Rain and weekend and you see people scurrying out of their homes and rushing to sit out and enjoy the fine weather! Because its a Sunday and I had a late breakfast, so i decided to go out and have a late lunch, also hoping a late lunch would eliminate the rush and the crowd. So when me and my friend decided to meet, we as usual decided to head to CP where we can sit outside and chill. When we were just about to board the rick, I changed my mind and decided to go to this place where I have been planning to go for last one year. Yea, believe it or not one YEAR!
And so I switched on my map, and headed to The POTBELLY ROOFTOP CAFE, a Bihari cafe. This is located in Shahpur Jat, very close to Hauz Khas Cafe. The entrance to the place is very unassuming. A few people even might not find it safe, especially if its your first time and you appear lost. I have this stupid thing of not seeing the easy way and going the tough way. Living up to my habi whit, I chose to climb up the winding metallic stairs to reach this cafe on the 3rd floor instead of taking the good old straight forward stairs which was right in front (No i wasn't being adventurous, i just didnt see it) ! The result was by the time I reached the top I was dizzy. During the steep climb, my friend was constantly bickering where the hell have you got me! Frankly, even I started having my doubts... until I opened the door to the cafe.And boy was it teeming with people.
First thought, ok this place is super hyped. It takes few mins for the place to sink in. It is very simply decorated but it is very colorfully done up. Bright cushion covers, green roof and cute lights add zing to the place.
What took me by surprise was the way people were pouring in. It was half past three, and there were queues of waiting.I also overheard a guy saying whatever time it takes, I am gonna have lunch here. I was like waow! We asked for a place for two and the waiter patiently told us it will be at least an hour before we get a table. And so we stood looking at the food coming, going, people screaming, more people coming but no one leaving without eating. The food looked lovely and smelled absolutely tempting. Food award certificates adorned the walls. I do not know how but we did wait for 45 mins before we got our table and we werent complaining.
We immediately ordered an apple iced tea, a litti mutton and a maithili thali. We got our order served to us in less than thirty mins and it was absolutely yummy. I do not know if it was the wait or what but we gobbled up the food like we hadnt eaten for a day. Having eaten the first bite, we immediately realised what the fuss is about. The food was goooood and it had a home cooked type flavour in it. It looked and tasted healthy.There are no dessert listed in the menu but they had a dessert of the day thing which you need to ask for. So today we had apricot and chocolate fudge and a pineapple pastry. But our lunch was so heavy and filling that we couldnt dare go to the dessert part. The meal was not expensive too. It cost us 760 bucks for our lunch which we couldn't finish!
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| Litti with mutton and aubergine salad |
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| Sattu Puri and Onion puri with chana and aloo dal.served with masala curd and flax seed sald |
Pros
Undoubtedly, awesome awesome food!
Reasonably priced
Very well mannered and polite staff
Simple yet nice decor
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| snapshot of a part of the menu |
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| snapshot of a part of the menu |
Cons
Place is a bit small considering the demand
No alcohol
Location could have been better
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| A Happy Happy US |
Apparently they have opened up a branch near or in Chanakyapuri. So maybe some of you can try that. For me I had a lovely Sunday meal after a loong time!
