Corner House

Rare is the tome that unfolds what exactly makes us all go weak at the knees at the sight of a voluptuous Ice-cream - decked with whipped cream, nuts and molten chocolate. Decidedly It is one of those few desserts, if I may call it thus, that has always flourished on a dearly preserved inexplicability. Until 80’s, the likes of Kwality’s [Park Hotel] Tooti-frooti or Hobby Centre’s spread ruled my ice-cream fancy. Häagen-Dazs, Cold Stone, Baskin Robbins, Magnum or Ben & Jerry’s are the brands I chummed up with later largely over my travels far and wide. But none could intrigue me as deeply as Bangalore’s ‘Corner House’ did – trust me! The brand boasts of a very humble beginning and would soon be completing 36 years. CH’s offerings range from scoops to sundaes – always versatile, flavoured, freshly made, and served in the most modest yet delectable ways - with the secrets of taste hidden in the recipes of delicious sauces prepared in-house. 

Amongst the bestsellers, ‘The Hot Chocolate Fudge’ is an old love that comes as ‘two scoops of Vanilla ice cream topped with scoops of the hot chocolate sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts’ - understated, classically modest, delicious and sinful. The one I’m to wax eloquent on is Café Caramel – a treat designed strictly for the connoisseurs with a kinky penchant for elegant bitterness – scoops of caramel crunch Ice-cream topped with thick cream, coffee sauce and cashew nuts. The dripping coffee sauce [I end up asking for more of it] sets the elusive stage hiding the thick creamy mystery awaiting within. The golden nuts guard up adequately tricking one trust the very first flavour to touch the tongue, steadily ‘unpreparing’ the enthusiast for the unknown. The magic begins the moment the long spoon digs into the whole cleaving through all layers eventually scooping out a dollop with bits of all that went into it creating an indelible taste profile! A brief spell of ecstatic numbness is likely after the spoonful makes its way into the mouth. The ingredients, carrying distinctive flavours, when combined create an indeterminate gastronomic masterpiece – a true tertium quid. I love it with my eyes open! 

The spartan interior admittedly belies the richness of Corner House’s repertoire. The camaraderie begins with the maiden dollop landing inside the mouth letting the tongue be mischievous. Even the single scoop-varieties, usually served in cups, carry the defining fullness, taste, texture and honesty of the brand.

I like some bit of clumsiness in food – that imperfection stokes creativity and makes a seeker come back in search of surprises…