Some Like it hot

Staying indoors during the rains can be just as much fun as a bright sunny afternoon spent at the pool all you need is a steaming hot cup of coffee, a delicious snack and these vibrant city cafes that take very seriously the task of making the experience worthwhile, tell you what else. While a decade ago ‘coffee’ in the city meant an uncomplicated brew at ‘India Coffee House’ or ‘Koshy’s’, today with beverage chains world over redefining coffee culture, television shows and films romanticizing the experience, elements like slower paced gourmet service and stylish decor have all found their way into the lifestyle of the city’s ‘cafe au laiters’. “Monsoons have this way of making me nostalgic and always bring back memories of college. Chitchatting and gossiping with a group of friends over cappuccinos with whipped cream is my idea of a perfect rainy evening”, says Reshma Rai, a Customer Support Executive with Standard Chartered. “Sipping on a flavoured cappuccino with lots of chocolate reminds me of two of my best buddies and all the great times spent with them at various coffee shops. Services like Wi-Fi and free internet being offered at these places means always being connected and never being alone”, says Sonali Pimpare a Software Engineer, with VSimplify who has just moved to the city. “A cup of Caramel Sin is my way of unwinding”, says Sonali.M a Hardware Engineer with HP. The monsoons have their own sweet, time tested connection with the much loved beverage and it’s that time of the year when a city is defined by its coffee shops and this city is definitely defined by these coffee shops. Café Thulp No 998, 1st main, 1st block, Koramangala, Bangalore. Details: 08040933344 If their cheerfully coloured walls, a game of Monopoly or cozying up in a corner with a best seller (they have a decent collection of classics and contemporary novels) doesn’t up your spirits on a murky afternoon, their succulent burgers or delightful coffees definitely will. “The mother of all moos, our beef burgers (Rs 450) are particularly popular”, says Padma Kumar Pillai, the café manager. Foam on the range, (Rs 50) is his coffee pick. Café mocha No 577, Kalyana Mandapa Road, 80 feet road, 8th block, opp Bethany high school, Koramangala, Bangalore. Details: 08030224711 Raindrops, roses and red wine sheeshah is the equation for a perfectly romantic date at this Arabian themed café that needs no introduction. To split with your buddies there’s always Keema Ghotala and Maggi with white sauce. When the weather is a little too delightful to get work done some Irish coffee should see you through at this Wi-Fi enabled zone. Bistro Claytopia No 318, 6th Main, 2nd stage, Indra Nagar, Bangalore. Details: 08041323394 Your skills could range anywhere between artistic excellence and amateur finger painting, but with a juicy lamb burger (Rs 149) and cup of bistro caramello (Rs 85) to go with clay painting means a burst of colour even on the gloomiest of days. Their colours are non toxic which makes it possible for you to eat while you paint. “Ceramic pieces are priced from Rs 220 to 600. We return the painted pieces to our customers after a day or two once they’ve been glazed and fired”, says Zalmon, the manager of this charming studio cafe. Café de Verve No 3140, 7th main, 2nd stage, Indra Nagar, Bangalore. Details: 080 41161316 As the clouds cast their spell, you could fine tune a Power Point Presentation over cups of café latte or face book with a scrumptious panneer sandwich in hand at this internet café that plays great music. Gustoes No 10, College Teachers HBCS, Banashankari, 3rd stage, Bangalore. Details: 080 26796098 This gallery café definitely has a lot more than just coffee to offer on a rain soaked evening. “We display works of young artists and photographers and as for alcohol we have limited ourselves to serving wine”, says Ashwin, the proprietor. Discuss art over a round of pool or lounge on a bean bag as you catch the action on their big screen. “I have also seen people bring along games like chess and UNO to play here” he adds. 2/3 Café spa No 1/74,36th cross, 26th Main, 9th block, opp HDFC bank, Jayanagar, Bangalore. Details: 08022441353 Indulge in a foot massage (charges range from Rs 30 for 15 minutes) post puddle splashing as you choose between traditional filter kaapi and flavoured cappuccino at this cosy little place. While their menu is limited, their cheese and pepper sandwiches supposedly are popular with regulars. Comics café 3rd floor, Gopalan Arcade (Next to Raja Rajeshwari gate), Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Mysore road, Bangalore. Details: 08028607427 With the hottest Wii games and an extensive collection of Japanese and American comics (over 1500 comics including ones that have just been released in the United States) to choose from this is one place where being geek is chic. Unlike novels that are time consuming comics make for light reading when the skies are over cast and all else is gloomy .They maintain a database of visitors who are intimated the moment latest titles are added to the collection. Matteo coffea No 2, Church Street (Beside NASA), Bangalore . Details: 08043336000 Now this is a place that you head to for some serious coffee education. “Décor, ambience, comfortable couches and good music itself provide a great experience for our guests, so we don’t concentrate on providing other forms of entertainment”, says Partha Sarathy, Manager Operation’s. Their roomy Red Chester couches and coffee (some of the best varieties in the country and others imported from all over the world) are enough reasons to visit this joint that has gained ‘it’ status among the city’s coffee connoisseurs.