Jatra
Jatra loving Kathmandu has a new jatra to celebrate these days. Its jatra everyday at the jatra caf� in thamel. If java is sandwiched between starbuck’s and Nepali chiya pasal, then imagine a place sandwiched between a top-notch Italian restaurant in Manhattan and your favorite momo pasal. yeah, you got the picture right.. yeah, its what you just visualized. If you are looking for a “east meets west” kind of place in Kathmandu, then head straight to Jatra—opposite of the famous Helena’s Bakery Caf�/ a minute’s walk from the roadhouse and right next to the AGFA studio.
Want to have a drink or get drunk at the only bar in town with a tree? A shot of Kalbhairav to give you Bhairav’s strength to drink more or a shot of Martini to bring out the James Bond in you (Come on, not many of us can resist this temptation)? If hard liquor is not the beverage of your choice, what about some tato tato momo and chiso chiso beer at the dining room, while spending hours and hours trying to figure out what exactly you are looking at on those abstract paintings that greet you everywhere at Jatra. If you are allergic to alcohol, what about Columbian Coffee or Nepali Chiya to keep you warm while you make plans for the day/evening? If you are simply looking for a place to be alone, think and let your imagination run wild (or sober), Jatra is the place to be.
Jatra customers:
1. Teenagers
2. Professionals
3. Expatriates
1. Unlike Java teenagers, Jatra teenagers seem to be more down to earth and connected to the reality. There are sub-groups within this group:
a) Lovebirds These people head straight to the main dining hall. These people tend to occupy “nepali-sitting arrangement” (very similar to the sitting arrangements you see at authentic Japanese restaurants in DC and elsewhere in the world). Cross legged and hands resting on the low table, these lovebirds sit there for hours listening to each other and at the same time get their weekly dosage of momo and coffee (and in rare cases marpha and sukuti).
b) Groups: Teenagers come here to celebrate their birthdays. The groups usually have 8-12 members (most of the time its either girls only or guys only group). These people occupy the big table at the center of the main dining hall. This “celebration” group is seen there from 5-7:30 PM (max). If it’s a girly group, then they order wine.. If it’s a Band of Brothers, then beer, beer and beer keeps on coming. Some members of these groups are coooool because they smoke. The chosen cigarette brand of the band of sisters is Surya lights or Marlboro lights, whereas brothers tend to go with Shikhar and Surya Regular.
2. Professionals: These people come after 5-6 and sit in the terrace. The dinner menu is created to provide these over-worked under-paid young professionals of Nepal their daily supply of 4000 calories. Who can resist the temptation to eat tummy fettuccini, ravioli or lasagna with beer/brandy/whiskey after a hard day’s work while listening to the 1974 AD (the official band of Jatra’s) and looking at those teen-agers having fun? Can you? I can’t. Don’t forget, the feeling you get by talking politics with your friends who do not seem to challenge you is PRICELESS!
3. Expatriates: Expatriates seem attracted to Jatra because of its location, the set-up, food that you can eat without fearing to wake up sick the next morning and the abstract paintings. Note, these are expats, not your regular $1-thamel-tourists (these are the people who spend only a dollar a day!!). These expats come here, they prefer the outdoor sitting which probably gives them nostalgia of caf�’s of Europe. They sit there, drink Carlsberg with tacos (drink and appetizer), eat steak for dinner and pies for dessert. (Note: Nepali customers usually satisfy themselves with momo, sukuti and beer and boneless chicken and any of the Italian dishes). These are nice people (or they simply put on the elaborate fa�ade of niceness because they know nepali brothers act first and think later). Old expats are heard giving orientation to the new comers (dude, yeah.. Nepalis have a machine or something that makes them invisible..The other day I was walking in Thamel and I heard a whisper asking me to buy hash.. I looked around and there was no one.. again after 5 mins. I heard the same whisper.. looked around.. and saw no one there so I am pretty sure that these people are not what they seem to be—simple and harmless.. stay alert, be careful…)
Management: 3 young, energetic and friendly Nepalis own Jatra. They make every effort to make your visit to Jatra a nice experience. And because of this friendly management, you see loyal customers who just keep on coming to Jatra.
If you are in town, and want to experience something different, then head straight to Jatra. If you find Jatra different than what I have written let me know, I will take you to any place of your choice (but you have to pay the bill :)
A freak
Next update: Mike's Breakfast..
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