It was quite a hot afternoon when we visited Farzi Cafe for lunch to sample the new menu. We were immediately greeted with some of their signature refreshing drinks, all with some outlandish Indian ingredients which is exactly what Frazi is known for. That set the precedent for what was to follow for the rest of the lunch.
We started out with the Dhokla and farsan salad, a visually appealing deconstructed dish served on a stone slab, which combines dhokla, fryums and Fafda (a Gujarati besan snack) dressed with spicy green chutney. The bits and bobs couldn't have disappeared any faster from the plate. Next were the very cheesy Iyengar bakery style chicken sukka toasties, reminiscent of bakery snacks we nibbled on during school days. They were served with homemade kara chips which just hit the spot. The Dal moth chaat served in an earthenware pot was the perfect antidote for the heat.
Up next were the Kothimbir vadis were served with a refreshing raw papaya salad. They were very crumbly and we just couldn't stop with one. The Chicken Samosas deserve a special mention for the Sulemani chai sauce they were paired with. Spicy and lemony, they sauce was the perfect accompaniment for the snack. The last appetiser we tried from the menu was the Sion prawn koliwada, deep fried prawn fritters, which took us right back to the west coast.
Something substantial
There are several new additions to the main course section such as the Mushroom khurchan kulcha and the Tempered pindi channa butter hot dog. But we opted for some comfort food in the form of the Charred artichokes and cherry tomato bisi bele bhaat. Made with arborio risotto rice, the smoky artichoke add a new dimension to an otherwise familiar dish. We also tried the Mutton Shawarma Biryani, that had succulent mutton chunks served on skewers atop some fiery biryani rice.
The dessert section at Farzi has always been the talk of the town, and the new additions are no less. We tried the Smoked Rasmalai Flavoured Shrikhand. The tandoori flavour in the dumplings makes all the difference in the flavour of the dish. The Farzi Sundae is served in mason jar with layers of pistachio and blueberry ice cream with a chocolate brownie - purely sinful.
The new menu delivers on what Farzi is best known for, desi cool dishes with a zany twist.
Rs. 1,500 for two. At UB City. Details: 7259400900