Review of Cafe Boca Grande, Bangalore

At 6.30 am on a beautiful October Sunday morning, when the sky was overcast and the wind was gusty, Sid and I shook off some sleep and hopped on to our cycles for an early morning ride to Cubbon Park. We couldn't have chosen a better day. We returned at about 8ish- finished and famished!

But to expect a nice breakfast place to be open at such wee hours on Sunday is like asking for the moon! Bangalore is lazy on Sundays.

So here's what we did- we actually came home and googled for breakfast places. Had we not found a place, I would have eaten up my precious crockery (joking!).

Enter picture- Cafe Boca Grande.

Google says this place opens at 8.30 am on weekends. So we zipped across to 8th Block, Koramangala, near Bethany High School, all set to devour some English breakfast.

Here are some reactions from me:

First glimpse of the logo- scowl (The designer in me lets out a cry!)

The outside space- "Lucky guy! Sww-eeeeeeetttt" (followed by a whistle).

 As you walk in- Shrug- "It's empty!"

 As I see the posters- "Baaaaddd!! baddddd copywriter. The posters don't make sense!"

 The buffet spread- "Yaa ba da ba dooo! Attttacccckkkkk!!!"

When I actually eat- "Really? Is this the big deal?"

So here's what you get-
The Sunday English breakfast, which is priced at Rs 299, was really averagely, mediocre. I could bet on my beloved macbook that the croissant was definitely 3 days old, as it was this close to going stale. The live omlette counter was a disappointment too-it reminded me of the experience of buying a Subway sandwich in India- where you have to keep asking the staff to 'add more olives, please'. The waffles were offered cold and had to be asked to be heated before being served. The juice was concentrate (Oh! Was it a crime to expect fresh fruit juice?). The only good this was the ready bottled maple syrup. I thought to myself," How wrong can you go with filter coffee?" and lo! The coffee didn't go well with me either and left me with a funny tummy. Luckily, we didn't break our backs, which was quite possible, thanks to the uncomfortable seats.

 To top it all, what added to the disappointment was the sight of the opposite table with plates full of food, wasted. It annoys me to see people waste food, when half our country is starving! And it's a shame that parents do this. I can't expect much from the kids then!

Besides, only Enrique songs gets to be the lucky one a to bug you early in the morning with his songs playing in the background.

We still polished off every speck of food on the plate because we were really famished after the cycle ride, but ask me if I would go there voluntarily, and you will hear me say, "Beda saar!"              

(Credits for pictures: Courtesy- Internet and the Boca website).

Kitsch Mandi, Bangalore

An art fest was organized by Time Out at Pebbles Bar, Palace Grounds in Bangalore sometime in September this year, with a lot of 'hoo- haah'. My husband read about it first and promised to treat me to an arty evening there, since he thought an artyhead like me would like something like this.  On the big day we set out with our cameras in full gusto, eager to get some good clicks at the fest.

From the outside, it looked like a Page 3 fashion mela exploding with lots of arty people from the advertising, fashion and media industry sporting khakhis, jholas, crocs, mohawks and goatees and a lot of art college students who seemed to have come straight from the hair salon. I even saw somebody wearing yellow coloured boots on weird looking clothes!

The mandi was crowded beyong belief, and somehow my local train travelling skills from Mumbai came handy here. The open ground was converted into an exhibition space, with individuals selling items like painted bottles, stoles, earrings, bags, ipad covers and other home- made arty items, all at absurdly exorbitant prices. Like it is said, anything sells in the name of art.

My frown just turned upside down as my eyes were straining to see something unique, special, something that qualifies to be in an art fest. I was reminded of the Kala Ghoda fest that happens in Mumbai, which is several notches ahead, and is the real deal. This one seemed like it was trying too hard and not getting anywhere.

It was one of those places where everyone was there, just to show they were part of the "cool arty industry". Suddenly, the phrase 'all dressed up and nowhere to go' came to my head!

The most meaningless of them all, was the sitting area created in the centre of the small ground, where in the midst of hoards of people moving about, performing on stage, and stalls selling standard stuff, there were people lazing and lying down on mats. (Imagine a traffic jam moving from the either side coz a bunch of cows have decided to sit in the middle of the road). Exactly!

We bumped into a few friends and acquaintances, who were also armed with cameras and tripods, frowning that there was nothing worth capturing. Famished, we moved to the food section on our way out. Apart from chai, there was nothing worth having either.

All in all, a show with all noise and no substance. Major disappointment and no items in my shopping bag and a prior trip to the ATM was totally wasted.

Here are some of the few pictures I took from my camera. The last one is a poster created by Kitsch Mandi for some promos.

Cafe Thulp

Cafe Thulp is a popular hangout not only for college-going teens, but also for young adults with/ wo kids. The bright red colour signage catches your eye instantly. If you walk in, you will find large, chunky tables around, a book rack hosting some comic books, an Enid Blyton collection, board games, etc. The cafe has a comic- book style look, which is very impressive, unique and fun. Somehow, the weird doodle of a pair of eyes and a big nose painted on the wall, is quite amusing too! (See photograph).

While the menu is interesting and the food is to die for, the names of the dishes are devilishly crafted. The menu card serves is definitely an entertainer.  

The only disappointment is the menu card design, which is so cluttered and busy, that you have to struggle to read the description of the food. I almost asked for a Saridon, since I started to believe that I was getting a headache. Finally, I gave up and ordered for something that was marked 'vegetaraian'. Unfortunately, I cannot remember reading the name, but I devoured the food like I've not eaten in ten days! Absolutely delectable. If I remember right, it was mozzarella cheese/ sour cream with aubergine cooked in red sauce with spagetti served with garlic bread, mashed potato and salad.

Here are some pictures I took of the menu card and the food that I ordered, absolutely delicious, mouthwatering and heavenly. I for sure, am definitely going again!

Here are some more pictures I borrowed from the internet as it was too dark to click a picture when I visited (Credits to photographers, I hope you don't mind).

Here are maps for location details from their jarring red website:

Things people do! :)

Spotted this sign painted on the pavement on one of the streets in Bangalore. Got me totally cracked up!

Subah ho gayi maamu!

This post is about a breakfast joint in Bangalore in a place called Malleshwaram. Tucked away into a maze of tiny by lanes is this 'kutti' little eatery called Veena Stores. Once you have their soft idlis, you'll never have idlis elsewhere. You will always find a guy standing with a bucket full of fresh, minty green chutney, in unlimited supply. The sambar and chutney are Jain. No onion, no garlic. Veena Store wadas are crispy and make a 'krrrrr' sounds the minute you bite into it. The 'Kara bath' (upma) and 'Sevige bath' are also popular. And no breakfast is complete without some South-Indian style filter cappe. I always have two filter cappees every time I go there. This place is a discovery by my friend Aditya, who jumps at the name of 'Veena Stores'and swears by it. I remember the numerous times we have impulsively headed off to Veena Stores for a great way to start the day. Every time I go there, I am tempted to ask the shop keeper, "Saar, undo bucket chutney! Yeshtu?" Meaning, "Sir, can I have a bucket of chutney? How much?" A must try. But be there by sunrise, else you might return empty handed and with an empty stomach. Co- ordinates: 183, 15th Cross, Margosa Road, Malleshwaram , Bangalore.

A cooked up commercial for Pepsodent v/s Polo

I woke up in the morning, only to find that there was no water supply today. No bath is ok, its Saturday, but how do I brush my teeth? Idea! I pop in two polo mints and head out of the house and I thought, waaaaitttt...what a 'real- life incident' commercial for Polo! So here I am, first thing in my office, writing the script for the TVC, just for kicks!
Here it goes!

Product: Nestle Polo
Theme: Pepsodent v/s Polo
Date: March 31, 2012
Subject: TVC script


The alarm rings and a 28 year old guy with 'centre shock hair' and boxers sleepwalks to the bathroom.
He stands with his eyes closed in front of the wash basin, runs the tap with his eyes closed and feels the temperature of the water by swaying his hands under the tap. (In fast forward motion, like an everyday drill)


He scowls and opens his eyes. The pepsodent is staring helplessly at him.
He thinks of his meeting and yelps.
Suddenly, he snaps his fingers, jumps and pops a polo in his mouth.

Cut to the meeting. He sits next to a woman.
MVO: "Hi, did I miss anything?".
FVO: "Kaunsa toothpaste?", she asks, ignoring the presentation.
He pulls out a polo and says,
MVO:"Nestle Polo, the mint with the hole" and winks!

Narrator's Voiceover with a product shot: "Nestle Polo, the moth freshener that does not run on water".


Narrator's Voiceover: "Note: This commercial is based on a real life incident and any co-incident with everything dead or living is intentional."

"Raaaaaahulllll, paaani chala jayegaaa"

Today my Pepsodent toothpaste, Neutrogena face wash, Boots shower gel, Surf excel and Vim are on a bank holiday gifted by the Corporation of Bangalore, the occasion being 'No water day!'

Vada Pav mania

Went ballistic after the vada pav we had on the way to Pune. Its like finding water in a desert here in Kannadaland, where idli dosa is life! mmm...vada pavv

Basanti, tumhara naam kya hai?

Dear Blue Dart, my name does not end with a question mark!

Yellow di Gadddii

I walk past this car almost everyday. It's completely smashed. Probably abandoned. Its quite a cool car I think. Has a personality. Not like the usual Honda and Ford which look like they are out of a clone factory. I'd love to buy it and do it up with some grafitti. Totally my kinda car :) Will go hunting for the owner of this car. Even if he doesn't sell it, I'll volunteer to doodle on his car for free!!

Desi lights

Spotted these cover designs on matchboxes that my colleagues use for lighting smokes

Noodaaalss

Ate loads of 'iddy appams' in Kerala. They taste best with vegetable stew. 'Iddy appams?'I asked, when I saw them first. They look like 'iddy noodles', I said :)

Santa knows it all

I like it when i'm addressed with my new nick name :)

What would you like to bathe in today?

Roadside masala

Spicy pepper, rock salt and red chilly powder sprinkled on fresh cucumber and pineapples, cut into chunky pieces = Jannat :)