First Gloria Jean's coffee chain in the city

Barista. CCD. Mocha. I’m a coffee junkie and am always flitting from one place to another to try and find that perfect cuppa. So when I heard that the Australian coffee chain Gloria Jean’s had set up shop in Bandra, my Java-sense was tingling and I was one keen Sheila to go see what was brewing.

I met up with my gang of girls for some choice chinwagging over Cocoa Loco (a sinful blend of chocolate, coffee and milk that I give a thumb’s up to). We discovered that this one’s the first store in the city and country, launched with much fanfare by Bollywood hottie Lara Dutta a fortnight ago.

We avoided the open-air seating (let’s save the heat for the brews, I thought) and headed for the plusher inside section with air-conditioning and snagged one of the few comfy sofas. Like the other chains, it has the usual fare — cappuccino, mocha, espresso, ice blends and cold coffees. And while I’m super picky and wasn’t completely bowled over by what was in my coffee bowl, my friends were slurping up their concoctions in ecstasy. The light-browns-on-dark-browns decor never let us forget that Gloria Jean’s is all about the beans. But I think the eats too are worth a whack and rather easy on the pocket. And, as they say Down Under, the desserts are bonza. I thought the Blueberry Cheesecake was phenomenal and the Strawberry Mousse, fresh and creamy.

And although nothing can be a patch on fresh-ground, French-pressed, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Blue Mountain chez moi, Gloria Jean’s is a refreshing option for us Mumbai coffeeholics.

Gloria Jean’s, next to Pot Pourri, Turner Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai; Prices: Start at Rs 40, desserts Rs 49-89, and for every coffee you buy, you get a punch card. After 10 punches, your 11th coffee is free!