PICASSO greets you with his words, ‘Art washes from the soul, the dust of everyday life’, as you enter Artsy — Coffee and Culture on AJC Bose Road, near Minto Park. The 15-month-old café is setup like a new-age hang-out zone that not only brews comforting coffees, but also brings in art and events under the same roof.
The arty way
When we visited the café, the aroma of coffee wafted through the air with poetry, at the mouldable stage that’s used for events like stand-up comedy, workshop, open-mic poetry, and more. “The idea stems from a café in Cochin. I realised that Kolkata, being known as a cultural hub, doesn’t have a space that celebrates a good cup of coffee with art,” says Arshdeep Singh, the owner of the café. He adds, “This space was a coaching centre and the alcoves are best utilised to display paintings, giving the real feel of a gallery.” The 42-seater café features promising artists every month and has already featured 12 of them. The other side of the café offers the look of a library with books, newspapers, magazines and assorted artworks.
Plan your grub
The menu has been designed as a simple foldable calendar in black and white, and named Food and Beverage Planner. Proud of their precision with coffee, the 10,000 sq ft café serves a tangy and minty Cold Brew. One refreshing sip will ward off any Monday blues instantly. For tea lovers, a selection of Jasmine tea, Darjeeling first flush, Blue Lagoon Rose, Iced Tea and more, are on offer. We loved the work stations with comfortable high chairs and foot rests by the windows, which make for an enticing arrangement. Old models of typewriters, coffee makers and sewing machines from the owner’s personal collection add to the café’s décor. Open from 9 am to 9 pm, the food menu includes Asian, Vietnamese and Thai influences. Healthy bites like avocado toasts, chicken quinoa salads and more are for those looking for healthy calories. We sampled a Par Thai Chicken, a flat-rice noodle preparation with beans, sprouts and basil. The flavourful dish with subtle tanginess played with our taste buds, and made way for a chocolatey surprise. A slice of warm Dark Chocolate Zuccini Bread ended the artsy experience on a gooey, sweet note. For the coming months, the café is looking forward to advance an experiential coffee culture in the city.
Price for two: `800.
