Chembur's latest hookah joint, Cafe Kayaak packs in energy drinks and fruit juices into your sheesha, along with serving budget-priced food
Chembur's latest hookah joint, Cafe Kayaaku00a0packsu00a0in energy drinks and fruit juices into your sheesha, along withu00a0serving budget-priced food
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The first impression of this new hookah joint at Chembur left us gasping for fresh air. No, it wasn't a head-over-heels-in-love kind of giddiness. We had barely taken our seat at Cafe Kayaak when a pimply teenager at the next table let out a deep puff from his hookah enveloping us in the sickly sweet-smelling smoke. The rest of the evening was spent consoling the senses through the thick cloud of smoke, with the air-conditioning doing little to help. The arrival of refreshing Lemon Ice Tea on our table couldn't have been better timed. 
The hole-in-the-wall cafu00c3u00a9 might have seemed a tad seedy at first but we were fairly impressed with the affordably priced fare. The menu comprised sandwiches, pizzas, salads, Italian and Lebanese fare. The Chicken Shawarma platter (Rs 110) came with soft pita bread and meat, accompanied with pickled beetroot sticks, yummy mayonnaise and some of the best fries we have eaten in a long time. We suggest you wash it down with refreshingu00a0 Strawberry Ice Tea (Rs 45). The vegetarian version (Rs 100) with dry falafel balls, however, left us disappointed since our request for hummus arrived 15 minutes later.
My review date, a total prawns lover, was excited about his orderu00a0-- Prawns Arabiata Pasta (Rs 135). Though the tomato sauce was delicious, what's with shrimps replacing prawns? Primavera Pizza (Rs 115) with capsicum, onion, corn and mushroom was utterly tasteless.
The city's hookah lovers will find choices at this joint. Apart from staid flavours like green apple and mint, the joint stocks a few exotic and eccentric options like Blueberry, Bubble Gum, Rooh Afza, non-alcoholic Whisky (oxymoron at its best?) and Pan Masalau00a0-- all priced at Rs 250 each. Concocted flavours will cost you Rs 300, and one based with natural fruit juices, or with an energy drink are priced at Rs 350. We tried the mixed variety hookah: a smooth blend of apple, mint, orange and grapes and liked it.
The three brothersu00a0-- Amit and Sumeet Sadarangani, and cousin Nikesh Chawlau00a0-- who own the 35-seater property have expansion plans in mind, with the addition of Indian and Chinese dishes on the menu too. We suggest you tiptoe your way to this eatery if you want to lose yourself in the hookah smoke, want a quick bite or are light on the pocket. If you feel differently from the above, hop over to Anything On A Platter next door.
At: 13, Vani Apartments, opposite Borla Society, near Golf Club, Dr CG Road, Chembur.
Call 64236116
Cafu00c3u00a9 Kayaak didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.
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