Fernando Salazar

Yesterday we were not in the mood to cook, but neither were we in the mood for the production of going to a restaurant.  I had the idea of trying baida roti – a kind of fast-food where a roti is lightly fried, coated with egg, then used to roll a variety of fillings.  Probably the top place to get baida roti here in Pune is Kapila Kathi Kebab, so off we went.

Set on barely 100 sq feet at a busy corner on Dhole Patil Rd., KK Kebab has no tables; you eat while standing, or in your car, or you get “parcel” – the way you say “take out” here.  In a way it is the ultimate food experience: Just food, prepared while you watch and put into your hand by the cook.  Also, as you get there you see this is exactly the sort of place Tony Bourdain would go to, so it’s worth a try on that basis alone.

The verdict: Great.  The rotis themselves had excellent flavor, kind of like a fresh white-flour tortilla but made rich with the egg and the ghee for frying.  The filling – chicken, fresh onion, and the ubiquitous green coriander-and-chili chutney – was spiced just right, with just enough heat and a bit of cardamom, cinnamon, or both, underneath.

I went by KK Kebab around 6:30 pm and, frankly I expected more of a crowd, but aside from 1-2 others, it was just me and Morgan ordering.  I think these guys need a business plan.  When you think how shawarma-like these rolls are I think the plan is pretty obvious:

If it worked with the Avengers is can work with Krrish, India’s super-hero:

So, KK Kebab is you’re listening, get on the phone and start dealing – next year I want to see Krrish Kapila Kathi Kebab.