Good morning at Kondhwa

Au00a0new breakfast and snack joint on Salunke Vihar Road offers you hunger busters, all under Rs 85

Salunke Vihar Road gets yet another eatery, and this time, it's one that'll make sure that you eat your first meal of the day like a king, without emptying your wallet. It's turning into a popular evening snack joint too, with college students chatting over a cup of coffee.

Coffee 'n' Me is just the place for strapped-for-cash youngsters since most items on the menu range between Rs 30 and Rs 85.



Walk this way
The interiors are relaxed, and done up in pine wood. The seating is high, almost like it's a bar, with an aquarium in one nook offering visual entertainment and a carom board beckoning you for a game.

Fish darting to and fro add to the Feng Shui vibes, according to proprietor Dimple Batheja, who designed the interiors herself. Arriving in Pune as a student from South Africa, she stayed on, harbouring the dream of opening a restaurant some day.

We oscillated between temperature ranges, and went for a mug of steaming hot Berry-Me-Wild (Rs 70), followed by a tall glass of chilled Colo Bongo (Rs 75). Both were well flavoured.

Bring on the food
For eats, we went for one of the most popular breakfast items ufffd French Toast (Rs 45). A plate with seven triangular pieces of toast arrived, and for out-of-town students, it would mean a whiff of breakfast at home. They could do with cutting down on the dollop of butter though.

For those in the mood for something savoury, there's Cheese Omelette (Rs 60), Masala Omelette (Rs 55), sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs.

We went for the more novel-sounding snack; Chicken Chichinga (Rs 45). This came accompanied by a dip. The chicken was fried just right; crispy on the outside and steaming tender within. It goes well with a plate of French Fries (Rs 30) or Mashed Fries (Rs 35).

Sweet ending
We had to leave tummy room for something sweet. It was a toss up between Waffles or Pancakes. We went for the Waffles with Chocolate Sauce (Rs 85). Batheja claims she makes the Waffles herself. If she does, she's a pretty good cook because the Waffles were worth it, and the chocolate sauce drizzle made it melt in the mouth.

She promises to extend the breakfast menu, adding popular favourites like Fish and Chips. Coming up specials: Waffles in coconut and blueberry flavours.

At Coffee 'n' Me, Archana Corner, Shop No 1, Salunke Vihar Road, Kondhwa.
Open from 8.30 am to 10 pm, all 7 days. call 9673992422
Coffee 'n' Me didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals.