Ukusa, which means the break of dawn in Japanese, is a newly opened café located in the heart of Jubilee Hills. Around 1,500 sq.ft. in area, this serene little corner is behind a breathtaking archway made entirely of bougainvillea. The floral arch also doubles as a selfie point, and leads to an outdoor seating area where mango and coconut trees, potted plants and some more bougainvillea are spread out. “It is a calm vibe, and I think our ambience really brings that out with the trees and tropical plants around,” shares Akam Sri Karthikeya, the manager of Ukusa.
The café has two outdoor and two indoor seating areas. We take our seat in the first indoor area which features lush plants, smooth black and white marble tables, and comfortable wooden chairs.
As we start with the food, the first dish we sample is the Mango Frappe made with squashed mango, milk, ice and cream. A must try, the drink blends well with the flavorful appetizer Moroccan Mint Cottage Cheese – a medley of cottage cheese, mint, Moroccan seasoning, parsley and coriander.
For the main course we try the Veg Stew Bowl. Despite our initial misgivings, the stew, which is lightly spiced, delicate and fragrant, made with a bevy of mixed vegetables, garlic, brown roux, and a touch of red wine,and served with herb rice and pickled onions, turns out to be well done. The herb rice made for a fine inclusion. Recommendations for meat lovers include the Southern Chicken Bowl and the Ghee Roasted Lamb Kheema Bowl
We end with the Pineapple Upside Down Cake made of vanilla cake infused with sliced pineapples layered on the surface of the cake and served with caramel and chocolate syrups. We savored every bite and it left us wanting more. Do not forget to ask for this dessert if you are planning to check out Ukusa soon. It is a fine way to end your afternoon. n IPSHITA
Meal for two: Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000
Plot No. 130, 8-2-293/82, A/130, Road No. 10, Jubilee Hills Tel: 9052462424
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
