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We believe that food is one thing that connects people. We love to serve gourmet food made fresh, out of our kitchen,” begins Parvez Nowrojee, speaking of his cozy, little Italian/European Café  Pasticcino which opened in Gurgaon in October 2018.                .
This eatery has a rustic yet contemporary French café ambience. The minimal interiors are characterized by green and white walls and furniture made of natural wood amid plants and blossoms. An inviting bookshelf corner, menu displayed on chalkboards, a desserts counter and  familiar 1980s-90s English music playing in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The easy ambience is conducive to sitting, reading and eating. Many officegoers enjoy relaxing at the Café before heading back to work or to their homes,” explains Suruchi Sharma, business partner of the Café. The 24-seater restaurant has its kitchen with modern equipment on the upper floor and employs eight talented chefs.
After four decades of experience in senior management, customer relations and sales, on retirement, Nowrojee teamed up with his colleague at work, 29-year-old food enthusiast, Sharma, to begin the joint venture in Gurgaon’s market area. She has an innate love for cooking, baking and a diploma in patisserie and French cuisine. A motivational speaker and human resource professional, she gave up her corporate career to launch Café Pasticcino with her "father figure” and family friend of decades, Nowrojee.
The Café’s interactive food menu boasts authentic Italian/European dishes such as lasagna, lamb roulade with rosemary, eggplant parmigiana, beer batter river sole fish and chips, tri-mushroom ragout, thin crust pizzas, spaghetti carbonara, berry and bean salad, grilled chicken with quinoa Greek salad, their in-house artesian sourdough and other breads, sandwiches, wraps and burgers. The vegetarian double cheese spinach and corn burger vies with the unique kimchi and chicken burger — deliciously plated in substantial portions. "Our kitchen is accessible to customers. We focus on authentic, freshly cooked food made with olive oil and quality ingredients to deliver a homely Italian/European flavor,” adds Sharma.
Signature Belgian waffles loaded with fresh fruit compotes, dark chocolate and ice creams are also favorites at this restaurant. Nowrojee’s childhood fascination for good coffee, tea and breads that emanates from his growing up years in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, is visible on the beverage menu that lists specialty coffees, fruit, flower and herbal teas, fruit based smoothies, icy and soda pops, American freak shakes and bubble tea.
 "We are usually full house on weekends,” state the entrepreneurs. Nowrojee’s teenaged son Yaosh entertains guests with music on festivals and special occasions, adding a unique charm to the specially curated menu. He proposes to pursue his college education in psychology and music and is interested in graphic design as well.
Nowrojee represents the sixth generation of the family owning the store Nowrojee and Sons established in 1860 in McLeod Ganj. His late father Nauzer had invited the Dalai Lama to live in Dharamshala. "The landmark store was a general merchant and custodian for wine, chocolates, cheese and groceries for the British in the hill station. The Nowrojee family was also the first to manufacture soda water in north India and introduced ginger ale, ice cream soda, lemonade and aerated beverages, handmade with essences sourced from Glasgow. The 159-year-old store is preserved in McLeod Ganj by Parvez and his brother Kurush, a planter by profession, based in Calcutta.

 

 

 

 

Born in 1954 to Mani and Nauzer Nowrojee in picturesque Dharamshala, Parvez was educated in Punjab and then pursued a diploma in refrigeration and air conditioning in Bombay. He joined a British company, Rentokil in 1976 and was posted in Iran from 1976-79. When the revolution broke out in that country in 1978-79, Parvez had to return to India in January1979 and joined Pest Control (India) Private Limited. He was transferred to Delhi in 1986  and recently retired from service after a distinguished innings of 40 years.
Parvez is married to Keity, a non Parsi who has embraced Parsi culture, traditions and cuisine wholeheartedly. She is a homemaker and also manages a consultancy service assisting corporate heads. "Keity is an excellent cook and helps with our baking orders on extra load days,” acknowledges the proud husband.
The seed capital for Café Pasticcino came from the personal savings of the two partners. "A friends team turned into a lucrative business partnership,” is how Parvez describes this venture. "As we are present to personally attend to our guests throughout the day, domestic responsibilities take a backseat for the present,” he confesses. "We visit corporates to market our Café and also use social media to promote our belief that good food is to be shared,” Sharma reveals.
Quizzed on their future plans, the partners say they propose to open more outlets in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Parvez believes that Parsis make good business leaders and have the genes for entrepreneurship. This acumen, coupled with their affable temperament, honesty and sincerity towards work and service translates into a solid reputation.
Parvez’s childhood involvement in his family’s retail business honed his natural ability to source ingredients and fresh vegetables. As he supplied quality cakes, breads and cheeses to customers in his youth, he developed a taste and palate for fine foods, which serves him well  in his business today.
"I am very blessed to be born into a Parsi family,” states Parvez, proud to continue "the legacy of my forefathers... Zoroastrianism is an amazing religion. Our simple religious philosophy, freedom and great privileges are truly noteworthy. Charity and goodness are inherent in Parsis. Caring for our staff, customers and guests comes naturally to us.”
Café Pasticcino is located at N-2, Qutab Plaza, DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon-122002; Instagram: Cafepasticcinoindia; Facebook: CafePasticcino India; tel: 9810047746.