Walking in to the Caara Café, which opened at The Gallery at the British Council this past week, I was happy to note that the few tables (five tables seating four each) were spaced at a reasonable distance from one another: perfect for working on a laptop or meeting a business associate or friend. A pleasant and open space, it looked like a Scandinavian cafeteria, thanks to the white minimalist furniture and the photo exhibit in the gallery in the midst of which this café is lodged. You order at the counter and your food is delivered at the table.
The good stuff
We started with a BBQ Pulled Pork Panini (Rs.260). It was filled with caramelized onions and melt-in-the-mouth pork. A delicious combination, which worked well to get us warmed up. We decided to offset the meat with a Super Food Salad (Rs.350). It was served in a cardboard pastry box and was filled with pumpkin, broccoli, a generous smattering of raisins, fresh pomegranate seeds and almonds, topped with feta. We nibbled at it throughout our meal. We were surprised, though, that no plate came with it. They also serve a range of cold-pressed juices (Rs.150), which are quite the rage in Delhi these days.
The not-so-good
All the sandwiches were dry and looked sad and old. We tried the Coronation Chicken (Rs.250) and couldn’t get beyond a bite. The romaine lettuce was wilted and there was more bread than filling. In fact, the filling was measly. The Falafel Wrap (Rs.220) failed the test as well. It had no flavour and appeared as if it had been made 12 hours earlier. The Hot Chocolate (Rs.130) was basically milk with some chocolate powder. Utterly dismaying.
Caara might work as a regular neighbourhood coffee place; the menu seems a tad more upmarket in ingredients and concepts but falls way short on taste and execution. However, it will have a captive audience that will use it often, just like one uses a convenient Barista.
Talk plastic
A meal for two (two sandwiches, one salad, one wrap, two beverages) cost Rs.1,215.
Caara Café, 8am-8pm (Mondays-Saturdays) and 10am-6pm (Sundays), British Council, 17, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Connaught Place.
