Owners of Uncle’s Kitchen, Arnold and Tina at the restaurant, located at Nepali Basti, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur April 2 (MExN): The open kitchen, the sizzling oil, and the chopping sound at Nepali Basti’s Uncle’s Kitchen provide an aura of homeliness. Uncle’s kitchen is not one of the plush restaurants you would find at the city’s central Circular Road where it was once located, before it moved to the present location adjacent to Landmark girls’ hostel, but is a hotspot for people with an appetite for Indian food.
The beef kathi roll here is spicy, generously stuffed with beef and is also one of the most popular demands.
This seven months old eatery is a family business started by husband and wife duo Arnold Xavier and Augustina (Tina) Xavier who are former school teachers. The concept of Uncle’s Kitchen started with a motivation to do something new, something the couple was passionate about. “And we realized we loved cooking.”
As the couple sits to share the story of the restaurant, Arnold compliments the neat police officer who has come to get the “signature” kathi rolls and asks another guy paying the bill how the roll was. Maybe this is what the couple means by connection when they say “We want to connect with people through food.” By their own admission, the couple does not possess business minds and admit the customers guided them with the rates and quantities in the restaurant when they first started off and acknowledge the “love and support of the customers” is what keeps them going.
Relocation came as a challenge for the Xaviers because it was like “starting from the scratch,” however, they say the customers followed them and made it possible for them to move on.
For the Xaviers being teachers in schools have in some ways helped to garner the good will of the people. And for now, they are relishing the transition from Sir – Madam to Uncle – Aunty that is brought through the restaurant. Different organizations, forums and individuals have helped them publicize the restaurant, they say. And speaking of inspiration, the couple makes special reference of their daughter Otilia and granddaughter Zoe, who has just started attending playschool.
A seemingly devout Christians, the couple thank God for the present and leaves the future to God while sharing expanding could be a possibility in the days to come, depending on financial stability.
The restaurant mostly serves Indian like biryani, different non-veg curries with paranthas, kebabs, rolls etc. However, it is prepared with a spicy touch to satisfy the Naga palates. In addition, it also serves burgers and pizzas and soon plans to venture into seafoods.
And here is good news for those of you who worry about finding a place to eat on Sundays. The Xaviers have decided to keep the restaurant open on Sundays as well, following “requests from customers”. So for those Indian food lovers, here is a place homely, affordable and modest.
