What is it with Mountains and baked goods? In almost all hill stations you find bakeries that can give the classiest bakeries in the plains a run for their money. Same was the case with Darjeeling. The shops and restaurants on the Mall Road are absolutely to die for. We had trouble choosing where to have our breakfast and where to go for lunch. There were so many options and each looked more interesting than the other.
Glenary's stood out because of its interesting quirky interiors and also the fact that it came with a strong recommendation from a friend who really knows what he is talking about when it comes to Darjeeling. So we went there for breakfast.
Apart from substantial indoor seating, Glenary's also has a spacious terrace that overlooks some sloping terraces and the valley. The view is good at times. But since the air is almost always fresh and clouds keep drifting in, outdoor seats are more popular than the indoor seats.
When we got there, indoor seating was all taken up. It is a different matter that they emptied rather quickly once it started drizzling. By then, however, we had got a nice table by the windows and the lighting there was perfect for some photographs. I took this opportunity to take a couple of photographs. And I am happy to say they came out pretty well.
The interiors are bright and spacious. The furniture is light and functional. I mean it doesn't overwhelm. None of those large, boisterous sofas or the bulky tables. The look is sleek and contemporary. Complete with a wrought iron staircase. We did not check where the staircase leads up to though.
The wallpapers, the photographs, the lamps and the neat little pieces of cutlery used as decorative pieces add a nice cozy touch to the bakery. The wooden beams running through the length of the ceiling and the pillars supporting them all keep reminding you that you are in the mountains and in a town that was once very popular with the British.
Coming to the food, the place serves continental, Indian, and Chinese, like most other restaurants in India. And apart from baked deserts, it also boasts of a fairly decent selection of liquor. Prices are a bit steep though, but overall the experience is worth it. If you visit Darjeeling, you should definitely have at least one meal at Glenary's.
When we were there, they were almost out of pastries, but had plenty of breads, muffins, chocolates. We didn't try any of that though. I am sure it would be good and you could give it a try when you are there. We could have got some packed for the hotel, but we didn't. We ended up regretting this because we walked throughout the day and were starving by the time we got back. And tired too. If we had some nice takeaways, we would not have had to spend another hour at a restaurant yawning away.
The quirkiest object in Glenary's is this telephone booth, likes of which you are likely to find in London. I don't know if it is a relic of the colonial times, but the use to which it is being put is almost Punjabi. It is used to store the spare packaging material. Slightly unusual, but still very much Indian.
To be honest, when we stepped into Glenary's we expected a little more British pub like cuisine. I don't know why, but I am really fond of that. None the less, it is definitely worth going into this place. If the weather is nice, do try to get a table outside. Especially if it is a bit cloudy, it can be a really romantic experience, sitting there and watching the view changing constantly.
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