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Crystal is a tiny restaurant located in the glitzy side of Chowpatty and has all the soul of a true star – just without the glamour!
What Is It?
Move aside modern, gastronomical progressive cuisine. Crystal serves home cooked food that connects satiates your heart’s appetite. Rajma chawal, aaloo gobhi, bhindi masala or dal chawal – what is it that you are craving for? Soul food, a legendary kheer that takes 4 hours to cook and prices that belong to the 80s – is also what you can expect here.
Crystal is not just a restaurant. Some call it their home away from home. The restaurant was built in the early 1950s and not much has changed since then. The owners refuse to install an air-conditioner because that would increase the prices, making it difficult for college kids to access the amazing food. At a place where the most expensive dish on the menu is the Paneer Bhurji at ₹95, that’s not very hard to believe.
Also read: An Ode To Udipi Restaurants – A. Ramanayak in Matunga
What’s In It?
Broken furniture, a compact little space, fan-cooling and hours of waiting – that’s what you can expect at Crystal. Crystal is more than just your average hotel. It offers a stunning ocean-view and the most delicious rajma-chawal in the history of rajma chawals. That’s not all. There’s also the dal fry, the parathas and the kheer that are delicious.
Au contraire, it is the feeling of home that is served in every dish. Eating at Crystal is like having your mom cook your favourite meal for you and serving it to you with love.
Also read: 8 Amazing & Cheap Food Joints Near Mumbai Colleges That You Have To Try Once
What To Eat?
Everything! You’d probably still leave with a bill of just ₹500! Crystal is like nostalgia in a plate. It’s famous for its rajma-chawal, dal fry, fruit custard and of course, the kheer. PS: if fancy plating is your thing, this is not the place for you.
What Else?
The motto of Crystal is simple – serve food that makes people happy. It’s safe to say that the restaurant is living up to its motto. Crystal just goes to show that you don’t need a lot of money to eat great food. All you need is a little love and a lot of patience (we weren’t kidding about the waiting for this place).
Is it safe to call Crystal one of Mumbai’s treasures? I think so!
Deets:
Address:19, Easter Emporium, Near Wilson College, Chowpatty, Mumbai
Cost For Two: ₹250
Timings: 12pm to 3:30pm, 7pm to 10:30pm (Monday closed)
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