As a geeky teenager, strutting around the streets of Paris with her family in the mid-2000s, few things took my breath away. Not the Eiffel Tower (a tourist trap, I’d say!), not even the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum (it was larger than life, but only in my imagination). Only two things cast a spell on me — Disneyland Paris and the croissants.”What sorcery is this?” was pretty much my reaction on biting into a flaky, buttery croissant on a balmy afternoon at a local patisserie in Champs-Élysées. The rest of the years have gone by hunting for a croissant that comes even remotely close to a Parisian bake. That was until I visited Nenapu in JP Nagar, Bengaluru.
Nenapu: A Bakehouse Cum Bistro In Bengaluru’s JP Nagar
A passion project of two friends turned entrepreneurs, Aniz Abbas and Ambareesh Nimkar, Nenapu is a bakehouse by the day and a bistro by the afternoon. Crafting artisanal delights, deviously right in front of your eyes, in the open kitchen, serenading you to give in to your indulgences— Nenapu has tricks up its sleeves. And we’re not complaining! It’s sorcery, and let me tell you why!
In JP Nagar 5th Phase, on a road buzzing with eateries, the bakehouse cum bistro sits with a quiet confidence in its products and the artisans behind it. The ambience? Cosy, would be a cliche but apt to describe it. It’s a small diner filtering out the fussy eaters from the discerning gourmands. Those who travel far and wide (Indiranagar and Whitefield folks, we get you!) to reach in time for the bakes that sell faster than they can be refilled on the display shelves.
Croissant So Good That It Reminded Me Of Paris
The best things come to those who wait. While I didn’t toil long hours in traffic, I did wait a good few years for a cafe experience that was long due. Seated in the minimalistic space, overlooking the Outer Ring Road in the morning, I had to start with the highly tempting Pain Au Chocolat and Jaggery Cinnamon Swirl.
Love at first sight was what happened. The Pain Au Chocolat had a main character energy about it. But I wasn’t going to fall for the looks. Let’s just say, I’ve met my fair share of croissants(and men) that looked flaky but turned out dense. I picked out my knife and decided to do an ASMR test on it. Boy! Did it pass the test and how!
The crackle… the flakes chipping on my plate…and later coating my mouth as I sank my teeth into it…Supremely crisp, flaky, with generous amounts of chocolate cradled within! After what seemed like aeons, I finally discovered a croissant that was so light and airy, very close to what a Parisian croissant should be like— not dense, soggy, but just pure “flaky”. There’s a reason it’s the most used word to describe a croissant. You’d know if you’ve had a good one!
While the Jaggery Cinnamon Swirl was delicious, it was cloyingly sweet to me. The bakes were washed down with Hot Chocolate and Mocha— the light brown hue of both the beverages initially alarmed me, but a few sips later, I knew they hit just the right spot. Perfectly sweet and well-balanced drinks. For those steering clear of caffeine, the Coco Tonic, a distilled tender coconut water and pandan concoction, is a worthy order.
Brunching in reverse was the plan: start with desserts and end with a main. So, I ordered the highly recommended Pumpkin & Almond Tortellini. But this dish, however sincere and innovative, fell short. The tortellinis were chewy, lacked a generous helping of sauce, which would have harmoniously brought the elements together.
Crafting Memories For Gourmands
This left me craving a happier end to my culinary story at Nenapu. After all, “Nenapu” translates to “memories” in Kannada. I wasn’t leaving the place that treated me to the best croissant in Bengaluru, without a lasting moment. I watched a team of in-house bakers removing a baking tray of golden-brown tart shells out of the oven. That was my cue to shift to the bar stool overlooking the open kitchen.
Like synchronised choreography, each pastry chef (read: magician) played their part in assembling the Strawberry Cheesecake Tart. The freshly baked delights were piped with a cheesecake cream, topped with housemade strawberry compote and garnished with little greens. Interacting with the chefs as they took me through each process of the creation, hypnotised me into ordering one for myself, and an Almond Croissant for the road. At this point, I don’t need to explain how magnificent the bakes were. I’d say, leave the fluff, and try it out for yourself.
I didn’t need to travel far and wide for my fix of Parisian bakes. And you fellow Bengalureans, wouldn’t too! At Nenapu, croissants are guzzled, coffees are downed, and memories are created. This one took me to Paris. I wonder where it will take you!
Where: 5, Ground Floor, Outer Ring Road, JP Nagar, Bangalore
When: 10 am to 10 pm (Closed on Monday)
Cost: ₹1000 for two approx.
CT Recommends: Pain Au Chocolat, Almond Croissant, Coco Tonic, Mocha
Cover Image Courtesy: Sanjana Shenoy
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