As a bustling capital city, Delhi witnesses the rise and fall of numerous food and beverage brands. Only the very best survive and thrive in this discerning foodie haven. Café Tesu opened its doors in 2017 in Essex Farms, and caught the attention of Delhiites with its traditional dishes, delicious coffee, and warm and welcoming interiors. Now the brand is spreading its wings by launching its second branch at DLF Avenue Mall in Saket.
“Our new spot welcomes you to a cosy space of imagination and culinary craft. From artisanal tea and coffee to traditional food recipes, Café Tesu at DLF Avenue focuses on every little detail to make sure your visit is worth the experience. The menu has been designed with the intention of bringing soulful food to the table, and also provide the option of a quick bite to those shopping at the mall or to guests heading to watch a movie. From quick bites, gourmet food to healthy variants, the spread covers a diverse range so that there is something for everyone,” says Dhruv Goyle, Chief Operating Office, Essex Farms and Café Tesu.
An alumnus of Les Roches, Switzerland, Goyle bears a strong culinary legacy as a third-generation restaurateur, whose family has been in the food and beverage industry since 1965. This is the reason he is so passionate about his work. He expanded his family business and launched the restaurant chains, ‘Yes Minister’, ‘Play House’, ‘Cafe Tesu’ and is now looking at further expansion.
The new branch of Café Tesu at DLF Avenue Mall in Saket, offers a fresh vibe and inviting ambiance awash with tones of gold and pastel pink. The overall look and feel is further enhanced with its logo which is accentuated by a well-lit blossom tree that can be spotted even from a distance. Effort has been put into choosing elegant lighting to highlight certain elements of the room such as its ceiling.
The menu includes a selection of quick eats as well as gourmet fare. There are healthy options as well as indulgences, ensuring there is something for everyone. Their popular hand-rolled tea blends and artisanal homegrown coffees are also on offer.
“Cafe Tesu is all about the serving of what we like to call ‘Soul Food’. We bring comfort food in good portion sizes to your table. The interiors for both the outlets are planned in an ambient and spacious way, to allow everyone the promise of safety and hygiene along with the privacy of carrying out meetings and conversations in comfort. We are very keen to attract people from all age groups and therefore stress on the fact that there is something for everyone,” says Goyle.
Their all-day breakfast menu, salads, quiches, and pizzas have always been big attractions for their patrons, but when asked what their signature dishes are, Goyle says, “Sunny Avo which consists of a multigrain bread with guacamole spread topped with an egg sunny side up; and the Quinoa Tabbouleh, which is made with warm quinoa with roasted beets, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, feta and balsamic vinaigrette.” He credits the popularity of these two dishes to the fact that they are both made of superfoods, which make them healthy and tasty, while also being on trend.
The pandemic was difficult on them, as it was on most hospitality brands, but they are slowly recovering. Helpful rebates from concerned authorities have aided them in this recovery. Plus, the unconditional support of their patrons during the lockdown who continued to order food for delivery, helped them get through this difficult time. They have also been very strict about ensuring that all safety and hygiene protocols are followed.
Though the last two years have been challenging, Goyle is quick to highlight a particularly rewarding moment too. “Once Instagram hosted one of their official events at Cafe Tesu, Essex Farms. We pride ourselves on being an Instagrammable cafe through our many decor elements, and hence it was a real honor for us to be chosen as the venue for their event!” he shares with pride. By catering to a number of dignitaries and industrialists, Cafe Tesu has become known as a good place to meet professionally over a quick coffee and small bite.
With two outlets of Cafe Tesu receiving a good response from customers, they are now looking to expand further. Goyle signs off with, “Looking at the volatility of the F & B industry at the moment, we are not rushing this, but we are weighing our options and you can definitely expect Cafe Tesu to be launching at other locations across the city in the future.”
The writer pens lifestyle article for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com. She can be reached on nooranand@gmail.com.