There's something about the khari that still gets everyone's mouth watering. A teatime staple in most homes, it just needs a slight dunk before its soft, buttery flavour manifests. Let's not forget Mumbai's Irani cafes, which have ensured that the khari never falls out of favour. From cheese and butter to the jeera variants, this desi-version of the puff pastry is why airtight boxes continue to clutter kitchen shelves, keeping them fresh, crisp and crunchy at all times. "It's nostalgic food," says Reshma Sanghi, who runs Food For Thought Cafe, along with her husband Kapil. "And, it's very Bombaiya," adds Mohit Balachandran, brand head for SodaBottleOpenerWala.

No wonder the popular bakery item is now diving into the menus of casual diners across the city. Sometimes served with a heavy garnish of mushroom, corn or cheese, and otherwise like a bruschetta or canape, the age-old khari finally appears to be coming of age. We made a quick stop at eateries where the snack has taken on a new gourmet avatar. And, might we add, it simply looks delicious.