Love all things retro? Here's why you should check out this new diner in Bandra

We are not unfamiliar with Chef Beena Noronharsquos food or style so when we heard she had been building a sandwich place in Bandra we queued up STAQX is a 14seater diner at Reclamation by Noronharsquos new venture Saltae Hospitality The place has a vibe It carries the energetic spirit of 1980s diner culture with the comfort of familiar flavours and a chefdriven approach Think indulgent sandwiches milkshakes sundaes and coffee all made with the finest ingredients and bakedinhouse breadBeet itSince Noronharsquos idea wasnrsquot just to serve nostalgic food but also to draw people into a mood it called for frequent trips to Chor Bazar to pick up antiques like the old Chicago Radio the owner refused to part with getting a custom painting made of the Simpsons family and even the unending explanation given to the furniture vendor who couldnrsquot wrap his head around the fact that Noronha wanted seats that seemed to him like a laminated autorickshaw seat Add to that a coinoperated bubble gum machine disco lights in the washroom neon signage tiled surfaces chrome accents and contemporary lightingPopcorn Caramel Frappe right Coke FloatNoronha was clear in her head about the brand she is building An rsquo80s kid who first encountered these spaces through films and television she had a strong visual and emotional pull even if she never experienced them firsthand while growing up in India and MuscatThe Shore ThingThe name Staqx reflects the brandrsquos thinking ldquoEvery element including the food the design and the ambience is built by stacking layers of flavour texture and personality to create something more memorable and to create a room that nods to the past while feeling completely currentrdquo she addsThe menu is indulgent by design and it has Noronharsquos signature style written all over it She draws on inspiration from the past for comforting flavours and influences from diverse food traditions with layered ingredients and house sauces that bring depth to every dish From loaded sandwiches and thick milkshakes to sundaes and coffee worth lingering over the intention is not to complicate but to present familiar formats with more character and a fuller sense of satisfactionThe interiors channel the spirit of 1980s diners spaces that were loud lively and built as much around music and mood as they were around food PicsShadab KhanWe started with Sweet Melt Orsquo Mine 475 with oozy melted cheese on sourdough lifted with a fiery twin thecha hit The Shore Thing 675 was a crowd favourite with buttery bouillon prawns and fresh herbs all tucked into a pillowy brioche roll A personal favourite was The Drip Dealer 875 which was reminiscent of a lamb taco wersquod had at Noronha in the past Rich slowbraised lamb birria that doesnrsquot hold back layered with molten cheese and served on crisp toasted sourdoughVegetarians would love Beet It 575 which has an earthy tangy quinoacrusted beetroot patty with tamarinddate sweetness and a creamy layer all in a soft milk bun Even The Mac Attack 575 had mac and cheese with trufflefeta spread stacked in a brioche bun We washed this down with the oldschool comfort of a blueberry lemonade 375 and Coke Float 280 The cold creamy Popcorn Caramel Frappe 350 had just the right amount of indulgent coffee blended smooth with caramel and topped with caramel popcorn For dessert we had the Sunshine Reggae 595 with tender coconut and pineapple compote vanilla softy finished with coconut chips and a caramel drizzleLooking ahead Noronharsquos vision is to grow Staqx into a recognisable comfort food name that can travel to new neighbourhoods and cities while holding on to the retro diner character and easygoing spirit that define it todayWHERE Building1 Ankaleshwar ONGC Quarters Reclamation Bandra West