Campus bites

If you’re looking for something lighter on the stomach (and the pocket),try the Bruschettas’ counter On the Go next door to Chacha’s. On the Go has been running for almost a year and is famous for its reasonably priced pastas (starting Rs 64) and grilled sandwiches (starting Rs 45). Calling it “casual eclectic cuisine”,the outlet is designed for a speedy snack between classes. It is also known for its White Devil (a mean concoction of green chili,lime,salt mixed in a tangy fizz),and its Squidgey Choco Cake (Rs 84) served with ice cream.

“But more than anything else,college students need a good place relax. Miranda House and Hindu College also have Nescafes. But invariably,everyone gathered at the Stephan’s Nescafe because the location and ambience was great. Unfortunately,it shut down in 2008 ,” says final year Miranda student Sheet Suri.

The Food Street of Kamla Nagar is always bustling with students — each restaurant here gives tough competition to the newcomers. Zia,a hookah bar,shut down early last year,and has been replaced by Nine75. “Zia Cafe used to be our favorite hangout,” says Kritika Mehta,final year student at Hindu College. “The waiters knew us personally and,even when it was really crowded,they made room for us. The new places don’t have that personal touch yet”.

Nine75,a name dedicated to the “nine colleges and the 75 courses at North Campus”,has two sections,both worlds away from each other. The one serving Italian cuisine (starting Rs 124) is surrounded by brick walls,friendly music and jovial artwork,while the other is a tinted hookah bar,has bean bags strewn across the floor,embers of lanterns as the only source of light and blaring mainstream music. On a trial hookah licence,the owners are very cautious in serving Bombay Paan Masala,Silver Fox and Cherry Cappuccino — flavoured hookahs (starting Rs 200).

With over 10 branches across Delhi,Grillz opened in Kamla Nagar main market a year ago. Serving a healthy dose of homely sandwiches,kulchas,momos,pizzas and ice cream shakes,Grillz is one of the few established names that could survive the rising rent prices in the campus area where student expenditure is limited.

“We used to love the burgers at Omletes,” says Ashwati Nair from Hindu. “We go to Grillz instead now.” Popular for its stomach-filling portion sizes and coffee that tastes better than most coffee shops,Grillz is also one of the few places that delivers late into the night.

If you’re looking for a place for study dates,you’ll have to travel a little further from the University area. Cafe Aim is at Outram Lines in Kingsway Camp,and was initially only visited by international students. It has only recently seen an increase in local customers. Owned by a charming Korean family,Cafe Aim is a serene tranquil cafe with free wi-fi (But no,it’s not the sort of place you would take friends for a rowdy evening). It caters more to those looking to catch up on their reading over some Korean snacks. Located near the International students’ hostel,the cafe offers reasonably priced Korean food such as Kimbab (Rs 80) and Korean noodles (Rs 90). The cafe also serves Korean teas like Royal Palance Han and Rice Green tea,alongside interesting sherbets called Bingsoo (Rs 80).

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