Thankfully, there's Bodhi Books and Bakes now located between Chapal Karkhana and Chakrapath Chowk.
There is just something incredibly inviting and uplifting about the sight of a room stacked with books from wall to wall. Mainly the reason most of the people entering this recently opened cafe have sappy smiles on their faces. Then a look to the right and there are more reasons, in form of a variety of baked nibbles, to maintain if not widen that smile.
Bidushi Dhungel, the official baker at Bodhi Books and Bakes, though makes no such claims. "We are not here to offer sophisticated gourmet dishes. What we wanted was to have a place where people could just come, chill with a book or two and enjoy few pastries and snacks while at it," she says. She confesses, if it were up to her, the space would be a library but since it is hard to financially sustain such ventures, she tapped into her inherent love for baking.
So the 14-15 sweet items that they currently have on their menu are all fresh and made by her and the kitchen staff at the location. One will find all the classics, from carrot and cheese cakes to buttery croissants with lots of layers, crusty exterior and soft interior. Dhungel insists that croissants should be just like that and at Bodhi Books and Bakes, the customers can expect such croissants besides French choux pastry like profiteroles and everything in between.
The profiteroles, in particular, have already become quite the hit among the regulars. To begin with Bodhi Books and Bakes makes these chocolate dipped, custard and whipped cream filled choux pastry balls bigger than the regular size. It might look like it will leave you feeling stuffed but they are actually quite light. You can hear the chocolate glaze crack as you dig into the creamy puffs and the temptation only builds as custard oozes through the sides. Just make sure you remove the wrapper before cutting into it and most importantly, forget your calorie count for the day as well.
Since Bodhi Books and Bakes is only a little more than a month old, they are still playing and experimenting with the menu. Though they began with sweet treats, of late they have also added a few savory items to their shelf. Mostly they include a mix of tomato, salami and tuna fish melt mozzarella sandwiches with marinated grilled potatoes as sides. (Of the lot, the salami, in particular, comes highly recommended. Somebody is already planning regular visits to the cafe just for it.)
Similarly they have also come with an interesting concept of pasta bake. Unlike the hot plate of pasta served at other restaurant, here you have a slice of carbonara, mozzarella, bacon/tuna/mushroom and bread crumbs. It looks deceivingly simple but is a scrumptious burst of flavors; just the kind of bites that help enhance the plot of a good book.
Bodhi Books and Bakes has also managed to bring together an impressive collection of reads. It is another aspect of the place that attracts most of its patrons. Now some might automatically assume that one will need to buy the book to enjoy it, but that's not the case at all. As long as you don't get any cake on the pages, you are allowed to leisurely thumb through their collection and return it to the shelf before calling it a day.
There are several Nepali literatures, English fantasy fictions, classics, non-fictions to even self help books (like 'How to Get a Girlfriend' since it was specifically requested by a customer) at your disposal. You can pick one of their cozy, squishy couches or the trendy but surprisingly comfortable bar stools by the window and lose yourself in the words.
Even though these are the early days for the cafe, there is a steady footfall. The chic yet relaxed vibe of the place sets an ideal background for all those who wish to just hang out and converse with friends late up to nine in the evening, read/work all by themselves or even hold small meetings. To top it off, this new spot is still evolving. With their new breakfast offerings as well as a takeaway section, plans to incorporate wine and beer for their evening menus, and even talks of a small park for children, there are exciting prospects in store for Bodhi Books and Bakes and all the more for us to look forward to.
In the meantime, head to Bodhi Books and Bakes and get lost in a glorious world of good books and flavors.
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