Sufra
Shop No 16 A, Cusrow Baug, Colaba
Tel: 22830692/ 22830694
Meal for two:?Rs 600
When AGA Bros—that scruffy but eclectic eatery in Colaba—downed its shutters some months ago, there was widespread dismay. Where would we go for our spicy Frankies and crunchy sali and desi Chinese? But dismay has turned to delight, for a bright new eatery, offering hygienic and affordable Middle Eastern fare, has popped up. While Sufra is truly tiny, even by Mumbai standards, you can always order takeaway or buy a pita pocket and munch it while haggling and window-shopping along Colaba Causeway.
Sufra’s menu is an interesting mix of the familiar and unusual. There are the usual falafals, shawarmas, baklavas, but also Arabic flatbread pizzas called pides, tempting pulaos and msakhans baked in filo pastry, all fresh.
After mulling over the various flatbreads, dips and specials, we chose the Lamb Kabab (Rs 150) and Falafal (Rs 150) wraps. The kababs were succulent, the falafals perfectly made, though the sauces could have done with a little more tang.
The Djaj Mechawi (Rs 150)—skewered chicken served with a peppy sauce and onions on a flatbread—was a nice discovery. The Fattoush (Rs 120)—fresh vegetables with lemony dressing topped with deliciously crunchy pita bread—was enjoyable, as was Hummus with Soujook (Rs 150)—chilli spiced chicken sausages. The Chicken Pide (Rs 250), though, was disappointing, and tasted a bit like keema slapped on to naan.
Despite the niggles, we are definitely going to pop in again for some Spinach Pide and Egglafel; Turkish coffee smoothies and Mint tea, Date Compote and Crisp chicken shawarma.
