Having arrived in Jaipur this afternoon, we were checked in to the the Shapura House Hotel in Bani Park. With the next two evenings’ Dinners already arranged, tonight was the only Opperchancity to try somewhere Local, and outwith the Hotel Restaurant.
Walking along Devi Marg in the formerly secure Bani Park Compound, we crossed through the open gate on to Kabir Marg. This was our first step proper into Indian Nightlife. In the poorly lit street, the traffic remained ever-present, the continuous – Toot-toots.
The Aamarpali Bar & Restaurant was the objective, there was no sign of it, start again. Shrugging off the constant approaches by Tuk-Tuk Drivers to whisk us away, we stuck to this street. Other Hotels have restaurants, Hector was determined to avoid these, a Restaurant please.
The Chit Chat Restaurant (D-160 Kabir Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, India) had also shown up on the Replacement Samsung, it looked a bit – How’s your Father? – still, following our guidelines of what we can eat and what we must avoid at all times, in we go.
A Chap was sitting at a table near the doorway, a Waiter. He showed us inside. We chose a table at the raised area to the rear of the Restaurant where there was a masonry ceiling as opposed to bamboo. The avoidance of insects. Marg chose the seat facing towards the door leaving Hector’s chair too close to the step. The overhead fan was whirling. Anticipating the imminent decapitation of The Hector, The Waiter turned off the fan. Still, close to the edge. However, this was Health and Safety in operation.
The Menu was brought, Drinks ordered. Marg ordered the most Watery Kingfisher we have ever encountered, 0% abv. Hector, remembering the Tasty Lime Soda at the Gulati Restaurant, ordered Lemon Water. It was only then I speculated as to how this might be prepared. Sip, sip, sip, seems OK, that’s enough. I helped Marg with her Still Water.
This is a Vegetarian Restaurant, it was written that The Hector would dine here. The Prices were a fifth of the Hotel Prices. People say that the cost of living in India is a fraction of Europe, at last we had some evidence.
As a Regular, I would no doubt have ordered a Creation thus maximising the Content of my Meal. Tonight I would order directly from The Menu. Gobhi Mushallam (Rs 150) – Fresh cauliflower with tomatoes, garlic, ginger and onions – I was already imagining this with Aloo, but not Meat. What is happening to The Hector?
A Parantha (Rs 30) would accompany. Having seen enough Indian Menus, I wonder why we use – Paratha – in the UK?
Marg was here too
We had tried for Pasta yesterday without success. Marg’s best options were Vegetable Pizza (Rs 150) or Vegetable Cheese Macaroni (Rs 150), Macaroni it was.
Hector considers his home cooked Macaroni Cheese to be the Finest served anywhere, Marg agrees. She has to, else she does not get fed. Comparisons to be made.
No other Diners joined us. One speculates as to how Fresh the Ingredients may be, the cleanliness of the Kitchen, the Chef. Could this be the Meal that sets us off? I write often of my Preference for visiting the Curry Cafes in the UK/Europe. This venue is officially the Cheapest I have dined in. There had been an attempt at creating Ambience, – Rustic – would be generous. The posters on the wall gave us an insight as to what we would see over the next couple of days.
Hector’s claim to serve The Most Outstanding Macaroni Cheese maintains. Marg was playing – Hunt the Cheese. This was Basic, bordering on Tasteless, it filled a gap.
The Gobhi Mushallam was served Piping Hot, this was a relief, it should therefore be Safe. The Parantha was Modest in size, but then I can rarely eat all of what is served at home. 
The Paratha was not Flaky as is hoped for, it would do the job.
Four Pieces of Cauliflower does not fill a Hector. Each pieces was halved, else the match would have been over in the first round. The Masala had a look of Genuine Quality. The Oil was suspended in the Spices aiding the Viscosity. Dipping the Paratha revealed a Masala, Rich in Flavour. There was a Tang to match the Achari served yesterday in New Delhi at the Gulati Restaurant. The Seasoning and Spice were exactly how Hector likes his Curry. The Cauliflower retained a slight firmness, not overcooked; the whole Dish was consumed – Slowly. There was not very much of it, yet I knew I would not be leaving hungry. Dare I write it: if this had Chicken, it would be as good as any Chicken Tikka Masala served at home.
I have to say, Chit Chat is well worth a visit. I would recommend ordering three Curry Dishes between two.
The Bill
Rs 409. (£4.55) This is what we were led to expect.
The Aftermath
We took our leave and headed out into the night. There must be a Bier Source other than Hotel Shapura…
India Trip 2016 – Day 4 – Jaipur, Rajahstan – A Wonderful Day: A Fort, A Carpet, a Bier
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