For those who like to dabble in a variety of flavours from across the globe, Cafe We is a good bet, says Ayushi Sharma
The ambience is laid-back yet chic with red chandeliers encasing candle-like lights hung over the tables, grey-coloured, cemented walls, lined with antique paintings, huge French windows dipped in black. From the jet-setters in need of a few moments of solitude, writers and artists looking to gather their thoughts to intimate dinner dates with the beloved, the quintessentially French Cafe We in Sultanpur suits everyone. The only sore point was the furniture with its black and white tables paired with orange and brown chairs, which were far from impressive.
But then coming down to what I was here for, food, I decided to begin with Bruschetta and ordered two different toppings. The first had smoked jalapenos, mushrooms, fresh corns, bell pepper and cheese and the other was topped with olives, marinated tomato chunks and creamy mozzarella and basil pesto. Served in a rectangular black-coloured tray, the presentation seemed appealing however, the one with the mushroom topping missed the mark and that is despite the fact that I love fungi. It was merely bread that tasted like mushrooms without any other flavour and that was where the dish faltered.
Next up was the Louisiana Way, a sandwich filled with cajun-styled cottage cheese, bits of grilled veggies like capsicum, red and yellow bell peppers, lettuce and some garlic mayo. The sandwich, soft inside-out, served with French fries, was like a blast of flavours in my mouth which were perfectly balanced. The grilled vegetables added the crunch while the mayo gave it a creamy garlic flavour. Imagine a square-shaped heavy, scrumptious burger. The sandwich was no different.
Moving to the main course, I ordered the Alfredo Penne pasta, choosing it from among three others. Slathered with silky, creamy bechamel, this one turned out to be different from the regular pastas. The dish, loaded with finely-chopped vegetables like broccoli, golden corn, bell pepper, and mushroom, had a new flavour and texture in each bite.
Baked Pita bread, along with hummus, the classic Middle-Eastern snack was up next. The hummus was delicious and creamy while the triangular pita was fresh and soft. Apart from its lip-smacking flavours, it was the freshness of the ingredients as well as the artful plating which made the dish memorable.
Having dug into Italian and Middle Eastern fare, I travelled all the way to China in a matter of minutes — by way of a dish, of course. I ordered the Vegetarian platter which was served with Manchurian balls, Stir fried rice and Peri peri potatoes. The balls were soft and spicy but when paired with the fried rice which was a little bland, tasted just right.
I had a Lemon and mint mojito where the freshness of the mint and the citrus tang of the fruit made for a great accompaniment.
As they say desserts are the fairytales of the kitchen and the ‘happily ever after’ to supper, I ordered their speciality, Choco Nile. The soft-centred, warm chocolate dessert was enough to sweep me off my feet.
Except for a few niggles here and there, the place is worth a visit.
