NAMMA IDLY SHOP ULSOOR

Being a fan of idlis (and doesn’t matter how it is spelt as long as it tastes good) , I am always on the lookout for good idli joints to try out. I have passed by Namma idly shop several times with the intention of trying the place out but never got around to it…until this month when, coincidently, a group of Idli This is located near ulsoor lake, opposite shanthi sagar. We met real early and the air was crisp and cool..just right for a plate of steamy idlis, piping hot sambar, two styles of watery chutneys – coconut and red chutney and crispy vadas and this is exactly what I got – the place did not disappoint. This is a strictly stand and eat darshini style place so if you are looking for seating arrangements you won’t find it. I started with a plate of idli and vadas and the mentioned accompaniments. The food is more tamil nadu style so the idlis weren’t the fluffy variety but soft all the same. This, in itself, was quite filling for me so I couldn’t really experiment with any other food. I ordered another extra vada amidst a really packed crowd out of which most were from our group. The rest of the members of the group tucked in variety of dosas, paddu, pongal, rice bath, and there is even a little tea joint next to it to round off thebreakfast with a cup of steaming tea. Most of the items were quite reasonably priced and won’t dent your wallet. The place seemed clean. Service was real quick given the pressure they were under catering to so many people at once. I do wish I had the stomach space to try out the paddu which looked absolutely delicious but that’s for another day. If you are around the area, and craving south Indian breakfast, then do give this place a try. For me as I often mention in my reviews, the benchmark of any good place is whether I would revisit and where Namma Idly Shop stands, I definitely would and would love to try out the other items on the menu. 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. Address:Lakeshore Manor, 38/18, Ishwerya, Meanee Ave Rd, Bengaluru, 560042

KHALI DOSE AT MAHALAKSHMI TIFFIN ROOM

A group of friends and I were recently having an animated conversations about the best Dosas in Bangalore, and one mentioned that MLTR or Mahalakshmi Tiffin Room as it is known, on DVG road is a must visit place for Dose. Surprisingly, I go to this area quite often but never knew where it was, so recently when I was in the area, I headed to this place. It is one of those off beat joints which looks like an old, old house, quite small in space and hardly any seating. It was already packed with people, which is a good sign I suppose for any eatery. Menu seems limited. I ordered the famous Khali Dose talked about by many online and off, which came with watery spicy chutney and sambar. The dosa looked like the Set dose without all the accompaniments. Taste was really different and delicious. There was something so homely about it, worth the Rs. 45. It was rather filling in itself since there are two dosas in a plate and I regret not ordering anything else. Looks like a lot of old timers regularly visit here because I saw just about everyone having it with coffee. Service is NOT with a smile. Nothing warm and welcoming about the place or the staff here. In fact, there is a sign put up saying no quick service. I suppose when you know your worth why bother with frills and fancies. There are some places which has good food, you wish they’d build a bigger, neater space and expand etc. This place, however, seems to have a history that cannot be messed with. Would I go there again? (a bench mark for any review), definitely yes but will probably get takeaway. 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: Mahalakshmi Tiffin Room, DVG road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.

IDC KITCHEN INDIRANAGAR

This one is going to be short and to the point for this month. THE NAME: IDC Kitchen THE PLACE: Stands for idli, dosa, coffee kitchen located on Indiranagar Double road, close to Lakme Salon. THE FOOD: Mostly Idli, dosa varieties and coffee, rice items and other beverages. THE FOOD I ORDERED AND RATINGS: THATTE IDLI: 4/5 – Slightly sourish but tasty all the same. Very good sambar, red and coconut chutneys MASALA VADA: 4/5 three a plate and very small. Great to go with rice items but not as a stand alone snack MASALA DOSA: 4/5: Quite good though not wow PULIYOGARE AND CURD RICE COMBO: This was unexpected good despite getting it as takeaway and eating it at night it remained fresh and tasty! Totally worth buying again. CHAPATHI: 2/5 quite a disappointment – tiny ones and gets tough real fast. THE AMBIENCE: Good seating and jam packed with crowd on a Sunday noon. THE STAFF: Courteous and friendly and gets the orders right THE SERVICE: Real quick and efficient. It is over the counter darshini style service than table one. THE PRICE: Reasonable and pocket friendly. You can get a good meal especially with the rice items. I haven’t had coffee here so cant comment. The Quantity may not suffice for some heavy eaters though. THE DETAILS: 34, Media Domain, Double Road, 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore. Opens 7.30 am. Careful about the timings though. Some items are available only at certain times but IDC is available at all times CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Worth a visit. I would definitely pick up other rice items from here and they have quite a list. Not the kind of place you can leisurely sit and chat with friends over food and coffee. It’s one of those eat and get going places. Grab a bite if you are craving south Indian food and are in the area. 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.

NISARGA GARDEN DVG ROAD

This is becoming my new hangout. At first, it started out as just wanting a quick bite to satisfy hunger pangs when in that area, but now I go often. The place is spacious with ample seating and bustling with people, and waiters walking around taking orders and carrying the most delicious looking food in trays. In the initial times, I dint find them very attentive but now that I am a familiar face and (probably a generous tipper) I get served real fast!! I like the chaats here, available only evenings after 3.30 pm. The puri they use to prepare the chaats are the crispest ever – tried their panipuri, sev dahi batata puri, sev puri, masala puri, idli vada, puris and bondas – the last two as takeaways. I always end the meal with a cold fruit salad with ice cream that really hits the spot. Menu is vast – from south Indian to northindian, Chinese, chaats, desserts and shakes. Prices are reasonable. Seating is okay. My major crib is there are flies about or rather ONE fly that seems to haunt me every time I go there. At first, I thought it is because of a standard place I choose to sit, but nope any place I sit, that one fly is after me! Strange, but true and annoying. . Don’t let this put you off though. It’s probably only me. Apart from that, food is tasty and filling. Do give this place a try when you are in the area. I’ll keep going to try out more items from their menu. 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! and I’ll tell all about it. Details: Nisarga garden, DVG road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore, Close to Sai gold palace.

MATTEO COFFEA, INDIRANAGAR

I had absolutely no interest in walking in to Matteo here in Indiranagar. I was in a mood for masala dose. However, all the places I was searching on the internet showed that it was busier than usual and I wasn’t in a mood for crowds and long waiting time either. Was passing by Matteo Caffea and decided to eat here. Absolutely no regrets. What a meal of Penne Pasta in creamy white sauce sautéed with garlic and mixed vegetables and cheese. It was piping hot, creamy, smothered with cheese and I topped it with lots of oregano and chilli flakes just the way I like it. One of the better pastas I have tasted. With a few mouthfuls of pasta, occasional sips of the cold dates shekerato which is chilled espresso, ice cream, milk, premium caramel sauce, dates, ice blended with whipped cream (I skipped this), and garnished with caramel sauce and chopped dates, it made for a filling, delicious meal. I haven’t had dates milkshake in any form for ages and I do love dates. You can actually get little bits of dates to chew on. You’ll need a spoon for this drink apart from a straw though. It is one of those thick milkshakes. The place is more for those who like to work on their laptops while sipping coffee, plush seats and soft lighting. Good too, to catch up with friends for a chat. What was uncomfortable was the table-chair ratio. The chair was so low and the table …somehow the seating just dint feel right and not at stomach level. I think it was more designed to place laptops on! Now I know how kids feel in restaurants designed for adults. Service is real fast. Everyone was given equal attention though every table was full when I was there around 5 pm. I did badly want the mixed vegetables salad that was there on the menu when I scanned it but was informed that they don’t have it, so got a Caesar salad and apple pie for takeaway. Apple pie was mind-blowing – all gooey and melt in the mouth kinds. Pricewise it is more or less like most cafes but it’s better to go prepared. Overall, I felt this place is worth a visit or several if you like this kind of atmosphere and want to work in peace. Would I go back? Hmmmm…maybe when I am in a mood for a cold shake and pasta again and try out some of the other shakes on offer. 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: 508, Melmat Building, CMH Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore. You cant miss it since it is on the main road.

CHIANTI INDIRANAGAR

Located in Indiranagar 12th Main road, Is a Ristorante and wine bar, I thought id lunch here earlier this month of Feb Because from my place, it is not too far. Chianti is the name, an Italian one I was greeted and shown my place, The lights were dim, the music soft, and ambience fine I was handed a menu for food and wine. I started with a fresh lime soda This was refreshing and cool, And a complimentary bread basket, along with a vast menu A lot of the dishes listed made me drool Craving for pizza next, I ordered a verdure With toppings of olives, bell peppers, onions and other vegetables Of which I could eat only three slices It was filling and very delectable For dessert, I had the vanilla pannacota With berry compote and fresh fruit slice, Droolworthy, artsy and delicious Well presented and altogether very nice! Service was good and the prices were...well...pricey But what was rather dampening , And which only after my third slice, I came to realise, That the pizza was not hot And that, by my standards, is simply not happening! That aside, I’d rate this place A four out of five in this review Check the rating scale below for what it means A great place to visit for you! (and while you are there take a look at the ceiling It makes for an observation that is quite amusing 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: 960, 12th Main Rd, near Gold Gym, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, 38 Ph : 080 4126 4000 Open from 12 to 3.30 pm and again at 6,30 PM

ECLAIRS FROM GLEN'S BAKEHOUSE

Going by the title one would wonder why am I writing a review of just one item instead of whole review of the place in general like I always do? Well…I am a part of an Enid Blyton group on social media. We were discussing the Five Find outers, the gang of kids known for solving mysteries and how they go out to a local shop to eat eclairs often. As a kid, I was only familiar with the Cadbury éclair – the tiny toffee kind and wondered how filling would it be for the find outers gang. It was only after many years, when a friend of mine bought éclairs from a popular bakery that I realized that they were actually cream filled pastries! As the discussion on the group and comments flowed, I longed to have some again but wasn’t sure where I would find some. I haven’t seen many bakeries here stocking them. I did call a high end bakery and asked them if they stored éclairs and the guy on the phone said yes. Thrilled, I set out to go buy them only to find out that the guy I spoke to heard it as “eggless”..meaning eggless cakes instead of Eclairs. Eye rolls followed and deeply disappointed, I almost gave up but decided to try once more. I called Glen’s Bakehouse and this time I made sure to spell it out on the phone and whaddaya know? they did have éclairs and what’s more, in two different fillings – chocolate and vanilla!! I rushed out again.. to think I went hunting all over my area when it was available just five minutes from my place! (lesson here perhaps?) . I got half a dozen with both chocolate and vanilla fillings – cool, creamy, delicious with almond flakes on top of the chocolate layer, it tasted divine. I polished off about four and had a great time stuffing my face with them. Sizes have considerably reduced compared to the ones I had years ago, but delicious all the same. I now understand what made the five find outers head out to the shop that sold eclairs so often and I’m sure they would have loved hanging out eating them here at Glen’s bakehouse while discussing mysteries:) Glad to know too, that they are so close by and I can indulge in them when I want. Do try them if you are in the area and go ahead and try out some of their other delicious desserts too. I did have the Apple crumble and the vegetable puffs and they were really comforting…one day, I’ll definitely write a more detailed review as I liked the place and they seem to have quite a variety on the menu, but for now, it’s the eclairs that hit home and made my day! Overall rating 5/5 just for the éclairs. 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: Glen’s Bake house, 100 feet road, Next to Leon Grill, Indiranagar, Bangalore.