How to spend a rainy day!
The rains are around the corner. And I’m sure many of you are not looking forward to being tied down indoors. I have another perspective. Go out enjoy the rain! Let what happen, happen! Eventually, we’ll all find out way home despite the flooded streets and nallas, the disappearing rickshaws and all the associated problem that comes with the rain!
The Café Fresco sign and the lovely canopy of trees overhead
Well, on a very rainy Sunday evening recently we found ourselves in front of the Hatworks Boulevard on Cunningham Road. It was pouring cats and dogs, but we weren’t deterred by rain. Oh no, we were determined to have a good time and enjoy ourselves and we ran into Café Fresco, the cafe inside the complex.
Those of you who have never heard of the place will be forgiven though. It is so well tucked away that many don’t even give it a second glance when passing that way.
I was one of the many, till someone actually confided that there was this café tucked inside called Café Fresco and that it served great desserts and coffees.
Interiors of the café
The ambience of Café Fresco is very European and outdoorsy. With the rain pouring down and the canopy of trees above, there’s a certain romance to the place. I almost felt transported to Goa!
The café is open on all sides except the roof and it’s a part of an old renovated bungalow, lending to its charm. I haven’t been too impressed with the food till now (the pasta I had once was way too oily and the portions way too small). But the desserts are to die for.
A salad that can you can have instead of dessert. But the latter would be a better idea!
The café has a patisserie which stocks the most delicious sweet things – from a 20 layered cake to blueberry tarts to chocolate fantasy to baklava – there’s something for everybody! (No pics though!). Take a sweet lover with you and just watch as he / she drools!
And wait, there’s more to do. Adjoining the café and in the same complex are a few shops where you can do some lazy window shopping. There’s a jewellery store called One G, where you can pick up some nice costume jewellery (ladies, hope you’re paying attention here!). Then walk across and pick up a pretty ethic saree / salwar kameez from next door and some attractive home furnishings for your house. There’s a lot of shopping you can do inside this small complex. And then you can wander back into Café Fresco again for another round of coffee.
So it’s a great time for some lazy Sunday meanderings, coffee and a sinful chocolate fantasy. And after that, get out, and get wet. again. It’s not the worst thing that could happen to you!
(*Pics taken with mobile camera so please excuse the quality)
ahhh…miss bangalore.. !!! there is another cafe that i visited on my last trip to blore.its near cmh road indiranagar..has an ambience like the one above..and serves yummy gateaux..:-) and i still cherish the memories of banana cakes @ cafe paradis .. amidst french lesson recesses!! do you remember??
I’ve been to Cafe Fresco’s …Agree the outdoor feel transports one to Goa…But, then the food for HORRIBLE…O Yes we did have desserts…& I believe they get the desserts from some other place….otherwise I feel this is a hyped up place.
If I wasn’t told otherwise, I would have assumed from the photos that this restaurant was in Portland, Oregon or Seattle.
Strikes another blow against those who say that B’lore isn’t cosmopolitan. :)
(Knowing that I probably just started a firestorm with that comment….) ;P
-Robert
@ raegan: i think you might be talking about herbs and spice? it’s got nice desserts too. of course, i remember! it hasn’t been that long! totally miss all those great times at alliance! especially banana cake during breaks…
@blr_girl: yes, did mention that the food isn’t great shakes. but i really like the whole ambience of the place and the old worldly charm of the bungalow!
@ robert: well, i’d say that bangalore is an amalgamation of everything – cosmopolitan, local, regional flavours – and it’s experiencing all sides that makes living here all the more interesting!
yaad aya.!! its called CakeWalk..its very close to cmh and 100 ft road crossing.. serves some really nice cakes ..even the chocolate doughnut was awesome..!! ambience is neat..
needless to say..- do take your camera along to click the yummmm stuff..
well i am happy to hear that you still cherish those times..!do write some time to me..
n if you ever write about chocolate fudge and its craze in bangalore – do keep lakeview’s sizzling sundae..and marble cake of casa piccola in your mind.;-)
Ah, felt all Sunday-ey and laid back as I read this…indeed lazy Sundays have always been part of the Bangalore experience, whether it is at Fresco’s or, as it used to be, appam and stew under the huge trees at Victoria Hotel, where Bangalore Central now draws the crowds…