The occasional muted sizzle and the scrape of metal on frying pans serves as the background score within the Bubble cafe at Taj Gateway hotel. A line of live counters take up the space on one side of the cafe, while a buffet spread is laid out in the other. Even in the darkness of night, the waterfront is visible beyond the Marine Drive walkway and the nearly circular floor and domed roof give one the impression of being within a bubble.
Executive Chef Jaffar Ali explains that the ongoing Bubble in the Rain promotion has been a popular favourite for many years running. “Every monsoon, we make up a menu that comprises all the popular dishes we've had over the years that are no longer part of the current menu. We have a lot of regular guests who remember trying out something they liked on earlier visits and this is a chance for them to relive those tastes ,” he says.
The live counters are where all the action is , with chicken shammi kebabs and channa ki tikki, Punjabi style liver fry and brain fry, Tex-Mex tacos and enchiladas, some flavours of Mongolia with choices between prawn, squid and fish and more. The menu does not represent any single cuisine and has a little something for everyone, and those who prefer the flavours of India will be delighted by the thattukada live counter serving up hot chicken or masala dosas and uthappams. A chaat counter is on hand as well, with many different combinations available to try.
“The live counters have had most of the attention so far, so we make sure there is something new each day and have as many options as possible,” says Chef Jaffar. However, the buffet spread is a also a sensible affair, with plenty of choice for vegetarians such as the Thai Takrai rice and holy basil fried rice or chilly garlic fried noodles offering up some variety. Shahi paneer, subzi rogan josh, gobi mussallam and their ilk make sure that vegetarians can have tasty balanced meal while their counterparts await hot grills and dosas from the live counters.
A two-piece live band starts up as more guests arrive, milling about and spending some time checking the fare at the live counters. The tikkis or the Mongolian seafood counter are a good place to start, with the browned crusts dipped in chutney or the lightly spiced squid preparing the palate for the spread that follows. The tacos are of the soft variety, with chilli bean or tenderloin tomato salsa being the available options.
A well-stuffed chicken dosa would not go amiss either, with the entire area of the crust being filled with chicken, accompanied by two chutneys and sambar for some authentic flavour.
Desserts are out in force as well, with semiya payasam and khajoor halwa, nougat gateau, white chocolate blondies, jalebis, aval velayichathu and more completing a long list of sweets. If you have room to eat more, the gateau or the payasam should be a fitting farewell, but in case a light sweet bite is the order of the day, the white chocolate blondie is a good pick to wind up a meal that reflects the heritage of Bubble cafe.
The Bubble in the Rain promotion is on for dinner from 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. till August 3.
