We rarely come across a garden-side café and more so, a garden that isn’t just a patch of manicured lawn and a few potted plants added in. A large cannonball tree occupies its pride of place at the newly-opened Autumn Leaf Café. The gazebo and outdoor seating area are dotted with shrubs and trees, the décor is basic and tasteful with wooden chairs, benches and tables, a few aluminium kettles work as props and a pair of bright blue doors and windows offset the green. Some good music and a partially see-through kitchen, where the team of chefs are at work, complement this ambience.
The Autumn Leaf, until recently, functioned only as a store that sold tasteful, old-world furniture. A group of likeminded friends who fell in love with the garden area thought the space would lend itself to a café where one can unwind, meet friends, or just read.
The menu has a few café staples, like sandwiches, pastas, burgers, waffles and pancakes but there’s an intention to tease the palate with a new burst of flavours as well. So you have appetisers like the Baked Spinach and Artichoke dip served with Lavash chips and the Goat Cheese Phyllo Puffs with onion garnish and homemade tamarind sauce. Both of these are winsome, with a subtle blend of flavours. The phyllo puffs are light, crisp and the mix of goat cheese, caramelised onions do the trick and the sweet and sour tamarind sauce is a welcome addition.
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The café opens at noon, but factors in the popularity of all-day American breakfast platters. The wholesome Spanish Omelette is also available. Crimson-red Pomegranate Iced Tea aside, you can also ask for cold pressed juices. A warm broth is ideal for a monsoon evening and the café serves these in small pans. From the humble yet flavourful Potato Leek Soup with a mild Madras curry twist to the more robust French Onion Soup, Hungarian Mushroom soup with smoked paprika or Albondigas soup with chicken meatballs and veggies in a tangy broth, there are a handful of choices.
The salad bowls are filling enough to be a meal for light eaters and if in a mood to indulge, try the Veg Casserole or Mezze Platter that has hummus, baba ganoush tabbouleh and labneh served with lavash chipra. A smaller, yet adequate serving is the crepe stuffed with vegetables, baked with parmesan cheese and saffron sauce.
The pick of the café has to be the Grilled Pork Chops in homemade barbecue sauce with which one can choose a variety of sides — mashed potatoes, onion strings, grilled vegetables, French fries or herb rice. The Slow-cooked Pork Ribs and Tenderloin in a red wine shallot are also among the café USPs.
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The menu has enough to please those who want to end on a sweet note, particularly the Tres Leches with orange liquer and orange peel.
Autumn Leaf Café scores big on its ambience, complemented by an interesting choice of dishes. One just hopes this café continues to live up to the warmth it radiates now.
What : Autumn Leaf Café
Where : Road no.41, Jubilee Hills. Ph: 9963201589
When : 12 noon to 10:30 p.m.
Meal for two : Rs. 750 to 1000