese menu, which includes potato cutlets, pan rolls and spins on cart-Chinese 'specials'.
Time to tell
It might be best to place your order a day in advance, because this is not a 30-minute-delivery-guarantee-or-your-money-back sort of place.
We had to wait a good 90 minutes for the food to arrive on the evening we placed our order. To be fair, it was a large order; good enough to feed a family of five. But yes, advance notice is probably a good idea.
The Veg Schezwan Rice (Rs 80) was the fiery orange we've grown to expect and appreciate, the rice grains were separate (always helpful), and the dish was reassuringly spicy. We enjoyed it with a few spoonfuls of the Stir-fried Veggies with Paneer (Rs 100), which is not on the menu.
The Mixed Kebab Platter (Rs 300) is an assortment of four chicken kebabs: Malai, Haryali, Reshmi and Pahadi, and is served with French Fries, some salad, and what they like to call Pita Bread, but which looked more like a Kulcha to us. Very filling and quite nice!
The good news is that the food is reasonably priced, the portions are generous, and the dishes don't feature oil as one of the main ingredients.
The flip side is that the food is indistinct. But to expect desi Chinese to taste 'different' is an unreasonable expectation in a city where Chin-jabi might qualify as a cuisine in its own right.
Come on over
When we return to Naughty Jonny's, it won't be for the food, it will be for the conversation with the good folk behind this place, who believe so much in their dream, they did us the favour of wearing their chef's uniform for the photoshoot. But also, to take them up on their offer to buy cake from one of the neighbouring shops for any customer, hoping to end their meal on a sweet note. How's that for service!
At Naughty Jonny's Take Away, 41, Chapel Road, Bandra (W).
Call 9833352618
Open from 11.30 am to 11.30 pm, seven days a week
Naughty Jonny's didn't know we were there.u00a0The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for all meals.
