With the changing pace in life, time for a leisurely lunch can be saved only for a Sunday. We decide to try out a new joint at Ambalamukku – Café Unplugged.
The eatery, which is cosy with its use of earthen tones, is rather small with just six to eight tables. A chalk board lists the day’s special. One of the café’s walls is the backdrop of a mini stage with a mike, two seats and a guitar. The lamp shades that hang from the ceilings have music motifs. Says our waiter: “Those who can carry a tune or know how to strum a guitar can try the open mike. We try to organise a music evening every alternate week. Those who would like to sing can go up on stage.”
Although wedges and cheese balls are listed on the menu, these dishes are unfortunately unavailable for the day. Momos will take time to prepare, says our waiter, as we cross off another item on the menu.
We finally settle for some French fries, which come crisp with a dash of salt and pepper. As the Kathi rolls listed on the menu look interesting, we order a variety of these rolls – Achari kathi roll (the day’s special), Paneer kathi roll and Egg wrap, another version of a kathi roll. Pasta arrabiata, Chicken steak platter and Chicken steak burger are also added to our list of orders. The wait for the food is agonisingly long. The food, when it arrives, makes up for the wait.
My Achari kathi roll has moist grilled chunks of chicken that are rubbed in with an achar paste, and rolled up in a freshly griddled roti wrap. The achar takes centre stage: it’s a tangy and slightly spicy accompaniment to the mild chicken.
Served in a quart jar, the ice lemon tea that I order to go with my bite is refreshing and thankfully not overly sweet. I take a bite out of the paneer wrap, which has tongue tickling paneer tikka. Yum. The pasta is spicy with generous servings of mushroom and chicken. The meat on the steak platter is tender and the peppery sauce that is poured on top is perfect to soak the accompanying buttered toast in.
For dessert, we order Nutella crepe with ice cream. As squirts of gooey chocolate ooze as we slice into the crepe, needless to say, the dish is polished off in a second.
For those who want value for their money, the joint offers five different combo meals. The eatery is a good place to just chill. The lounge sofas are perfect for curling up with a book from the book shelf in the corner and a cup of coffee. The choice of music played in the background is soothing and although there are peppy numbers, those are not of the head banging kind. Café Unplugged is open daily from 10.30 a.m. till 10.30 p.m.
Where: Near Panasonic showroom, Kowdiar-Ambalamukku road
Meal for two: Within Rs. 1,000
Contact: 0471 6506611
