It’s 8.40 pm and there was just one table left at Haji Ali Fresh Fruit Juices. We grabbed it and frowned over the menu. Given the variety on offer, it was difficult to decide but finally settled for Carronge (Carrot and Orange juice, though my husband made a face), Ganga Jamuna (Orange and Sweet Lime juice) and a plain musambi juice for the unadventurous man; a vegetable cheese pizza, pani puri , cheese pav bhaji and vegetable cheese grill sandwich.
Mix the spice in the pani puri to your own taste
The pani puri arrived first, each puri resting on a tiny glass of spicy mint water and the date-tamarind chutney in a separate bowl. This allowed us to fix the spice levels to suit our individual tastes and the explosion of flavours that resulted was incredible.
- In case anyone is wondering if this is the branch of the famous Mumbai outlet, Shiva Prakash, one of the owners (the others being Hajiali Noufal and Vimal Kumar), clarifies that this is a branch of the Kochi eatery with the same name.
The men behind the eatery (from left) Shiva Prakash, Hajiali Noufal and Vimal Kumar
The pizza, pav bhaji and sandwich were piping hot and came in quick succession. The pizza base was crisp and the cheese a melting blanket that covered the veggies. The sandwich had a nice minty flavour, which on investigation turned out to be the mint chutney smeared on the bread. The pav was soft and generously spread with butter, and the cheese took the edge of the bhaji’s bite. While the dishes were equally tasty, the highlight for me was the Carronge, with the sweetness of the carrot and orange chasing each other at each sip. The service was so quick that we are done in half an hour. The only downside was none of us felt up to coping with a dessert. As we left, my mother-in-law gave it her ultimate accolade, “I am sure they used garlic but I never knew it.”
So I took a second trip, this time with my colleagues. We chose Sev Batatapuri, Chutney Cheese Grill sandwich, Vegetable Cheese Mix Roll and Mushroom Tava Pulao. The sev was fresh and crunchy and the potato mash tangy. The roll was neatly cut into manageable bite-sized pieces, which made it easier to share. Served with a sprinkling of grated cheese, both the roll and the sandwich were very tasty. The pulao, however, was a bit of a let down. Though hot, it didn't have any discernible flavour but was redeemed by the raita . Thick fresh curd, lightly seasoned and filled with chunks of cucumber and tomato, we requested for a second bowl to help us finish the rice.
The highlight of this trip was the fruit with fresh cream. We ordered anjeer, mango and mixed fruit. The first two had the fruit puréed along with the cream and topped with chopped bits, while the last had apple, banana, grape, kiwi, strawberry mixed with cream and served with a dash of cashew and raisins. As desserts go, all three were excellent. The sweetness came from the fruit and the cream was indeed fresh. There was no extra sugar to make the teeth tingle. Again the service was quick and efficient. We left barely 40 minutes after we entered.
- Where: Haji Ali Fresh Fruit Juices, Uday Enclave, Venktachalam Street, off TV Samy Road West, RS Puram
- Hits: Carronge, Cheese Pav Bhaji, Vegetable Cheese Sandwich, Mixed Fruit Cream
- Misses: Mushroom Tava Pulao
- Cost for 2: Between 500 and 800 depending on your choices
- Contact: 0422-4371437
A third visit was just for the the rose falooda was mildly sweet, fresh milk, vermicelli with rose syrup sticking to it... perfect for a hot summer evening.
The Haji Ali special falooda: a meal in itself
So if you’re looking for a quick bite, tasty and filling but easy on the pocket, head to Haji Ali.
