The National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus in Kozhikode is a quilt stitched with the colours of India’s diversity. Here’s where a confluence of languages, cultures, customs and cuisines converge. With a student-teacher crowd sourced from all over the country, it’s a pan-Indian feel that one gets on the campus. This diversity and plurality come home to roost outside at Cafe+, the comfy nook in Kattangal near the NIT campus. Walk into my parlour, says Cafe+, with a sinfully enticing spread of desi and global cuisine.
Inspired by travel
Bimal and wife Sabna, owners of Cafe+ and avid travellers, were inspired by the concept of a food joint during the course of their extensive travel across Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore. The coffee shops around all the locales the couple went to, were not sprawling halls, but small outlets which maximized the space they had. But the treats inside were heavenly and varied. Why not try this out back home in Kattangal, Kozhikode? Bimal’s decision was quick. Along with a super market, he decided to open a coffee shop too. When Bimal’s brother, Bipin, who happens to be an engineer in Kozhikode, chipped in, and the concept turned into a reality.
The couple was very particular about doing up the interiors in the most natural and eco-friendly style. The floors and walls were done up with naturally sourced stones. A lot of pipes installed inside ensure efficient air circulation. Instead of walling up the place with sheets of glass, Bimal provided windows which let in fresh air, thereby keeping the insides cool at all times.
With super chefs from West Asia and a women workforce from the North East, Cafe+ has garnered a name and fame for itself in just two years.
A rainbow collection of cuisine
Cafe+ is a foodie’s paradise. From burgers to mojitos, the place is high on food of all flavours. The zinger burger, the signature item of Cafe+, made with patties prepared here, is a big draw with orders aplenty pouring in.
Not to be left behind are a parade of burgers, the Mexican burger, cheese burger, jumbo burger, nuggets burger, double cheese burger, chicken and veg burger.
Among steamed and fried momos come chicken, veg, schezwan and the hot and spicy.
As for noodles, there’s a whole lot to roll into the mouth. Chow mein chicken, chow mein veg, Singapore chicken, Singapore veg and egg noodles being some of them.
Now come the sandwiches with veggies, egg and chicken and a line-up of fries and nuggets … veg, chicken, French fries, fries with honey and chilly, fries hot and spicy and fries with lemon chilly.
These can be followed up with eight mojito flavours, eight types of scoops, milk shakes, fresh juice, fruit salad, faloodas, sundaes and a choice of combos.
The fried rice line-up is an eye-full. One can choose from veg, egg, chicken and Schezwan.
Tea and snacks
Apart from the exotic stuff, the Cafe has a spread of traditional eats like kumbilappam and ilayada.
Black tea, black coffee, lime tea, masala tea, cardamom tea, Assam tea, green tea, appuccino and espresso are some of the other drinks with which you can wash down puffs, rolls and cutlets.
Special parties
Cafe+ is one happy haunt for birthdays and special parties. Around 40 people can be seated inside at a time. The Cafe is open from 10 am to 9 pm. There’s free home delivery within a 1.5 km radius. A small service fee is charged for delivery beyond that distance.
The Cafe accepts party and conference orders and is equipped to cater to a 100 people.
Chef's pick
The Cafe’s cakes are a crowd-puller. The cake mixes are made here and not bought, which explains why the black forest, white forest, red velvet, blueberry, chocolate truffle, vancho and royal butterscotch taste so deliciously different. Bimal gets orders from all over India and across the far seas from Nigeria and Korea, all from friends and relatives of NIT students and at times even old students.
For bookings and other details: 9072999930, Facebook
