HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE! - Hwealthcafe - Review

HWEALTHCAFE, NEW FRIENDS COLONY

With modernisation, people have become more conscious about how they look on the outside and to maintain the same, they're conscious about what they put inside their bodies. Forget the good old medication to get your vitamins and minerals, people try to incorporate these nutrients within the meals they eat. But calorie counting on your own is a very difficult task. No matter how much you try, you'll end up adding just a few more spoonfuls of oil to make your food tasty. However, the folks at Hwealthcafe (Health Wealth Cafe) have taken exception to this! They're here to make your life easier, your food tastier and healthier.

The concept behind Hwealthcafe is pretty basic. Make healthy food exciting AND make exciting food healthy! They have a strict calorie counting policy where they make sure every meal has a balance of all nutrients. There is no use of fat-rich components like cheese, cream, potatoes, all purpose flour (maida) or fatty oils! Everything is substituted with a healthier alternative that is mostly made in house.

AMBIENCE

"You eat with your eyes first", is probably the trick behind making everything at Hwealthcafe, because everything looks picture perfect. The bright and vibrant colours of the place are very inviting and create a positive vibe. The green and yellow colours of the place raise your appetite and the comfortable seating arrangement makes you feel at home. The bright inlet of light from the windows gives the place a bright outlook.

THE FOOD

Coming to the most scrutinised aspect of any place that claims to serve healthy food, the taste of the food. Now, healthy food is polarising. You either like it, or you don't, there is no middle ground. If you have been into a fitness regime at a gym, you'd know how they promote boiled-and-bland food. But Hwealthcafe tries to change the status quo that healthy food is bland. Here, they're serving up nachos, burgers, mousse and cakes!

THE DRINKS

• Detox Water: First of all, let me just put it out there, at Hwealthcafe they serve you Detox water, not the regular good old H2O. The water is infused with a sprig of mint and a few slices of lemon for flavour and health.
• Fruit Juice Detox: This is a juice based detox-cleanser made of orange juice with a hint of apple. Very refreshing and light!
• Choco-Peanut Butter High-Protein Power Smoothie: Probably my favourite item on the menu! This amazingly thick and creamy smoothie has the smoothest flavour of Peanut Butter and Chocolate. The drink is boosted by a shot of protein powder. AND the smoothie is made using low-fat milk! A WIN WIN SITUATION!

THE APPETISERS

• Nachos Nibbler Platter: When you think Nachos, you think yellow toasted chips drizzled with a heaping pile of cheese and grease dripping all over the place. At Hwealthcafe, they've redesigned the Mexican classic to be more of a light and vibrant dish. The nachos themselves are made from whole wheat and corn, while the sauces and dips served are made in house and are healthy in their own right.

• Baked Chicken Wings: Baked wings of protein rich white meat, chicken cooked in either a sweet or sour Barbecue Sauce. The dish could have used a little more depth. The sauce and the wings didn't stick and tasted separated.

• Bruschetta Platter: Another dish that I loved, the Italian short-bread Bruschetta baked to perfection and topped with two kinds of chicken minces. One in a pesto sauce and another which I presume was a Peri Peri Sauce. The soft and juicy chicken mince on the crunchy and toasted bread was a nice contrast.

• Fresh Grilled Chicken Burger: The juiciest tower of power served between two sesame buns. The chicken was grilled to perfection and the hummus and veggies provided a nice contrast to the warm and spicy chicken patty.

THE MAIN COURSE

• Chettinad Spicy Grilled Chicken Platter: When given a chance to order Chicken Chettinad, order Chicken Chettinad. This was the first time I did have this famed classic and it blew me away. The flavour of the chicken was great, but the cook on it was amazing. And to pair it with a herb infused brown rice, and some grilled vegetables was a brilliant call. Brilliant!

• Penne Pasta in Spicy Arrabiatta Sauce (Chicken): The pasta was a little give or take since it was made with whole wheat. It could have used a little more time in the boiler to make it softer. Or maybe it was just the wheat making it a tad bit hard.

THE DESSERTS

• Wholewheat Cake of the Day: The one I had on the day was the Banana and Walnut cake, topped off with a yogurt based frosting. The warm and sweet cake with the refreshing minty cinnamon yogurt topping was brilliant.

• Low-Cal Mousse of the Day: Another yogurt based dessert with yogurt and beetroot mixed with a bunch of fruits and vegetables leave you with a refreshing boost at the end of your meal!

THE VERDICT

Healthy food has been misunderstood by the masses as a bland and boring rendition of the age old favourites. Hwealthcafe at the very busy Community Centre at New Friends Colony balances the Diet and the Delicious by creating innovative dishes that please the palate while not going heavy on the carbs. If you are a health freak, you'll be eating here any chance you get. But for your search for a nice little place to spend your day at, you may not enjoy the food as much. It is very polarising!