Cafe Noir

The brother of Toscano's owner Chef Jean Michel Jasserand opened a French cafe earlier this year. Cafe Noir is located at the U.B. City Piazza, the same venue as Toscano. The al fresco dining area didn't remind me of cafes along Champs-Élysées but the modern decor and ambiance of the place made me forget for a moment that I was in India.


Onion soup - most onion soups made anywhere in the world is done with beef broth but this one however is made with vegetable broth, which is very welcoming for me who doesn't eat any parts of a cow. Served with a small piece of mozzarella toast submerged into the savory broth.


Zucchini vegetable soup - light broth with pieces of vegetables and a hint of sweetness from mushrooms.


Club sandwich - layers of ham, cheese, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes in between crunchy toast. All sandwiches were served with sides of crispy fries and leafy green salad.


Moist chunks of roast chicken served in a crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside baguette. According to the owner, these breads are baked fresh every morning.


Croque monsieur - "A" thought this was good but I thought it was too close to a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich.


Salmon quiche - the portion is a tad small compared to the rest. I was a bit worried that it might taste fishy (despite the use of smoked salmon) but I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture of salmon, asparagus and egg combination. Be careful not to eat it too quickly, the inside parts are piping hot!


Crème brûlée - the first I've had in a while that's been done perfectly. The perfectly burnt caramelized sugar tops a smooth rich custard.


Other desserts to choose from. The owner mentioned that the pastry chef used only local ingredients.

Our tasty meal for four came up to a whopping Rs1700 (US$39)! When we consulted the owner about the reasonable price, he replied again that using mostly local produce (whenever they can) from chocolate to flour to fresh fruits, have helped keep the prices low. "A" was of course very impressed by this since using local produce equals lesser carbon footprints and is also very eco-friendly. I think this place would be perfect for a quick light bite or a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Overall Ratings:
"A"'s: 8.5/10
Po's: 8/10

Would we return?
Definitely!

Address:
2nd Floor,
The Collection UB City,
24, Vittal Mallya Road,
Bangalore,
Karnataka, India