03 March,2011 09:01 AM IST | | Surekha S
Head to Dalal Street's Nashta Chai only if you prefer chomping into a pricey Vada Pao sans the street buzz and the chatpata factor
It is often said that street food tastes good because it is prepared on the streets. Which is why we were curious to drop by Dalal Street's caf ufffd Nashta Chai, which served mostly street food. It sported a warm, friendly ambience -- its colourful tiles, high seating and open-air kitchen added to the vibe.
Nashta Chai is more popular with office goers during lunch hour
Our joy was short lived -- we weren't allowed to settle down on to the bar stool seating, thanks to the seats that shifted lower every time we moved. Refusing to get distracted by such ergonomic hurdles, we decided to get on with the food. Clearly, the proprietors seem confused about the kind of food they want to serve -- Mumbai-style street fare, lunch (thalis) or wraps and rolls.
We ordered the first dish that caught our attention -- the Baked Vada Pav (Rs 16). Much to our isappointment, it was a bun with cooked potato stuffed in it. Bland. Give us the rasta fare any day. Next, we opted for the Nashta Chai Special Veggie Sandwich (Rs 49). There wasn't anything special to it, except that it cost Rs 5 extra for wheat bread. The sandwich included cucumber, tomatoes, cabbage and onions. Surely, we could whip up a better spread in our kitchen.
Though we found it somewhat criminal to shell out 27 bucks for a plate of Pani Puri, we gave it a shot. We had a choice between making the Pani Puri ourselves or having it served ready to us. We opted for the latter, which we later realised was a colossal error in judgment. The chutney was too hot and the Pani Puri didn't have the right combination of sweet, spicy and sour. Too pungent.
Refusing to get bogged down, we gave the wraps a chance. Of the two listed, only the Paneer Tikka Wrap (Rs 67) was available. Avoidable. Our patience had run out, so we opted for the Gulab Jamun Tart (Rs 20), which wasn't a bad choice. Our experimental journey reached a pleasant end with a well-done Cappuccino (Rs 32).
It was 7.35 pm and Nashta Chai was ready to shut for the day.
At Nashta Chai, Wadia Building, Shop- 17/19, opposite Bombay Stock Exchange Bldg, Main Entrance,
near Union Bank, Dalal Street, Fort. Call 66158888 Time 9 am to 8 pm
Nashta Chai didn't know were were there. The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for meals.
