It was on of those unusual work Tuesdays and the unusual part about it was my best friend’s birthday. While, I am a lover of great healthy breakfasts, it is a tradition for both of us to have breakfast treats on each of our birthdays (well, I just need a reason to have great breakfasts, it’s like celebration ;)).
However, we couldn’t make it in time for a breakfast and decided to have a brunch at The Project Cafe (TPC). I have been there once before but just for a quick coffee as I had heard a lot about the place. I just wanted to get a feel of it and I loved it so much that I decided to visit again, only, this time, to try some of their famous food items.
I enjoy unconventional cafes. Cafes that are located next door in the midst of all the crowd and city buzz yet are so secluded in their own way that you feel at peace. I felt the same about TPC. Admittedly, when we arrived, I was rather shocked to find that the cafe that looks like a big villa from outside, only has one floor of that villa to themselves which was quite small in size. Based on my estimation, it would possibly seat a maximum of 20-25 people. It has a drawing room, dining room, and the bedroom all decorated well to keep the cozy feeling of home alive and yet look like cafe (It actually felt so homely in the middle of the sunny afternoon that if they had arranged for a small couch, I would have slept, no sarcasm there). The place is decorated in a subtle way with pieces of antique and artistic furniture (another non-conventional thing I like) and also some ties and kimonos lying around. It was only when I went close enough to check the products out, I realized they are on sale. How cool is it? No wonder it is called ‘The Project Cafe’, very thoughtful.
Between the two of us, we ordered Vanilla fruit pancake (Rs. 224), the Mexican chili paneer rice (Rs. 332), and the hot Mocha (Rs. 146). I wonder what they are trying to do by putting non-rounded figures (perhaps, check your math skills). The order process wasn’t as simple as the cafe looks. Yes, I understand on a weekday in the afternoon, you won’t expect a customer to walk-in but such slow service was something I didn’t expect. We both had to shout like four times to get the executive to hear us and take the order. Once, the order was placed and given that it was working day for both of us, we had to ask them to make it quick. To our disappointment, I don’t think the cafe understands quick. So, all of you who have enough time on hand, do visit the cafe, all of you who are in a hurry for a quick bite, think again before deciding on your preferences.
After the order had arrived, I could say it was worth the patience at least by the look and feel of it. All the various elements on the plate were carefully arranged to create a visually beautiful plate of food. My friend’s Mexican chili paneer rice wasn’t as appealing by the looks of it but every element was arranged in a composition to complement each other. I was actually enticed by the way they serve the food. My serving of pancake consisted of one big pancake cut into four triangular pieces that was served with fruit compote, whipped cream, and maple syrup. I am a sucker for maple syrup, I think one of the reasons I enjoy traditional pancakes and french toast is the added maple syrup on top.
Well, when you are a suckler of maple syrup, you exactly know what maple syrup tastes like. I think the cafe didn’t quite understand the difference between maple syrup and honey, and I was served honey (not that I don’t like honey but you can’t replace maple syrup with anything). All the impression that the cafe has built went down the drain with this big mistake. I asked the waiter to explain why honey was served instead of maple syrup and the waiter explained they have exhausted the maple syrup and hence have served honey, instead. I was like, if you don’t have it, you at least inform that to your guest and check if they are still okay with the order but none of this was done. I was highly disappointed, but I didn’t make a fuss about it then since it was my friend’s birthday.
Pancakes, like cupcakes, cakes, and waffles, are all very dependent on each individual preference. Some people like their pancakes light and fluffy while others like them thicker and denser. I like mine with maple syrup which was missing so, personally, I didn’t quite enjoy them as I generally would. But the taste wasn’t bad, it was very fluffy and soft and the fruit compote added the extra texture to it, which made it look and taste better. Other than that the hot mocha was good too, I liked the creaminess of chocolate and coffee blended well. When the food was done and it was the bill time, we were too much in a hurry and didn’t notice that they have not added the cost of coffee to the bill. It was only when we paid the bill and were moving out, the waiter stopped us and informed that he has forgotten to add the coffee cost to the bill. So, we had to then check the bill and realize that it was missing and in a time when we are already running late, we had to stop to clear the coffee bill separately and then leave. I understand such mishaps occur when you have a lot of guests to manage but when you just have one table full, you do not expect such mistakes to happen, it’s discouraging.
Frankly, I mean, don’t get me wrong – there was nothing particularly wrong or bad about our dining experience there but, I feel that they could do better, such petty things should not spoil the experience.
Where: Yellow House No 7, Polytechnic Road, Ambavadi, Ahmedabad
How to get there: If you are coming from IIM Ahmedabad road, after crossing the panjrapole cross the road, you will find the polytechnic college on your right, just a few steps ahead of the college, you can find this yellow house on the right.
Our Ratings: ♡ ♡ and a half / ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ (2.5 out of 5 hearts).
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