Map In My Pocket

Category: Food & Drink

Cafe Review: Bombay Coffee Roasters, Goa

“The Beach is Boring”, proclaims the lone print on the walls of the Bombay Coffee Roasters, Goa. A quiet urban cafe tucked away in a colourful corner, somewhere along the winding lanes of Fontainhas in Panaji (Panjim), Goa’s capital city.

& why would you need a boring beach when you have coffee and wifi?!!!

Well, Bombay Coffee Roasters was originally developed as a kind of co-working space, a hostel and an all day cafe that was designed to cater to the new generation of artists, entrepreneurs and “free spirits”. So, go here for the wifi.

Or even better, go here for breakfast. For this cafe in the old Latin Quarter, serves the best homemade breakfast in Goa.

Bombay Coffee Roasters, Panaji, Goa

Ambience | Design + Crowd

??????????

Lovely in the monsoons. Just the right amount of cosy and quiet to spend a few good hours working, chatting with friends or simply reading with coffee on the side.

Food

????????

Best breakfast in town. Vegetarian friendly. Fresh, homemade and great on taste.

Service | People + Hospitality

????????

Easy going friendly staff who let you be. But, still are warm and helpful.

Value for Money | Price + Experience

??????????

It is an oasis of calm in the otherwise outrageously touristy Goa. Making it like no other cafe in town.

Old Quarter by The Hostel Crowd

Explorers Guide

Timings | 8 AM – 8 PM

Getting There

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d5432.096372358329!2d73.8340090264237!3d15.497840395780234!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x714584ce19c1bf63!2sBombay+Coffee+Roasters!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1534488714582&w=945&h=450]

August 17, 2018
Cafe Review: Artika Cafe Gallery, Pondicherry

A hidden courtyard, swirling bougainvilleas dancing down in the breeze to carpet the floor, walls and doors adorned with graffiti that ranges from cute to edgy; the Artika Cafe Gallery in White Town, Pondicherry truly is a hidden gem.

Sequestered away behind a row of ordinary looking shops, this quiet and low key cafe is more of a local favourite than a tourist hotspot and probably the best French Cafe in Pondicherry. A couple of locals that we had met on our last trip to Pondicherry recommended Artika to us, after hearing of our experiences with the more popular “tourist favourites”. But as it is with cafes in Pondicherry (they are very particular about their timings and don’t usually stay open late or long!), I didn’t get a chance to go to Artika then. So, here I am now.

Artika Cafe Gallery, White Town, Pondicherry.

Ambience | Design + Crowd

?????

Courtyard Cafes have my heart anyway. But this one is a winner because it is artsy without trying too hard. Plus I really liked the abandoned and overrun kind of entrance into the cafe. Like you have stumbled upon something, though beautiful, is easy to miss.

I also loved the feel of the place. Relaxed. The crowd that it draws, seek it, for that too. It surely helps that Artika Cafe Gallery is more an offbeat favourite rather than a mainstream one!

Food

???

They have limited menus on certain days. On the day we were there they were out of both pesto and fries! So, I had croissants and cold coffee. But from whatever little we tried, the food was freshly made and tasted good. So, all in all the decent coffee and buttery croissants – though nothing exceptional – were good enough for me to want to go back.

Service | People + Hospitality

???

Not overtly friendly or over the top warm but welcoming enough for you to make yourself comfortable here at the cafe and even stay awhile. Ideal for those days when you just want to sit down, take it easy, maybe catch up with old friends.

Value for Money | Price + Experience

???

Mid Range cafe, you can get a main dish for less than Rs.300/-. So if it is just coffee and nibbles for two, except it to be around Rs.500/-. Definitely worth the experience.

Explorers Guide

Artika Cafe Gallery

1, La Bourdonnais Street
White Town, Puducherry

Timings: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Closed on Wednesdays.

Getting There: Just three lanes away from the promenade into the heart of White Town, it is easily accessible from the beach.

June 10, 2018
24 Hours in Jaipur

The country’s first planned city, Jaipur earned the moniker Pink City when Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city pink in honour of the Prince of Wales’s visit to India in 1876, for the colour pink symbolised hospitality.

One corner of India’s golden triangle, Delhi – Agra – Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital is an enchanting city, bustling with modernity and yet steeped in tradition and history, that you feel it in the very air you breathe.

Here is a lowdown on how to spend 24 hours in Pink City, the old city of Jaipur.

Breakfast @ LMB

Start your day like a local! Dig into the hot, savoury Pyaaz Kachoris and Jalebi at the iconic Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar, lovingly called LMB, while you wait for the “World Famous Paneer Ghevar” to be packed for you to take back home.

This vegetarian restaurant in the old part of Jaipur, the Pink City as it is known, has been going strong since 1954.

& If you are not up to breakfast then the Rajasthani Thali is surely a must try. For when you are in Jaipur, you cannot not have the ghee laden Daal Baati Churma atleast once.

Hawa Mahal + Johari Bazaar

Hawa Mahal is a paradox. It is at once Jaipur’s – or even Rajasthan’s – most iconic monument and it is also probably its most underrated. For everyone’s visit to this beauty in pink begins and ends with a picture outside it. But you really enjoy it and begin to appreciate its name, Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds only once you are on the inside.

Johari Bazaar, or jewellers bazaar is Jaipur’s most popular shopping street. From silver trinkets to exquisite jewellery set in kundans, precious gems and diamonds, it truly is an experience, even if it is just to take a look at designs that hark back to a regal era.

Lunch @ Rajput Room

Lunch like a royal at Rajput Room, an all day fine dining restaurant in the Taj Rambagh Palace.

The erstwhile palace of the celebrated beauty, Maharani Gayatri Devi, queen of Jaipur, the Rambagh Palace is everything that India is associated with. A palace of marble elephants, Mughal gardens, hand-carved marble jalis (latticework), sandstone balustrades and chattris.

City Palace + Jantar Mantar

The City Palace and the Jantar Mantar, both in the old walled city (Pink City) of Jaipur, located one opposite the other were built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

The city palace is a striking complex of colours, doors and paintings on the wall. Within the palace are the Mubarak Mahal or the erstwhile palace of reception which is now the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum showcasing unique royal costumes with the traditional Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. A section of the palace is still home to the last ruling royal family, while another section houses a restaurant, only lately opened.

Jantar Mantar a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by the Maharaja. A beautiful garden that houses sixteen intricate and extensive geometric devices built in brick and mortar were designed to measure time, track celestial bodies, observe the orbits of the planets.

& Even one dedicated to the twelve zodiac signs.

Dinner & Stay @ Royal Heritage Haveli

The Royal Heritage Haveli has to be my favourite-st hotel ever and I will probably go back to Jaipur just to stay here again. Still owned by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, this 18th century hunting lodge is today a quiet boutique hotel that sure is a ‘tranquil haven of space and luxury to the discerning few’ as they like to call it themselves.

& a candle light dinner under the sprawling tree in the courtyard is just the right bit of romantic.

Explorers Guide

Nearby Places of Interest

Amer Fort + Panna Meena ka Kund + Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
The stunning Amer Fort, sitting atop a hillock and reached by a road traversed not just by your everyday vehicles but also by hundreds of elephants (if that’s your style) is Jaipur’s star attraction.
Along the road up to Amer Fort, stop by at the Panna Meena ka Kund, a small but beautiful eight storeyed step well, complete with the quintessential Rajasthani chhatris at its four corners.
Set up to showcase and sensitise visitors to art of traditional hand block printing on fabrics, the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing housed in a restored haveli under the shadow of the Amer Fort has been making it to the must-visit list of the discerning traveller interested in understanding the artisanal heritage of a place.

I had shot this years ago on a small Sony Cybershot, while on a holiday there with my parents.

Nahargarh Fort
The Nahargarh Fort is famous for its sunset views of the city and the two kilometre trek to the top along with the restaurants here are quite the favourite with locals, come an evening.

Getting Around

Uber is the most convenient way of getting around the city. Book it on Uber Hire and you can get around in comfort and still not burn a hole in your pocket.

Save on the ride, splurge on the stay!

Read Next: 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2017

Pin this story for later

Explore Other City Guides:

24 Hours in Dubai
Sugar Rushed in Hyderabad

January 28, 2018
Eataly: To the Perfect Tiratisu!

Verrina Tiratisu

Home made mascarpone cream cheese with coffee flavoured spongecake topped with cocoa powder.

That’s Eatly’s Tiramisu for you. Hands down the best in Dubai and for me, counted amongst the few memorable ones from all those countless Tiramisus I have ever had!

Just the sight of the Tiratisu (a healthier version of the usual Tiramisu with Soy ingredients) at Eataly, Festival City is sure to cheer you up.

Thats what they mean, and that is what they do! Tiramisu comes from the Italian for ‘cheer me up’ and its new age variation Tiratisu translates to ‘cheer you up’. So let us begin. ?

How it Looks

Overlooking the waterfront, the views from the dining area make for a pleasant meal even on a hot summer afternoon.

& Winter nights are for sitting out.

Main Course

Skip the pasta.
Go Pizza, all the way!

For with the Aglio Olio pasta there was so much to ask for. It was ordinary and tasteless at best. The Pizza Margherita though, was absolutely yum, especially the crunchy crust.

Given that they don’t give you a side of bread with your pasta and even the bread basket that they do provide with at the beginning – “complimentary”, like they will be sure to tell you – has but a few slices obviously counted out, to the person and served.

I was left with no choice but to nibble on the Pizza crust to make my Pasta a tad bit more interesting and enjoyable.

Coffee & Desserts

From a dessert menu that revolves entirely around Nutella to coffee flavours that include Tiramisu, their coffee and desserts are amongst the most loved in Dubai, and rightly so.

So, if you happen to be there but don’t have the time for lunch, do stop by to taste their coffee. They serve illy too.

& how about some Tiramisu to go??

Know of other places that serves great desserts? What is your favourite at Eataly?
Do let me know in the comments below.

Eataly

Level 1, Festival City Mall
Dubai

+971 4 2241 083

Open: 9 am – 11:30 pm (weekdays)
9am – 12:30am (weekends, starting Thursday)

Read Next: I Heart Honey Bears: Le Pain Quotidien

Also Available

From coffee and chocolates to artisanal pastas and ready sauces, you can even shop at Eataly for everything that goes into your full course Italian Meal.

Straight from the restaurant’s Market.

May 27, 2017
Pondicherry, Racist much?

Pondicherry has South India’s most distinctive sub culture. They say if you can’t afford a ticket to Europe, travel to Pondicherry instead. Stroll through the white part of town and be transported in time and place to a laid back French town where cafes cool and inviting are at every turn.

But, just how racist are you Puducheri?

Does the storm water canal that separates the French and Tamil quarters into neat little grids of White Town and Black Town also exist in your mind?

This is Cafè des Arts. It is the most popular Cafe in Pondicherry. Rated #1 on Trip Advisor with a Certificate of Excellence to boot.

Here, Indians are not welcome.

& this is what transpired in the cafe and on Trip Advisor.

“so when we ask you to wait, we are trying to please your comfort”

Completely missed the point did they? Or do the tone, the numbers and the smattering of French point to something now not just obvious but also reiterated and reinforced??

Forget about being “asked to wait”, if only we were even acknowledged.

*Sigh*

We are the same people, the very same Indians who wait endlessly in queues outside the Kamats and Rajdhanis of the world for one simple meal.

Cafè des Arts

10, Suffren Street
White Town, Puducherry

+91 9994481914

Open: 8:30 am – 7 pm, all days except Tuesdays

We were refused a table at Villa Shanti too. It is the next ‘Most Popular Cafe in Pondicherry’. We were told they did not have a table, while we all stood in the foyer, right there in an empty cafe. On our second visit there, as we pushed past the half closed door, we were ushered in with a grimace from the very same head waiter. Well, every other cafe in Pondicherry was closed because of the Jalli Kattu protests going on that day. Though we definitely felt unwelcome and awkward, the food was good and the experience “okay”.

This is the same Pondicherry where Indian citizens were once offered a choice of French Citizenship as an era came to an end. It is the same Pondicherry where old war veterans, till today, turn up on the streets in the full glory of their erstwhile military uniform on Bastille Day every year.

It is also the same Pondicherry that I so love, for in its neat little blocks, self reliance comes easy to a girl who just wants to explore, camera in hand.

February 23, 2017
Goodbye, Dubai

It has almost become a tradition now. Whenever we are flying back home from Dubai we have our breakfast at McDonald’s.

Well, they don’t have the usual fare for breakfast (read no Hash browns ? ), but there is just something about this quiet corner with a view in Terminal 1.

It is never too crowded and as with any McDonald’s the food is served up hot, fresh and quick. Besides they have the Mc Cafe too. While there is open seating easily accessible right behind the Golden Arches on the pillar, I prefer the corner from where one can watch the flights take off.

My only regret is that I saw the Batman after we ordered our food!

Mc Donald’s @ DXB International Airport, Departures, Terminal 1

Everyone has one favourite thing to do while waiting at an Airport. Like my dad loves to have his quick South Indian Breakfast before getting on the flight so he is ready to take on the day as soon he lands! Mine is to have coffee right after we have checked in and found our gate, no matter the time of the day.

Whats yours??

Read Next: 24 Hours in Dubai

November 20, 2016
Hello, Kumbakonam Filter Kaapi.

Who doesn’t love a South Indian Filter Coffee? Ask any South Indian who has grown up with the smell of a fresh brew signalling the start of every morning or a North Indian for who it is as much of a novelty as a Starbucks is to any urban Indian!!

But, trust the Tamilians to add a dash of zest to our plain old filter-kaapi. Served in the traditional tumbler-davara, the fun lies in mixing the strong drip brew with the sweet boiled milk and sipping it with the delicious froth on top. So, along the NH67 from Trichy to Thanjavur when Karthik, our local driver on this trip suggested we stop to taste Kumbakonam‘s celebrated Filter Coffee, we were more than game.

Stepping into Kumbakonam Iyer Kaapi, I was curious and there was that tiny flutter of excitement from expectation (which by the way doesn’t happen that often). From how promising this cafe looked on the outside, it definitely delivered on both how the coffee was and also on the ambience.

Like the classic Remington occupying centre stage at a corner table wasn’t enough for me to fall in love with this place, it came with a map hand painted in tamil on the wall, antique furniture, vintage cameras & radios that recreate a rustic atmosphere for you while adeptly keeping out the wannabe-ness that usually comes with places trying so hard to be different.

I was too taken up by the Coffee to really try anything else but they do serve South Indian Snacks if you are looking for a quick bite on your road trip or are only getting away from the hustle and bustle of Thanjavur. We did pick up some Coffee Powder and Savouries though. :)

PS: I do make a mention of Karthik here because, it was thanks to him that we got to experience a couple more places than what was on our itinerary for Trichy which was in such stark contrast to the clumsy concierge at the Oberoi Udaivilas who along with the guide that they recommended were solely responsible for making our trip to Udaipur – right after – nothing short of a disaster!

& a special thanks to Arjun Gidwani too, for working his magic with the light on some of these phone-shot photographs, specially so on that close up shot of the filter-kaapi. :D

Read More on #InSearchofCoffee:

But, first coffee
24 Hours in Dubai

September 8, 2016
I Heart Honey Bears: Le Pain Quotidien

They call themselves a ‘Bakery and Communal Table’ and you know they take it seriously.

The hum of conversation fills the air, jam is passed around the table and ever so gracefully, time slows.

& that it isn’t just something beautiful to say.

Besides, who doesn’t like being surrounded by Honey Bears?!

The Le Pain Quotidien at Mirdif City Centre is like a cosy corner, where you wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate and slip into a world of your own.

Mirdif City Centre is one of my favourite malls in Dubai. I know it is an odd choice, but it is relatively not crowded for a city centre and functions at its own pace of laid back and for me that is the perfect combination of a place where you can just hang out and do nothing!

& also the fact that almost all of the restaurant chains that I like to frequent have a home here.

Though often overlooked in favour of Paul or Tim Hortons, ‘the daily bread’ stands its own and is surely worth a go when one feels like pausing a while. Not only is the food delicious and the ambience warm, the staff too are friendly and nice. :)

& I totally loved their Praline Chocolate Cake, when I was there last.

Le Pain Quotidien

Level 1, Central Galleria
Mirdif City Centre, Dubai

+971 4 190 751

Open: 7:30 am -11 pm

Read Next: Eataly: To the Perfect Tiratisu!

Discover Cafes in Dubai: #InSearchofCoffee

24 Hours in Dubai
But, first Coffee.

July 13, 2016
Kitchen 6: A King’s Spread

For the good or for the bad, during my time in Dubai, I was not able to go on the two photowalks as planned. So, here I am substituting those with 2 Eatouts instead!

First off, Kitchen 6.

Six, open kitchens. The six live cooking stations in this restaurant at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai are what give it its name and also makes this the most popular destination for lazy weekend brunches and grand buffets.

You will be spoilt for choice – with a spread truly fit for a king – from European Breads to Indian, Asian Woks to Arabic Desserts. and, of course the Middle Eastern Grills, how can one miss out on these, when you are in this part of the world!

& the desserts? What about them??

:D

It definitely is one of the more enjoyable buffets in Dubai, not just because of how much there is to choose from, even for vegetarians but also because of the layout where every table feels like a snug little nook, say as against a buffet in Atlantis where you are too busy jostling with the crowds to really enjoy a relaxed meal.

Kitchen 6 sure is a must try if you are someone who can do justice to a spread like this!

Kitchen 6

Level 1, JW Marriot Marquis Dubai
Sheikh Zayed Road
Business Bay, Dubai

+971 4 414 3000

Open: 6 am – 11 pm

Discover Dining Options in Dubai:

Eataly: To the Perfect Tiratisu!

July 3, 2016
Heart of Green: The Autumn Leaf

You know you are stepping into a Heart of Green right from the time you see this house tucked away in a quite lane off the busy Jubilee Hills Road #36.

The first time that I went to The Autumn Leaf, I wasn’t really taken up with it. My first impression of this Cafe + Decor Studio was ‘wannabe arty-farty’. Add to that, service that could only be termed as daft. It was like a concept had been lifted straight out of the garden city of Bangalore – for the only thing striking about it, was the house and the garden that it was build around and how perfectly they had been brought together – but had fallen flat on its face in terms of transporting the “coolness” of such a cafe.

But, inspite of all that I found myself giving in to the temptation of sitting under a tree on a late – after rain – afternoon, slowly sipping on a Bombay Cutting Chai while taking in all the green. Psst..and if you have been on the look out for some inspiration to recreate a little leafy corner of your own, check this out..https://www.homify.in/rooms/garden.

From the first time to now, over the last month, The Autumn Leaf Cafe has come a long way. Maybe it was just me finding some beautiful solid wood furniture or the round little terracotta Buddha for the garden in their Studio or maybe it was just that from eating waffles plain & rueing my Nutella bottle to coming to actually finding Hummus & Tabbouleh in the Cafe, that was almost there! Whatever be the reason, this Studio + Cafe has surely come around to becoming a definite stop to shop for quirky knick knacks for the home or for a quick bite from their all day breakfast menu, along the way.

& well from all the green to the tiles of the roof, this charming cafe seems to have grown in its appeal not just with me, for on any given day now, you have no choice but to wait for a table!

Discover Cafes in Hyderabad: #InSearchofCoffee

Sugar Rushed in Hyderabad

June 29, 2016
But, first coffee.

Dubai Marina, I Love You.

But, first coffee.

The Starbucks in Marina Promenade has been my ‘Haven of Escape’ for all my time in Dubai.

This is where I would disappear to, without fail, all those late evenings right after classes and early afternoons on the weekend. It is quiet, cosy and has absolutely no crowds. Except for a straggler or two on those rare days. A perfect place to just snuggle with your cup of coffee and chocolate. Ah! Heaven.

Last week I was in Dubai and I found myself retracing those cobbled pathways of memory lane. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun! :D)

This Starbucks, just like the one on Marina Walk, on the other side, commands spectacular views of the Dubai Marina. But, to its credit, remains a secluded cosy corner.

& I have lost count of the number of days I have sat on that bench contemplating life and having ‘deep discussions’.

Discover Cafes in Dubai: #InSearchofCoffee

I Heart Honey Bears: Le Pain Quotidien

December 5, 2015
Sugar Rushed!

5 Eateries. 12 Desserts. A tour of the most delightful desserts in Hyderabad.

As always, I start with my favourites.First on this Dessert Trail, Eatmor at Ohris has been my go-to place, not just for desserts but for everything from fries & sandwiches to 4-course Chinese meals. The meals did happen in a different storey, but nonetheless at the same Ohris.

I have been binging on their Bulls Eye & Awful Awful from when the place was called Havmor & did not have buffet lunches!! Well, that brings in the crowds these days, but that shouldn’t deter you from trying out their shakes & desserts. They are still the best in town.

Here is Eatmor’s version of Death by Chocolate – The Bulls Eye. This one is an everyday classic with soggy soft chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream dripping with hot chocolate fudge.

This was my favourite for 6 years (yes, 6!) till I moved onto Awful Awful.

& then there was no looking back. A tall glass of vanilla ice cream, loaded with cashew nuts & chocolate fudge. Need I say more?

also, that it is a category unto itself!!

After a personal favourite, here comes a general favourite. Second on this list, Concu is Trending in Hyderabad right NOW! This sweetly done up place will make itself your own from the time you step in. A dessert-only place, it calls for indulgence right from how all those different desserts are lined up for you to choose from, to how the ones you choose are set on a wooden platter for you.

A perfect Flat Lay Photo Op, for all those food photographers & Instagrammers!

Well, here is a lowdown of what I liked from all those desserts I tried here over two trips.

Hollywood. Well, that is how it is named! Anyways, a baked american cheesecake that doesn’t taste much like a cheesecake, but has some really quirky toppings like caramelised popcorn and cola flavoured marshmallows which make it intriguing.

The Red Velvet Cupcake. This needs no introduction, Red Velvet is a classic & when it comes in a cupcake, it is a winner all the way.

Sea Salt, Caramel, Chocolate Tart. The one dessert that I will always make it a point to have every time I go to Concu. You wouldn’t be disappointed in this one. It tastes just as compelling as it sounds! Delectable chocolate mousse filling, topped with delicious buttery salted caramel & finished with bits of vanilla chocolate sponge, chocolate & sugar rolls, in a crumble crust.

Third on this Dessert-Trail is Eclairè. I love this quaint & cosy little place, with its very-english tableware that also double up as chandeliers! A small green door under a tree, takes you into this bakery. Furbished in a shabby chic style, it has only 4 tables and I think that adds to its charm. :)

The eponymous Coffee Eclair definitely deserves all the importance it gets! Its gooey chocolate filling, rich with a coffee taste, is just yum

Here are those plates (well, really saucers from the cups used in the chandelier).

Blueberry Cheesecake. Undoubtedly the best cheesecake I have had here in Hyderabad, this ties for the best dessert here with the coffee eclair. It is baked perfectly, down to the tee, or rather down to the crunchy biscuity crust.

Chocolate Macaroon in THE plate. ‘Interesting’ is all I have to say for this one.

Another red velvet dessert, The Red Velvet Tiramisu. Light and delicious, this eggless dessert from Kavanah is refreshing.

Trailing in the booming popularity of dessert-only places in the city, Kavanah opened up recently. But, is more than just a patisserie, with a range of other quick bites, in a place that is large and well laid out. The Chocolate Chunk Muffin is a must try here, purely for the big chunks of chocolate in it.

Their Chocolate Mousse is good too, with a hint of citrus in the creamy chocolate.

and, I end this dessert trail with two desserts from Olive Bistro. The place is fancy no doubt, but the desserts are not too great to taste. These pictures have made it to the list only for the sheer experience of how the Olive Bistro looks! & also because of how they have been designed and presented.

OB’s Insanity Slice, is an ice cream cake with alternating layers of ice cream and cake, topped with rich cream. Sadly, it fails to live up to how it sounds & looks.

Macaroons. Again. Blame Gossip Girl.

That was ME, Sugar – Rushed in Hyderabad!

November 14, 2015