It was in the heart of the town. And people loved to meet under its roof and within its cosy environs. It was one of the few favourite places of Doonites in the 1970s and 80s.
Even up to the late 90s, it maintained its pride of place in this valley of Doon. It was in a prime location and when the gods of development descended upon our little town, their eyes fell upon it soon enough and the result was that it had to give place to other, more profitable, ventures. It closed down in 2008. But all old Doon residents miss it greatly to this day as each one of us have fond memories associated with it.
I am speaking of the old Kwality restaurant on Rajpur Road.
In our valley, the old order is changing rather fast to give place to the new, taking away with it places and buildings that had been known as the valley’s landmarks, making it the cosy and content place it was well-known for being.
Doonites have seen dramatic changes in the past few years after the city was made the interim capital of the State of Uttarakhand. Some changes have gone down well with them while, some have taken away places which had become synonymous with Doon. Kwality was one such wonderful place, well-loved by the residents of Doon.
In April, 2008, it formally took leave from Doonites. like a dear, old friend, it quietly left, unable to deal with the rapidly changing city and its so-called “development”. In its place has come up a renowned jewellery showroom.
Kwality seemed to have been dying a slow death for five years before it finally closed. It was sold by the family which had started it in the mid-forties. It changed hands a few times and finally was closed down.
Though Kwality has been gone now for six long years, we still cherish the fond memories of the mornings spent there over coffee and the evenings which we used to look forward to for the nice samosas, the great tea and the serenity. Kwality samosas were full of fresh green peas and milky white pieces of soft paneer. And there were hardly any spices in them. They were indeed a treat!
Several generations of Indian Military Academy (IMA) Gentlemen Cadets, who are now retired or serving officers of the Indian Army, will always look back with great love on their days spent at Kwality in Doon. It was an important symbol of the city, which is now changing its face radically.
Not only the GCs but also several generations of Doscos (Doon School boys) had looked at this comfortable and informal restaurant as a cosy corner where they could spend their day out with parents or local guardians and take back the famous Kwality (butter) toffees with them. Mrs Indira Gandhi used to bring Rajiv and Sanjay from the school and treat them at Kwality.
Probationers from the lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration specially came down from Mussoorie to Doon to spend their off-days, chatting and having coffee at the restaurant.
When guests came to stay with us, my parents always took them to lunch or dinner to Kwality. That was the greatest honour one could give them. Kwality meant class, comfort and quality food.There was no other place that could match it in those days. There were hardly any other good restaurants or cafeterias in Doon. Only after it became the capital of the new State did these kind of places begin to mushroom. But Kwality had a charm which none of these can match. It gave one a special feel.
Even the Kwality restaurant in Mussoorie, a landmark of that hill station, has now given way to Café Coffee Day. losing Kwality in Doon and Mussoorie has been like losing one’s very dear, old friend. People in Doon and Mussoorie often hopped into Kwality for a coffee and a pastry, taking along clients or friends.
Today, Doon is brimming with eating places.You name it and we have it. But the place which Kwality had in our hearts cannot be filled. Though the Kwality Motel is still operating, it cannot
compensate the loss of the restaurant, which was equally popular among locals and tourists. Its lovely couches, its old world charm — nothing can be matched. Old Dehra is dying a not so slow death. With Kwality, a part of Doon’s soul left us.