Eat and Drink with Vintage Newyork Flair at: The 78 Boulevard

Do you long for a time when aluminium plates are used in the restaurants? When dinner started with a limited range of drinks and classic spaghetti? When black pepper and cilantro was the only garnish of choice?

If so, I’ve got a cafe for you. The 78 Boulevard, a 6-month-old establishment in Indore (MP), takes the idea of early 1930s -40s Newyork and runs with it. It’s named not for any fictional swanky street, but for the original 78 Boulevard of Newyork USA.

The exposed brick, bare stone and antique’s on the walls create an atmosphere that’s elegant and comfortable, reminiscent of an old fashioned restaurant. A large dining room with a bar on the wall. A small, separate area is set off along the far wall. The cemented flooring is an extra addition to the atmosphere. The drinks are delivered in antique glass bottles. The cuisine is described as fusion of multiple nations; the menu features Indian Mezze, Mexican, Italian, pavwich, Firaangi and Naanza, all prepared in atypical ways.

This is a really lovely place, one you enter from above and descend into. One caveat: The lighting is low but I guess cafe is trying to be quaint. But despite the dim ambience I was able to find my way to the mexican salad in the menu card, this was a modified salad with a special twist of nacho chips. It was tangy, sweet and filled with mexican flavors.

For the main course, we ordered  “Naanza”  is a signature dish at the 78 boulevard, so I couldn’t refuse. If you’re like me and don’t usually order pizza, you might want to reconsider here. Macroni and cheese topped with kurkure (very unusual concept), I can certainly say it’s the most flavorful I’ve ever had. It was a tad salty—perhaps because of cheese? But the kurkure was incredibly crispy while the macroni itself was fabulously tender … It was sorcery!

My another entrée also worked some magic. Spaghetti appears to be a variation on the long, fettuccine-style pasta. The trick here was how the flavors blended. It was one of the best-tasting spaghetti I could recall—as if fresh direct from the Italy. In fact, all the ingredients absorbed flavors from the others, giving my entrée balance and a mix of flavors.There was a lot in the dish, so a good, thick pasta was needed to stand up to all of the elements. It was all expertly done—quite spectacular.

My quibble is with the lack of smoothies. They do serve fruit flavor mojito’s, but artificially flavored only. I settled for mocachino coffee, It would be great to get a fruit smoothie’s added to the offerings.

The bottom line of our time in The 78 boulevard was how smoothly paced our evening was. There were no extended or uncomfortable waits, and the service was smart, prompt and friendly—everything we hope for when dining out. I’m sure we’ll happily descend into this cafe again.

Price: lNR 800-1000 for two (3.5/5) Ambience: A retro themed dining room with brick walls, antique TV, antique utensils(aluminium boxes, old bowl’s and bottles etc) and old furniture’s.(4/5) Service: Earnest and eager, if a bit green. (4/5) Food: Portions are small comparatively, but tastes good (3/5)