Mocha's back in Delhi

I was a beanie-bag regular here, curled up with a fresh brew and a book from their wall-length library. Mocha’s where I got my first cafe mug of Blue Mountain. And where my friends and I kept coming back to get buried under a Chocolate Avalanche.

Until the MCD set its seal on the door in 2006. Sure, there was a NOIDA joint — but the drive’s a quencher for city-centre shoppers. And Barnies and Baristas weren’t a patch on it.

My fave cuppa is back! At yummy Def Col market. Overlooking the file of florists at the end.

They’ve kept things quiet, but it’s already all abuzz as we drop in early for Sunday brunch. Choosing a chair makes us girls work for our supper — they’re all different, all moodily enticing. And available to take home! (You can buy any of their furniture on the spot, or they’ll custom-make you a new piece — how cool is that?)

The ‘Bambaiya Ishtyle’ keema pao with a sunny-side-up makes my friend’s day. My Quebec-returned poutine — a French Canadian messy munchie of crunchy French fries with gooey cheese curds and gravy — is comfort at its inauthentic best, curry-spiced. Washed down in style with French press-fuls of Jamaican, Hawaiian Kona and the signature Yemeni Mocha.

We dare Vertigo. This chocolate-layer cake is T-A-L-L. Too much for two, treat enough for three. And play it smooth till sundown with a Marrakesh sheesha — not quite the Berber traditional with goat’s milk, but exotic enough, shot with rose.

Follow in our caffeine-charged footsteps. Come again another day for a tumbler of Blueberry Brain Freezer or rich Lindt milkshake. With honey-roasted peanut-butter cookies or Cinnabuns frosted with cream cheese.

The capital bean counter just hit an all-time high.

Mocha, 28A Defence Colony, New Delhi; ph: 46588445/47.Java and junk for two: Rs 750 onwards.