Art lovers get a coffee break

It’s a Friday evening and you’re just after a scintillating dance or drama performance. What better to top off the night but a drop-in at a quaint coffee house that serves oven-fresh goodies and steaming internationally branded coffee?

No more than 50 metres around the corner from the Lionel Wendt and just a block from the Lotus Pond Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, is D’Cafe, tucked in to the right side of Cambridge Place behind a large Nuga tree. The newly-opened cafe is the latest addition to the city’s budding coffee scene and an easy treat for those frequenting the thriving art central of Colombo 7; D’s is central in terms of the Wendt, Lotus Pond, the National Art Gallery, The National Museum and is a short drive away from the other centres in the vicinity serving the best of showmanship and theatrical talent.

“It’s an art lover’s paradise!” exclaims a spokesperson for the cafe, “Wherever you decide to spend your evening, D’s is pretty ideal for the requisite follow-up coffee.”

D’Cafe serves a unique brand of Italian coffee called Illy now marketed around the world. The smoothly roasted beans emanate the comforting aromas that scream coffee shop the minute you walk through the doors of the little building. Coffee-based beverages on offer range from the standard espresso and cappuccino to a superb Americano and Caramel Latte. There are also some interesting cold coffee beverages including the house favourite, the Black Forrest Frappe with its melded dark chocolate and cherry tastes.  D’s also recently introduced a scrumptiously frothy Blueberry and Strawberry frappe and the signature Kumbuk Coffee with its chocolate topping remains a hot favourite. Before non-coffee drinkers get scared away, there’s range of creamy milkshakes, hot and iced teas and fresh fruit (and cucumber) juice on the menu as well.

“Everyone’s favourite on the food menu is the grilled chicken sandwich,” says a smiling Kumar, head of the cafe staff adding, “and they always love the Corndog Meal and the English Cream Chicken Pie.” The food portions, being reasonably large, are ideal for a good, filling meal be it a lasagne, creamy pasta, burger or a healthy salad. They’ve also introduced some interesting local finger food in the form of spicy chicken and fish rottis. Then there’s cupcakes, cheesecake, tiramisu and sweet waffles with a chocolate or blueberry sauce if you still have the room for it! Home baked chocolate brownies and smooth-textured chocolate biscuit puddings are the newer items on the sugar-happy menu.

Price-wise D’Cafe is almost on par with the regular coffee shops around town, though the drinks are reasonably less expensive. In addition to a coffee break, you could easily manage dinner or lunch here as well.

Parking is available for about four cars and is much easier toward the evening, as cars may be parked near the Wendt. D’Cafe is child and elder-friendly, and the staff is cheery and accommodating. Orders are carried out reasonably fast, with magazines and ambient rock n’ roll available to while away the time. Ladies can even jog upstairs to D’divas-their sister store-to browse through its collection of chic designer wear.

In a city where everyone’s looking for a new place to hang out, D’Cafe comes as a welcome entrant for art and theatre lovers. With its combination of good food and cheery atmosphere, it’s a welcoming and friendly place to just kick back and relax.