Noida Social at DLF Mall of India not only makes you relive Bollywood’s golden era but is also a box-office hit when it comes to food, says Chahak Mittal
There wasn’t much available for people to ‘waste’ their time on during the pre-internet era. Of course, unlike today, there were certainly no web channels to watch films on at one’s own convenience. But there was something special about standing in queues of single-screen theatres to buy the ‘first day, first show,’ tickets which adhered to strict timings. Films, with their dream-like sequences in idyllic locations, were an escape from monotony of everyday life. The Hindi film industry has influenced us in more ways than we can ever realise. And Noida Social at DLF Mall of India gives us a perfect peek into nostalgia.
As one enters the external premises of the cafe inside the busy mall, tired after a day of endless shopping, one notices that the table tops have faces of iconic characters from Bollywood like Mogambo and Mr India. There are posters of classics and blockbusters from the 70s, 80s and 90s on a round pillar. Moving towards the internal premises, one comes across a poster of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, which informs us that it was one of the longest running Hindi films in the history of Indian cinema. A window towards its left is designed like a ‘Box-Office’ panel. The huge hall inside the cafe reminds one of the vintage 80s cinema hall with old seat preferences — the stall, balcony, dress circle and box. It has the touch of a typical Broadway theatre with its red carpet flooring. There are train-like window compartments towards the left, each with a red velvet curtain on its side. I am certainly teleported to an era I haven’t been a part of or have only seen being romanticised in Bollywood films itself. Well, what an irony!
I realise I have admired my surroundings way too much to have ordered even a single dish, the reason why I had come here in the first place. I order Eggs Kejriwal mac n cheese, the first item that grabs my attention in the newspaper-like menu. Meanwhile, I notice yet another addition which further enhances the cafe’s cinema theme — background music. English artistes from the 70s to 90s like Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Elvis Presley and more feature on their playlist and their videos play on the screen at the centre. Coming back to food, the Eggs Kejriwal seem like the perfect-looking first dish. I wish it’s the same on the taste front. The spicy mac and cheese, topped with fried egg appears like a lasagna in a bowl. Baked with cheese, I catch the macaroni pasta as I dig my fork into the thick layer. The dish has been cooked to perfection. The egg and cheese on top and the pasta underneath are just the right blend.
Next up is Chaat ke gubaarey. The dish is on my table and I am wondering if I have got the wrong order. It doesn’t look like the way I had imagined it to be nor the manner in which the waiter had described it. The plate full of papdis looks exactly like a typical chaat. The only unusual thing being a white egg-like oval ball on each one of them. I wonder why there are eggs in a papdi chaat. After eating one, I realise that what I have been thinking to be an egg is actually a ball of hung curd. Well, full marks to the presentation as well as the taste as the curd melts inside my mouth like cream. It does not for a moment make you feel that you need to add anything more.
Hummus aur tum, reminiscent of a typical Bollywood film name, makes its way to my table. I initially thought that the dish was a typical hummus pita one. However, this too is a surprise. Two round pita breads are topped with hummus, braised tomatoes, feta cheese, arugula and pomegranates. I polish off the pair of breads with delight and realise that this is one dish that I wanted to eat till eternity. It is certainly the best hummus pita dish I have had.
Till now, I haven’t been disappointed by any item. It is the turn for some drinks. A Cosmo explosion cocktail lands on the table. The drink is a blend of cranberry juice, triple sec, malta orange zest and vodka, which is poured over a candy floss lying inside the glass after it is brought to the table. The floss melts soon enough and the cocktail is ready. I would describe this drink as slightly tart, a little sassy and completely delicious. There have been times when I don’t feel like having a cocktail because it’s not properly mixed with alcohol. Sometimes the juice content is low and at other times, the alcohol is not properly mixed. This one makes me relish a cocktail’s actual taste due to its right balance.
The next is Benarasi Patiala. Social describes it as its most “dangerous combination” of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice with homemade sweet and sour condiments, fresh mint, ginger, organic salt and vodka. It can be drunk as a mocktail too. But I am already so impressed with the place’s cocktail-making skills that I don’t flinch while ordering another one. And this one isn’t disappointing too.
I walk out with a content heart. The place not only makes you relive Bollywood’s golden era but proves to be a box-office hit when it comes to food. Well, you’ll certainly enjoy this show!
