Which is which?

It's the case of the cafe under the Banyan tree. There's two of them. Both cafes have names that borrow from the trees that shade them. Both opened for business this summer, but aren't related. Let's get rid of the confusion, shall we?

The Banyan Tree
Krishna Worli CHS, G Floor, Shop #10. 8.30 am-11.30 pm
Shama Meghe, a resident of JM Palkar Marg, was famliar with the sprawling Banyan Tree long before she even dreamed she would own a cafe in the shadow of its foliage. Later she saw how perfect it would be for al fresco dining, and make for a fabulous Unique Selling Proposition as well. "Worli doesn't have a deli, so the residents are thrilled," she says, although they've even just noticed their first few customers all the way from Versova.

Although the intention was to open a semi-casual deli, the "Conti" menu is rather full-fledged (roast lamb in red wine on a bed of polenta cakes included). So it's really more of a Resto-cafe-bakery-and soon to be bar (when they get the beer and wine licence that has been applied for).

Expect to see smoothies, teas, Irish coffee (with whisky), muffins and cheesecake on the menu "" all standard deli temptations. The majority of customers, though, still come for their breads ("Multigrain not coloured," quips the operations head) and breakfast (he suggest the Pancakes with Blueberry topping "" Rs 45)

Banyan Tree has a mellow air about it and the furniture "" a predictable cane, picket fences and the awning outside add rustic charm. The "serenity" offered by the tree is complimented by suitable Feng Shui interventions (of course) and some Oriental-looking seating. The cafe seats 24 inside and 16 outside. And although seats outside are finding few takers in the warmth of a characteristic Mumbai summer, the awning will protect it from the rains.

Meghe recounts how employees of the office that occupied the space before the cafe visited recently and the first thing they did was hug the banyan tree. "It's been really lucky for us," they had said. Meghe is going to be counting on some of that luck herself.

Starter: Rs 65-120; Main course: Rs 120-225; Dessert Rs 45-100

Under the Banyan Tree
34/A, Peddar Road, Ramnik Stores, next to Sophia College, Pedder Road. 11 am-11 pm
Tucked between dark wood garden furniture, a currently-waterless water body and palms, and benefitting from the canopy offered by not one but two banyan trees is Under the Banyan Tree. It's been a month since a decades-old general store crammed with provisions made way for an unexpected neighbourhood cafe that spills out onto a public walkway. The physical structure itself is tiny "" it seats (a very cosy) eight and there's no room for a kitchen, just an assembly space.

The buzz is apparent, owing largely to the affability of the owners who hang around and chat with the clientele all through the day, and teenagers in the locality who seem to sit there in perpetuity, alternating between cigarettes and grub.

Most of them are too young for the bar circuit and this is the "cool" alternative. "It's meant to be the 'local' with no airs," says owner Gaurav Dabrai who chats pleasantly with the kids who apprise him of the nocturnal happenings of the neighbourhood in a "Dude where's my car?" fashion.

The food on offer is the standard soup sandwich pasta dessert combo. It's a lot of comfort food... Mac 'n' cheese, baked potato, nachos et al. Dabrai is happy to turn me into a guinea pig for a Raspberry, Cinnamon and Clove cooler which might make the menu if it receives affirmation.

Like Meghe of The Banyan Tree, Dabrai and partner Nihar Gala want this to be the start of a chain of cafes. "That's a whole lot of banyan trees to find," says Dabrai. He's spotted a potential space under some palm trees though on Carter road. For now he's more concerned about how to skirt the monsoon issue. That's when its neighbour Sophia College, currently quiet, will once more spill its teeming contents onto its path.

Starter: Rs 35-75; Mains: Rs 100-125; Dessert: Rs 55-125.