Corner Table 8212; Chopsuey

MUMBAI, November 20: Cooking up the steamy stuff since 1972, Chopsuey, at 95, Hill Road, Bandra, has been around a lot longer than the othe...

MUMBAI, November 20: Cooking up the steamy stuff since 1972, Chopsuey, at 95, Hill Road, Bandra, has been around a lot longer than the other carts and smaller joints mushrooming all over our weary city. Yes, it8217;s old; no, it8217;s not falling to pieces. Renovations and a complete makeover are drawing in the hoardes like never before. It is a small place, but very neat and with adequate seating arrangements. There8217;s nothing much by way of decor, just plain white walls and green creepers all over the place 8212; things that go perfectly with the ambience. And then again, since everyone8217;s modus operandi is sit, eat and move8230; why complain?

If there8217;s something to be said about Chinese food, it8217;s got variety. Yes, you sometimes suspect that the names have been given to keep you guessing, but most of the stuff is pretty recognisable by now. Thanks to the re-hashed, watered down, bland rip-offs of the original cuisine that are served at most Chinese8217; restaurants.

As for Chopsuey, authentic or not, the food is definitely delicious. There8217;s a whole lot to choose from, but only Chinese stuff. Like Roasted Chicken Chilly Rs 100, roasted boneless pieces of white meat, with garlic, chilly, capsicum and a lot of spicy stuff. It serves two, which means absolute value for money.

Chopsuey claims to be among the first to start off with the Jumbo/King Prawn dishes, along with other delicacies like Crab Meat Balls. The cooks ensure that even conventional stuff is served with new and exotic masalas; so try the Paper Chicken Rs 105, minced chicken that8217;s put into butter paper and then fried to steaming, oil-free perfection.

For desserts, apart from regular feel-good dishes like Kesar Malai and Kulfi, there8217;s nothing else. Says Sanjeev, the proprietor, quot;We get clientele covering four generations coming in regularly. Our food is good, service excellent; and every dish is made to suit the customer8217;s palate at all times.quot; Alcohol is provided, but not promoted like some places that go overboard. Families occupy the top slot, and timings are 11.30 am to 3.30 pm; 6.30 pm to 12 midnight.

So leave the imitations behind, and let Chopsuey show you what Chinese food is really like8230;