Beckoning all tea aficionados!
Bangalore is full of surprises. And many times, it pays to try out a new place all by yourself, and not go by popular opinion.
One such place that we discovered was Infinitea on Cunningham Road. If you are a tea lover, this is the place for you. Actually it’s pretty strange. I know lots of people who know this place. But for every person who knows about it, there are ten who don’t!
Infinitea has it all. Friendly staff, lively ambience. Cozy corners. Low sofas with sparkling glass-topped tables. And a menu with a dazzling variety of teas! And of course, tempting eats to go with the tea!
The place is very interesting. The walls are full of witty, punny, interesting posters extolling the virtues of tea. Even your little round paper tea coasters have, written on them, quotes about tea by famous personalities.
The varieties of tea in the menu is a tea-lover’s delight. There are exotic teas from all over the world. You have green teas, white teas, and our very own Darjeeling and Assam tea — served withOUT milk and sugar, mind you — ohhh the horror of mixing milk and sugar with tea!
Of course, if you are the kind who thinks that tea is not tea without milk and sugar, you have some good choices too, for e.g. Masala chai.
Feeling too hot for a steaming pot of tea? Then you can have iced tea, of course, flavoured with lemon or peach or cranberry or ginger, or what have you.
Hungry, but not too hungry? You can go in for Momos, with a red, spicy hot sauce. Slurp! [After having eaten delicious momos in Darjeeling, I scoured Bangalore for a place that served momos, and this is the first one I found. I started frequenting it just for the momos, and it was only then that I woke up and discovered that the teas are so good!].
Feeling a little “Inglees”? You have hot buttered scones to die for. [As I write this, I feel like dropping everything and running right over to Infinitea.]
Chatted for so long that you are hungry, but are too lazy to step out for a bite to eat? Then you have a selection of main courses too – delicious, of course.
Infinitea is perfect during the weekdays. You can choose a comfortable corner and have a nice long chat over a pot of tea and momos. And oh! I forgot to tell you how the pot of tea is served!
The waiter comes to your table with a glass pot of hot water, and a small container of tea leaves. He sets the pot on the table, drops the leaves in it, stirs it and closes the lid. Then he produces with a flourish, an adorable hourglass, which he proceeds to turn and place on the table. You just have to wait until all the sand finishes flowing – and then you can proceed to strain your tea, using a convenient little tea-strainer, and pour it into your little white cup. No milk, no sugar. Just plain, fragrant, delicious tea. Take the fragrance in, and put your lips to the cup, and get transported to heaven.
Ah, bliss!
If this sounds interesting, call +91 80 51148810, or just hop over to #2, Shah Sultan Complex, Cunningham Road, Bangalore.
And don’t forget to tell me how you liked it!
Anita – this used to be a popular joint for me and my wife till she decided to drop tea for a while (pregnancy and nursing time!). I have continued my tryst with Infinitea. I have Saffron Tea at home which I bought here. On a nice Sunday afternoon, my wife brews me a pot that I sip over while I read the Sunday papers. What else could you ask for?
BTW, did you taste that Pennerose Tea? (Did I get the name right? It is something similar!)
Oops.. typos. First line should read …
“Shruthi – this used to be…”
Rubic_Cube: No, haven’t tried that tea! Now I know what to take next time :)
Yup, it was the favourite haunt of mine and my husband’s too – before we were married! Now, it is too out of the way for us to go regularly. But we do owe a visit very soon. I miss the place :)
Even I have been here courtesy my french class friends – and I love it. Oh yes, you feel so part of the snob crowd ( ina nice way of course!) when the tea is served in such a “propah” manner – the teas are lovely and so are their tea cups and tea pots. My only complaint about the place is that it is too cramped – can’t be helped if you want more people to enjoy the pleasure of good tea!
Usha: Yeah, you are right about the place being cramped – that’s why I feel that it’s best to go on weekdays. There aren’t many people, and you have a lot of breathing space, and of course, better attention :)
“Part of the snob crowd”, huh? Just wondering whether that makes me the snob crowd ;)
one of my favourite haunts, usually before or after class! and being a tea person, of course, quite ideal since they have such a huge selection. i also like the momos, the pastas (the servings being generous, i hate teeny weeny portions!) and the fritters. okay, these food posts are making me really hungry!
USHA: as reena would put it, we are cool peoples giving 2 hoots about snob peoples! we only want good food and tea, i say :)
Anita: Just reminds me how long it’s been since I visited the place! And about these food posts making you hungry – Remember, you asked for it ;)
And oh, Reena sounds really sensible, huh? :)
Shruthi: Tea is well, not really my cup of tea(as opposed to coffee) but still, am game and so will check out this place too! Thanks for the info!
Ravi: Yes, do check it out anyway, at least for the eats! :)
Anita, I meant “snob” in the way Mme.Vidya would say- you know the cogniscenti stuff!
Shruthi, Oh yes reena is one of most sensible “peoples” u would find and she’ll have you in splits.
Ravi, Having seen the way you rejected the tea and Koshy’s, YOu will certainly not like the tea at infinitea but yes try the pasta and momos.
Hey Shruthi, thats a very good review…… Seeing the number of foodie posts on here makes my mouth water. Was wondering if you or any of your blogmates here could do a review of a really good Chinese eatery I’ve been to a couple of times in Bangalore. It may not be highly upmarket but it had some really delicious food and was always crowded both times I was there. The name of the place is “Rice Bowl” and I think its on Lavelle Road (hope I got the spelling right). Another good joint that comes to mind is Indiana off Brigade road. Very very nice burgers and rolls there for laughable prices. LOL…wonder what you must be thinking about my eating habits by now seeing all this interest in food!!!
Usha: Heh heh :))
Sachin: Thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t been to either one, actually :) But I do know where they are. Oh don’t worry, one foodie can easily understand another!