Short eats at Coffee World

Coffee World at Eva Mall in Bangalore may be inconveniently located but it has its own secret draw that has hardly anything to do with their menu. Eva Mall (Brigade Road) happens to have the best kept restrooms of all the malls in Bangalore.

But once you are there, Coffee World doesn't disappoint either. The menu has variety for both tea and coffee lovers. If you want to grab a quick bite just pick from any of their freshly made sandwiches. I personally prefer their sandwiches with french bread since panini or the wholewheat bread get too dry sometimes. This is usually followed by an Earl Grey tea pot or two; and sometimes even a hot capuccino on longer visits.

If you have a sweet tooth, chocolate brownies with ice cream or Belgian waffles with cream aren't bad choices either. I wouldn't recommend their cakes though.

In the evenings, the seating outside is a better option. But don't expect service at its best there.

Coffee World's proximity to Inox cinema at Garuda Mall makes it my favourite retreat after movies. Nothing like tearing apart a movie over a hot mug of capuccino or an apricot tea pot with my friends.

[Original pic by B Tal]

End of my Coffee Days

It's all thanks to Cafe Coffee Day(on MG Road) that I am a happy Barista convert today.

Until a year back, it was every day that I headed straight to Cafe Coffee Day (next to Bombay Store) after a hard day's work.

So what has changed? Apart from the service that sucked even in those days, ie. For starters, the capucinno got progressively worse. And their marketing brains got wiser.

Now, I rarely get full change back from them. It comes back with a promotional pack of mint (in lieu of change) and a barely audible mumbled apology. (Note to aforementioned marketing wise men at Coffee Day: I've my own lil strategy to combat that ;)

Then came their own branded packaged drinking water - inconveniently priced against the norm. Followed by the caveat that only medium sized capucinno will be served and no longer the regular size. Plus came the trauma of in-your-face hideously packaged merchandise occupying more real estate. Extracting the life time value of a customer in one single visit seems their motto now.

But there's one thing that they have managed to keep just right. The rich, luscious and gleefully sinful - Chocolate Fantasy. Very toothsome. So when I want to indulge my sweet tooth, I know exactly what to do. Get myself a take away!!

[Original pic by mondoagogo]

Sad demise of Mumbai Masala Sandwich at Brio

For a regular like myself, a new printed menu card only brings bad news. Not only do I have to work harder in finding what I usually enjoy having, but I've to pay more too. For a portion size that has just begun to shrink.

But when Brio at HomeStop printed new menu cards this time, they did more than just touch up the prices. They even changed the recipe for their famous Mumbai Masala Sandwich. For worse. Leaving me with one less thing to order :(

Now when I'm there, I just feast on the hot chocolate. And the yummiest croissants that I 've tasted so far. Thank god for small mercies ;)

PS: Sadly both the tiramisu & teas are avoidable, so opt for coffee instead. You might find delight in the choice of coffee in the menu.

(Original pic by Spo0nman)

tea house

A coffee lover, I was initiated into tea by my best friend. And it started with some practical sessions at a place with the largest tea menu that I've come across in Bangalore yet. If you are a tea lover and have been in Bangalore, Infinitea on Cunningham Road hardly needs an introduction.

Being a regular there, I have tried and tested most of the menu and have come up with my own list of what to order when only the best will do. All the herbal teas are amazing; and are terrific value for money. But if you are ordering the chamomile tea pot, do ask for extra hot water especially if the carafe doesn't look full to you (chamomile tends to soak in a lot of water). Earl grey is another favourite that will never disappoint. And nothing like a plate of piping hot momos while you are at it.

Momos are the star sellers at Infinitea. Of course, if you are a regular visitor, you would notice that the prices are soaring and portion sizes are dipping. Probably, the owners are trying to palm off the cost of renovation to guests. Wouldn't have minded it as much if they would have paid some attention to the washroom as well.

If you like your tea very much, you can even buy authentic and exotic tea leaves and make some for yourself at home. And give the sandwiches a miss if you are a value for money type like me. Order a pasta salad instead.

If you end up there for a meal, Cubbon Fish is worth a try. There's choice for chicken lovers too. And to wash it down? Some green tea perhaps.

PS: In the picture you see my favorite two seater at Infinitea.

(Original pic by Premshree Pillai)

Cappuccino time

If you are strolling down MG Road in Bangalore and looking for a hot cup of coffee there are many choices you have. There's Cafe Coffee Day in front of Bombay Store, there's Java City on the parallelly situated Church Street, or the fashionably bohemian Koshy's up the road. Along with a smattering of more Cafe Coffee Days, Baristas and Coffee Worlds if you are prepared to walk down to Brigade Road.

But if you are looking for a quiet relaxing spot with a view and a delicious mug of coffee to go along with it, my pick would be Barista on MG Road in the Barton Centre Complex. And while you are at it, I would recommend a nice hot Apple Cake to go along with it. (Do insist that it's heated up; you'll get mixed results otherwise.)


PS: I really hope that you'll have the good sense to give Java City, Church Street, a miss. It positively serves the world's most horrible coffee and tea. But if you do land up there, don't miss the Chicken Corn Quiche - which more than makes up for everything.

[Original pic by Voxphoto]