If you live in Borivali, chances are you’ve already heard of or even been to Kaffeine: Cafe & Kitchen. Nestled in the heart of the bustling neighbourhood of Borivali, Kaffeine is almost an institution for its loyal patrons. The restaurant recently moved to a more convenient location and was revamped. The cafe has retained its casual and open vibe with new, better culinary offerings on its all-veg menu that we got to try.
Kaffeine: Cafe & Kitchen In Borivali Is The Perfect Hang
That it’s a well-loved cafe is evidenced by the wall covered in doting post-its raving about the establishment as well as its numerous culinary offerings. Varun Sonaiya, the owner of this beloved cafe, revealed that there are even post-its that talk about how they came to Kaffeine on their first dates with their now spouse! If there is anything that would tell you how firmly rooted it is in the hearts of the local populace, it is this.
The space has outdoor seating in addition to the long dining space on the first floor. The floor-to-ceiling window spanning across the length of the restaurant elevates its appearance while providing ample natural light. Arguably the best part about this place is that you don’t feel on edge or uncomfortable as you would in a high-end restaurant.
You realise soon after entering that the space is just right for a date with a friend you haven’t seen in a while as it’s quite conducive to yapping for hours on end. And that’s exactly why I was glad that my companion for the day was Vaishalee! With lots of tea (and coffee) to spill (and drink), we began our verbal and literal feast!
From Chhole Kulche To Risotto, A Peek Inside The Extensive, Multi-Cuisine Menu
We started with our beverages, Orange Espresso Iced Coffee and Passionfruit Cold Brew. Even though I’m not an avid coffee drinker, I did enjoy them quite a bit. The fruity, citric notes perfectly cut through the bitterness of the strong coffee.
Would I Order Them Again? Yes
Then, we were served the delicious Thai Coconut Soup. This is probably one of the best dishes we were served. It’s creamy, flavourful and tastes like a warm hug.
Would I Order It Again? Yes, Absolutely!
Next up, the Kung Pao Paneer! If you love tangy Chinese dishes, you cannot go wrong with this. It is simple and yet delicious. The sauce of this dish was tasty enough but the texture of the paneer seemed a bit off. The dish was quite tasty overall!
Would I Order It Again? Maybe
Then arrived the Schezwan Chili Jalapeno Fries. Deep-fried potato slivers tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce. Yet again, the sauce was quite delicious but there was something in the texture of the potatoes that missed the mark.
The Pesto Grilled Veggie Focaccia came next. If you’re someone who does not like their pesto with a lot of basil, you would probably enjoy this. It’s more cheesy and is lighter in seasoning as well. If you’re not good with spicy food or with spices in general, you might enjoy this. We then tried the Tropical Veg Pizza which (please don’t put us in jail) had pineapples on it! And lo and behold, I actually enjoyed it. The sweetness of the grilled pineapples balanced the flavour perfectly. If you’re someone who enjoys the sweet and savoury combination, you’ll enjoy it! The Red Pepper Chilly Risotto was also quite good, albeit a bit reminiscent of the common pink pasta. It also came with a birista (caramelised onions) garnishing that suggested that almost gave it a fusion dish feel. We recommend eating it quickly as it gets cold quite fast. We also got Exotic Veggies Blackbean Sauce, which is a gravy. Paired with jeera rice, it was quite reminiscent of the Manchurian gravy.Would I Order It Again? Maybe
Would I Order It Again? No
Would I Order It Again? Maybe
Would I Order It Again? No
The last savoury we tried was the Dhaba-Style Chhole Kulche also happened to be the best. The dish is evidence that Kaffeine’s strength is Desi dishes. The chhole were well-spiced and delicious. The kulche were perfect too! For dessert, we decided to go with Tres Leches and Carrot Cake. The Tres Leches was soft, creamy and subtly sweet. This was the perfect dessert, no notes, loved it. The Carrot Cake on the other hand was quite dry. However, it tasted very balanced and was well-made. Kaffeine was one of the few places where the ambiance and the service stood out to me over and above the food. But this is only a signifier of the excellence of the former two aspects of the restaurant and not a negative marker of the latter. As a matter of fact, Desi dishes are Kaffeine’s biggest strength.Would I Order It Again? No
Would I Order Them Again? Yes
Would I Order Them Again? Maybe
Final Thoughts
The service is prompt but not disruptive. You can sit here for hours and while away your time making it a perfect hangout spot!
Where: Shop No 1, Ground & First Floor, Sakshat, Navkar Paradise, Shimpoli Rd, opp. Mega Party Hall, Mini Zaveri Bazaar, Mhatre Wadi, Borivali West
When: 11 am –12 am
Cost: ₹1,000 for two approx.
Will you be heading to Kaffeine: Cafe & Kitchen soon? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Tooba Shaikh
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