The primary idea of a cafe in my head is a cosy place where you can engage with yourself and your friends. Cafe Stories on HMT Road, Kalamassery, captures this notion perfectly with their lounge, which features a couch styled after the one in the iconic Friends TV series, and low lanterns casting a soft sheen on tables.
“I grew up in Dubai and later worked in various restaurants across North India to support my travels. So, we wanted to create a place where people can relax and have authentic dishes without any Indian twist,” says co-owner Riyas Najeeb, in a passionate tone, as I settle down by the huge glass windows of the 47-cover first-floor dining area.
I sip on a stracciatella soup with curdled beaten eggs and chicken cubes, and run through the short three-page menu which features familiar names like wraps and sandwiches.
Downtempo diner
Before I get lost in the loops of the ambient track playing softly in the background, our quesadilla arrives. A stuffing made of chunks of beef and bell peppers is wrapped with a Mexican seasoning. Be sure to dip it in their excellent sweet/sour lime-infused salsa.
“We finalised this menu after running on a pilot card and inviting guests to try our dishes,” informs the 26-year-old, passing on a sizzler. A bite into the chicken breast reveals earthy tones courtesy of a thick mushroom sauce which I finish off with potato wedges and veggies on the platter.
Compared to the rest, their cocktail salad is rather lacklustre, but your fitness instructor would definitely suggest it over the store-bought brownie with ice cream topped with caramel sauce.
Open from 11 am to 11 pm