This cat studio-cum-café in Versova has a new look and menu

By the time we reach Cat Cafeacute Studio in Versova on a weekday afternoon things are already in motion mdash the staff the customers the clinking tall glasses and plates Everything except the cats Theyrsquore lounging on hungry patronsrsquo laps atop bookshelves and in their new mini kitty condos They seem to be the only ones staying true to the essence of the Aram Nagar address for nowPatrons tuck into snacks in the company of the cats in the play areaA popular adda for cat lovers seeking a quick snuggle and a temporary home for indies rescued from the suburb the studio which started in 2015 shut its doors early last month for a makeover ldquoWhen the community learnt about the plans they really came through Four of our cats were adopted and many more found foster homesrdquo says brand manager Lamya Kapadia with a wide smile The rest wersquore told enjoyed a mini staycation at the cafeacutersquos sister concern the Feline Foundation just down the roadA doodle depicting a stray catrsquos journey by artist Karen Williams adorns the wall of the new space PIC COURTESYKAREN WILLIAMS ON INSTAGRAMThe major upgrades to the play area include new pet furniture which most of the nearly 15 cats seem to have already approved of by taking long naps on it ldquoThe vision was to give visitors a glimpse of how the furry friends might look in their own living roomsrdquo Kapadia says Jacky a twoyearold ginger seems to be demonstrating just that by stretching himself out on the central table We are convinced that everyone in this part of the town is an aspiring actor On a serious note the team has also extended the tile flooring to cover the full space for efficient disinfection and keeping unwanted external infections at bayCats take a nap in their new condoAs we stroll through the space and study we spot a large framed doodle that depicts a catrsquos journey from the street to home The team reveals their upcoming plans The shiny new home will soon host a new series of open mics paintwithcats sessions educational talks andhellip something else mdash sorry wersquore momentarily distracted by the kitten that is now scaling Kapadiarsquos shoulder The cats are up and running to the excitement of the young couple on a date the collegians catching up and the team of caregivers who were all eagerly waiting for this momentAmid all the feline theatrics itrsquos easy to forget that this is a cafeacute too a reimagined one at that We reluctantly tear ourselves away from the cats to the cafeacute space with a new larger kitchen setup and a menu fresh off the press although the staff will happily serve the grub in the play area Among Instagramworthy picks like the katsu chicken sando and sourdough avocado toast we opt for the vegan nuggets R285 and the veggie tofu ramen bowl R245 A window into the live kitchen keeps us engagedVegan nuggetsThe ramen bowl comes with springy noodles an aromatic broth and a generous serving of veggies and sliced tofu that is soaking in flavour We might have inhaled the noodles with less grace than wersquod like to admit Thankfully the cafeacutersquos most judgemental residents are in another room We bite into the nuggets next Theyrsquore not your usual jackfruit or tofu standins for animal meat Bhaskar Narwani the brain behind the new menu explains that itrsquos a soy derivative that retains more moisture spiced with chilli and garlic These goldenbrown nuggets pack a juicier bite than most mock meat experiments we have tried beforeEspresso tonicWe end the day with the tonic espresso to preempt the impending post lunch haze The beverage is light fizzy and keeps us company as we browse through the cafeacutersquos merchandise corner As we prepare to say our goodbyes to our newfound furry friends to brave the sun again the espresso begins to lose the fight The food coma kicks in hard and we accept our fate Wersquore in Aram Nagar after all What did you expectVeggie tofu ramenAT Cat Cafeacute Studio Harminder Singh Road next to Kamla Mehta College Aram Nagar Part 1 Versova Andheri WestTIME 12 pm to 10 pm Mondays closedCALL 8291490907Find your matchHead to these animal shelters and adoption centres to bring home your new furry friendLamya Kapadiagtgt Welfare for Stray DogsAT Tokershi Jivraj Road near Rushabh Tower Sewri WestCALL 08976022838gtgt Animals Matter To MeAT CTS Ashram Plot 166167 MadhMarve Road Malad West CALL 9920737737gtgt Freedom FarmAT Unnathi Woods Road Vijay Park Kasarvadavali Thane WestCALL 9324610601gtgt Yoda MumbaiAT Chikuwadi Road off Marve Road Malad WestCALL 8899997704gtgt Save Our StraysAT Khandelwal Apartment 17th Road Krishna Nagar Khar WestCALL 9820141310atOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params