Chai, Dal Chawal And Samosa, All Get Quirky Updates At Farzi Cafe

Nostalgia-soaked cocktails with dramatic presentation, generous portions and glamorous makeovers to Indian street food favourites and staples, make dining out at Farzi Cafe quite the experience.

Mini Raj Kachori with Crispy Okra Salad and Chutney Foam, Dal Chawal Arancini, Tandoori Wild Mushrooms With Truffle and Walnut Dust, Tempura Fried Prawns with Nimboo Mirchi Air and Bailey’s Lollipop

Chai Pani, Rassa Aam

The well-informed and friendly staff {bonus points for being easy on the eye too}, really beautifully plated food and the fun, quirky menu.

What was once City Bar in UB City is now Farzi Cafe. Farzi has reworked the space to create a very easygoing vibe. A bar dominates the space and the al fresco area is made the most of with comfortable seating and even some cozy and romantic nooks to give anyone privacy. Romantic couples, we are looking at you.

The Mishti Doi Amuse Bouche topped with strawberry gel will bowl you over with its burst of the Bengali yoghurt flavours once you put it in your mouth. Try the Banta {goli soda} style Rassa Aam, which is tempered with curry leaves. We are placing our bets on the Chai Pani, three kinds of chilled tea poured onto vodka, presented in a cutting chai glass with a slice of orange and a swirl of cinnamon smoke.

If you are not into mains, go here for the Tapas menu, as we did at the sneak peek we were invited to. The Mini Raj Kachoris With Crispy Okra and Chutney Foam {see photo above} was a posh but cute innovation of the Delhi street favourite. Thumbs up to the crispy okra that will make us forget sev forever. The Dal Chawal Arancini reminded us of the the homely staple but was filled with gooey cheese. More than the pork belly tikkas {with a very sweet Murraba glaze and the Chilly Duck Samosa {again sweet} we fell in love with the Tandoori Wild Mushrooms. With several kinds of mushrooms {the Kahsmiri gucchi or morels were the stars} dunked into a truffle scented sauce and scattered with walnut dust, this was a memorable dish. The Tempura Prawns {see featured image} vied for a closed second too with their spicy coating going rather well with the gorgeous lemon and chilli scented foam. Nearly all dishes at Farzi have some sort of molecular gimmickry going on. Some will floor you with their delicacy while some with surprise you with bursts of flavour.

We’d pass over the Ras Malai tres leches {too many layers and ingredients to digest} in favour of the simpler but impactful Bailey’s Lollipop, chocolate coated baileys’s flavoured, really boozy ice cream pops.

We are definitely going back to try the famed Galouti burgers and the Posh Maggi we have heard so much about. While the arrival of Farzi Cafe in the city was a bit late in the making, what with several copycats already doing versions of Bunta cocktails and other Farzi signature dishes, what will make eating here an experience is the quality of ingredients used, the reminder of familiar food but in a much more funkier avatar and some cool drama.

Where: UB City, Vittal Mallya Road

When: Farzi Cafe will launch on Monday, June 27.

Price: INR 2,000 for two

Contact: +91 7259400900

Timings: 7-11pm

Find them on Facebook here.

Check out their website here.