Amidst the bustling streets of Khar, Affogato, a posh new gelateria, has made its grand entrance. This one-of-a-kind gelateria derives its name from the delicious Italian Coffee-Gelato based beverage named Affogato al caffè, popularly known as simply Affogato. At the helm of this new and exciting cafe are founders Suren Joshi and Shalini Rattan.
While Suren is the name behind the I Think Fitness chain of fitness centers as well as many popular eateries in Mumbai such as Joshi House, Javaphile, The Conservatory, Pali Bhavan, Pali Village Cafe and the erstwhile Su Casa, Shalini is the maestro behind Crèmeyum Creamery, the artisanal gelato parlor. Through this modern pâtisserie, the founders have united 3 ultimate superpowers of Italian cuisine all under one roof for the very first time in India, namely The Bread, The Gelato and The Coffee aka Il Pane, Il Gelato e Il Caffè. Not to be confused with your standard gelato parlor, Affogato is the perfect hangout spot for all the city gourmands. This 600 square feet gelateria, which is also proudly pet-friendly, can seat up to 25 guests within the space and the charming outdoor area.
“I tried the gelato Shalini makes, they were not only extremely delicious but healthy too. I immediately knew we had to partner up for something exciting. I have been thinking of amping up the dessert offerings in Bombay, and creating a space where one can sit and enjoy a conversation over some coffee and desserts. So I thought why not bring together the coffee from Javaphile and her gelato and make something fantastic out of it”, says Suren Joshi, Co-founder, Affogato.
At the core of Affogato’s menu lies the star of the show – Gelato. This classic Italian dessert has captured the hearts of people around the world, and now, Mumbai’s foodies can enjoy the same authentic taste right in their own city. At Affogato, the gelato is prepared using traditional methods ensuring that each scoop is a true reflection of Italy’s culinary heritage. The team behind Affogato has taken it up a notch to bring you quality, authentic gelato by importing their natural ingredients such as vanilla beans from Madagascar, blueberries from South America, strawberries from Egypt and pistachios from Sicily.
What’s more interesting is that most of the gelati here have no-added sugar and are prepared using imported Sugar Alcohols (a form of harmless natural sweeteners). From popular flavors like Belgian Chocolate, Salted Butter Caramel and Tiramisu to more exotic options like Almond Praline, Jamun Sorbet, Mango and Strawberry Cheesecake, there’s something for each dessert lover here. Also available are Vegan and Keto-friendly gelati as well as Sorbets.
“With Affogato, we want to introduce Mumbai to the art of authentic gelato as you would find along the streets of Sicily, and ignite a passion for exquisite frozen creations among the patrons. We have created this sweet paradise that will intrigue you, tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.” expresses Co-founder and Gelatiere Shalini Rattan, who is certified in the Advanced levels of Gelato Making from Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy.
When you take a scoop of the cool and creamy gelato and drown it in a hot shot of freshly brewed espresso, you get a beautiful amalgamate which the Italians like to call Affogato al caffè. This new gelateria offers a unique selection of this spectacular beverage, catering to different taste preferences. Whether you prefer the
classic flavors like Madagascar Vanilla and Belgian Chocolate, or if you’re in the mood for something more exotic, like Salted Butter Caramel, this new Bandra hotspot has got you covered.
With Siddhesh Advilkar, the barista behind their vast coffee menu, Affogato has curated some great options to choose from. If you like your coffee to warm your heart, then we suggest you try the Sea salt Mocha, Spiced Latte or Espresso Hot Chocolate but if you’re looking to beat the Mumbai heat with a chilled beverage in hand, then you must definitely try the Tiramisu Frappé, Toffee nut Frappé or Mint Mocha Frappé.
Affogato’s delicious pâtisserie menu is carefully crafted by Jasirah Dalvi and Faryaz Engineer. Jasirah, a Chef and Pâttisier, has been closely working with Italian cuisine since the past 8 years, while Faryaz is a Pâttisier and Boulanger who has acquired a penchant for global desserts while working in Bahrain for almost 10 years. With their vast experiences combined, you can witness a selection of classic European baked desserts on the menu such as Cantucci, Almond Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, Cinnamon Rolls and the Carrot Cake, which is a chef’s special.
The moment you step into this quaint gelateria, you’ll be transported to the heart of Italy, thanks to the elegant and carefully curated interiors by Kasturi Wagh and Vineet Hingorani of kaviar:collaborative.
“With Affogato, we explored the idea of a gelato and coffee shop disguised as a subterranean art gallery. A minimal monochromatic volume with textures and soft curves inspired by the swirls of gelato sets the tone of the space. Akin to art pieces and sculptures showcased atop pedestals in an art gallery, one can find the wide range of gelato and coffee take center stage atop the collection of stone blocks. We believed in dealing with the constituents of ‘affogato’ as pieces of art rather than just everyday consumables by creating a space that celebrates it.”
So Gelato is just ice-cream right? No.
Gelato has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream. Its texture is silkier and softer than ice cream and has a lower percentage of fat. Affogato promises a warm and inviting ambience for patrons to indulge their sweet tooth and not feel guilty about loading on any extra sugar or calories!
