Aug 16, 2005 12:36 PM
7489 Views
(Updated Aug 16, 2005 12:36 PM)
Indian Coffee Shop(or ICH as we call it) is perhaps the largest Cooperative Restaurant Chain in India.There are many of them, like the ones in Delhi Connaught Place, Shimla, Trivandrum..the list goes on.But the Bhopal ICH,and I mean here the one in New Market, is probably one of the best. The Shimla ICH at Mall Road is a good one, looks very much like an old British Coffee house with huge pillars and cozy,red-cushioned sofas.
The bad news is, although I am not quite sure the context is right, has very few youngsters. They have a section called ''Reserved''-but I heard most of the times it remains reserved-empty! The one in Trivandrum looks like a Leaning Tower of Pisa, a huge chimney, looks really drab and really needs some serious renovation. It has a long winding staircase,on the side of which people eat in congusted tables. The service is terrible, we had to wait approx 45 mins for our menu to arrive and we had to leave,fearing more of it. But the Bhopal ICH is very special. It is a good place to eat on weekends,the price is very cheap and yes,the food is delicious! The Bhopal ICH is the cheapest best-food junction at New Market.
The management is very lenient on the Anti-Smoking Side and have a separate section, on the ground floor where smoking is allowed alongwith coffee! On the 1st Floor, there is the family section, which is thronged on weekends, and it becomes really difficult to find a place there.They also have a small well cushioned hall on the ground floor. The waiters wear typical ICH uniforms,full white with streaks of read here and there.
You can select from an assorted huge collection of North Indian and South Indian dishes,starting from Biryani to Curd Rice. The coffee is really good. And then there is the Onam Special, when the ICH gets decorated with Rangoli and serves special South Indian Traditional Dishes. The best part about ICH is its simplicity.
There is an air of comfort inside. Whenever you visit Bhopal make sure to visit the place and I am sure you'll like it,as much as I did!
