Café Monza occupies the corner shop in the premises. It’s just off the Sion-Panvel Highway on the service road leading to Kharghar Station. The location is very prominent and can’t be missed, parking also isn’t an issue.

I was in the vicinity for some work and utterly famished after a hard day, found this place and entered without a thought.

The interiors are casually done up like a typical café replete with a black and white chess board like flooring. Since the Café occupies the corner shop, they have put up glass partition to enable a lot of natural light to brighten up the Café. They have 2 levels of seating; ground and mezzanine level. The walls have been hand painted with some nice musical murals. They have also painted a Chevy or Cadillac on a wall, high up.

I was given a “singles” table on the mezzanine level and was attended quickly. I asked for suggestions on what to order and about their house specials.

I ordered for a Paneer Tikka Panini, which was served with fries and some salad. The bread used was an herbed one and was grilled to a good measure as well. Fresh chunks of grilled Paneer, a couple of bell peppers, a generous spread of mayonnaise, a spicy sauce applied to good effect is what went between 2 slices of the bread.. The fries were freshly fried and were hot when served. The salad consisted of slivers of carrot, bell peppers and cabbage. I loved the Panini and would RECOMMEND it!

Upon the recommendation, I ordered for a Tagine of Vegetables; a Moroccan specialty. Tagine actually means a clay pot used for cooking in Moroccan kitchens. I was told that the gravy would be a mild spicy with a hint of tanginess and it indeed was. It had bell peppers, mushrooms, French beans, carrots and zucchini; well you can add as many veggies in this dish. The spice was derived from harissa paste, tanginess from lemon juice. It was served with herbed rice topped with crispy fried onions and fresh coriander. The bland flavour of the rice, maybe made so on purpose, complemented the gravy very nicely. RECOMMENDED!

The service is with a smile, efficient and attentive. I ordered both the dishes on recommendation and was mighty pleased with it. The waiters know their menu items and their ingredients well.

The tab for the above came to Rs.498 including taxes and levies, for one person.

Café Monza is a nice place to go and enjoy your food leisurely in a relaxed environment. I have bookmarked some more items on the menu and going back soon.

Food Quality – 3.5/5 Food Quantity – 3.5/5 Ambience – 4/5 Service – 3.5/5 Price – 3.5/5