LIFESTYLE | food December 2016 62 www.womanthismonth.com Puja Tiwari finds this stylish café serves delicious fare combining the opulence of fashion with gourmet flavours. CAVALLI CAFFE A TASTE OF LUXURY When the glamorous Cavalli Caffe opened at Al Aali Shopping Complex earlier this year, my foodie brain made a mental note to visit the branch on a day I felt particularly flush with my wallet. The café is a culinary venture that sports a trendy setting and serves gourmet Italian dishes. It is the brainchild of notable fashion mogul Roberto Cavalli. One fine day a friend and I decided to meet and start our day with breakfast at the eatery. With clear blue skies and a light breeze in the air, we chose to sit on the outdoor patio. The plush seating is swathed with the iconic bold zebra and giraffe prints synonymous with Cavalli. The inside of the restaurant has a glittering façade, with outlandish yet sophisticated elements making for some serious eye candy. The waiter brought us the menu and surprise struck. Given all the pomp and splendour associated with the brand, the prices are fairly reasonable. After some discussion with restaurant manager, we placed our order. Two dreamy cups of French coffee and strawberry coconut mojito heralded the beginning of the feast. The rich-tasting coffee is an Italian take on the classic brew with gianduja, layered in ombre shades of brown with the rim lined in chocolate specked with almond slivers. The mojito was topped with edible flowers and mint dipped in silver glitter, each sip reminding me of a beach and the azure sea of the Caribbean. Akin to the designer’s vibrant creations, the food is a sight to behold. In shades of blue and pink were the Gianduja Crepes, stuffed with a hazelnut spread and a side of banana compote and sweet cream. The colours reminded me of cotton candy and I had a quick flashback to my childhood. The texture was smooth and the cream went well with the sweet delight. Next up was a croissant basket filled with delicious fluffy, warm, freshly baked pastries so good I could have eaten just these and left happy. However, we moved on. You can literally taste the rainbow when you order the vanilla chia pudding layered with mango, blueberry, strawberry and avocado compote. A side of crunchy homemade granola accompanies it. This is the kind of dish that makes Instagram users famous. I don’t even remember the last time I saw food that looks this stunning and the tart blueberry layer was perfectly balanced by the buttery avocado. Next was the moist and delicate Giraffe Swiss Roll with cream cheese and cherry jam wrapped in a peachy yogurt mousse. Each piece is an art, and the detailing on the roll looked like the animal’s neck. The Black Forest Pancakes, as the name sounds, were irresistible with homemade ricotta layered with dark cherry, whipped cheese and cream cheese foam. Bursting at the seams with all the opulent food, I decided I must come back another time for lunch or dinner. Cavalli Caffe is the perfect spot for a snack or a meal with friends. And the value for money is too good to be true! Call 77 788-877.
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