The Kati Roll Company

I have a fondness for quick, inexpensive meals, and yeah, I’m a fan of Indian, especially when it fits that profile. So, if a restaurant were to combine, say, their kati rolls with some sort of deal that combines alcohol with the kati rolls… that would be a good thing, right?

The Kati Roll Company invited a few bloggers in for the first Happy Hour, enticing us with many varieties of kati rolls — everything from basic chicken through one of their newest, an Angelo Sosa creation called the Shrimp Masala roll, with several vegetarian varieties in-between.

As all the sample rolls were halved for our convenience, I availed myself of a few (with Blondie and Brownie right behind me). I stayed vegetarian on the afternoon, beginning with the Aloo Masala roll. The potato was still hot, and the brown sauce spicy. I wouldn’t say this was an exciting kati roll, but for well-seasoned potato wrapped in paratha it hit the spot.

Since it was Happy Hour, alcohol was pouring at The Kati Roll Company, while Bollywood music (courtesy of DJ Magic Mike) played in the background. Several of the usual suspects were on offer from the beer cooler, plus the featured national beer of India. I’d first had the recommended Kingfisher (more than a beer, it’s a beer and an airline!) from the bartender originally, but as it was a little cupful of nearly room-temperature beer, the next time I was thirsty I opted instead for a juice-based beverage. This was quite sweet, and maybe not Indian in origin, but hey, mango, so it worked as it ought to.

Since I’m not a shrimp guy, next I selected the other new roll of the day, the Veggie Patty roll. I was surprised the cucumber and (I believe) carrot matchsticks held their crunch even after its roll had been waiting for me to choose it for more than a couple of minutes. This roll turned out to be deceptively spicy, and the mango juice came in handy right away. But this was easily the most interesting, and my favorite, roll of the three I sampled.

Finishing off my Kati Roll experience, I tried the Chana Masala. I kind of expected smashed or at least chopped chickpeas, but for the most part whole chickpeas coated with Indian spices dotted the roll. Quite a savory experience, plus a bit messy, and it brought the heat as well.

Just as we had decided to move on to our next destination, the DJ introduced the Brown Boys, who had written a parody of a recent song, entitled “Kati Roll Tonight” in honor of the evening. As the two strutted their stuff, I tried unsuccessfully to snap clear photos of the act. In person it was fun, I assure you.

Happy Hour runs from 4:00 to 6:30 at the Midtown location, and heck, $2 off a roll when you buy it with a beer, or $7 when you buy the featured roll + beer special? It’s rather a good deal when you put it that way.

Please note that my attendance at The Kati Roll Company was courtesy of them and BibiPR. I received no monetary compensation for this review, nor was I obliged in any way to post about this experience, positively or otherwise. This is my own opinion and I feel it was unbiased; you are free to take from this what you will.