A new cafe at Fort offers you space to read, books to buy, art to enjoy and the freedom to eat breakfast at dinner time

A new cafe at Fort offers you space to read, books to buy, art to enjoy and the freedom to eat breakfast at dinner time

Brinner, the concept of eating breakfast for dinner, may have been popularised by the American TV show Scrubs, but the idea never looked more appealing than it did at the new Banyan Tree Cafe at Fort.
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Unofficially, these guys are happy to cater to your breakfast needs, right until 11.30 pm.

Neres, one of three uniformed attendants at the cafe, said, "The breakfast menu is actually available between 9.15 am and 11.15 am, but if the cafe's not too crowded, we are happy to offer the dishes all through the day."

His revelation came a bit too late, however, since our order a Caesar Salad (Rs 145), Beef Burger (Rs 200) and a Berry-Yoghurt Shake (Rs 100) was already at our table.

But we weren't about to complain... especially not after we realised that there were others with bigger fish to fry.

A blushing attendant stopped by our table, and gesturing towards a suited gentleman sitting across us, inquired, "Did you order the salad? Because I think that was meant for him."

With his nose squarely planted in the pages of a voluminous, ostensibly captivating novel, the guest's appetite had, no doubt, been awakened by the aroma of goodies laid before us.

He had our sympathy...he was not, however, getting our salad. It was scrumptious.

The dressing was unusual as was the idea to substitute Emmental Cheese for traditional Parmesan. We do usually enjoy croutons in our Caesar, but the unique Banyan Tree Cafe salad was nonetheless good.

Our shake seemed suspiciously sweet, but Neres assured us tit had no sugar. If that's true, here's a beverage that both, foodies and health buffs will wholeheartedly endorse.

Dripping with cheese, our burger would, of course, only satisfy the former group, but with every bite, it only made us realise how unlikely it was that we might ever fit into the second category anyway.

The deserted reading area and chatter that filled the room suggested that guests were either more inclined to dine than read, or perhaps, that they were intimidated by the sight of the coffee-table books lined up on shelves by the entrance.

Tempted as we were, for instance, to haul a compilation of a graphic novel to our table, the idea of flipping through it in such proximity to our ruddy beverage, proved dissuading.

The reading selection is extensive though and subjects include everything from architecture and aesthetics to recipe collections.
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You can buy these books too, and drop by at the adjoining BMB art gallery, while your meal is prepared.

Until January 29, Bose Krishnamachari's LaVA project IS on display. For details on upcoming programmes log on to www.gallerybmb.com

At: Queens Mansion, next to Cathedral & John Connon School, GT Marg, Fort.
Call: 65109308.
Open all week.
BMB didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals