Falooda Ice Cream
Open 7 days a week, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM for Dinner | Found on Facebook and Yelp
SEPTEMBER 2018 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 27
on our experience, the extra time required to prepare the
food is well worth the wait!
Remember the glass refrigerated case mentioned
earlier? This case houses bottles of traditional Lassi and
Mango Lassi, made from scratch at the restaurant. Lassi
is a popular traditional Indian yogurt-based drink that is
blended with yogurt, sugar, and sometimes fruit. Abassi
poured a sample of Mango Lassi for me and my guest. It
was cool, creamy, rich, mildly-sweet, and very delicious.
Abassi generally gives small cups of Lassi to the children
who come to Vegan N’ Chicken, and it is always a big
hit! Sharing the refrigerated space with the Lassi drinks
were individually portioned desserts called Kheer (rice
pudding) as well as another popular dessert, Gulab Jamun
(Honey Buns). The restaurant also offers a third type of
dessert, Falooda Ice Cream. We learned that Falooda
refers to a popular traditional Indian ice cream dessert. My
guest and I both love ice cream, and since we expressed
interest in the Falooda, we were soon each treated to our
own dish of this interesting dessert. Served in small sundae
bowls, the Falooda ice cream includes white vermicelli
noodles, chia seeds, rose water, and syrup, all mixed
together with the ice cream and topped with a cherry!
Ours was made with coconut ice cream, but vanilla and
mango ice cream are also available options. Although it
was a different experience eating noodles with ice cream,
the dessert was sweet and refreshing and very enjoyable.
Abassi also served us a bowl of Gulab Jamun, three honey
balls immersed in a small amount of syrup. He explained
the Gulab Jamun is another traditional Indian and
Pakistani confection, made in-house by mixing Bisquick,
cream, dry milk, cinnamon, and cardamom spice. Having
already eaten so much wonderful food as well as the
Falooda ice cream, my guest and I shared just one of the
three honey balls. It was a rich dessert with an excellent
sweet, yet spicy flavor, and had a dense consistency. Both
the Falooda and the Gulab Jamun are excellent desserts to
partake after enjoying the delicious, spicy flavors of the
traditional Indian and Pakistani entrees.
Abassi and his son and daughter were consummate
hosts during our visit. We were treated to wonderful
food, drinks, and desserts while learning more about their
family and Pakistani traditions. Abassi even took me into
the kitchen to see the clay oven used to make Naan, as
well as to cook many other of the food selections. Even
though being the business owner generally requires him
to work 14-hour days, seven days a week, it is clear
that Abassi loves his work. He told us “You make food
by your heart”, and his heart and passion clearly shone
through to us during our visit. Abassi personally taught
Unzer and Mehik how to cook and they also seem to
have their father’s passion for the business. However,
each is pursuing their own careers—Unzer’s goal is to be
a software engineer, and Mehik’s desire is to become a doctor.
Both will be attending college in the fall, but it is certain that
they will still work with Abassi at Vegan N’ Chicken as often as
possible.
Though the business is small, it is mighty, and also
provides catering options. If interested, contact Unzer Abassi
at (925) 451-4518 for more information. In the meantime, I
highly recommend Vegan N’ Chicken to anyone who loves
delicious ethnic cuisine, is interested in healthy eating, and loves
supporting local small businesses. If you’ve not previously tried
Indian/Pakistani cuisine, you must visit Abassi and allow him to
cook for you. Abassi makes this promise: “If you don’t like the
food, you don’t pay!” However, if your experience is anything
like ours, you will love the food and make plans to return again
and again. Don’t forget to enjoy the free Chai tea and free soup
(fall/winter only), and please take a few moments to say hello
to Abassi.
Unzer, Abassi, and Mehik