http://www.parakhi.com/blogs/2011/11/29/higher-ground
Higher Ground
November 29, 2011 By : valley-foodie
I’m not sure how long Higher Ground has been around for but as far as I can remember it has just always been there, across from the Standard Chartered Bank and above Orange, the clothing store. It’s gotten a lot of press for the owner seeking to ease of woes of abused women, but it would be a lie if I said I went there to simply accumulate a few more karma points.
There are three reasons to hit up a small and simple coffee shop half often as I do Higher Ground. The location is perfect, the coffee is strong and the price is just right.
Situated a stone’s way from the Jawalakhel landmark, Bakery Café, it’s an easy spot to give direction to newcomers. But, it’s also one of few coffee shops that are primarily coffee shops in the area (I know there’s Hessed but anywhere else in the Jawalakhel/Jhamel area you’ll get the evil eye if you just want to sit back with a good read. There are plenty of shops (clothing, electronics, stationary, etc) so chances are you’ll be milling about there if you are Patan-based and everyone needs a break from running about and Higher Ground offers the perfect solace.
Now there are a good many coffee shops in town these days. I’m not one to sing praise of the new one Kathmandu-side where they are promoting take-away cups. I find that to be the kind of stupidity only Kathmandu “middle” class could conjure. What’s the point of selling your coffee in disposable cups when there is no recycling system to speak of and waste management is a joke at best in this valley? Why not stick to the porcelain mugs so that you aren’t hurting if you can’t be helping. To go cups is downright ridiculous to me anywhere, but especially here! Anyway, I’ll never set foot in that coffee shop (I think it’s called Kathmandu Express, but I forget so check the place out and their terrible to go cups yourself and tell them to stop with it already!)
Anyway, location? Check.
Good coffee? Check that too. It’s not like the best thing your proud Italian host would serve you in Milan, but it’s close enough. They are not stingy with the beans and it is almost always is fresh (you know how it tastes just wrong when it’s old beans?) and with it is the food also good. Very good, in fact. I just had the raved Tomato Soup with Cheese Toast combo and it was goodness all around. The soup is quite terrible in the US where according to my boyfriend it is just served as “watered down spaghetti sauce” but at Higher Ground I think they’re hand made or something – you can see tomato skin and they are generous with the herbs. It’s piping hot and the bowl is large enough for you to make a decent meal out of. The Cheese Toast just compliments the soup all too well to have one without the other. I’ve gotten every birthday/wedding anniversary/farewell cake from their Bakery (in Ekantakuna, adjacent to DFID) for as long as I can remember. Even my recent French guests (who are otherwise quite the snob when it comes to cakes and chocolates) were more than happy with the chocolate cake!
Then the price. It’s perhaps the cheapest nice place around. ‘Nuff said!
Since Valley Foodie can’t cook and hates to clean up after creating havoc in the kitchen while frying eggs in place of a “real meal” the only option she has is to explore and to eat. You may think such an individual could not provide solid food reviews, but really, it’s the opposite (because she watches Master Chef). Anyway, who says the way to a man’s stomach alone is through food?
http://www.parakhi.com/blogs/2011/11/29/higher-ground
