Cafe Funkie Town – ekdum Parsi bawa ishtyle

Being a total Bombay person, both in terms of life and love, Parsi/Irani cafés have always been very close to my heart. There’s something about their simplicity, no nonsense attitude, humble interiors,and of course good wholesome food, which makes them a hit among every Mumbaikar. I vividlyremember how the typical Parsi bun maska and chai was my daily staple from college days. And theiregg dishes, just wow! Recreating all that magic right in the heart of Dubai is Cafe Funkie Town.

Having started in JLT and established a fan following since their launch in 2013, this is one restaurantthat had always been on my list. But since life gets busy, and JLT sometimes seems miles away, Inever got to trying the place. Thank God for they opened up their second branch in January this yearat Bay Avenue in Business Bay. Dotted with nostalgia from the city in the form of pictures of oldBombay, photos of actors from days bygone, typical Parsi rules pinned up on the walls and simplisticseating, Cafe Funkie Town offers a welcoming vibe.

As soon as we were seated, we were presented with an extensive menu all featuring the best ofParsi cuisine, right from small bites and snacks, chai varieties, mains and of course desserts. Since wewere quite hungry (and I was fasting that day), we just asked them to get ALL their bestsellers!

This is what our table looked like once everything was served >

Chicken Tikka Frankie

A quintessential Bombay street snack, the wrap packed in a lot of flavor (and memorabilia) from myfavorite city. Easy to eat, it fell perfectly in line with their no-fuss style. The spicy char grilled chickenwas really good, plus all those onions, chillies and masalas added to the magic. And the main thingabout a frankie is that it’s wrapped in a roti that is roasted along with beaten eggs, sort of like an eggroti, which makes the whole wrap all the more filling. I am totally going back to Cafe Funkie Town tohave these on my own with a cup of hot steaming chai.

Chicken Farcha

This was something I had surprisingly never tried before. When we were recommended this dish byour server, we were told it’s fried chicken, like KFC. But honestly I didn’t really know what to expect.Anyhow, I am glad we went for this. These basic chicken cutlets look like they are stuffed withminced chicken or something alike. But in reality each piece is actually boneless chicken leg coatedwith a spicy green Parsi style batter and deep fried to perfection. Much like the chicken strips fromKFC, but with a Parsi twist. Absolutely lip smacking, these are actually considered a celebratory dish,and I guess rightly so. 2 of these cutlets came back home with me and made a great snack the nextday (with chai of course).

Kheema Par Eidu

Kheema is an absolute Parsi staple, so much so, that it’s prepared in different styles like the classicKheema Pav, the funky Kheema Topi and the smart Kheema Par Eidu. A favorite across Parsicommunities worldwide, this creative dish features with the famous Parsi Kheema topped with twosunny side up eggs and is served along with a generous side of bun maska bread.Quite filling, and a must try for kheema lovers, this dish is something that you can possibly have forbreakfast, lunch or dinner, and still keep wanting more of.

Chicken Rashida

YASSS! You know that feeling you get when something (especially food) is named after you? I had that exact feeling when I saw Chicken Rashida on the menu at Cafe Funkie Town. My excitement literally knew no bounds, and I just had to HAD TO order this. Chicken Rashida comes with a very creamy tomato based gravy that is further enriched with almond paste and some really strong spices. To finish off the exotic look, there’s a boiled egg added on top, that makes it quintessentially Parsi. This one pairs perfect with coriander or chilli naan.

Chicken Sali Boti

This is another Parsi favorite, just like the previous one, and the next one on my list. Very simple, with a salli twist, this chicken dish is cooked in a ginger-garlic, onion, tomato and yogurt based gravy with mild spices. It isn’t as creamy or rich as Chicken Rashida, but definitely as sumptuous. The addition of crispy potato sticks on top (and more on the side) adds a nice bite to it. This goes well with naan or rice.

Mutton Dhansak

Possibly one of the most well-known and popular dishes from Parsi cuisine across the globe, Dhansak is a lentil and meat delicacy that’s got a thick creamy texture and tastes very similar to dal gosht. The dish has a unique comforting appeal to it, and makes an ideal combination with the browned basmati rice it is served with. Very dal chawal like.

Lagan nu Custard

Lagan means wedding, and this custard is the most iconic dessert at every Parsi wedding. A very simple yet irresistible custard dish, this one’s quite light and creamy with a slight sugar rush.

Kulfi Falooda

Creamy and very rich, this kulfi falooda at Cafe Funkie Town is laden with dry fruits and makes the perfect end to your Parsi meal. Of course, if you have the appetite for it!

Cafe Funkie Town

Location: Unit F40, Level 1, Tower F, Bay Avenue, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: 04 5646534 | 04 5646124

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