Shivaji Park gets an all-day dining cafu00e9 that serves quick bites at reasonable prices
Shivaji Park gets an all-day dining cafe that serves quick bites at reasonable prices
On the culinary map, Dadar is best known for modest Malvani and Gomantak restaurants serving excellent seafood at budget prices.
However, when it comes to places where you can hang out or try something other than coastal fare, it's an under-serviced area.
Apart from the coffee chains, the vegetarian cafe Oven Fresh and twin institutions, Gypsy Chinese and Nebula, there isn't much choice.
An all-day dining cafe, Home Chef, has stepped in to fill the vacuum. From the family that runs Gypsy Chinese, Home Chef operated initially out of Mahim, before the home delivery service moved to a tiny outlet in Dadar. It has now expanded one door away to its current location.
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With a plate glass front, the large, simply furnished room is bright and cheery. Split over two levels, it has a pastry and ice cream counter with a couple of tables downstairs, while the mezzanine floor at the rear is large enough to be comfortably house a small group.
The simple and straightforward menu leans generously towards lighter fare including sandwiches, rolls, burgers, 8-inch pizzas and salads.
Main course options come in the form of a selection of "Conti served with Garlic Toast and Rice" and pastas.
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However, most of those who dropped by while we were there, mainly students and executives, seemed content with a quick bite and a coffee.
Their Strawberry Milkshake (Rs 95) made with fresh strawberries was tasty but Home Chef seems to have missed the point with its Ferrero Roche Shake.
These are best eaten with a spoon, with bits of chocolate to bite on. By blending it smooth, the characteristic texture, flavour and character of the Ferrero Roche chocolate was lost. It ended up being just a granular chocolate shake.
Though we had a slightly disappointing start, the food was far more pleasing. The Chicken Jungli Sandwich (Rs 55) flavoured with chopped celery and chilli flakes, was spicy and flavourful.
And we liked the Tangy Chicken Open Face Sandwich (Rs 100) containing diced chicken cooked in a Hariyali-like gravy topped with cheese and grilled. A good recommendation by our friendly waiter.
While the Honey Chilli Wings (Rs 95) in the Quick Bites section are undoubtedly a must-try, the name is misleading.
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There wasn't a modicum of honey or any sweet-spicy flavour that the name promised, in what were essentially chicken wings tossed in Manchurian sauce.
Like most other restaurants that serve "Conti", theiru00a0 Chicken in Paprika Cream Sauce (Rs 160) was more of a Chicken in Paprika Cream gravy; exactly what the Indian palate expects. We found the rice portion to be somewhat frugal.
Home Chef's strengths lie in the pastries and custom-made ice creams. We ordered the Caramel pastry (Rs 100), which they recommended with a scoop of plum cake ice cream.
They are great by themselves, but don't make for such a great pairing. However, the Chocolate Strawberry pastry (Rs 100) with strawberry ice cream was a match made in heaven.
Home Chef is worth dropping in if you're in the neighbourhood and feeling peckish at an odd hour.
At: 71, Meher Building, same footpath as Sushrusha Hospital, Ranade Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar (W).
Call: 24455034 / 24455035
Home Chef didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals
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