Restaurant Review: Lower Parel's Indian culinary outing

Cafe Haqq Se, a new restaurant in Kamala Mills, offers a desi meal in a neigbourhood where most don't

  The restaurant business in Mumbai has been taken over by young entrepreneurs, who plan to turn the industry on its head with their innovative ideas. One such trio are brothers Pankaj Gupta and Avinash Gupta, and Abhir Dhawan of Flavour Pot Foods LLP. The group is behind the Oye Kake restaurants and is now ready to open Cafe Haqq Se (which shares a wall with Oye Kake’s new outlet) in Kamala Mills.

Taleli Macchi

“Initially, we were planning to open the restaurant in Delhi. But when this property was offered to us we locked it in. We wanted to come up with a place that serves traditional Indian recipes with a twist in the ingredients, which are again Indian. We have little international influence in the menu,” says Pankaj. The interiors are dedicated to India with a large hand-painted zentangle painting on a wall. And this thought of eating what is ‘Haqq Se’ ours rings true through the menu, as we find out during the tasting session.

A large black and white painting dominates the interiors. Pics/Sameer Markande

We started with Prawn and Onion Pakoda, followed by delicate Samudri Methi ke Karare Bitoks (Rs 216). The tikki had a likeable bitterness thanks to the methi that went well with a chunky mushroom topping. Potato lovers can try the Baby Aloo and Lemon Confit Tuk (Rs 216) that came in a coating of chat masala style powder.

Seafood lovers try Koyley ke Jhinge (Rs 386) and the curry leaf powered Taleli Macchi (salmon). To quench your thirst, try Mirchi Lychee, a tasty sweet and hot drink or cocktails such as Peppery Tarbooz. A must-try at the restaurant are their fluffy Pan Naans that compliment the dishes such as Bhari Mirchi Relinos Salan (Rs 326), a mix of Mexican and Hyderabadi cuisine.

Lacy Gul Kebabs

One of the stars on the menu is Butter Chicken a la Kiev (Rs 336), where the curry is stuffed in the chicken and oozes out when cut through. Do not miss the desserts, Kheer Japani (Rs 266), which is kheer served sushi style, Pista Jam Pie (Rs 236), and our favourite, Rossogolla White Mousse (Rs 236).

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