Tucked away a few twisting alleyways behind Kenyatta Road, you’ll find the Chavda
Hotel; an old, rambling building in surprisingly good condition. Inside, the walls
are freshly painted, the floors polished, the chandeliers dusted. Urns and ornaments
are paced along spacious corridors. There are a number of staircases betraying
that this was once several buildings, now knocked into one. As palatial as it
sounds (rooms cost US$70-140 a night depending on who’s asking) the main feature,
its greatest asset, is the rooftop where there’s a bar (serving beer) and an Indian
restaurant. Offering panoramic views and refreshing breezes, this is an ideal
spot for a lazy lunch, sundowners, or a nightcap.
When
I called in a year ago they had just extended the roof top area to include the
adjacent building. Work was going on a pace laying a wooden floor, building
a bar, even making dining tables… it all looked like it would be up and running
within weeks. This year, when I first arrived they said they would be opening
for the season on 1 July. Last Tuesday they said they had decided to wait till
Saturday. Surely by Sunday evening, I figured, they might be ready? Before suggesting
to a group of friends that we ate there I took the precaution of phoning first.
"Yes we’re open – even the restaurant" I was told.
I have missed Indian food and here is where you can get the best in town. As
the ordering ensued it soon became apparent that disappointment was in store.
The tandoori oven had been lit the previous day but was still not hot enough
for tandoori dishes or breads. Elsewhere on the menu the chicken and lamb dishes
were not available, even alu gobi (potato and cauliflower) was met with a "hamna".
Given the choice was soon down to Goan fish curry and rice or nothing we decamped
to the excellent Pagoda Chinese restaurant nearby on Kenyatta road.
A
few days later I thought I’d give them another chance so wondered along at lunchtime.
I ordered at the bar and went to inspect progress on the "new" restaurant area.
Sadly this didn’t seem to be much further on than it was a year ago. The carpenter
seemed to have taken over the area as his workshop – and a storage place for
Zanzibar beds. The food was delicious and a beer at lunchtime felt a little
"naughty"; all in all a most relaxing lunch and reluctant return to the office
around 3pm.
When
I called in a year ago they had just extended the roof top area to include the
adjacent building. Work was going on a pace laying a wooden floor, building
a bar, even making dining tables… it all looked like it would be up and running
within weeks. This year, when I first arrived they said they would be opening
for the season on 1 July. Last Tuesday they said they had decided to wait till
Saturday. Surely by Sunday evening, I figured, they might be ready? Before suggesting
to a group of friends that we ate there I took the precaution of phoning first.
"Yes we’re open – even the restaurant" I was told.