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‘Don’t
miss the train’ at Sodabottleopenerwala I was told when I was just entering
Cyber Hub by a friend, so kept it in mind to ensure not to miss it. Anyways, having
lived in Mumbai and that too in Colaba for quite some part of my life, I always
craved for an Irani café in Saadi Dilli and finally my wish comes true …
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As I entered this eatery it brought back some
delicious memories of living in South Bombay. I was awed by the big glass jars
filled with Mawa cakes and cookies which lined up at a counter ( only thing
amiss was an old man with thick spectacles behind the cookie counter) and
equally by the cute eccentric set of rules on display which included ‘Outside
food not allowed’, ‘ No feet on chair’,
‘No talking loudly’, ‘No swearing’, ‘No talking to cashier’, ‘No abusing
staff’, ‘No asking for discount’, ‘No wasting food’ , ‘No combing hair’, ‘No
flirting’, ‘No laughing unnecessarily’, ‘No picking nose’ and ‘No address
query’. And yes the little toy train just on top which does the merry go round
was certainly a fun sight to watch. All in all ‘sodabottleopenerwala’ is like a
time capsule of a bygone era replete with red chequered table cloths, bentwood
chairs, portraits on the walls and a general air of quiet decay. Hats off to AD Singh for ideating such a place…and
I must add here that I have been quite an admirer of most of his concepts.
Coming to the food, the husband and I tried almost
everything on the menu. To start with first the positives, I absolutely loved
each and every serving ware…oh so typical Parsee, outstanding items on the menu
are refreshing ‘Limbu soda’, ‘Parsi Bheeda par Eeda’, ‘Lagan Nu custard’ and
the ‘Baida Roti with Sheek’.
The Pao served with the Vada and the Kheema, I feel
could be better. It does taste nice, but not like the one you would get at a ‘Jimmy Boy’ or a ‘Kyani & co’ in Mumbai, if you have been there; you will know
what I mean.
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| A FAMOUS IRANI JOINT IN MUMBAI |
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| BERRY PULAO AT SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA |
Having had the original ‘Berry
Pulao’ at the legendary Britannia
& Company (in Mumbai) which comes with a garnish of golden-fried onions
and berries imported from Iran, (92 year old owner Boman Kohinoor keeps the recipe a guarded secret), I didn’t much
care for sodabottleopenerwala ka Berry Pulao as even the berries here are not
really the authentic ones. The Irani chai which is usually a thick overly milky, sweetened tea delicately
flavoured with cardamom is what they need to work on too. Mohit
Balachandran
who runs this place (read with great gusto) took the feedback very well and
ensured me that he absolutely knows the teething issues and is ensuring to make
this place rock in terms of total authenticity in the food too…City’s foodies
are already coming here in droves and more often than not there is a huge
waiting outside the restaurant.
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| BERRY PULAO AT THE LEGENDARY BRITANNIA & COMPANY |
FAST FACTS
Ground Floor (it's closes
to the main entrance), DLF Cyber Hub, Next to Building No. 8, Cyber City,
Phase-II, Gurgaon
Timings: 11:30
a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
To Reserve: (0124)
6518801; (+91) 8527636633
Meal for two: INR
1,200 approx. The restaurant does not have an alcohol licence yet.
