THE TWISTED DESI - INDIRANAGAR

JANUARY 2019 - This is my third year of writing monthly restaurant reviews here on my blog and on Zomato. I’m glad to have kept up with writing every single month of the past two years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring different places and tasting different varieties of cuisines and every visit was memorable, yep even the bad ones. This year too I have no plans of stopping an activity I truly look forward to every month. Last year (2018), majority of my reviews were limited to Indiranagar, the place I stay. This year it’ll be in my area and beyond - whatever catches my fancy. I hope to find more places where when I walk in, eat there and walk out, I know for sure the ratings will hit a 5/5 and I’ll tell all about the place.

I’m eating a salad from this place as I type this – a mixture of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot, olives, white onion, radish, zucchini, grapefruit, and cherry tomato with lemon dressing.

After watching a nice movie with my friend which ended exactly at my regular lunch hour, I was looking for a place to have a filling lunch and decided to explore this all new vegetarian joint recently opened in Indiranagar.

It was early and I was the only person there and it was very comforting. This place is neat and compact and has well matched furniture. The décor is simple and tastefully done up. I was attended to immediately by Sumit who was very courteous.

The menu is very limited…just a handful of items in each category but what they lack in variety they made up for it in taste.

I had

Aloo parathas – these were tasty and served with curd, green chutney, salad and sliced onions.

Masala papad lived up to the name of the restaurant in that it came with a twist of crumbled paneer and capsicum toppings instead of the usual onion tomato ones.

Frost bite: Delish! A mix of coffee, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. They need to get bigger straws like the ones they have in the popular coffee outlets. I had to struggle with getting the thick ice cream and sauce combo through the straw.

The presentation was awesome! I felt so bad leaving behind the fancy vegetable flowers and leaves carvings that were on the plate along with the food. Truly appreciate the effort.

Takeaway

Peri peri wraps: this turned soggy by the time I ate it at home. Wish the fries were well done.

Salad: like any other. It is named healthy bowl and has half the vegetable market thrown in as mentioned at the beginning of the review. I think it’s best to eat food at this restaurant than takeaway.

Given the cold, cold weather in my city off late, I wish I had ordered their “appetizers from the pan” items and hot beverages over the cold food but there’s always a next time and I do plan to revisit and maybe take my friends along too.

Food is clean. Service prompt. Ingredients are fresh. Slightly pricey methinks but worth it. Need bigger straws. Definitely need more items to choose from.

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: 95/296, Ground Floor, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, Next to TOIT, Bangalore.
Contact: 9986070204
Timings: 12 noon to 11 pm

CKP KAMAT CANTEEN - KUMARA KRUPA ROAD

My first option for lunch was to eat at a Chinese restaurant and write a review of it until I read about the urban bazaar exhibition at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, a renowed art center in Bangalore. I’ve had lunch at the canteen located in the center there before managed by Kamat hotels and let me tell you, this place is a heady mix of art, shopping and great food amid greenery.

Many a times, it has just been a place to escape to and I strongly wish we had more places like these that have a combination of so many things.

After a bout of shopping where the stalls had artisans from all over the country, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I decided to lunch at the canteen. The kamat canteen at CKP serves the best pocket friendly, clean, healthy food. This time around it was packed..what with the students of the art center, visitors to the bazaar it was quite a crowd.
Nevertheless, I managed to eat a plate of my favorite idli /vada combo with hot sambar and coconut chutney and ended it with a curd vada. Both were delicious. I got vegetable pulao and raitha as takeaway for later and it was equally good. Other items on the menu were tomato bath and bajji’s and south Indian meals (on the list for me to try). The menu is limited but good every time. The vada is probably the crispiest, freshest I’ve ever tasted. I’ve noticed something though…every time I eat here, I feel full fast on the least items. I usually don’t pig out like I do in restaurants.

There’s something to be said about sitting outdoors, under trees and eating…food always tastes so much nicer in such an atmosphere.

They sell some cakes and cool drinks and sandwiches too.

Would I go again? Often for sure. Would I recommend to friends? Yes! Its an ideal place to take people to especially if there are exhibitions going on.

All in all, it’s a place worth visiting and I pray sincerely that they keep up the good quality.

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5 (sometimes can’t get a place to sit and then eating becomes a pain)

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: #1, Art complex, Kumara Krupa Road, Bangalore.
Time: 10. am onwards.

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