MAINLAND CHINA - INDIRANAGAR

With a deep craving for Chinese food after a movie, I decided to lunch at Mainland China in Indiranagar. I’ve been to their units years ago…the one on church street and once or twice here in Indiranagar mostly choosing to go A la carte. Today I opted for the buffet.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the quality and taste of the vegetable dumplings and the sauces that came with it is exactly how it was years ago. I couldn’t get enough of it and ate ten momos and could have made a full meal out of it. Starters and soup are served at the table. The dumplings were followed by pepper vegetables and chilly potatoes and fried wantons. All were tasty but the momos take the cake!

They had some thick soup and being a fan of clear soups I refused and mentioned the reason why. They made clear soup just for me and it was delicious!

Now comes the not so nice part. The buffet had fried rice, noodles and a variety of sides – greens in sauce, hot and sour vegetables and dumplings in hot garlic sauce all the side dishes were tasty but man! the rice was awful. At the first spoonful I was glad that I had served myself less and also stuffed myself with dumplings earlier. In the first place, any rice has to be PIPING HOT and this was cold and had a weird smell to it. Noodles were better but these were cold too.

The management really ought to do something about the quality of rice, and serve hot rice and noodles after all it’s the main course of the meal. The chocolate ice cream in the dessert section tasted like its way past the expiry date.
Desserts weren’t much to go wow about.. just some cakes, ice-cream (avoid) and fresh fruits. Overall, their starters and soup were the best. Prices are reasonable. Service was good.

Would I go again? Only to stuff myself with the starters if I’m in a splurging mood.

OVERALL RATING: 3/5

Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details: 4032, 100 ft Road, near Domlur flyover, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm, 7pm – 11:30pm
Contact: 080 25216677 / 080 39491234

CAFE TOSCANO - JAYANAGAR

With some work scheduled in Jayanagar, I wanted to grab a light lunch in the area. Café Toscano was on the way and I decided to stop here because I’ve had my eye on this place every time I go to Jayanagar and also because of the high ratings on reviews.

The place was all done up for the upcoming Halloween day with cotton cobwebs and cut outs of bats all over the walls. I wanted more of a snack than a full meal. I ordered a Bruschetta – my favorite Italian snack. Fresh chopped tomato, basil, virgin olive oil and Feta. This was served with a salad on the side. Both were tasty but not the best I’ve had.

Before that I was given a bread basket with salsa and pesto dips. While the dips were great, what is it with bread baskets that usually have stale, hard bread? I’ve experienced this in most restaurants. Very rarely is the bread fresh…just because we aren’t paying for it I suppose. This place was no different.

The Bruschetta and salad by itself was quite filling for me though it was only three pieces of bread. I got a Greek salad for takeaway which I later discovered at home tasted quite bland. I never leave any place without having dessert. Ordered a Freshly whipped mascarpone Tiramisu which was rich and creamy served with coffee ice cream. I must say their presentation is very picturesque however I’d prefer not eat out a flat square plate. I had to push my food around to get a grip on it.

Service was quick and courteous. Prices are quite high. Would I go again? Maybe to try their pizza but for me this place lacked the wow factor for frequent visits.

Overall rating: 3/5

In Pics: Bruschetta and Tiramisu.

Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details:
359/38, 7th Cross, 1st Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore
Contact: 41558423 /917619320074
Timings: 12noon – 11pm

LITTLE ITALY INDIRANAGAR

My friend and I decided to lunch here after all the rave reviews from various sources. It was calm when we met. The interiors aren't anything to rave about. This is an all vegetarian Italian restaurant and given the competition in the area it takes something for a vegetarian italian place to hold its own.

We opted for the buffet. The welcome drinks (limited) and the starters (unlimited) were served at the table.

The plusses +++++
The baby corn fritters (okay bajjis) were perfect. I ate about 7 of these. We asked for second, third and fourth helpings. Salsa was yumlicious. Nachos with some cheesy stuff was good. I liked the lime water I asked for. They have a live pasta counter and we split a dry spaghetti with loads of veggies. The dips to go with everything was fresh and different - spinach was one and jalapeno was another. Bruschetta was good. Soup was just like how one makes at home.

The minuses -----

The breads- ever tasted bread that was left out in the air for too long? Yep, dry, hard and totally lacking in freshness as compared to warm fresh crisp bread I've had in several other places. For me, to go wrong with garlic bread, my favourite kind is a crime in itself. They have a variety of them assorted, pita, garlic bread and all tasted wooden. The management ought to look into this for the breads are a big part of the buffet. My friend found the kiwi welcome drink too sweet. Desserts were boring. Mango ice cream had ice crystals on it and was made from artificial flavouring.

The biggest thumbs down is for the mosquitoes. Huge buggers that bit and buzzed around us and spoilt our appetites. This was because we opted for outdoor seating.

Would I go again? Yes, when I'm in a mood for spaghetti. I plan to call ahead and ask if they are having baby corn for starters and only then head there and next time, I'll just stick to the starters, pasta and most importantly INDOORS!!!!!

Overall rating 3.5/5

Ratings for reviews
1- No!No!No!
2- just about average
3- Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!
5- Yes!Yes!Yes!

Details :
2017,100 feet road
HAL 2nd stage, Bangalore
Contact: 080 49652856
Open from 12 pm

FARSI CAFE - UB CITY MALL LAVELLE ROAD

For nearly a year, my friend and I have been planning to visit this place and we finally got around to it this month. Also, I thought a break from reviewing places only in Indiranagar would make a pleasant change.

This review would be description and ratings for different categories

Ambience: This is such a lovely place and so quiet on weekdays. It is very airy and if you are by yourself you can drift into a dreamy state. This is one place on a weekday to catch up over a long chat with a friend. 5/5

Seating: Quite comfortable, cosy chairs. – 4/5 rain droplets from the side windows did get on to the chairs.

Service: Efficient and attentive in all the right doses. 5/5.

Presentation: Top notch. Creative, visually appealing, (we sure eat with our eyes first), and colorful. Even the bill come in a quaint typewriter. 5/5

Food: Cooking is love made edible and my friend and I sure were in love today. 5/5.

We were given mango shots in little bowls as a welcome with dry ice. I so love the dry ice fumes.

Vada pav farsified – This was a lot like the aloo bondas I make at home with spicy powder and green and sweet chutney and lots of sev. Very tasty though and on rainy days.. best choice.

Varathathu fried fish and chakka chips that my friend had was crumb fried and tasty. This was served with jackfruit chips.

Just before the main course, we were given a palette cleanser a sort of tamarind kulfi kind of lollipop which was different.

We went with the hop hoppers next, farsi version of the appam. Now I love Appams and love the visual of fluffy white boat shaped dosa but this was black! Yes, it was made with charcoal and while I was skeptical initially, it tasted very good with asparagus and water chestnut kurma (these looked more like sambar onions but when eaten was so crispy and crunchy that I ate the chestnuts and my friend ate the gravy my friend had the appam with mutton kurma.

Rounding off the lunch with the inevitable dessert, I went in for the flourless chocolate cake while my friend had the peanut butter mouse. We had to stop short of licking the plate clean. Both desserts get a thumbs up and are recommended.

My only wish is that they continue to maintain the high standard of quality and creativity.

My friend had told me about the paan they serve at the end of the meal which we dint get and later, much later at bedtime was when I remembered it. Wish I had gotten to taste that too. Heard a lot about it.

Good food = Good mood and that’s what we walked out with at the end of it all.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details
Level 2, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road, Bangalore
Contact: 91 7259400900 /+91 7259600900
Open from 12 noon to 1a.m.

UTHRA - INDIRANAGAR

Located on CMH road, above and part of Asha sweets, Uthra offers a variety of vegetarian cuisine from chaats to Chinese to pizza to kulfi. I decided to lunch here for this month’s review. I opted mostly for snacks and desserts.

First off was the pani puri shots– this was served on a little cart with three types of water. The regular mint water, some kind of sherbet and mango water.

I have to say, some things are best not to be tampered with. It’s like eating idli with vanilla ice-cream. The mint water was awesome and I ordered more to just drink that. The other combos were awful. Best to give that a miss and stick to what goes best with panipuri..good ol’ mint water.

Then I ordered the chef special dahi puri. This too was presented on a cart with fancy carrot flowers and herb decorations. This was very tasty and the puri is unlike anything I’ve tasted…all crisp and crumbly. This gets thumbs up.

Next was the Gobi Manchurian. Was okayish. Not very different from what you get elsewhere.

I had the kulfi platter for dessert. Badam kulfi was good. Mango was not. Wish they served the kulfi as blocks than on sticks because it was a messy affair.

I had the chilli cheese sandwich for takeaway!. Please avoid this. What was the chef thinking??? It was filled some weird Manchurian kind of sauce with onions etc…very unlike any chilli cheese sandwich I’ve had and I’ve had quite a few in my time and have always loved it! This, I couldn’t eat beyond a few bites.

Place is clean, calm and there weren’t many people when I went. Great to sit and ponder over things. The tables are lined with paper which has mazes and crosswords for kids or the kid in you.

Service was good but could be better in terms of suggestions. I must give them a big thumbs up for presentation. It is really quirky. Even the bill and mouth fresheners were presented in cute lil buckets.

Prices are..well pricey! Chaats are like multiplex prices but good quality though seriously not a place for regular visits.

Overall it’s worth a visit once or twice. Would I go again? Yes to try some of their other snacks. Will I go regularly? Nope.

Overall rating 3/5


Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details:

Address: 6, 2nd Floor, Above Asha sweets, C.M.H Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 12.00 to 3:30PM, 6:30 pm to 10 pm.
Contact: 080 49652707

DHYAANA - INDIRANAGAR

Healthy food is boring…lacks variety…bland….blah….Dhyaana bursts all these myths. Located on Krishna temple road in Indiranagar, this is a tiny health café that serves vegetarian food and offers quite a range to choose from its menu.

I was greeted by a lovely painting of Buddha on the wall. I also loved the rope thingies hanging over the light bulbs.

The first feeling that I got when I walked in is a sense of calm. I was the only person there quite early.

I did like their note on the menu to eat mindfully and put away all gadgets – something I haven’t done for a long, long, long time!

I started off with the momos platter since I’m the kind who could eat them all day. I am soooo not used to the healthy version of it with the momo’s dough made out of wheat and no msg;). Very used to the thinner maida version. The fillings were all very different…corn, paneer, mushrooms, basil, onions. After a while, I took apart all the momos and ate only the fillings and left the dough:)

Next was the mixed millet dosa – two per plate. I found this oil free and tasty though slightly on the sour side. Not sure if the batter was supposed to be that way. Chutney’s were awesome whether for momos or dosas – coconut, tomato and green chutneys.

I finished it my meal with pomegranate juice. Somehow despite hardly ordering much, I was quite full. I did order a kichidi bowl for my mom and a thali for me as takeaway to eat later– rice, curry, roti, raitha, curd, papad…This wasn’t too impressive because everything had excess salt in it especially the kichidi and its accompaniment cucumber and peanut salad. I don’t know what went wrong there, but from this experience I feel it is better to eat at the place.

Service is quick and the manager couldn’t have been more helpful in choosing items offered on the menu and giving a lot of information about the workshops and classes they conduct. I did miss ice creams for dessert though and wish they had the natural versions of it.

Would I go again? – yes, to try out their Buddha bowls and other dosas. I quite enjoyed eating peacefully, guilt free.

Would I take friends– Yes, if in a mood for health food.

Overall rating : 4/5

Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details:

Address: 756, Shri Krishna Temple Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm.
Contact: 080 49653419

CRISP CAFE - INDIRNAGAR

Looks like I’ve found a new adda in Indiranagar. After a rather hectic morning around the area, I decided to grab some lunch at this place since I was on Krishna temple road on some work.

I’d start right away by giving the atmosphere here a 5/5…I love the open area seating with greenery around and the quiet…oh! The peace and quiet and alone time was blissful.

I ordered a Garden fresh Salad and Mac and cheese. There’s a reason why I order these two together whenever I get a chance. I take all the lettuce from the salad and smother the Mac n cheese with them and eat..weird combo but I love it!

The salad came with cherry tomatoes, lettuce, olives and carrots tossed in crushed peppers. The Mac and cheese was what it should be – creamy, gooey, and cheesy. Both were tasty. However, unlike the salad I’ve had at other places, where the salad bowl is a meal in itself, both these dishes aren’t all that filling so if you have a big appetite you may want to try their burgers and pastas and mains.

Dessert was S’mores tub that was a cookie cup with melted chocolate inside. Very filling and a sweet end to the time well spent at the café.

Service is quick. I found it the dishes a little on the pricey side. Quality of food is worth it. Music was annoying and requested them to turn it down. I was the only person there, early on a weekday and was grateful for the stillness. I can just imagine how this place will be when the weather is less humid and the monsoon arrives, sipping on a hot chocolate.

Would I go again? Yes, with friends and by myself. Also, to try out their other salads, pastas and the well recommended red velvet pancakes.

Overall rating : 4/5

Ratings for reviews:

1 – No! No! No!
2- Just about average.
3 –Good. Can give it a try.
4- Great!!
5 – Yes! Yes! Yes! And I’ll tell all about it.

Details:

Address: 754, 1st Floor, Krishna Temple Road, Above cakewalk, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: 080 45128741