Just before I leave for Coonoor, my brother-in-law tells me I must check out Café Diem. I look it up online and call up the café. The cheerful voice of its owner, Radhika Shastry, greets me and gives me directions to her place, which we find utterly charming.
It gets more and more picturesque as we follow the small winding pathway that takes us behind her home. There are pretty wind chimes, a small lily pond and a sit out. A large black board displays the dishes of the day.
Café Diem feels like an extension of home. (The café is located just behind Radhika’s house). The visitor is enveloped in its warmth. There is a wooden umbrella holder with bright umbrellas sitting prettily next to an armoire. Bohemian whimsy is the term that comes to mind to describe the décor. We are welcomed by Radhika who wants to know how we heard of her place as she does not advertise.
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We are seated and handed the menus printed on what looks like cheese boards in sunny yellows, mint greens and Mediterranean blues. Her placemats too make a statement against serving bottled water. Colourful glass bottles on the tables are filled with treated water from her own well.
From the vegetarian-only menu we learn that aside from seasonal fresh juices, there are also soups, salads, sandwiches, sweet and savoury tarts, pizza,pasta, ice creams and hot beverages. We lean back and admire the athangudi -tiled wooden furniture.
We order pumpkin and coconut milk soup, mushroom soup and roasted tomato soup. We get generous, steaming helpings in bowls. ‘A little under-salted,’ I think to myself and reach for the salt. To my delight, I find the ceramic piglet is actually the salt shaker. A quick glance at the next table and I see the shaker there is in the shape of a plump blue bird. Radhika says she deliberately under-seasons some of the dishes so that her guests reach for the shakers that she has lovingly sourced.
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The spiced yellow pumpkin soup and the ivory mushroom soup is velvety and full-bodied. The tomato soup is nice but could be better if the tomatoes are skinned and then pulsed, as it didn’t feel good on the palate.
The ratatouille pizza is delicious. It has slices of roasted bell peppers, zucchini and brinjal on a bed of rich tomato sauce over a thin crust base topped with stringy melted cheese. It is so good we order another one. The falafel platter with the hung curd and hummus disappears in a trice as well. Ditto the tangy lemon tart. Both the salted caramel and nolen gur ice creams served in Martini glasses were enjoyable. It is gratifying to know Radhika sources her ingredients from local grocers.
Having worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years, Radhika’s passions are a reflection of her travel and exposure to different cuisines. After discovering (in her words) “heaven on earth”, she decided to put down roots in the Nilgiris and, five years after her move, thought of the idea of a café in her back yard. She looks forward to showcasing a varied range of vegetarian fare with local produce.
“Live the moment’ are words mentioned on her signage. And with bird baths and potted plants not to mention the spectacular view overlooking the valley and tasty food, we enjoy every moment we are there.
Cafe Diem
#2A Kotagiri Road, (Inside Camelot), Bandisholai, Coonoor
Contact 98450 01111 for reservations
Meal for 4: ₹2500 approx
Open from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm (Closed on Wednesday)