Look around – monsoons have hit the city and the world has suddenly become more romantic. Very few of life’s pleasures top the simple joy of sipping on hot tea and indulging in some sinful chocolate to get a feel of this weather.
For all those who are busy with their lives, looking for life to become perfect – stop. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take a moment – pause, look around – enjoy a dessert and make it perfect… and when you decide to do that, we’d like to help! Having wiped the frosting off our faces, here’s our take on dessert havens around the city!
Text: Anahita Ahuja
Van Lavino
What makes your desserts different?
We are different from the other bakeries and dessert shops, as our concept is different. We showcase live desserts like waffles and crepes, and at the same time have Italian food with a cafe feel. We also house a whole range of French desserts and chocolates which you will not find anywhere else.
How do you look into:
Freshness: We buy the freshest ingredients on a day-to-day basis and one can witness that on our shelves. Be it imported fruits or vegetables, everything is procured everyday – without any artificial flavouring in our products. That is our USP.
Price: We are priced slightly above the average market rates as we use the highest quality of raw ingredients especially chocolates and exotic berries, cheese etc.
Appearance: We believe what looks good should also taste good and that is what we try to do.
Calories: Personally speaking, desserts lovers should never check the calories otherwise the joy and desire to enjoy it is not left.
Taste: Food is our passion and we believe in delivering authentic taste and flavour.
What is your speciality?
We specialise in crepes, waffles, cheese cakes, burgers and coffees. While our ferrero rocher cakes and cheese cakes are our best sellers.
How do you stay updated with current trends?
We travel for exhibitions to keep ourselves updated with trends across Europe. Recently we had a French chef who was here for a month to train our team.
Owned by: Harish and Laveena Ramnani, and Abhijeet Pai and Ashwini Pai Jhabak
Price for two: Rs. 800 to 1200
Address:
Van Lavino,
SL Jubilee,
Road no 36, Jubilee Hills.
Ph: 04023559770
We went around the city, to find out from some known faces around, about their favourite desserts.
Here’s what their idea of a perfect sinful, cheat sounds like…
Hebah Patel, actress:
I absolutely enjoy sweets, because of which am quite choosy, too. After having tried out a lot of things from a lot of places, I would say the Chocolate Eclair from Conçu, the chocolate brownies and the Classic Chocolate Cake from Labonel are to die for.
Sanjay Kumar, actor and ex-merchant:
I have a sweet tooth and am an addict for cocoa, so anything chocolaty and I am all yours. Labonel Classic Chocolate Cake is my Kryptonite – there is nothing very fancy about this cake but it almost feels like it was tailor made to my taste. It is not too much of an over-dose of chocolate but the right hints of it around your taste buds. If I had to pick between the last Classic Chocolate Cake or The last alive women on earth – I would hands down pick this cake because evolution may give rise again to women but this, I don’t think is possible!
Kirat Singh, businessman:
My favourite dessert in the city would be the sizzling brownie from Ruci and idoni. It is a chocolate brownie with a scoop of ice-cream on top served with a generous pouring of melted chocolate on the ice-cream. It is served on hot sizzler plates to be eaten directly in its sizzling hot form – defines pure divinity!
Hyderabad Loves:
Labonel: Think of desserts in the city and this is one of the first names that comes to your mind. “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt” – is the perfect line to describe a Labonel lover.
Known for: chocolate brownies, cupcakes and cakes.
Price for two: Rs 1000
Guilt Trip: For all those who think cupcakes are desserts for people who hate to share. Whether you are looking for a tarty flavor or a citrus-y kick, a shot of chocolate or the red velvet trick, you’ll find your fix for cupcakes here.
Known for: Cupcakes, cheesecakes and waffles
Price for two: Rs. 800
WOFL:
You walk in and find yourself in a world of freshly baked breads, waffles and savouries. It’s the delicate smell of the place that will immediately win you over. Drop in for a mouth-watering breakfast or to indulge in some divine waffles.
Known for: waffles and pancakes
Price for two: Rs. 700
