Meal ticket

The last couple of years have seen India and its young adult population celebrate and be a part of the coffee-cafe revolution. But if you step inside Barista ‘Creme’ Lavazza,a premium cafe that opened this Friday in the heart of Sector 17,you’ll realise coffee drinking has truly evolved from its coffee and conversations stage to something more luxurious,quite like a fine brew. ‘Creme’ as it’s called,offers the Barista Lavazza charm coupled with several new concepts. There’s personal table service,comfortable lounge seating,premium coffees and eclectic cuisine and much more. “It’s a whole new format all the way,” mentioned Sanjay Coutinho,Chief Operating Officer of Barista Coffee Company,who was in the city to formally get the cafe rolling. And as Coutinho puts it the Crème Lavazza is a tribute to the fine Italian coffee drinking culture that has caught up very well with Indian consumers. “It’s a notch up,” he said. By that he refers to the doing away of pre-packed food,bringing in contemporary styled furniture,slick interiors and mood lighting to create the next level of luxury. “There’s a live kitchen now that will dish out soups,sandwiches,pasta,pizzas,salads,desserts in an ambience that’s more plush,” remarked the COO as we noticed the rather plump menu that brings in a range of indulgent coffees as well as a new breakfast menu! Besides the coffee,the menu also boasts refreshing mocktails and 100 per cent natural ice teas,freshly brewed and flavoured with natural fruit extracts. The internationally acclaimed I Piaceri del Caffè – a fine collection of Lavazza designer Italian espressos is also an integral part of the offerings. “And no,we aren’t deviating from our core coffee values. The add-ons are merely a step to offer the consumer an experience of coffee and more in a new environment,” asserted the head honcho. Speaking of changes,Barista has made efforts to incorporate flavours but not with their coffee,thankfully. “Don’t be surprised to find the likes of lassi,parantha,idli-vada on the menu,” Sanjay informed.