One evening, post a dessert of neat triangular Nutella sandwiches, my cousin had a sudden craving for banana with sugar. It was nearly 11 pm and, my boisterous bunch of friends had been at Café 17 since evening, seated at the most sought-after long table under the staircase, which I have dubbed the ‘Harry Potter corner’. They had ordered most of what was on the menu. I don’t know if Praveen Mohan of Cafe 17 will recollect this incident but his generous gesture of sending over a plate of sliced bananas with bowls of honey, sugar, and chocolate sauce is one of the most endearing memories that I have of Café 17. Like me, the other regulars, too, will surely have such tidbits to share.
Cafe 17 turns 5 this month. In addition, they have recently launched a brightly-lit two-storey outlet next to Fab India at Ravipuram. The new cafe offers fine dining unlike their Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road’s hangout space. Nevertheless, there is a wall-mounted television on each floor for the football lovers for screenings of the league matches. Foodwise, there are more options on the menu and a spacious first floor to hold meetings and workshops.