Ciclo Cafe on the ever buzzing 12th Main Road in Indira Nagar is easy to miss. The ceiling-to-floor windows displaying bicycles, some at a price tag of Rs.7 lakhs, could lead one to believe that the establishment is a store selling bikes and cycling equipment. While that might be true, the cafe, a brainchild of Ashish Tadani (an avid cyclist), gives equal importance to food. But having done our research, mainly by browsing through images of their other outlets (in Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi), we didn’t have trouble spotting the eatery, with its large yellow sign.
The decor, which is uniform across all its outlets, strikes a balance between grungy and classy. The walls are fitted with bicycle wheels, the ceiling is adorned with chandeliers made with bicycle chains, and the furniture is plush and luxurious — think Chesterfield chairs and couches.
Pedal on
The menu, curated and designed by head chef, Mrinmoy Acharyya, offers a mix of Indian and Euro-pean bites, all with innovative twists that make them unique to Ciclo Cafe. The Boneless Chicken Wings is perfect for those who don’t normally bother with the classic dish because of ‘all the effort’ required to eat it. The meat is removed from the bones, formed into cubes and served with a topping of barbecue sauce. While it looks nothing like wings, the taste is spot on. Some of the dishes are infused with health foods such a spirulina and wheatgrass, to tie in with the fitness angle that’s one of the aspects of Ciclo Cafe. A fine example is the Spirulina and Jalapeno Hummus and Pita. The spirulina’s natural sea-weed flavour adds depth to the hummus. Heavily flavoured with lemongrass, the Kaffir Lime Chicken Tikka is light, refreshing and citrusy — a far cry from the generic, orange-hued version, that leaves a mark on your fingers, until long after it has been eaten.
Off the chain
The Gunpowder Karari Roomali, a large crisp concave roti that can serve about five people is one of the highlights of the menu. The roti, which is rolled until super thin and baked until crisp, is dusted with tangy masala and chopped coriander leaves. This makes the perfect accompaniment for rainy days and casual catch-up sessions. From the mains, our pick is the Barley and Cottage Cheese Construct, which is barley and soft, fluffy paneer tossed in lemon-cilantro marinade.
A must-try dessert is the Panna Cotta with a mango reduction and basil seeds. Smooth and velvety without being too heavy, the panna cotta’s richness is offset by the tartness from the mango. Apart from an all-day menu, the cafe also serves up a special breakfast spread from 7.30 am until 10.30 am, everyday. The beverage section includes an impressive list of teas, coffee, cold pressed juices and indulgent milkshakes. Set across two floors, the cafe might seem like the ideal escape for cycling enthusiasts, but its enticing menu also makes it a spot for anyone who loves great food.
Rs.1,000 for two. At 12th Main, Indira Nagar. Details: 9845238714