Review: La Bella, Ahmedabad

La Bella by Mrs Mary Lobo is one of the most popular non-vegetarian Goan restaurant in Ahmedabad and here is a review from one of my numerous visits to the iconic place.

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'Yeh sab kyon poochta hai tu (why are you asking all this)?', she asked and I fumbled for a smart answer, but came up with none. I just told her that I am keen on writing about her and hence the questions. She was least impressed and told me that I should read the papers more carefully, this January there was an article in Ahmedabad Mirror about her. However, the fact that I was from NID softened her and slowly as we started talking she spoke to me warmly and even invited me home for the Easter Cake!

Mrs. Mary Lobo in her kitchen

This was Mrs. Mary Lobo, the lady who is now an icon in her own right. More famous as 'aunty' who runs La Bella in the old town of Ahmedabad, Mrs. Lobo originally hails from Goa. Married at a young age, she shifted to Ahmedabd with her husband and since then has been an Amdavadi. Her language has completely changed from Portuguese (she only remembers a few words now) to Gujarati and occasionally English, but she remains a Goan at her soul. Her clothes, her mannerisms, and her famous food - all of it is distinctly Goan. This has also added to the exotic value of La Bella and many people flock here to eat authentic Goan food, though in her own words its hardly Goan at all anymore!

La Bella from outside

As against the general perception she doesn't cook the food herself anymore. Her helper Anna does all of that, while she supervises the cooking and takes care of all the supplies. Especially particular about the fish, she visits the fish market everyday to pick fresh supplies. Another popular perception is that she has been running the shop forever, though in reality La Bella opened the same year as NID and IIM, and was run successfully for years before Mrs. Lobo took it over after the death of the original owner (who was her husband's business partner as well). This was barely 15 years ago.

Aunty doesn't cook anymore, but helps in warming the food and

serving it to the guests

Apart from the food, La Bella is also famous for the cost. Bhavin and Muzayun ate various delicacies and stuffed themselves full, yet the bill barely crossed Rs. 100. Just to give an idea, a rice plate barely costs Rs. 5! I was shocked by the prices and asked her how she made any money at all; her reply was simple, 'I earn enough to live and to continue making food for others.' I had never quite met anyone like that before

The humble seating space

Of course the food is made only in limited quantity and gets over very fast. Be there by 07:45 pm if you wish to try it all; as time progresses things get over very fast. And if you come late, be prepared to go back without any food at all, sometimes even nine is too late.

Our autorickshaw parked outside

As I stood leaning against the door and chatting, many people came and placed orders for food. Most come all the way to the kitchen and ask aunty directly for what's available and then order. I could see so many of these relationships built over years of great food enjoyed at the place. One young man came with his newly wed wife and introduced 'aunty' to her, it was absolutely heart warming to witness the intimacy 'aunty' shared with so many visitors. 

I loved the heavy carved wooden door

Highly disappointed that I did not eat meat, she offered me potato wedges which I gulped down immediately. She wondered loudly why would anyone be a vegetarian, I did not argue back, just laughed with her and agreed. 

My vegetarian potato wedges :)

It was soon time to leave, I realised that I spent my entire time in the kitchen and forgot to even talk to the customers and get their perspective. Maybe that's for my next visit. Of course Easter isn't far and as my love for cakes borders obsession, I might just visit her next month itself!


Read about the other very popular non-vegeterian food destination in Ahmedabad - Khamasa on my other blog.

p.s. Unfortunately I had no camera that day, and my phone came handy again.