Mumbai Food: New cafe inside a SoBo multiplex fails to impress

"Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed" - that's the maxim we wish we had chanted repeatedly before building up great expectations from the newly refurbished Metro cinema, which now has "INOX" attached to its name. Not a lot is different from its previous avatar. Not its faux modern art deco interiors, save for touch-ups here and there in the form of a glittering chandelier and mirrored murals. Nor its former five-screen layout. And certainly not its four, lobby-level snack counters, which are clubbed together under the name Cafe Unwind.

Cafe Unwind

Sure, a big plus is that one needn't purchase a movie ticket to enter the lobby and grab a bite. Yet, there is something about the space that doesn't quite spell out "café" to us. Disappointment raises its ugly head when we are told that our first choice of loaded nachos (Rs 240) - or any kind of nachos for that matter - isn't available. Ditto for the apple pie (Rs 140) and carrot cake (Rs 140).

Chaat-dusted makhana

What we do try, however, is a well-made Mumbai-style masala toast (Rs 172) that is slathered with spicy potato mash and cheddar cheese gratings. Also, the medium-sized box of chunky chaat-dusted makhana (Rs 190) - a type of puffed lotus seeds - introduces us to a wonderful desi alternative for popcorn.

Mumbai-style masala toast

Never too far away, we find popcorn itself in an unlikely place. Thick and flavoursome, the popcorn milkshake (Rs 152) is a treat that has the comforting aroma and taste of caramel popcorn. But the chocolate doughnut (Rs 142), alas, is so stodgy that we have to coax it down our throats, thanks to its dry texture. We'll probably go back to Cafe Unwind only if we need to grab some mid-movie sustenance and only if the food and drinks are delivered to our seats. Otherwise, we will leave the lounging about for later, at a proper café that justifies the tag.

Popcorn milkshake

TIME: All day
AT: Metro INOX, Marine Lines.
CALL: 8080211111