This popular Babulnath-based eatery now has a take-away store next door

The meatlover in us takes a backseat when we hike down to the Girgaum ChowpattyGrant Road area A plate of butterslathered pav and tangy bhaji relished by the beach a quick adda at Crystal over comforting north Indian fare a fair amount of hustling to grab steaming Mysore dosas at Babulnath Dosarsquos and of course a stop at the iconic Soam for jowar pita pockets vaghareli khichdi shrikhandpuri panki mdash we could go on It was the latterrsquos Instagram posts of Holispecial dahi vadas and pav bhaji canapes that had been enticing us for a while And when we heard that a small outlet next door to the homely restaurant was stocking readytoeat fare we had to drop by Turns out Soam at Home is where snack dreams come trueOrange rasgulla with vanilla icecreamThe tiny takeaway and delivery outpost can be easy to miss if not for its light green facade A long queue of diners spills onto the road when we reach on a Sunday evening Itrsquos a good idea to head in write down your name and pop by the shop beside to idle away the waiting time A friendly manager informs us that the store will complete a year in June and that the goodies arrive fresh from their kitchen in Ghatkopar Every corner is packed and each item neatly labelled on the shelves We eye at least two kinds of chakalis multigrain and butter a dozen different chips including beetroot karela and nachni for the calorieconscious bhel sev chivda bhakris toasts and biscuits mdash multigrain and oats and honey for those watching their diet mithais pickles and chutneys mukhwas hummus chocolate crisps khakhras moringa and peri peri called out to us and lots more While we find ourselves in a kidinacandyshop situation thankfully the manager guides us to the healthier varietiesCoffee crackersWith Holi in mind we load up a paper bag with gulab pak Rs 225 green garlic and green chilli papads Rs 220 diet soya flax bhakarwadi Rs 150 butter chakali Rs 90 diet tasty kachori Rs 160 coffee crackers Rs 240 chatpata hummus Rs 190 and Soam chutney Rs 200 The quantity yields VFM mdash almost all the snacks on our list were in the 200to250gm range mdash and the packaging is sturdy plastic though we fervently hope to see an environmentally conscious packaging option soon Before we leave wersquore informed that they deliver directly and via aggregators up to Mumbai Central but if therersquos a sizable order theyrsquoll deliver beyondDiet tasty kachori and diet soya flax bhakarwadiHungry after our haul we called for stuffed dahi vada Rs 238 from the Soam x Saee Holi menu which is curated by culinary consultant Saee KoranneKhandekar The soft vadas are loaded with spiced chana dal Chunky and flavourful the fritters are drenched in dahi and an assortment of sweetspicy chutneys we would have preferred a little more tartness and a sprinkling of sev From the same menu the orange rasgulla with vanilla icecream Rs 270 wins our heart with an arrangement of tiny rasgullas doused in a mild orange syrup and wedges of the fruit lending a citrusy kickThe store is beside the restaurantThe chatpata hummus is a handy achaari condiment that will make for a tasty accompaniment with papads lavash and crisps while our stash of buttery chakalis are light and nonoily The thin coffee wafers come sprinkled with sugar and have a heady aroma that makes it hard to stop at one try it with your evening chai or coffee Surprisingly itrsquos the sweet and spicy diet soya flax bhakarwadi that we warm up to The label assures us it comprises grains pulses flax seeds sesame seeds and soy milk and hence bingefriendly The diet tasty kachori is chatpata but heavy and pairs well with Soam chutney mdash a pulpy sweetish tomato and mixed dry fruit condiment The green garlic papad fails to deliver but the green chilli papad has a strong fiery kick To soothe our palate we indulge in the rose petals almonds and pistachioladen gulab pak that serves as a sweet cakey signoff But there is no end to snacking is thereAt Soam at Home beside Soam Sadguru Sadan Building near Babulnath Mandir 10 am to 830 pmCall 9819902300FoodFlavourfulServiceHelpulCost ReasonableVerdict Exceptional Excellent Very Good Good Average Soam at Home didnrsquot know we were thereThe Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals