JOIN USSit in the sun-drowned chair and listen to Mambo No 5 by Lou Bega as a waiter hands you a takhti-shaped menu. The soft interiors of It’s 9 Bakery Cafe in Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri put one at ease immediately.
Managed by young twins - Ashima and Anika Taneja, their maiden venture is based on the concept that hunger pangs usually strike at 9 in the morning and evening. Launched barely four months ago, It’s 9... serves a fine blend of confectionary and bakery products including German sticks, French breads, Italian biscuits and even designer cakes. But these are reserved for the shelves and designed keeping in mind the taste of expats who frequent here.
For those who love non-complicated, continental meals, the menu has it all – from pizzas to pastas and salads to sizzlers served along side smoothies, shakes, teas and coffees!
Start by sipping a sinful Brownie Shake as you appreciate the subtle taste of the interiors including the frosted glass which has images of buns, mugs, silver and crockery.
A large window gives you a scenic view of the greens outside. The drink, though initially not impressive, gives a taste of freshly-crumbled brownie towards the end!
Red Berry Smoothie can be opted for, if you like your drink luscious! With the sweetness of berries blending well with milk, it is sufficient to make you laze through the rest of the lunch.
Accompany these with Florida Salad which includes fruit pieces folded in mayonnaise and cream. While the presentation is impressive, it tastes just okay. In rich contrast is the Cannelloni Florentine, with spinach stuffed in a pancake and baked to perfection with Béchamel Sauce.
There are heavier but bland dishes like Chicken Stroganoff but that is probably because It’s 9 caters to a continental palate. Penne Pasta cooked in Peri Peri sauce is really quite run-of-the-mill but Cottage Cheese Shashlik in rich BBQ sauce tastes good but only when tried with Japanese sticky rice done in cheese.
The sides, like Coleslaw and Jalapeno sandwich make for mouth-watering delights. The coleslaw spread generously on freshly-baked bread makes for a very tasty snack.
For a perfect wrapping up, don’t miss out on the Blueberry Cheese Cake which has a rich, gooey taste of fine cheese on top of a biscuit crust that will leave you speechless, yet asking for more!