Nadia’s Dessert Boutique: A Brand New Chapter

The venture is hardly a new name, at least for dessert aficionados. Her chocolate caramel tarts, perfect pavlovas and seriously creamy cakes had anyone with a sweet tooth hooked and coming back to her online page. Back from a break of six months, the girl behind it all, Nadia Lakhani is back with her magical treats- and a charming physical cafe.

Ensconced comfortably inside the happening food street, Banani 11, the quaint little café, with a charming, cobble-stoned entrance is already making news for its picturesque aesthetics. Upon entering, one is greeted by a smiling staff and an enticing display of every-day baked treats, from tangy fruit tarts, to delectable pastries and puddings. The space inside deserves a special applause for the interior, done up in mellow tones of warm brown, luxurious gold, duck egg blue and soft white. Wicker lamps, charming book and game shelves and a macrame swing make up the inside of the café, with picture flattering lighting and pet friendly, outdoor seating for those who like fresh air with their coffee.

As we had more or less tasted most of the items on display, we decided to try some of her newer items from her more extensive menu. We ordered the French Toast, Affogato Churros, Chocolate Pudding and a Lemon Meringue cake slice.

The French toast came in first, warm and exquisitely plated. It was two thick slices of soft, house made bread, drenched in golden maple syrup, with a light brush of chocolate ganache and a piped cone of whipped cream. The best thing about this dessert is that it is not cloyingly sugary- the sweetness can be adjusted as per the customer's taste by the airy and light cream on the side, and the chocolate. One can also choose between whipped/ice cream and extra chocolate ganache as add on-s.

The next item on the list was a decadent chocolate pudding- except, it was more than just your average pudding dessert. With a crumbly, biscuity surprise in the centre, the pudding had bits of cake that you could feel, mixed with silky smooth, slightly bitter chocolate.

Crunchy churros with affogato were next and boy, was that a treat to remember! The churros were not the conventionally dense type, but airy, cinnamon-y, bite-sized balls of deep-fried yumminess. The sweetness of sprinkled cinnamon sugar on the churros is offset by the bitter espresso and coffee ice cream- the amalgamation of tastes makes this dessert a major flavour bomb.

The last on our list was a thick, creamy slice of soft, comforting vanilla cake, with a layer of zesty lemon custard, topped with impeccably torched meringue. Even with a fruity element, the cake is a blast from the past, reminiscent of the birthday cakes of the golden 90s.

Verdict? It's an out and out gastronomical delight. A little bit on the pricier end, one would be paying for the entire package- the décor, the service, the pictures and of course, the food. In one line- go for the food, and come back for the pictures, because once is simply not enough!