I was in Bangalore for 10 days visiting family. When I was with them, we mostly ate Indian food, which I like, but not 3 meals in a day and then 3 days in a row. Seriously, eating curry for breakfast is still a big challenge for me. It explained why I was actively looking for non-Indian food, and lucky enough, I got to try 2 surprisingly good French Cafés in Bangalore.
Lavonne Café
Location: St. Marks Road, Whitefield or Indiranagar
I never expected such a high-quality French café with a reasonable price to be found in the city centre of Bangalore. I first noticed Lavonne Café because a Japanese who living in Bangalore recommended it. After paying a visit, I’d say this was the most enjoyable meal on this journey. Look at their cakes and pastries!!!
We ordered a pulled pork burger, a cream sauce fettuccine with bacon and shrimp, then finished with their signature chocolate cake.
Bacon and Shrimp Fettuccine with Wilted Greens in Creamy Béchamel ₹480 – Really well made béchamel sauce with a pretty generous amount of bacon and shrimps. Very rich in flavour but not too heavy. Delighted with a piece of crunchy and fragrant garlic baguette.
Burger: BBQ Pulled Pork with Sliced Green Apples ₹510 – A brilliant combination of BBQ pulled pork and refreshing green apples in a nice bun with an appropriate amount of sauce. I liked the fries that had a touch of chilli/hot paprika powder.
Signature Chocolate Cake ₹300 – Chocolate sponges, chocolate cream and chocolate mousse altogether in this shiny little cake. What a treat!
The service was good too; polite and attentive. They also do delivery or you can pick up orders at the stores.
Now, let’s move to the next café.
The French Treaty
Location: Jinvara, Yelahanka
If you like croissant, you’d LOVE The French Treaty, I promise!
This café is located in Jinvara, a newly opened shopping complex in Yelahanka, north Bangalore. I was very lucky to be able to explore it since my brother-in-law is living nearby. Once you step inside Jinvara, you won’t believe you’re in Bangalore – no car honks, fewer people, green scenery, tranquil, time slowed down, and an irresistible scent of butter flowing from The French Treaty.
French Breakfast ₹560 – A Danish, fruit plate, butter croissant, orange juice and espresso, all you can see in this picture are included in this French breakfast, except the Hazelnut Cold Brew Coffee (in the middle).
The croissant, OH MY! It was really good! Buttery and flaky, so be prepared that it will fall everywhere, which is a good sign though. And the galette, filled with creamy spinach and meaty bacon, made it a satiating light lunch.
Nice Try: A Spontaneous Hair Cut
By the way, in the same building above The French Treaty is a salon called Suburban. The laid-back ambience encouraged me to have my first hair cut in India (!!). With a bit of aid from Curry Boy’s Hindi translation, the hairdresser could give me a short bob cut which I usually have with my Japanese hairdresser. But, here in Bangalore, it only cost me ₹1080 (about £10), which is less than one-fourth of the UK price. How could I say no to that?
