Coffee Anyone?

Starbucks, Pune

• The Basics – Expensive for a coffee shop. Non-veg. Mostly coffee and a few snacks. WiFi. Self-service
• The Address – Koregaon Park, before lane 1 (right by the entrance, in a tiny lane). Hard to miss
• The Verdict – Only if you’re a part of the Starbucks culture. If not, you’re not missing out on much

I’m sitting, in my opinion, in the heart of Pune city and I feel the vibrations all around me. My flight landed an hour ago, and I’m sitting here at Starbucks, Koregaon Park, to pass time, waiting for a friend, who’s flight should land in an hour from now.

Sitting upstairs, in a room to the corner of the house-turned-coffee-shop, I soak in everything around me. I do not feel as if I am in India. Everything around me, including the security checks at the entrance, the self-service, western dress – shorts, mini-skirts and dresses on girls and mostly blue jeans and tees on guys, all take me back to the States. The only thing that keeps bringing me back to reality are the long lines and the occasional Hindi and Marathi that I hear from the people surrounding me. Yet, they stand in line ordering their favourite drinks with full gusto and complete awareness and confidence. Have they been to Starbucks before? They know the difference between “tall” and “mild”, and understand that their names will be scribbled across the prominent Starbucks cheap, plastic glasses. They are a part of the Starbucks culture. I am a part of the Starbucks culture.

The décor is nothing short of what you will find in any other Starbucks across the globe. The menu is almost the same, with a few Indian additions. Interestingly, their coffee is sourced from TATA’s coffee plantations in Chikmagalur and Coorg and other parts of Karnataka. The boast that they use the best Arabica beans, something that will bring a smile to coffee tasters, or cuppers. They boast to be the best and everyone seems to fall for it. Sadly, the Café Coffee Day down the lane seems empty, longing for some customers. Despite their unfriendly prices, they are drawing in the crowds.

Well lit, there is soft music playing in the background allowing for a decent conversation. However, the noisy crowd will not let you do so. Excited young college students and NRI aunties are nothing short of loud. Wasn't Starbucks a coffee shop for to-go and to sit and do your work? Another disappointing aspect is the fact that the WiFi was not working and the staff could not guide me on how to get it working. Nevertheless, they were friendly and are the only saving grace for this coffee shop.

I order a frappuccino and it came strong. I also ordered a chicken and mozzarella turnover. While the coffee disappointed me, the turnover was good. Everything, I felt was just about average and not worth the price. For a coffee and a little snack, I paid Rs. 350. Not surprising because it’s Starbucks. Yet, I know I can do much better and I will feel more satisfied if I was at the Coffee Day down the lane. So unless you’re buying into the Starbucks culture, this is perhaps not the place for you.

I’m not. I’d much rather give my counterpart Indian coffee brand a chance to succeed, and this is coming from someone who is pro-FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).

Nevertheless I can say that Starbucks is a good addition to the Indian coffee market and as always, their coffees are innovative and you either like it or you don't. It does not grow onto you.

See you next time, Starbucks! I preferred your bagels and hot chocolate in America.