A friendly neighbourhood cafe is always good. Music, food and tables under the shade of mango and chickoo trees and open space in abundance for children to run around. That is how The Groove an independent coffee shop at Sainikpuri is.
What attracted me to Groove one summer evening was the sight of faint lights from inside its compound wall. I couldn’t resist a peek and when I saw its open-to-sky setting and a band of boys arranging their gear for an impromptu gig, I just had to walk in. You see, I had this sudden urge to drink a frappe. Post this visit, I became a regular here and enjoyed every single visit because of its ambience. Trust me when someone strums and sings the best songs with a good voice in an open air space there isn’t much left to desire.
A place with the sky for a roof and lots of trees and grass inside and even a little kitchen garden for herbs. Nothing fancy here if you are seeking plush interiors and super-expensive decor and light. However, if one fancies an open air cafe with live music to jam, then this place is way ahead of its times. Why most parents love to hang out here with their children is because they don't serve hookah; the menu too is reasonably priced and the portions are generous.
The Groove is also popular because of its open mic space, no hookah policy and an no-hang ups about dressing atmosphere. Aaprt from live gigs and karaoke sessions on weekends, on some nights, they even do open air grills and wouldn’t mind if guests want to volunteer for it.
The Groove doesn’t rush you, they don’t even thrust a menu in your face the moment you take a seat. The menu is also casual, with burgers, sandwiches, sausages with potatoes, fried chicken, pork ribs and the like. But they don’t serve biryani; this isn’t a place for dal, roti, sabji and curry . It serves ‘continental’ food but made and served to win your heart with taste, sans frills in presentation. That’s probably how they have been able to stay humble with their prices. At any given day or point of time, the fried chicken wings and the pork ribs are a good idea. Sausage lovers will love their all-day breakfast sausage and potatoes. If this is where one wants to have dinner under the mellow lights, then go for the lemon fish or the chic-chock rice.
For some quiet with a book and chilled drink of your choice, try grooving in here.
