A handful of thoughts

That’s a cup of the most delicious hot chocolate in the world. One that you get at Keventers, Darjeeling. Get up early, come to the terrace of Keventers and order a ham or bacon sandwich for yourself followed by a cup of hot chocolate or flavoured Darjeeling tea as would suit you best. And if you are lucky enough to see the Kanchenjungha from here as well, this will be the most gratifying breakfast of your life. Keventers is to Darjeeling, what Moulin Rouge is to Paris and if you fail to drop by Keventers on your visit to Darjeeling, you’ll be committing one of the biggest mistakes of your life. Walking downwards from the mall along the Nehru Road you’ll find Keventers on your right, at the corner plot on the road junction at the end. Treat yourself to some great quality sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, salami and by the time you’ve paid the bill and stepped out you’ll silently and secretly make a promise to yourself - to come back here at the earliest; I can vouch for it.

Walking downwards from Keventers towards the toy train station (ask anyone and you’ll get the right direction) you’ll find an ICICI Bank ATM on your right. Retrace your steps a little and you can see the Dafey Munal Bar on your right. A flight of  dark stairs will lead you to an equally shady place with a couple of chairs and tables with a light bulb hanging over them. Liquor is ridiculously cheap here. A 60ml peg of vodka (White Mischief or Romanov) will cost you Rs30 (little more than half a dollar). The snacks menu is not served if not asked for. So do ask for it and order a plate of pork fried meat. This will cost you about Rs40. When you’ve had your fill for the evening, make up your mind to have your lunch here next day, with pork thukpa (noodle soup). Be so intelligent as to take the table by the window if its not taken already and enjoy the cheapest liquor of your life.

Street food in Darjeeling is all about momos. These dumplings are available with vegetable (cabbage), chicken, mutton and pork stuffing and are served with a local red chilly sauce that has a tangy hot taste about it. The road that leads to the SDO bungalow from the mall (towards the stable) is lined with momo shops. These shops are mostly run by families and serve besides momo - noodles, egg burger, chicken lollypop and tea. A plate of vegetable momo will have five pieces and will cost you Rs10. Those who are cabbage haters needn’t worry, you wouldn’t know its cabbage in their, unless you go on a momo dissection spree.