For someone who has lived in Kochi during the 90s, Caravan Icecreams (formerly known as Caravan icecream parlour at the Broadway and the Caravan Softies at MG Road) is a familiar brandname and one that held a special wistful place in the journey of life. Years have gone by since then..and only recently I heard about its resurgence and the all new outlet opened in Kakkanad infopark area. Visibly, the reestablished brand has shed all its obsolete perspectives and looks fresh and dynamic. Infact the whole setup seems overhauled in terms of an improved menu even though the influence of the nostalgic flavours & combinations are still evident. The spacious interiors & decors certainly brings class & contemporary aspects in equal measure apparently targeting at the rising generation & the IT crowd nearby.
It was late in the night around 11pm when I reached here and the place was so alive and packed with barely a table vacant. The demand and craving for this almost forgotten brandname on a late night weekday speaks volumes about its longevity. Despite all the colour, the noise and the emotions, the experience I wished I had enjoyed didn't go as anticipated. At first..the service was terribly slow. Being with your family after a heavy dinner and a baby on board all we wanted was a quick dessert and leave for home. However even though there was a warning of 20 minute delay from the waiter, ours took almost 35-40 mts which somewhat dimnished the entire episode.
Speaking of the icecreams alone, the single scoop and the quick sundaes turned out to be too plain. The waffle & praline with peach combo didn't bring out the charm it really deserved. The falooda was good but not exceptional. The one that deserved any mention was the banana toffee sundae which became everybody's favourite that night. I am not sure if this is the kind of experience I wanted from the new look of Caravan. But I am ready to come back again and give another chance in a setting where there is less crowd & rush..so that I can take my time & indulge and see if my opinion can be reversed. Hope...
   Read moreCaravan Ice Cream : A huge Disappointment!!!
Last Saturday night, my mom and I went to Caravan Ice Cream Café because she was craving a sundae. Caravan was her favorite spot during her college days, and she had taken me to the Broadway branch before, where I fell in love with their fruit salad with jelly and ice cream. When they opened in Kakkanad, we visited in the first week and had a great experience. So naturally, we expected nothing less this time.
Since we had our pup with us, I waited downstairs while my mom sat upstairs and ordered. She got the Caravan Classic Sundae, and I ordered the Peach & Praline Waffle Sundae.
The waffle was the worst Iâve ever hadâway too thick, with flat-tasting ice cream. They put exactly four half-cut peaches (probably canned), and the entire thing was just bland. No sweetness, no flavorâjust a soggy mess.
Then my mom came down and told me her sundae was just as bad. They had promised fresh fruits, but all she got was four tiny pineapple slices. When she asked them about it, they argued, saying, "This is how a sundae is made," as if we were eating one for the first time.
I also noticed their menu had changedâmany of their classic items were gone. Caravan used to be special, but now itâs just disappointing. They didnât just take our money; they took away our trust and happy memories. We are moving forward with a consumer complaint because customers...
   Read moreFirstly, I must admit that the prime location of this cafe is definitely a selling point. However, I feel compelled to express my disappointment with certain aspects of my visit.
One major concern was the level of cleanliness in the cafe. It was evident that proper cleaning procedures were not being followed after customers left. The seats and floor were noticeably stained with sugars, which made for an uncomfortable dining experience. Cleanliness is an important factor for any establishment, and I believe it should be a top priority.
Furthermore, As a customer, Improving the quality of service and creating a more welcoming atmosphere could greatly enhance the overall customer experience.
On a positive note, I must acknowledge that the ice cream itself was enjoyable. However, it did not live up to the hype that I had heard. While the flavors were only good, they were not something that I would personally boast about to others because the sugar was overpowering.
In conclusion, while the ice cream was satisfactory, I cannot overlook the issues with cleanliness and staff attitude that I encountered during my visit. I hope that they take these criticisms constructively and work towards improving these areas. With some adjustments, I believe that your cafe has the potential to become a truly exceptional...
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