Vegan and we will

Vegan cafes and restaurants seem like an almost natural pairing by this point mdash in that whenever a new eatery sets up shop in the hipster suburb the words organic and glutenfree are almost inevitable suffixes So when we hear of an allnew vegetarian and veganfriendly cafe opening up in the heart of Pali Hill wersquore excited and apprehensive in equal parts considering the profusion of similarly themed diners that serve up the now cliched smoothie bowlwrapsalad fareThe cafe in question is named Greenr a name that is already popular in the conscious dining community in the nationrsquos capital At Bandra lodged in Drego House in the same space that was formerly occupied by the indie boutique The Shop the brand seems to have found an apt second homeSaigon rice paper rollsThe neat white exterior and signage make the cafe easy to locate despite the narrow trafficheavy lane it is located on Once you enter however the bustle of the outside fades away into a chill tropical vibe Theyrsquove retained much of the exposed concrete and artdeco windows of the original structure adding clever little artsy touches with their choice of decor and handthrown crockery On first impression the cafe seems imminently Instagramable but what makes us stay longer is their playlist that steers clear of the Top 50 English hits to include more loungeappropriate tracksTres mushroom risottoWe kick off our meal with the chefrsquos recommended Baja black bean nachos Rs 335 and the black bean and avocado Saigon rice paper rolls Rs 225 The ragi and corn chips are light and crisp and pair beautifully with the guacamole vegan cheese and salsa toppings The rice paper rolls are fresh and crunchy although the portion size is strictly for one The cafe has an impressive coffee bar and a special menu dedicated to drinks We try out the date syrupsweetened peanut butter latte Rs 195 and the cafe bombon Rs 245 that combines espresso and bittersweet chocolate mdash both warrant repeats as does the Greenr cola Rs 185 which contains activated charcoalThe cafersquos interiorsFor our mains we try the pumpkin and sage gigli Rs 550 and the tres mushrooms and truffle oil black rice risotto Rs 595 While the flavour is on point we would have enjoyed the pasta a little more aldente and the risotto a little less salted To end our meal on a sweet note we pick the kaffir lime pie with mango coulis Rs 295 and the tiramisu Rs 370 Those familiar with vegan sattvic desserts served at establishments like Yoga House will instantly recognise the nutty unbaked crust and the cashewcoconut creambased fillingsA selection of coffeebased beveragesBoth were well received by our dining party and were a highlight of our experience With their experimental menu chill vibes friendly and attentive service and affordable pricing Greenr understands their clientele and caters to their needs quite well That it is also petfriendly and aesthetically pleasing also makes it a venue wersquod return to for encoresTime 12 noon to 10 pmAt Pali Naka Bandra WestCall 8591138613