Comic Cafe

There aren't many themed restaurants in Dhaka. So positive posts about a certain Comic Cafe on FoodBank naturally spiked my interest. My friend and I, therefore, paid a visit to this new cafe that opened commercially on March 17, located in Khilgaon Taltola, Dhaka.

The cafe is indeed quite different from others when it comes to the decor. Hanging from a wall were backlit circular plates with pictures of some popular comic characters, especially from The Adventures of Tintin, Chacha Chaudhary and Pinky. One end of the cafe had a beautiful view overlooking the Taltola area from the fifth floor. All the wooden tables were actually customised Snakes & Ladders boards to entertain the waiting customers. And of course, there were stacks of comic books in one corner, should you wish to read. Add to that music playing in the background; the environment was quite amazing. 

The menu offers a variety to cater to different taste buds. The innovatively named pizzas (Pizza Billoo, Pizza Chacha Chaudhary, etc.) range from BDT 305 to BDT 745 depending on the size. I saw Creamy Mushroom Soup (BDT 220), Doi Fuchka (8 pcs for BDT 150), and other fast food and shawarma items on the menu. Desserts like Oreo Cheesecake (BDT 230) and Choco Mousse (BDT 165), and beverages like Root Beer Float (BDT 165) and a range of coffee are available. After consulting with the waiter, my friend and I settled on a small Pasta Tintin (small - BDT 185, large - BDT 330) and the cafe's signature Dum Pakht Biriyani (BDT 295). We would've ordered some desserts too, but they had run out of the ones we wanted. While waiting for the food, we played a game of Snakes & Ladders, and the waiter served us complimentary Zeera Paani. 

The pasta arrived first. The pale orange texture of the Pasta Tintin looked appetising and tasted pretty great. It was creamy on top, a little dry in the middle, and creamy again at the bottom. The cheese wasn't burnt, thankfully, thus providing a good taste unlike many other places where the flavour is overpowering. It had the right amount of chicken in it. I felt that the pasta lacked a bit of seasoning, but that is probably a personal opinion. The small serving of pasta was enough for one person. 

Then came the best dish of Comic Cafe, the Dum Pakht Biriyani, served in a copper handi covered with a bread dough or moyaan. You have to eat (or rip) through the bread to reach the biriyani. The biriyani itself was a blast of flavours. The first thing I noticed was its aroma. The combination of spices was great, but it had a strong influence of clove. The meat in the biriyani looked dry, but was succulent and tasted fantastic. Simply put, the biriyani was cooked to perfection and the quantity is good enough for two people, only if you can resist the urge to devour it all by yourself. 

I got a chance to talk to the Marketing Partner of Comic Cafe, Minhajul Hoque. When asked how the idea of this cafe occurred to him, he said, "I'm a big fan of comics, specially the Bangla ones. I opened a Facebook page where I would scan and upload some comics. It gained popularity soon, and that's where I got my inspiration for this cafe." Although the response was amazing, the cafe isn't spacious enough to accommodate the number of interested potential customers. People often have to wait to get a table. Moreover, FoodBank reviews reveal that sometimes it takes a long time for the food to be served. 

Comic Cafe is pretty new and an innovative enterprise. The food is good and so is the decor. It is certainly a place I would recommend for a proper hangout. 

You can find more about Comic Cafe at www.facebook.com/comic.cafe.bd or drop by at:

House 566/A, Block C, Khilgaon Taltola (5th Floor). That Dum Pakhth Biriyani is something one simply cannot miss!