By Ananya Kashyap | Opening Doorz Editorial | July 08, 2024
A Taste of Jazz History at Chick Chocolate Café, Mussoorie
Nestled on Mall Road in Mussoorie, Chick Chocolate Café draws its name and inspiration from the legendary Indian jazz musician, Antonio Xavier Vaz, known as Chic Chocolate. Renowned for his trumpet playing skills, Chic Chocolate left an indelible mark on the Indian jazz scene. The Café owners have beautifully captured the essence of his vibrant spirit, creating a charming and nostalgic atmosphere for their guests.
As the rainwater droplets fell onto the entrance, the quaint and cutesy-looking Café invited guests into a warm embrace. Located in the heart of the market, Chick Chocolate Café has been a local favourite for nearly 70 years. The wooden furniture adds a touch of simplicity and homeliness, while the aroma of pies, sauces, chicken, and baked buns wafts through the air, making customers’ stomachs gurgle with anticipation.
The Café’s cash counter operates a bit differently, with an elderly gentleman directing customers to purchase coupons first before getting their food. This quirky system adds to the charm and uniqueness of the dining experience at Chick Chocolate.
Unique Dining Experience at Chick Chocolate Café in Mussoorie
We are eight of us from Delhi, who are traveling together. On inquiring with the locals, we are guided to this Café. As we make our way up the hills, we find ourselves eagerly waiting for our meal. The aroma that hits you as you enter makes our eyes bigger than our stomachs. After we place our order, we are asked to wait for 15 minutes and the delay, coupled with the aroma, manifests the hunger in funny ways… with one snapping at another, and two others going for a walk to distract themselves.
After a wait of over 15 minutes, the appetizers arrive. We dive into the best chicken dim sums which disappear in under two minutes! This only heightens our hunger as the main course is some time away. The wait… is a long wait!
Delicious Appetizers and Main Courses at Chick Chocolate Café, Mussoorie”
The long wait for the main course is rewarded with a delectable Chicken Khao Suey, a coconut-based Burmese noodle dish. Despite being portioned for two, hunger made sharing optional. The dish features toppings like spring onions, bell peppers, chopped garlic, and roasted peanuts, resulting in an explosion of spices and flavours. Even those who are not fans of coconut among us find themselves converted by this dish.
Next comes the Peri Peri Chicken Pizza, an all-time favourite. The pizza, with its perfect crispy crust, fiery chicken, sizzling Peri Peri sauce, and fresh vegetables, leaves us in awe. Compared to the other restaurants we had dined at in Mussoorie, Chick Chocolate stands out as exceptional.
Cozy Ambiance and Friendly Hospitality at Chick Chocolate Café, Mussoorie
The Café’s atmosphere is lively, with families and tourists enjoying the hustle-bustle of the kitchen. The occasional gust of wind brings gentle music from the wind chimes, adding to the cozy vibe. Wooden chairs and tables are spread across two floors. Paintings, writings, photo frames, and signboards with food and drink options written on them are spread across the walls of the Café.
The ice-cream machine at the Café’s entrance attracts crowds of all age-groups. Framed posters of artists like Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley gives an insight into what we assumed was the owners’ taste in music, that of the yesteryears. No wonder Antonio Xavier Vaz aka Chic Chocolate reigns supreme here. The owners, an elderly couple, could not have missed the famous trumpet sound, especially after Chic Chocolate had played extensively in Rangoon and Mussourie, in the mid-40s
Top Desserts and Drinks to Try at Chick Chocolate Café, Mussoorie
To complement our meal, we order a cranberry-raspberry punch, a cold coffee, and an iced tea. A few modifications make the drinks perfectly sweet. The New York Cheesecake, a crowd favourite, is the perfect way to conclude this scintillating meal, with its rich, creamy, and thick texture.
The contentment from the meal is momentarily interrupted by the arrival of the bill. Despite the initial shock, we agree that the food was worth it. With smiles on our faces and full stomachs, we walk out of Chick Chocolate Café, promising to return whenever life brings us back to Mussoorie.
R A T I N G
FOOD 4/5
AMBIENCE 3/5
SERVICE 3.5/5
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