Adjacent to the backyard is a comfy lounge and reception area. Opposite to the lounge is a two-storied building with a pretty little balcony and colorful flowers on display. [break]
The winding iron staircase that leads to the veranda is also the way to a smallish single-room apartment which has an inviting and homey feel to it. This reminds of one of those cute little houses in real estate magazines that make you want to buy a home in the countryside.
Photos: Nitya Pande
There’s only one word to describe this apartment: Rustic. It has a subtle old-school charm to it. The whole place is timber-colored and dotted with low couches and little tables. There’s a bar at the far end of the room. This airy and pleasant chamber is perfect for private gatherings, anniversary celebrations and birthday parties.
The owner of the restaurant, Gautam Man Singh, isn’t new to dining business. He, who used to be a part of Simol Lounge in Durbar Marg, is really enthusiastic about this new project. He has chosen the locality of Hattisar particularly because of the corporate houses and banks in the vicinity.
Rustic even has a special lunch hour menu which is affordable and delicious. From one to three in the afternoon each day, the “happy hour,” one can book a table or even order a lunchbox to one’s office. The restaurant also has a free Wifi for those who are having intense affairs with their laptops and phones.
And for the business crowd, Rustic offers an assortment of cocktails, mocktails, fruit punches, beer brands and assorted whiskeys. The place is practical too for it has ample space for parking, and the location, despite being at the heart of the metropolis, is tranquil and peaceful.
Rustic offers an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that tickle the taste buds of foodaholics. It offers the regular menu of momos, French fries, chowmien, chopsuey, barbeque, burger and the like. In addition to those, it also serves roti, curry and other Indian dishes along with Newar delicacies like chhoyala, bara, sekuwa, chtamari, and taas from the Tarai.
The onion rings served at Rustic are good to start with. The rings are light and willowy and perfect to start out with. The sauce is really good with just the right amount of mayonnaise, cream, red wine, garlic, Tabasco, lemon juice, parsley and ketchup. Onion rings are famous in the USA and Indonesia. The Germans like them dipped in molten cheese gravy. But since a large chunk of Nepali consumers isn’t very fond of cheese, at Rustic, it’s served dry.
The French fries are crisp and crunchy. With a little salt peppered over them, they leave the tongue feeling happy and alert.
The sandwiches, too, are fairly good but there’s nothing really extraordinary about them at Rustic.
The highlight of the meal, however, is the hearty platter of American Chopsuey. With a variety of ingredients put into it, like meat, rice, vegetables, tomato ketchup, garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, fried noodles, coconut sugar and sesame oil, this is a perfect platter of a wonderful meal.
Rustic is likable in terms of its hospitality and worth a try in terms of its foods. The only drawback at present is that it’s still under construction. But according to Singh, it’ll be ready within a few weeks. The best part about this eatery is its location – the Kamal Pokhari Junction – and the variety in the price range which makes it practical and affordable for people of almost every class and walk of life.
Fast Facts
Parking: Complimentary
Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Budget: Rs 1,500–Rs 2,000 for two (without drinks)
Call: 9849727695
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