The Coffee Garage @ Shahpur Jat, Delhi: A taste of Mom’s kitchen

 

Located in the heart of Shahpurjat, New Delhi, a hub of fashion designers and assorted other businesses, lies The Coffee Garage (TCG). This cafe was earlier an appendage to its cousin The Shoe Garage, but now has grown up to have its own location adjacent to the earlier one. The brainchild of Vanita Khanna, TCG has a modest menu, and a warm, cosy feel about it.

I ask Vanita what got her started with a cafe. Her simple answer is “I love to cook, and these are all my recipes that I use to cook for my family and their friends”. A fact well illustrated by the food at the cafe, as I am soon to find out.

I start with hummus pita (Rs 140), which is a real interesting and enjoyable dish. The pita is the whole wheat version, and the hummus is ‘tadka maar ke’. It is more like a chutney, tempered with a hit of red chilly making an otherwise benign hummus a robust Punjabi creation. TCG special penne pasta green (Rs 250) is tossed with fresh homemade walnut pesto, and has the taste of mom’s kitchen.

Macaroni salad (Rs 120) is a variation of the good old, long forgotten Russian salad. It is a simple salad of macaroni, pineapple and oodles of mayonnaise, served chilled. No one can stop at one bite. Chicken tikka pizza (Rs 300) has a freshly rolled out whole wheat base, topped with fresh ingredients. While it is far from being a gourmet pizza, it has a comforting feel of a home cooked pizza.

Equally comforting are the drinks. Choco coffee (Rs 130) has the unbeatable combo of cold coffee with chocolate sauce. Mango smoothie (Rs 160) has fresh mango pulp, and is similar to aamras.

The Coffee Garage is the place for a healthy, homely experience. The food is mostly comfort food, and the interiors colourful and intimate. It is just the kind of place that allows you to slow down and relax in the company of friends or just by yourself. 

Restaurant Ratings (out of 5):

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 3.0 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs. 800 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: Yes | Home Delivery: Yes| Address: 118 B, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi | Telephone: 011 33036447