The Scene
A chameleonic little gate opens up into a pretty, if a tad shabby, lawn that houses Coffee Affair, a cozy hub for the hookah-loving community of uptown Hyderabad. Stone tables, cushy sofas, and the thick haze of smoke emanating from colorful
sheeshas greet your sight.
The patrons - for you don't really come here to partake of a meal - have the look of those who have settled down nicely and will not move any time soon. And the staff cooperates.
Indeed, just like many other places of the same category, the staff pretty much leaves you alone, unless you go out of your way to get their attention.
As a matter of fact, a tinge of shabbiness shades the entire place, which can only be forgiven if the food is fantastic or if the place has been around since the beginning of time (read:
Cafe Bahar). Or, alternatively, if it has has found its own little niche of people who can't help but come here every single day (and you always have those). Coffee Affair seems to belong to the latter of the three.
There is seating inside as well - whether you want to escape the relentless summer sun, or don't appreciate the charms of a balmy Hyderabadi evening - a clean and toned down space that sees a repeat of the cushy sofas and stone tables routine.
The Food
Vast continental menu (
a la a hundred other places) notwithstanding, the food is a bit of a let down. A meal for two, including drinks (of the virginal variety), starters, mains and something sweet to mop it all up, can cost you a good Rs. 1,500, or even more, owing to the place not being very generous with portions.
Including pizzas, pastas, grills, etc., the food menu here reads almost exactly like that of
Testa Rossa.
It is the beverage menu (yes, the have a separate 3-page beverage menu that does not include alcohol) that catches your attention with some innovative options. Here, it would be advisable for you to stick to what is tried and tested. The road not taken is a rather bumpy one at Coffee Affair.
The Verdict
It's a pretty tall order for a grub hub to stand up and make itself seen on B'Hills Road No. 10. Unfortunately, Coffee affair doesn't quite measure up.