More cream, not so much creme

Stop by this eatery in Bandra that promises to be no less than a 'pure veg treat', especially if Elco is too crowded

Located on the always-busy Hill Road in Bandra, Cream & Cheese is the sort of place that will serve you spaghetti and penne in the same dish, and then place a bottle of tabasco on the side just in case.


Cheese and Corn Fry Ball

In fact, it's what they refer to as the Chef's Special Pasta (Rs 170) here. Creamy tomato sauce with generous twists of pepper, strips of capsicum, and corn are the other ingredients that go into this dish. And yes, they do serve it with tabasco sauce.

The penne and spaghetti might be 'over-cooked' and the sauce 'too rich', 'too spicy' by pasta-purist standards, but it's still tasty. Non-vegetarians, be warned, this is a 'Pure Veg Treat', so you will have to head elsewhere for your 'Butter Chicken' fix.

If possible, snag a table overlooking the street in the balcony section upstairs: it's a privilege that patronising this restaurant affords. Size does matter, at least as far as a quick glance over the menu will prove. They do 'Burgar's', 'Stuf Paratha', 'Beveraes' as well as 'Roll's & More'.

Sip or slurp
The Lemon Basil Punch (Rs 89) was refreshing, never mind that they served the drink in a salt-rimmed glass and a straw or that the mint leaves could easily serve as an ode to one's fleeting youth. This is not the time or place to nitpick, or for fine dining.

The Cheese and Corn 'Fry Ball (Rs 89) was a server recommendation, and was worth it. Crisp on the outside with a soft centre of corn kernels and cheese, it made for a good starter. The Falafel Roll (Rs 90) might not score too many points on authenticity, but makes for a substantial if slightly chewy snack, and the pickled veggies provided the roll with a nice bite.

If you're looking for variety, the thalis might prove an interesting option. Cream & Cheese is likely to know its Kormas from its Kolhapuris.

You rang?
The service is prompt, though a little intrusive. Servers would -- in what we imagine was an attempt to be discreet -- saunter up to our table, semi-lean in, and then throw a sideways glance into our plate to figure if it was a good time to surprise us with their special. Tough call.

Cream & Cheese tries hard to straddle the two distinct, constantly evolving worlds of desi and videshi, and ends up in a comic side-split. It's the guy who wants to 'make frandship' with you on FB. He might not have the style, but he's got you on his radar.Do stop by. The lines are likely to be shorter than at Elco.

At Shop no 1, Venus Premises CHS Ltd, diagonally opposite Elco Arcade, 39 Hill Road, Bandra (W);
Call 26550877/ 26402589
Cream & Cheese didn't know we were there. THE GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for reviews