A cracker of an eatery

Anaheeta Bafna is a walking oxymoron Shersquos Parsi and vegetarian But things get a little familiar from here Shersquos a Parsi who loves foodBaked Philadelphia Cheese CakeThe cityrsquos latest eatery The Nutcracker located in a charming bylane of Kala Ghoda is Bafnarsquos brainchild Outside the cafeacute looks quaint with its gleaming brown woodwork and glasspanelled doors which hold the promise of a warm cosy interiorThe 36yearold believes that a restaurant or cafeacute should be an extension of the ownerrsquos personality mdash a mantra Bafna sticks to For starters there is no meat on the menuThe cafeacute gives off a warm vibe through its casual comfortable interiors done up with wooden chairs and tables topped with jars of fresh plant Pics Shadab KhanMuch like the owner herself the cafeacute gives off a warm vibe through its casual comfortable interiors done up with wooden chairs and tables topped with jars of fresh plant It is as intimate as the living room of a very good friendOn Bafnarsquos recommendation we have the Salted Caramel and Banana Smoothie Rs 160 Ginger Lemonade Rs 130 Iced coffee Rs 120 and Breakfast in a Bottle Rs 160 The Salted Caramel and Banana Smoothie has what my fellow diner calls lsquodepthrsquo Itrsquos multilayered in terms of the flavour mdash when you sip on the smoothie your first impression is that itrsquos an out and out banana smoothie and just when you make your peace with that the sea salt salted caramel makes its presence known with what can be best described as a knockout punchSalted Caramel and Banana Smoothie The Ginger Lemonade was instantly refreshing The blend of the iced coffee is topnotch with its double shot of coffee made from a darker version of roasted bean While a few coffee drinkers might find the drink a tad bitter blame it on the toosweet toomilky coffee that we are used to drinking in the country diehard fans of the beverage will agree with us that this is how real coffee must tasteAkuriThe Breakfast in a Bottle a healthy concoction of oats milk dates and nuts is heavenly light and instantly gratifying For the main course we have the Warm Lebanese Sandwich Rs 260 Pesto Panini Rs 260 Cottage Cheese burger Rs 360 and Soya Spinach Jalapeno burger Rs 310 The Lebanese Sandwich which comes with shredded red and white cabbage carrots crispy falafels and tahini sauce is fresh crunchy and lightly flavoured We also like the Pesto Panini layered with portobello mushrooms roasted red peppers zucchini and feta cheese so light that it gently oozes out with each bite The Soya Spinach Jalapeno burger does not really stun but the barbeque sauce in the Cottage Cheese burger mdash made inhouse mdash is simply to die for We also munch on Salli Eggs Rs 190 and Akuri Rs 130 from the eateryrsquos special Allday breakfast menu and while both are delicious itrsquos the latter that wins this round The consistency of the scrambled eggs in the akuri made with tomatoes onions coriander and spices leaves us wideeyed mdash the eggs are so creamy that they can be properly scooped off a plateFor dessert we have The Seven Layer Cookie Rs 260 Warm Gooey Chocolate cake Rs 240 and Baked Philadelphia Cheese Cake Rs 260 The Seven Layer Cookie has a biscuit crumble base Belgian chocolate and butterscotch topped with sliced almonds and is served with a scoop of vanilla icecream We are as gleeful as a bunch of kids on summer break as we lightly tap on the cookie and scoop out deliciously sinful layers Suffice to say we stop short of licking our spoons The Gooey Chocolate cake stays true to its classic rootsMy friend meanwhile declares that the Baked Philadelphia Cheese Cake served with blueberry compote is perhaps one of the best she has had in the city It is light just like a cheesecake should be and coupled with the compote the Nutcracker delivers a cracker of a dessertIf you are a fan of sandwiches burgers salads and coffee The Nutcraker is likely to be a favourite haunt And our advice to nonfans Go anywayWe cannot rate the experience as it was a preview