Books & Bricks has a nice British feel inside

Jugal Bhinde

IN a city like Srinagar, there aren’t many places for peace and quiet, where one can sit down and spend an afternoon, reading your favorite novel. What would be even more alluring for an avid reader, would be a place that serves you freshly made delights, to accompany your private ‘me’ time.

Located at uptown Gogji Bagh, ‘Books and Bricks’ café is one such place, where I found solitude on a hot afternoon, to sit down with a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” while sipping a freshly made concoction of apple and kiwi juices.

I was direly looking for a place such as this, because I was looking for an escape from everything that goes around in the otherwise chaotic city, Srinagar has lately turned into. The traffic, noise, protests everything drowns out inside the brick laden walls of this café.

A dollop of vanilla ice cream on top of the assortment of apples, pomegranates, bananas and kiwis
A dollop of vanilla ice cream on top of the assortment of tropical fruit

I was direly looking for a place such as this, because I was looking for an escape from everything that goes around in the otherwise chaotic city, Srinagar has lately turned into. The traffic, noise, protests everything drowns out inside the brick laden walls of this café.

I also ordered a portion of fruit salad, trying to be a little calorie conscious. But much to my surprise, and rather pleasantly, they’d included a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top of the assortment of apples, pomegranates, bananas and kiwis. I let my calorie consciousness vanish for a moment, and indulged happily.

Concoction of apple and kiwi juice is refreshing
Concoction of apple and kiwi juice

The aura of ‘Books and Bricks’, is a based on a traditional British café, with brick walls, wooden tables and chairs and subtle classic music.

Along the walls are shelves lined with books, and I did find a few of my favourites like J.D Salinger and Hemingway.

BB is moderately priced, has a variety of sweet and savoury dishes to choose from and is located quite prominently in the city. Its quite unusual for Srinagar to cater to the needs of a person who is looking for a cocoon of calm and thoughtfulness, and Books & Bricks offers it.

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