Tag Archives: Cafe

12.22.16
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CAFE CRUSH: TREW ERA CAFE,LONDON

Hey, so it is truly the season to be jolly! We hope that you are making the most of this time of the year 🙂 With the World being our stage and a global outlook, we thought it is best to further expand our horizons and without any delay- we should virtually visit some of our favourite places and unravel them well.

This desire took us to London to talk about a fun and buzzing café called the Trew Era Café which has also led us to start a brand new series called the Café Crush where we shall together discover some of the worthwhile cafes from around the World. We are excited, already!!!

We got lucky as despite being such a busy time of the year we got some great deets from their star chef- Michele Kirsch who also confesses to be a general chatterbox. Quite a combination, isn’t it? A pair of magical hands and someone to have hearty conversations with, Michele- we are your fans! She has been with the cafĂ© since its inception in 2015. Now, let us get taking about this cafĂ© and its offerings


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Q: It truly does sound like a great and fun place with much meaning and purpose. Now, let us get talking about what we love the most i.e. food. So, for all sandwich-lovers, please be extra kind and help us add a dash of creativity to our breakfast menus


A: One popular lunch dish is a sandwich of whole meal bread (or white or gluten free) with hummus and char grilled peppers flavoured with sumac-a lovely, slightly smoky but slightly fruity seasoning. Some people add a bit of feta cheese for more protein. Our toasties are very popular too, particularly one made with pesto, tomato and mozzarella cheese. The mozzarella melts really well. We also have a new vegan “cheese” based on coconut. It sounds strange but it actually does taste like cheese.

Q: Here is a quick one, tell us about one popular smoothie of yours, one egg dish and one absolute favourite dessert


A: One of our most popular smoothies is the creation of one of our team members- Gary. It is called- Caribbean Green. It has pineapple juice, ginger, honey, banana, spinach and coconut milk (or an alternative milk or real milk can be used). The recipe is flexible but it’s very popular.

I can’t really say which egg dish is the most popular but we do get lots of requests for egg (scrambled) and avocado. It’s a very nice and nutrient dense meal. We also do eggs with spinach and tomato which is also really healthy. Most dishes come with a generous side salad on request.

We get lots of sweet dishes which are gluten free and/or dairy free but one staple is Kizzy’s cookies which are vegan and brought in by one of our friend’s Kizzy. They are generously sized and go really well with tea or coffee and are a good snack to take away. The most popular flavour is chocolate chip.

Q: Tell us please on what we should and what we should not expect especially when visiting Trew Era Café for the first time


A: Expect a very warm welcome and a very home like atmosphere. The coffee is excellent and very good value compared to other places nearby and we have just about every alternative milk type drink under the sun. We often have music playing and have a little dance. Expect lots of people who have just met to be chatting away to each other like old friends, and delicious soups and stews chock-full of colourful vegetables.

Do not expect to see Russell Brand. He has many commitments and is a very busy man.

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With this cafĂ© giving you a home like feeling, next time around don’t feel lost in London, okay?

Pictures Courtesy: Trew Era Cafe

11.27.14
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Rumbar- For The Tropical Twist

New Delhi’s  Hauz Khas Village is undoubtedly a colourful and buzzing place but for me, there are only a handful places where I would like to go more than just once- simply because these places stand-out for their quality and identity. I have recently been immensely impressed by a place which though not so old, made for a full-house on a Friday night and where people from all age groups where seeming to have a gala time. Yes peeps, the wait and suspense ends here. I am talking about the Rumbar, I reckon it is a kind of a  Caribbean retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, where rum, food and live music are taken as religion.

The place nowhere shows any desperation to try and ape an established name in the vicinity, instead it has a distinctive character of it’s own.The interiors are quite simple but welcoming.  And the owners are quite happy that their guests feel quite at home when at Rumbar.

The story behind this beauty of a place is worth mentioning. The place is owned and managed by two French gentlemen passionate about Creole food and music. The idea for Rumbar, came into being after the success of the famed “Rose Aepritifs” which hosted Afrobeats live acts every Saturday night at The Rose – a charming bed and breakfast cum art gallery tucked away in the interiors of Hauz Khas Village. It is an extension of that passion – a love for the tropical beat, where mixed cultures come together under one roof.

The menu here would get your taste buds instantly excited. And believe me, you would have a sudden urge to try just about everything on offer. I  had quite a worthy meal during my first visit. To begin with, we ordered Accras Antillais which are Cod Fish Fritters that came with some salad and salsa(their salsa is so so good, that you would keep asking for a repeat). Also, a vegetarian dish was added to the table as next came the Green Papaya Gratin.  With a tasteful commencement to our outing, I was quite looking forward to the main course. Boys and Girls, I have to share that their homemade Ravioli is  one of the lightest I have ever had. Also, if you are a Risotto lover, there is no way that you can give it a miss here.

And for those who would like to take it further, worry not- there and burgers and sandwiches as well.

The dessert offerings are also rather tempting. We opted for their Fruit Burger. Yes, you read it right 🙂 The dish has got crunchy biscuits with layers of caramelized apples and fried mashed bananas, then the basil and strawberries add the punch and twist to this divine delicacy.

It is one of those happy places which lifts you higher after a packed day of running around. I certainly would want to be a regular for everything is how I would like it to be- the food, the decor and the music-I just loved it all.

Wishing happiness,

Sonali

01.18.14
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Cafe Crush in Kolkata

Though one has heard enough but it was time to see it and experience it as well. Christmas is big in Kolkata, agreed! The city is soaked in colours and frenzy. It is a sight which cannot be missed, wherein on the Christmas Eve you feel the whole city has actually landed up at the happening Park Street. The music, the warmness and the festivity were undoubtedly impressive. Though one has visited the City of Joy enough number of times but this trip in December was surely memorable.

I always fancy the idea of cosy cafes and this is one concept which I strongly feel should have been taken way more seriously in our country.However, the good news is that this time around I happened to hop into few rather charming cafes which have cropped up in Kolkata. With no frills attached, these cafes are just perfect places to unwind,for catch-up coffee sessions with friends or even for times when you are on the wrong side of your mood swing 😉 Yes, it would be refreshing to just walk-in alone with a book to enjoy your cuppa. Well, looking for some more company? How about adding some macaroons and cupcakes?

Top favourite Cafes: The Rouge, Mrs. Magpie and Paris Cafe… Here is a sneak peek…

@ Paris Cafe

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@The Rouge

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03.15.12
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The High of Hauz Khas Village


We have to say that if a village can turn so funky and exciting, then let’s all turn villagers! This place has been revamped to such a degree that you wouldn’t even recognize it especially if you’re entering this space after a couple of years.

If you belong to the new school of fun-tainment, whose idea of an evening isn’t just restricted to getting squashed at an over-hyped club, then you are sure to fall head over heels in love with this place.

Simply put, this place is unconventionally good. We think of this place to fall in the category of parallel cinema as opposed to popular cinema. And we all do like some substance in our films, don’t we?

Just last evening, both of us decided to explore the by lanes of this vibrant complex. And trust us; it was as if we were unraveling some mystery. With every turn, we found something interesting.  But you need the willingness to appreciate everything that comes across as a piece of art!

There are a myriad shops selling stuff that you’ll seldom find in any of the so-called happening markets of the city. From film posters to organic fashion, this market has it all.  The highlight of this place sure has to be its cafes. And you’ll actually sense the laid-back attitude in the air only.  You would find it hard to digest that even in a city like ours, people here are in no rush; they are willing to just sit in the same position while reading a book or getting engrossed in some deep conversation.

While the relatively known spots like Kunzum, Amour, Out of the Box, Gunpowder and The Living Room are usually packed, it is some of the newer spots that’ll sure draw your attention as well.

Gun Powder

Kunzum Travel Cafe

OUT OF THE BOX

Situated in one extreme of the complex are places like The Grey Garden and NOX. After quite a walk through the whole market, we finally decided to put aside all the stress and raise a toast at NOX. This only a month old place makes you feel so much at home that you actually don’t give a damn as to who’s listening or watching! The place is simple and so-not in your face and sometimes that’s exactly what you want! And not to miss, we ladies even enjoyed the popular tracks they played as we were gorging on some Ravioli. We’ll reckon that if you’re looking for some secluded serenity, then this might just meet your requirement!

Hey, so think less and soon just drop-in to HKV and who knows you might just bump into the SOUL SISTERS 🙂

Image courtesy:

Second image (Gunpowder)- http://www.facebook.com/gunpowderkitchen

Third image (Kunzum Travel Cafe)-  Katharine Sidelnik/ http://www.theindiatube.com

Fourth Image (Out of the Box) – http://www.facebook.com/outoftheboxhauskhas