Food Review: Cafe Jaago Wakes Up Bandra With Brews That Do More Than Just Caffeinate

Jaago, which literally means ‘wake-up’, opens at seven in the morning to ensure the early risers have a place to go for their morning cuppa to wake them up. It offers a myriad choice of coffees, teas, matcha, juices, smoothies and more. Coffees are sourced from a new vendor every month to give their regulars a different palate experience. Teas come from Tea Trunk.

A joint venture of Sanjay Singh and Chadwayne Brako, this café aims at being a ‘regular hang-out’ for the locals while luring a few wanderers.

Yogurt Bowl

The interesting thing about the coffee menu of this place is that along with the usuals, they also have their signatures, and an interesting variety of cold brews. Take the Almond Date Cold Brew for instance – a cold brew (which they brew overnight in the traditional cold brew brewing contraption) with date syrup and almond milk that’s layered to give a visual treat before indulging the palate. The Blue Pea Espresso Latte is another interesting beverage that blends the blue pea tea with a shot of espresso. You can have the milk of your choice – regular, lactose free, oats, almond, coconut. Recommended for Blue Espresso Latte (iced) is the oats milk which gives a creamier texture and almond milk for the hot version. You have a choice of sweetners too – regular sugar, brown sugar, jaggery, honey, date syrup, agave syrup

Veggie Croissant Sandwich

Jaago has food options as well. “If you are in mood for ‘healthy’ food then opt for Yogurt Bowl,” suggests Chad. A big bowl of hung yogurt, dark chocolate granola, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, dried cranberries and berry compote with a drizzle of honey. The compote and granola are made in-house, which makes it not just healthy but tasty as well. You can also choose one of the salads if you are in the healthy mood. “It was a toss while preparing the menu. To have healthy stuff or not... we decided to go healthy and meaningful. So, while some ingredients might not sound ‘healthy’, they still are good and authentically sourced.” explains Chad. Their Veggie Salad bowl is lots of greens, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, pickled gherkins, avo chunks in a citrus dressing that’s freshly made. Be prepared for a delayed service as they make even the dressing fresh after order. Crisp, fresh salad is worth the wait.

Dirty Matcha

In sandwiches, you have stuffed Croissants and bread sandwiches where again you can choose between sourdough and ciabatta. I am served sourdough for all sandwiches that I tasted. Vegetarians don’t miss the Veggie Croissant – croissant stuffed with sauted bell peppers and mushrooms, mozzarella and yes, the pesto. Jaago uses sun-dried tomatoes pesto and not the commonly used basil pesto for all croissants and sandwiches. The flavourful twist that it offers is not to be missed. It is not as over powering as basil and enhances the natural flavours of the stuffing. You can also try the Avocado and Sun-dried Tomatoes sandwich.

Veggie Salad Bowl

All sandwiches are grilled. While the bread comes from a chosen vendor, everything else is homemade. They are served with salad and homemade beetroot chips which are dehydrated and then air-fried. Sprinkle of some secret spices make these healthy chips tasty.

The meat lovers can choose Lamb Keema or Avocado and Chicken in sandwiches. Lamb Keema, especially. Its delectable, subtle spices ensure that you enjoy the lamb mince.

Acai Berry Bowl

You can finish your meal either with a Pistachio Affogato or Apple Spiced Tea.

A quiet space to work, chat or read, do visit Jaago if in Bandra.

(Average cost for two: ₹ 2000)

Where: Jaago Cafe,  Off Carter Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai