Nutcracker @ Kala Ghoda Mumbai; A quaint little cafe in Mumbai

Going back home to Delhi always reminds me of the quote “Cooking is Love made Edible”. Mom’s Dal, Chicken, Roti brings about tremendous sense of comfort and happiness with every bite.

Similar sense of comfort and happiness is abundant at a new eatery in town. The Nutcracker, located close to Abu’s in Kala Ghoda area, is a small, cozy café with oodles of character and a fun Parsi menu. Opening at 9:30 am, the café serves a variety of Egg based preparations that go well all day – breakfast to dinner. The menu has a variety of healthy fares that are not only hearty but super tasty. The place serves Vegetarian and Egg fares (no meat or alcohol), with a variety of authentic Parsi or Global flavors. Most dishes are served such that they can be shared by two.

Run by a warm and ever smiling Anaheeta, walking in, one feels personally invited to her home-style café. The interiors are well lit, colorful and the walls contain many paintings that brighten the environment. The tables are close to each other and the café can seat about 24 at a time. The kitchen is separated from the café with a coffee and dessert stall that is unique and goes well with the home café design.

The Menu is divided into all day fares that are breakfast oriented but are also popular in the evening. The post noon section serves salads, sandwiches and burgers that go well at dinner as well. The menu also has a few junior nutcracker dishes that use Nutella, Cheese and Peanut Butter.

We started the tasting with a couple of coolers – a Mint lemonade (Rs 120) “amazingly smooth” and a Passion Fruit and Basil Cooler (Rs 150) “fresh”.  We were served a fresh Asian Salad (Rs 240) that was so difficult to put down. The flavours were gentle yet spicy and the ingredients crunchy and fresh. We then tried the Salli Eggs (Rs 190), a traditional Parsi dish that is served in a Pav – a serving of crunch fried potato sticks with Egg broken on top and flipped over. The egg and potato mix well to turn into a patty. The flavours are simple and the dish quite good for two.

We then tried a unique and amazingly tasty Eggs Kejriwal (Rs 240), which could be a hearty meal for one or best shared by two. Two sunny side up eggs served on a bed of sautéed chilly, creamy mushrooms on a multigrain loaf. The green chillies used in the mushrooms carry a late punch and the multigrain bread is quite tasty. Contrary to initial impression, this dish is inspired from the Wellingdon Club, where a member “Mr. Kejriwal” ordered his eggs in this special way.  I highly recommend the dish to egg and mushroom lovers.

The next dish was a very interesting Greek Salad Omlette (Rs 275). A pancake of egg with feta cheese, peppers, onion, tomato, olives and lettuce. The dish was quite tasty and an absolute must have.

Nest we tried the Black Bean burger, a very crunchy corn patty with stuffing of creamy black bean filling. The burger was a bit flat in taste for the Punjabi in me but quite filling indeed.

The next dish was the Penne Arabiatta (Rs 280) – off the printed menu, well cooked but a little too much sauce and tangy in taste (little too much tomato I feel). Anaheeta was sweet to take feedback on every dish and request our preferences on the options before preparing the dish for us.

We tried the Warm Lebanese Sandwich next (Rs 260), a grilled pita packet with fresh Falafel, Garlic, Mayo and Harissa served with fresh home made Hummus. I found the dish a list bland as the Pita Pocket stood out in every bite, not allowing the Falafel or Harissa to come clean.

Next we tried the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Jalepeno (Rs 230)– melting cheese in a grilled sandwich loaf with spicy Jalapenos. The dish was quite average and required a little help from our good old friend Mr. Tabasco.

After a real hearty set of main courses, it was time to try their best dessert – the every so popular Seven Layer Cookie (Rs 260). An amazing preparation of Belgian Chocolate,  Dark Chocolate, White Chcolate, Milk Chocolate, Butterscotch, Almonds on a bed of Cookie Crumble served with Vanilla Ice Cream. The chocolate cake was delicious and paired very well with the Vanilla Ice Cream. Amongst the most memorable chocolate desserts I have had in some time now.

The last dessert I tried was the baked Philadelphia cheesecake (Rs 260). A soft and mild flavor paired well with an Americano (Rs 85).

Over the 1.5 hours we took to sample the wide range of dishes from the menu, the café saw people from all walks of life queuing up to dine.  Given the great taste, simple dishes and low prices, a definite visit on any day of the week.

Ratings out of 5

Food: 3.5 | Ambiance: 3.5 | Service: 3.0 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for Two without Alcohol: Rs. 1400 Approximately plus taxes| Alcohol: No | Credit Card: Yes|

Timing: 9:30 AM to 11 PM (Tue-Sun), 12 Noon to 11 PM(Mon) | Wheelchair access : No

Address: Modern House, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, Opposite One Forbes Building, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Telephone : 022 22842430

Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant. Due judgment and care has been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review; however readers may exercise their own discretion.