For January 2017, I had selected a spicy south indian cuisine for review so this month February 2017, I decided to go the other extreme and sample north Indian flavours. I had already decided a place in mind. The day I decided to review this place was one of those days I should have spent in bed for I was restless and crabby. Nevertheless with visions of tucking into north Indian food, I headed to the desired place at Lavelle road junction only to find that the place was closed for renovation!!
This was quite disappointing to add to my mood. I half thought I’d go to UB city close by and grab something there.
I wandered down the lane and came to SMOKE HOUSE DELI (SHD). Here I was with a craving for north Indian food but at a place that’s far from it in terms of food. I stood there wondering if I should go in. Then I remember a friend of mine who said that SHD desserts were “something to die for!”
Well, nothing like a good dessert to soothe a restless soul and walked in.
I’ll start by saying right away that any place where I walk in all cranky and high strung and walk out completely full and relaxed gets a huge thumbs up from me. SHD did just that.
I walked in without reservations. The place was quite empty. I preferred to be seated outdoors to indoors. The outdoor seating had garden chairs (boy! These were heavy), all white with empty cages (?) hung here and there, overlooking the main road yet quiet and airy. This was just what I needed.
What I ordered:
SHD tomato Bocconlini Salad with queen olives and pesto Vinaigrette.
Half portion of grilled vegetable sandwich which comes at a reduced rate when ordered with the salad.
Tiraminu for dessert.
I was presented with a bread basket to start with while I waited for my order. This was good.
The salad was awesome! Filled with lettuce, roasted tomatoes, huge olives, micro greens, fresh figs and pine nuts in it tossed in pesto and greek dressing. The ingredients seemed odd. In an ordinary way I am not sure if I’d want to combine tomatoes and figs in the same bowl but this..this was perfect!! I liked the taste, the presentation, the ingredients.. everything about it.
The grilled sandwich was tasty with grilled vegetable filling. The crunchy chickpeas inside was an added surprise. I like quirky combinations in food. I found the bread used for sandwich quite hard and I ended up eating only the filling using some bread from the bread basket. This was tasty in itself but sandwich bread could have been softer.
I finished with the Tiramisu which was heavenly!. Not too rich, coffee flavored and I didn’t get the heavy feeling that normally comes with a full meal and rich dessert. I’d love to try their burgers (ages since I had a good burger to sink my teeth into) and try more of their desserts so another visit here is due.
.
Rathan, who served the dishes is pleasant, knows his stuff and explained what went into the dishes with ease.
I don’t know if it was “something to die for” like my friend described:) but it surely made life worth living;). Gone was my crabby mood post the meal as I headed home feeling relaxed and contented.
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.
Overall rating : 4/5
Pics: Bread basket, Salad, Sandwich and Tiramisu.
Details
Address: 52 & 53, Ground Floor, Lavelle Road, Bangalore.
Timings: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Contact: 080 40515151
