Daawat-e-Pirates

Food- Fantastic. Quintessential Punjabi/ Mughlai cuisine. Appetizers are brilliant. Presentation is impressive. Chef’s Special Paya Shorba was a disappointment. Murg Ke Sholay was incredible. Murg Nizami Tikka is phenomenal. Though Tangdi Kulfi kebab was excellent, it lacked flavour. Murg Kadai Peshawari was outstanding. The taste of Bhuna Gosh did not matching my expectations. Nalli Biryani was remarkable. Ulte Tava ke Paratha is Delicious. Desserts are bad. Sizzling Brownie was average. Kulfi was nice yet nothing exceptional. Angoori Rabdi was ordinary. (8/10)

Ambience- Amazing. Spectacular Pirate Theme. Despite it being a bit hot, Cave seating is marvellous. Beautiful Statues and Wall decorations. Low lighting and Great Music adds to the superb atmosphere. Delightful Dining Experience. (9/10)

Service- Splendid. Wonderful Welcome and hospitality. Waiters are well trained, friendly and courteous. However it is slow. During rush hours they are unable to efficiently manage and take time to attend. (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Not very pocket Friendly, a little on the expensive side but keeping the other factors in mind, it is worth the amount. A sumptuous and tantalising meal. (7/10)

Currylicious

A Food Bloggers Meet for lunch was organised by The Blue Beans Company at this wonderful restaurant that brings the flavours of different South Indian States under one roof. It is Located in Kalyan Nagar.

Food-  Kerala Egg Masala is incredible. Alleppey Raw Mango Fish Curry is Outstanding. Chettinad chicken Curry is splendid. Malabar Curry is okay. Not a fan of Mangalorean Ghassi Curry. Chicken 65 and Chicken Kerala Roast is brilliant. Nethili Fish Fry and Banana Flower Cutlets is remarkable. Pepper Chicken and Ghee Roast Prawns were average. Parathas and Apams are delicious. Gulab Jamun was too sweet. The taste of cardamom was overpowering in payasam. Though cleanliness is great, Management should concentrate on making hygiene standards impeccable. Presentation of dishes is ordinary. Overall Gravies are fantastic. Starters can be improved. Desserts are poor. (7/10)

Ambience- Nothing Spectacular but marvellous in its own right. Amazing Sketches on the Wall of people having conversations about food. Beautiful Shelf with traditional artifacts. Small place yet comfortable seating and spaced out arrangement. Air conditioned. Peaceful and calm atmosphere. Nice Lamp Shades. (7/10)

Service- Excellent. Waiters are efficient and fast. However there is no valet parking. Hospitality can be better. (7/10)

Pricing- Economical. Pocket friendly and value for money. Satisfying Meal. ( 8/10)

Nethili Fish fry

Chicken 65

Prawns Ghee roast

Pepper Chicken

Chicken Kerala Roast

Moti Mahal Delux Tandoori Trial

Food Bloggers Meet was organised by The Blue Beans Company at this wonderful restaurant that brings the flavours of Delhi to the Garden City. It is Located on a side lane behind Esteem Mall in Kempapura, Hebbal.

Food- Butter Chicken is incredible, truly phenomenal. It is easily one of the best gravy dishes I have had in Bangalore. Starters/ Appetizers are excellent though something extraordinary or exceptional that will create cravings was absent. Non Veg Mix Grill is outstanding and was presented in an impressive manner on a sizzling plate. There were 2 pieces of each variety.  Tandoori Chicken is fantastic. The other brilliant kebabs included Reshmi tikka, Seekh kebab and mutton ribs ( Chops). Both Chicken and Mutton Biryani was pretty remarkable . Indian breads are quite delicious. Splendid vegetarian items on the platter were Malai Paneer, Gobi, Tandoori Aloo Tikka, Stuffed Potato, dahi Ke Kebab and Haryali Kebab. Nevertheless, The Dal Makhani lacked flavour. Chinese Menu is not great. Chicken manchurian had a bad taste.  (8/10)

Ambience- Nice in its own Way. Nothing spectacular. Small yet neat place. Amazing wallpapers. Comfortable seating, Air conditioned and old Hindi songs playing in background. Walls adorned with beautiful photos of the bygone era. Few marvellous chandeliers. (7/10)

Service- Decent. Waiters are quick and efficient but need to be more courteous. No Valet parking.  Can be improved to provide a better dining experience. (5/10)

Pricing- Moderately high. Not very pocket friendly. It is a little bit on the expensive side keeping the service and ambience in mind. However there is value for money as it indeed offers a sumptuous and tantalising meal leaving a delighted palate. (6/10)

Amaseena

Food- Mutton is Fantastic. Chicken is nothing exceptional. Some of their phenomenal signature dishes have to be pre ordered well in advance. Murg Chops Kalimirchi Kebab is outstanding. Bhuna Gosht is Brilliant. Dum Saffron Rice is remarkable. Indian breads are great. Cheese Naan is superb. Murgh Malai Kebab was a little burnt and bland. Ajwain was too overpowering in the Punjab Kukkad Fry. Mocktails sound attractive. Limited choice for Desserts, the usual ordinary items. In Spite of the Presentation not being that impressive, the taste and flavours seem to make up for it. Nevertheless,  an incredible factor that will create cravings is absent. (7/10)

Service- Excellent. Though I felt something is missing that makes it exemplary, waiters are courteous and efficient. Welcome and hospitality is wonderful.  Ample parking is available in the large area around the place. Preparation time is fast. Recreational activities like Horse riding is offered. (7/10)

Ambience- Amazing. This restaurant is located near Jayamahal Palace in Frazer Town inside huge grounds part of Chamundi hotels. The approach is very bad through muddy roads and  absolute darkness that gives an eerie feeling but the perception changes when as soon as you walk in. It takes you to a complete different and unique environment, a peaceful and calm atmosphere away from all the noise and pollution. There is serenity of the mind. Beautiful fountain and spectacular chandeliers. Marvellous Outdoor Seating in a canvas tent that has cool breeze blowing. Menu card is nice and heavy like a photo album. Comfortable sofas and spaced out arrangement. Dimly lit with contemporary  hindi songs playing in the background. (8/10)

Pricing- Bit Expensive. Even the simplest items on the menu are priced quite high. However it doesn’t matter keeping in mind the splendid dining experience and the sumptuous delicacies available. Could have been more delightful if it was light on the pockets. (6/10)

 

Paradise: FBAB

The 51st Food Bloggers Association Meet was held in this wonderful Restaurant located in Whitefield. This place is famous for its authentic Hyderabadi Dum biryani. Mr. Vijay Marur told us the Story of how Biryani originated and gave an insightful and informative presentation how to write blogs better. We saw a short film and also had a photography session by one of India’s leading Top food photographer Mr. Ranjit Sinha in which we learnt how the right Angle, frame and perfect lighting can make a huge difference. 

Food- Incredible Starters and Phenomenal Biryani. Appetizers included delicious Chicken Tikka, splendid Sheek Kebab, remarkable Reshmi Tikka, fantastic Fish Tikka, brilliant Garlic Kebab, impressive Zafarani Chicken Tangdi and outstanding Kalmi Kebab. Truly the World’s Best Biryani.  The zest of the garam masala blends well with the basmati rice. Egg biryani was more of rice mixed with gravy. Chicken Biryani was a little spicy. However The flavour of mutton Mutton Biryani was exemplary and exquisite. (8/10)

Service- Excellent. Waiters are courteous and give prompt attention. Superb through each dish takes along time for preparation. This outlet is in Virgina mall so adequate Parking is available. (7/10)

Ambience- Amazing. Air conditioned. Comfortable seating. Brightly lit. Bit noisy because of conversations. Nice music in the background. Spectacular Posters of Chefs at work and food information. Beautiful Photos of the old glory days adorn the walls.  Despite nothing extraordinary, the marvellous wooden carvings and shelves with jars make the arrangement impeccable. (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately high but Reasonable. Pocket friendly for some. There is value for money. A sumptuous and tantalising meal overall. An apt name for the restaurant that offers a heavenly and delightful dining experience. (7/10)

Mehfil

This is a small and Newly opened restaurant located in ShivajiNagar. Mehfil in Urdu means a gathering or evening of courtly entertainment. 

Food- It brings the flavours of Old Delhi to Bangalore. Delicious Dishes but some incredible factor is missing. Splendid Starters. Mutton Sheek Kebab is Brilliant. Murg Tikka Dakhni Style is remarkable. However I didn’t like the tandoori chicken. Burrah Lamb Chops is outstanding. Ghee Rice is excellent. On the whole food taste did not match expectations. Gravies are not great with very less Quantity of meat and can be improved. Chicken Chenzi masala was too tangy.  Indian Breads are ordinary. (6/10)

Ambience- The place looks spectacular from the outside and has amazing interiors as well. The Marvellous Chandeliers and beautiful paintings enhance the royal feel. Comfortable Seating and nice Air Conditioning. Sofas have stains and are a little dirty. (7/10)

Service- Exemplary. Wonderful Welcome and Fantastic Hospitality. Waiters are courteous and efficient. Valet parking is available. (8/10)

Pricing- Economical. It is light on the pocket and offers Value for money. (8/10)

Tom Yum Thai: FBAB

The 50th Food Bloggers Association Meet was held at this rooftop restaurant located in Indiranagar.

Food- Quintessential and Authentic Pan Asian Delicacies. Incredible Appetizers and Splendid Starters. Clear Chicken soup was superb. Salads were nice. Tofu with cashewnuts was remarkable. Shredded Chicken with basil leaves was spicy yet wonderful. Stir fried prawns with garlic sauce were brilliant. Sea bass fish with sweet Chilli Topping was outstanding. Despite Presentation being impressive, it was nothing exceptional.  I am not a fan of coconut based curries and felt main course was pretty ordinary which needs a lot of improvement. The red gravy had a great flavour, I didn’t like the other two.  The Chefs special Signature dish made out of eggs, prawns and squid that was served in a coconut is fantastic. No meal is complete without desserts and the Gadbad Icecream Sundae was phenomenal. (7/10)

Ambiance- Although nothing spectacular, it’s amazing in its own way.  There are beautiful Posters/ paintings on the Wall that give a marvellous felling of the local Lifestyle and Statues Symbolising Thai culture. Calm and quite atmosphere. Comfortable Outdoor and indoor seating. However there is poor lighting and no Air conditioning. (7/10)

Service- Excellent. The waiters are quick, courteous and treat the diners well but there is no parking facility. (7/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Being much cheaper than other Restaurants having the same cuisine makes it pocket friendly. A truly memorable and delightful evening. (8/10)

Hotel Empire- Bannerghatta Road: FBAB

Since its inception in 1966, the legendary Empire Group of Hotels has been fulfilling cravings for 3 generations now and is responsible for many paunches. It is celebrating 50 Golden Years by providing its signature dishes at a discounted rate on its app. Retaining its quality through decades gone by, Empire today stands as as a proud landmark in the garden city and is the most sought after eateries particularly with the late night crowd. It has over 19 outlets conveniently located in every nook and corner and has been nicknamed as the ‘Taste of Bangalore.’ The 49th Food Bloggers Association Meet was held at this marvellous restaurant. Thanks to the Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ruhhi Singh and Chef BB.

Food- Welcome Drinks like the lime mint cooler and pina colada were really nice  and refreshing .Though not the best place for soups such as Chicken Shorba, the tantalising Starters are truly incredible. Impressive Presentation. Prawns Fry is phenomenal. Would highly recommend this exceptional dish. Chicken Kebab is fantastic. This succulent and deep fried chicken is a speciality. A new variant Chilli Kebab is exquisite as well. Boneless Chilli Chicken is excellent.  It is spicy, juicy and delicate that excites the taste buds. Grill Chicken is brilliant. Seldom have I seen a leg prettier than this. Mutton Brain Pepper Fry is Superb. Gravies are rich in flavour to suit different palates. Indian Breads especially Coin Paratha is exemplary. Butter Chicken is remarkable. Hyderabadi Chicken is delicious. Not a fan of the coconut based Chicken Varaval. Mutton Kurma is missing something and lacks consistency. Ghee Rice is outstanding but the biryani can be improved. (8/10)

Ambience- Amazing Ambience. The most spectacular compared to any other branch Beautiful wall decoration. Wonderful arrangement that is neat and spacious, comfortable indoor and lovely outdoor seating. A complete state of the art look and feel. Quite airy and cool, the atmosphere is noisy doing peak meal hours nevertheless perfect to start conversations over a plate of appetizers that give immense joy. (7/10)

Service- Splendid Service and Great Hospitality. Old staff and technology ensures efficiency right from placing the order to preparation time.  However Parking is a problem and new waiters are a bit slow and need to be well trained. (6/10)

Pricing- Economical. Reasonable pricing that is pocket friendly and has value for money. Sumptuous and delightful experience overall. Long live Empire that rarely disappoints. One always leaves this place with a filled tummy, happy belly, calm mind and satisfied heart. (8/10)

The Market: Ritz-Carlton

Average Buffet spread. More veg options. Nothing extraordinary or exceptional but some dishes are excellent. Pasta was incredible. Chicken Momos / Dimsums were delicious. Cheese Pizza was fantastic. Starters were appetising. Chilli Beef was brilliant. Chicken Tikka was remarkable. Sheek Kebab was wonderful. Desserts are delightful and impressive. Green tea eclairs filled with custard was outstanding. Indian Sweets are superb. Milk chocolate with soft caramel centre is heavenly. Flavour of Jasmine rice is phenomenal. However main course ( gravies and Indian Breads) are not great. Noodles are poor. Fish and prawns can be improved.

Amazing Ambience. Spectacular arrangement, beautiful interiors and comfortable sofas. Ritz Carlton is always a Marvellous Place to dine in. Splendid Service, though they were in a hurry to wind up. Pricing is ridiculously high. Too expensive. Though it was not the best Experience in terms of taste, I enjoyed and loved Sous Chef’s Hospitality.

Press/ Media Coverage

Featured In The Deccan Herald Newspaper Metro Life : Tuesday November 8, 2016. Page 3. Read it on the link below- 

http://m.deccanherald.com/articles.php?name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fcontent%2F579868%2Fa-way-words.html 

The Black Pearl: FBAB

This place was chosen for the 48th Food bloggers Association Bangalore Meet organised by Chef BB. Being my first event, I was extremely excited and delighted to attend.

Food- Fantastic and Delicious. Starters are sumptuous and appetising. It is tantalising to watch it been cooked to perfection on the live barbeque placed on the table. Kulfi Chicken was incredible. Crispy Corn was excellent. Mutton Sheek Kebab was splendid. Bell Pepper Fish was remarkable. Hot Garlic Prawns are phenomenal. Punjabi Murgh Tikka was brilliant. Rosemerry with bone kebab was outstanding. Having an exotic meat counter is superb. My favorite was the impressive desserts. However, generally the main course is not great in all you can eat buffets and this was no exception. Gravies were pretty ordinary and can be improved. Mocktails were average. (7/10)

Ambience- Marvellous and spectacular Pirate theme. Carefully landscaped and designed considering every minute details. Everything is beautiful right from wall decoration to exquisite furniture to statues/ sculptures enhancing its splendour. Amazing atmosphere with live music, good lighting and comfortable seating. (9/10)

Service- Splendid and exemplary. The waiters are efficient and courteous. Efforts are taken to make a diner feel special. It is quick and prompt but there is a problem for car parking. (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Much More economical than many other similar barbeque buffet places that are really expensive. Though not very pocket friendly, the spread and variety offers value for money. A wonderful experience overall. (6/10)

Additional Information- 

The Black Pearl is India’s largest Pirate Themed restaurant and recognized as the best theme restaurant in Bangalore. The Black Pearl recently was awarded the International Star Award for Quality (ISAQ) by BID Group One in Geneva this September, for Business Innovation & Competitive Strategy.

The Black Pearl is founded & owned by Srikanta Upadhyay & Vandana Upadhyay. The concept of a pirate ship has been exciting and intriguing enough to motivate them to build a restaurant around this theme. 

The Black Pearl is located in prime Koramangala near Jyothi Nivas College, they drive the concept of ‘wholesome dining experience’ by providing live music, a fantastic relaxing theme, great food and excellent service. The restaurant is built like a pirate ship with pirate props all over to take you deep into the world of Pirates. The buffet is an elaborate 5 course spread including Soups, Salads, Unlimited Barbecues on the table besides a variety of other starters, a multi-cuisine main course spread and international desserts.

The Black Pearl has gained name and fame as a destination themed restaurant in Bangalore, having a huge online fan following. Recently they were approached by Walt Disney USA, and it was jointly decided to re-christen The Black Pearl as ‘The Pirates’. This change of name and re-branding exercise is underway and the management expects the transition to complete over the coming months.

The management is now planning to open new branches of these brands within and outside Bangalore.

Silent Shores: Ambrosia Restaurant, Mysore

Food- Wonderful and Excellent. The Continental Cuisine is fantastic. Indian Cuisine is Splendid though nothing exceptional. Chinese Cuisine is okay & can be improved.  Chicken Parmesan Sizzler is phenomenal.  Hunters Steak was outstanding. Chicken A la Kiev is incredible. All these three items are served on a hot sizzler plate  with impressive grilled vegetables, buttered rice and fries. American Chop Suey is brilliant. Murg Afghani tikka is remarkable. Galouti Kebab was terrible. Tsing Hai Chicken’ s taste is not great. Tandoori was ordinary. Desserts are a disappointment with little variety.(7/10)

Service- Poor and Slow. Every dish takes a long time for preparation. Waiters are courteous but lethargic and have a sad expression. Something is lacking that makes a delightful fine dining experience. (5/10)

Ambience- Amazing and Spectacular. Outdoor Garden seating beside the beautiful lake is available as well as indoor seating. Cool Breeze, marvelous view and candle light dinner are the features of the former while the latter is more comfortable. (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Not pocket friendly. However there is value for money keeping in mind the quality of food. A delicious and sumptuous meal overall that would have been better if this place was less expensive. (6/10)

Make your Diwali healthier

With the impending Diwali celebrations people tend to throw caution to the wind and falter on their dietary choices that could undo all their hard work of one year’s self control and work out. Any celebration would remain incomplete without the customary sweets and savouries, and in India it’s the – Mithai’s. Even a diehard fitness freak would find it difficult not to fall to the temptation. What one needs to watch out for is the sudden surge in the calorie count intake. The festival buzz continues and your calorie count rockets. By the time you are done with your Dussera, Diwali and Christmas celebrations, and step into another brand new year, you are already heavier by a few pounds, with the guilt written all over your face.

Ms. Pavithra N Raj, Dietician Executive, Columbia Asia Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore talks about some of the precautions you can take this festive season.

• In most of our Indian Sweets, Sugar is an integral ingredient without which the dish is incomplete. Indians in particular tend to have an affinity towards sweet, and our love for Indian sweets is boundless but instead of consuming an enormous amount of sugar, one could try alternatives made of Jaggery (Gur). You could try out sweets like Bengali Sandesh made from khajoor (dates) Gur and realise that it isn’t the sugar that makes your mouth-water or tickles your sweet tooth. Roasted chikki made of sesame/peanuts and Jaggery is delicious in taste and is not unhealthy at all.

• When you just cannot resist the temptation and are constantly thinking about the yummy laddoos and juicy jalebis, head towards the sugar-free section and pick some mouth-watering delicacies. Some stores add sweeteners like stevia, which is superb for health. It’s better to say no to those extra sweet mithai and switch to healthier options, after all, you don’t want a mini heart attack this festive season.

• You can even have dry fruits. Dry Fruit Laddoos are healthy, delicious and guilt free snacks. They are good not only for kids but also for adults. These healthy power packed snack does not have any unhealthy ingredients like sugar or preservatives or artificial food colours. The good thing is that they are so easy to prepare. Stock healthy snack like these at home instead of potato chips or cookies and keep them easily accessible to kids. Everyone should allow themselves a daily treat because there is no reason why a 100- or 200-calorie snack can’t fit into a healthy diet. But we should always be aware about our portion sizes, if we eat 2-3 sweets or Half a Bowl then it will only give 250-300 Calories.

• During this coming festive season, to maintain a good balance of total calorie intake, one could cut down on other carb. For eg, the wheat base from a vegetable wrap can be replaced by a lettuce leaf. Also, one should focus on snacking healthy. Small portions of nuts or seeds and fresh or dried fruit are make an apt healthy snack. Fill in your plate with extra salads and fruits and taking as much as liquid such as soups, milkshakes and fresh fruit juices.

• At last for this coming festive season few suggestions to maintain balance in our body are to replace Fruit toppings instead of icing, dark chocolate instead of  milk chocolate, sweets with fruits, and baking instead of frying.

The Square: Hotel Novotel

Food- Excellent variety and Impressive arrangement of dishes. Outstanding Desserts. One of the best Red Velvet Cheese Cake I’ve eaten. Creme Brulee is Incredible. Fantastic Gelato icecreams. Love The Strawberry Sorbet and Coffee Walnut. Sumptuous and tantalising meal. Brilliant 3 cheese (Parmesan, Cheddar and Mozzarella) Pizza.  Delicious Gravies. Remarkable Live Barbeque. Phenomenal Pasta. Refreshing Mocktails. Dimsums and accompanied Sauces are appetising. However some items are nothing exceptional. Sushi is ordinary. Noodles and Fried Rice is okay but can be improved. Indian Breads are bad . Biryani is not great.  (8/10)

Service- Wonderful Quintessential Fine Dining Restaurant. Exemplary and Splendid Service. Located in Marathahalli, it is not easily accessible. Being quite far, you have to travel a long distance through heavy traffic to reach this place. Valet Parking and Welcome is Superb. Staff are very courteous and humble. Distance is feasible for corporates working around Manyata Tech Park. (9/10)

Ambience- Amazing and Beautiful. Elegant, Neat and Spacious tables. Luxurious and Comfortable Sofas. Light music would have enhanced the atmosphere. Something more formal less spectacular. (7/10)

Pricing- Atrociously expensive. The high prices are a disappointment, though I feel the experience is worth the money. (6/10)

The Yellow Chilli

A chain of restaurants owned by Celebrity Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Located in heart of Bengaluru on the most bustling area of Churchstreet.

Food- Amazing. All the signature dishes are fantastic. Refreshing and innovative Mocktails. Soup/ shorba is superb. Starters are appetizing and tantalizing. Murgh Angar Bedgi is incredible, Chandni Kaliyan is brilliant and Kurkure Kukkad is remarkable. Presentation is okay, not exemplary like I had thought it would be. Biryani is splendid. But the Indian Breads (Naans) were terrible. Curries can be improved. Though the Nalli Rogan Josh was outstanding, it was not perfectly cooked. Lapta Chicken was good but the Taste of ginger/ garlic and spices was overpowering the flavour of spices. Impeccable quality as well as quantity. Kesari Kulfi with Rabdi, nuts and rose petal was phenomenal. Wonderful gesture by the chef to make a special caramel and coffee dessert so that the special occasion we were celebrating is more delightful and memorable. (8/10)

Service- Excellent. Waiters are Fast and courteous. Valet parking is provided. However something is lacking, expected a lot more. Impressed with the hospitality of the assistant manager and his concern of asking for my feedback and suggestions. (8/10)

Ambiance– Neat and Decent. Spacious and Comfortable seating. Good music playing. It was a little hot because of centralized Air conditioning. Beautiful Wooden Carvings. Nevertheless, Nothing spectacular or unique.  The Masala Mixes and recipe books of Sanjeev Kapoor are on Display. (7/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Reasonable yet may be overpriced keeping in mind it is not a luxury dining place. Should be reduced to attract more customers. Sumptuous & Satisfying meal and a delicious experience overall. (6/10)

Banjara Melting Pot

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”

This place known for its Mughlai and seafood delicacies, is  located right opposite Citrus on Cunningham road and can be easily missed if not for the big board. Another branch is in Koramangala.

Food- Splendid. This restaurant serves some incredible kebabs in hot Metal ‘Pots’ that literary ‘melts’ in your mouth. Indian Breads are phenomenal. Gravies are fantastic. Excellent Rice items. However the Pan Asian/ Chinese cuisine is not as good as the Indian Food. Dishes available here are quite common and something exceptional or remarkable is missing. It has an Exquisite selection of drinks. Not many choices for dessert. (7/10)

Service- Exemplary. Quick and efficient. Food arrived within 15 minutes. Apple I- Pads are given to customers to place their order which is brilliant. Waiters are trained well and make you feel special. (8/10)

Ambiance- Marvelous. Something that’s not spectacular yet elegant. One gets a feeling of walking into an outstanding five star hotel. Comfortable and spacious seating arrangement. Peaceful and well lit atmosphere with light music and pleasant AC. Beautiful wall Carvings. Amazing Flooring.  (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately high. Not very pocket friendly but value for money. A wonderful meal and a delightful dining experience overall so the amount spent is worth though some things on the menu are not economical. (7/10)

Recommended/ Top Picks- Murg Angare, Murg Makhkmalai, Baby Butter kulcha, Murg Makhanwala, Murg Tikka Nawabi, Zafrani Chicken and Ghee Rice.

 

Kopper Kadai

Food- Excellent. Fantastic visual Appeal. Outstanding specialty dishes. Impressive and innovative presentation. Indian breads are served in a bamboo cart, gravy is served in a cooker. Starters are appetizing and tantalizing. Biryani was delicious and had a remarkable flavor. Kebabs are exceptionally brilliant. Desserts are splendid. But Curries are not great and can be improved . (8/10)

Ambiance- Amazing Copper Theme. From color of table mats to wall decoration to a spectacular arrangement of copper vessels and cutlery, everything perfectly matches and wonderfully compliments each other. Beautiful set-up, centrally air conditioned.  (7/10)

Service- Courteous Staff. However slow and pathetic service. They was a lot of delay in getting the main course. Even after accepting the order, many items were not served as it had got over. If not Reserved, there is long waiting. Valet and basement parking is available. The bill is brought in a mini postbox. (4/10)

Pricing- High. A little on the expensive side. Though impeccable quality and a sumptuous meal , the frustration during the long duration of time till the food arrives is not something one wants when spending so much. (5/10)

Recommended/ Top Picks- Ganna Chicken, Gizawni Murg Chapli, Mughal E Murg Tikka, Mastawa, Nalli Nihari, Kulfi and Nutella doodhlava.

Naaan

Biryani

Mughal Murg Tikka

Murg Malai Shooley

Nutella Doodhlava

Ganna Chicken

Riwaz, The Ritz-Carlton

Restaurant Week is a celebration of the finest culinary experiences at formal fine dining restaurants across India. Participating 5 star hotels offer a fixed menu at discounted rates. You will have to book the desired slots online. After going through the menus of all the fancy restaurants,  I took the deal of Riwaz in Ritz Carlton located on Residency Road. It is a marvelous and beautiful place. Obviously the welcome is excellent and  Splendid Service. Ambiance is Amazing and it has spectacular well furnished interiors. Dimly lit atmosphere with light background music. Luxurious sofas for seating.

Fantastic Food. However Atrociously Expensive and very less quantity. Impressive Presentation. For starters, Murg Banjara Kebab was brilliant. Salmon Fish Tikka was succulent & delicious but Sheek Kebab was NOT great. In the main course Baluchi Raan was incredible and outstanding.  Apart from the exciting Murg Makhani other gravies like Handi Murg and Taar Qorma lacked spicy flavor and left me disappointed. For Desserts Gulab Jamun and Kulfi Falooda were far from being something remarkable or unique. You are paying through your nose just for the exemplary experience and there is nothing extraordinary. I felt except signature Dishes, the others are not worth the amount. Loved the exquisite Indian Breads- Cheese Naan is wonderful as molten cheese drips once you take a bite. Sheermal is phenomenal, one of the best I’ve eaten in Bangalore. Though specialty items such as Biryani are a thumbs down, simple ones like Dal is a must try and highly recommended.

I was pleased for having had an interesting conversation with the chef with regard to the dishes I was served and about different styles of cooking. Felt glad for he accepted my suggestions positively with a smile.

Overall Rating- 7/10

The Only Place

‘Legends Never Die’. An iconic Eatery that has witnessed modern developments around it for years. Despite transformations to enhance looks through the passage of time, it has managed to retain its wonderful old taste. A remarkable restaurant located on Museum Road, it is ‘the only place’ I can think of for exceptional Continental Cuisine. Many celebrities have eaten here.

Food- Fantastic. Starters are Splendid. It is famous for its succulent Steaks that are stupendous. Burgers are brilliant. Italian delicacies are incredible as well while the desserts are delightful. Long queues and the rush outside bears testimony to this statement. (8/10)

Ambiance- Amazing. There is beauty in simplicity. The semi- open Arrangement with breeze blowing from all sides is quite nice. Very few buildings in growing metropolitan city of Bangalore have triangular roofs with clay tiles.  A warm and cozy feeling. A well lit and perfect atmosphere for discussions. Tables are small and a little uncomfortable though. (7/10)

Service- Pretty decent. Experienced staff and quick service. However waiters are lethargic and a bit rude. Some changes can improve it from good to excellent. Valet Parking is Available. Reservation is recommended especially on weekends. (6/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Some dishes provide value for money. Not extremely economical but a outstanding place to dine in that is not too heavy on the pocket. (6/10)

Recommended/ Top Picks- All American Cheese Burger, Chicken Lasagna, Pepper Beef Steak, Fish Steak, Barbeque Chicken, Meat Balls Pasta, Trifle Pudding, Apple Pie.

Beef Steak

All American Cheese Burger

Chilli Chicken Boneless

Stroganoff

London Fish and Chips

Barbeque Chicken

Culinary Masterpieces- Delightful Dishes

Chefs are magicians, artists that give nothing but pure pleasure. Bangalore offers a lot of Wonderful & exquisite delicacies to eat. Here is a list of some of the mesmerizing foods. Keeping description to the minimum, I will let the picture speak for itself. Few of my favourite items priced moderately are:

1. Incredible Butter Chicken Biryani- Church Street Socials.

Amazing Flavour of rice combined with delicate pieces of chicken in a rich creamy gravy. #Sumptuous. Also the place is beautiful and exuberant. A detailed review about the ambiance and service coming soon. Stay tuned to The Food Adventure Blog.

2. Brilliant Kastoori Kebab– Karama Restaurant

Boneless Succulent Pieces Perfectly chargrilled on the tandoor with a royal Saffron touch. #Appetizing

3. Fantastic Carameltdown Sundae- Art Of Delight

Too many nice things in one photo. Salted Caramel Ice Cream, caramelized cashews, caramel sauce…….Much more than just the superlative adjective #Excellent.  ‘I can have my cake and eat it too’.

4. Phenomenal Brain Freezer-  Cream Chemistry

 

When Chocolate wafer sticks married  Liquid Nitrogen, the couple gave birth to something awesome.  You watch the spectacle, take a small bite and exhale the smoke. Unlike other cigarettes, this does not have a Warning. ‘#Sensational’ Stuff. Gives you the ‘chills’.

5. Impressive Masala Dosa– Samrat Restaurant (Hotel Chalukya)

They say Eat Breakfast Like a King. A tasty start makes a great day. One of the iconic and legendary eateries in Bangalore. Rice Batter is set overnight. The ghee, butter along with the traditional spiciness of sambar and potato makes you drool.  *In a local Kannadiga ascent* #Super

6. Outstanding Customised Waffle– Waffle Stories.

Choco Chip Waffle Base freshly Made from scratch, loaded with Nutella, butter scotch ice cream, honey, chocolate bar and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Gives you #Heavenly Bliss. Moral of the ‘Story’: Sweet People Always Eat Desserts First.

7. Remarkable KitKat Milkshake– Chocolate Room

What can be more refreshing than this #splendid drink when you’re exhausted? Each sip has the crunchiness of kitkat. Adds happiness to a gloomy evening. ‘Cherry on a cake and whipped cream on a milkshake go hand in hand’. Oh Wait! I’m on a diet….

8. Terrific Fried Chocolate Dimsums– Wow Momos

Swiss and Chinese don’t match but their ingredients are partners in crime. It is Stuffed with brownie, topped with hot Chocolate sauce and grated chocolate that makes everything better. #tantalizing ‘Keep Calm and Gimme More MOMOS.’

Top Dessert Places In Bangalore

1. Toscano:

UB City (Lavelle Road) / Forum Mall (Kormangala)/ Orion Mall (Malleshwaram)

Incredible & impressive food. Delightful desserts. Brilliant service. Spectacular ambience; exuberant atmosphere and wonderful fine dining experience. Exemplary visual appeal of dishes. However the prices are ridiculous and is atrociously expensive.

Recommended/ Must Try- Creme Brûlée, Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu.

2. Berry’d Alive:

Indiranagar/ Koramangala/ Churchstreet/ Whitefield

Fantastic and amazing desserts. Excellent Service. Beautiful ambience. Phenomenal Presentation. Mesmerizing taste. Moderately high price but value for money.

Recommended/ Must Try- Hazelnut Creme Pot, Brownie & Bombe, Caramel Tart and Lychee Pavlova. 

 

3. Milano Icecreams: 

Indiranagar

Exquisite Taste. Outstanding menu. Unique and innovative flavors. Nice ambience. Splendid Service. Remarkable sundaes. Reasonable price and pocket friendly.

Recommended/ Must Try– Truffle, Nutella and Orange. 

Samarkand

Known for its Mughlai and Afghani cuisine, Samarkand is located near Safina Plaza on Infantry Road. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Bengaluru and has been satisfying hunger for decades. A quintessential fine dining place, it has earned its place as one of the top twenty in The Garden City. In terms of the flavour of the biryani which is its speciality, I do agree. But in other aspects I beg to differ.

Ambience-  Spectacular and Wonderful. Classical medieval theme and Antique furniture and items like swords used for decoration. Well spaced out seating arrangement. Magnificent atmosphere and beautiful paintings of kings. The Entrance is done up with boulders and stones like a cave. It has a wooden and steel door just like a fort. It is interesting and exciting to observe chefs at work through open glass kitchen. Low lighting and light music from 60’s adds to the exuberance. (8/10)

Food- Fantastic and Amazing. Innovative and unique menu in the form of a black and white newspaper with attractive names. There are Copper glasses for water. While waiting for our order to be prepared we are served remarkable different coloured papads and long soup sticks with 6 types of sauces and chutneys to munch on. Almost everything on the menu is high on spice. Kebabs are succulent and impressive. Though Visual Appeal is great, taste is nothing outstanding.  Quantity of the starters is less. The curries are incredible. Texture and richness of gravies is spot on which makes it delicious. Indian breads are exquisite and splendid. Rice is brilliant.  (7/10)

Service- Excellent. However waiters are a bit clumsy and lethargic. I felt Samarkand somewhat lacks zeal in welcoming its guests in warm and friendly manner. There is nothing wrong in the service yet it’s a complete contrast from the ambience : No Royal Treatment.  Of Course, Valet parking is available. Centrally Air conditioned and well dressed staff. Reservation is required on weekends. (6/10)

Pricing- Keeping in mind that this isn’t  a five star hotel, prices are ridiculously High. Atrociously expensive. No dish is below 450 INR. There no value for money. Delightful experience is mitigated into guilt of spending too much. If you’re looking for an affordable family meal, this is not the right choice. (4/10)

Recommended- Chandni Kebab, Mutton Dum Biryani, Nalli Ka Salan, Butter naan, Murg Seena Kebab, Matka Murg, Lahori Gosh,  and Kulfi.

Sultans Of Spice

This Mughalai Cuisine restaurant is located in Koramangala. I had heard a lot about it from fellow food bloggers and some F&B website listings. Now that Ramadan is over, I finally decided to visit this place for a family dinner.

Food- Fantastic and brilliant. The chicken starters are excellent but can be elevated more to make it an outstanding and exemplary dish. Having said that, the Taste and spice of appetizers does excite the palate. In the choice of main course on the menu, Mutton Gravies are amazing. Rice items are remarkable. Indian breads are delicious. The boneless kebab was undercooked. However the chef apologized and replaced the pieces. The phenomenal factor are the desserts that were truly incredible and innovative. (7/10)

Service- Good but very slow. The conduct and courtesy of waiters was impressive. The preparation time is really long. One can get frustrated waiting for the arrival of the food. Valet Parking is definitely available. (6/10)

Ambience- Wonderful wooden theme. Beautiful Posters of monuments from different regions across India adorn the walls. Splendid atmosphere with Low Lighting through lovely lamps and light music. There are comfortable green cushion chairs and is centrally air conditioned. A relatively small area but nice layout. Nothing spectacular yet the ambience is marvellous. Long brass kettles and crystal jars enhance the exuberance of the place. (7/10)

Pricing- High. A bit on the expensive side. Though there is less value for money; a  satisfactory meal overall, delightful fine dining experience and expectations met is what really matters. (6/10)

Recommended- Chocolate Pani Puri, Special Ghee Rice, Tandoori Kukkad, Gosht Ki Nalli, Ulte Tawa Ka Paratha, Jaggery and Walnut Kulfi, Bhatti Da Peela Kukkad, Sultani Sheek Kebab, Sultans Murg Mussalam, Raan-e Sultan and sultanat-e-jamun.

 

Ebony

Food- Fantastic and Exemplary. Starters are brilliant. Tandoori dishes are remarkable. The tender and succulent kebabs are exquisite. It leaves you with a royal feeling and ecstasy of joy. Indian breads are outstanding as well. Desserts are tantalizing and amazing. Impressive Curries. The gravy is rich and flavourful. Delicious and appetizing stuff. Truly Phenomenal. Nevertheless, the biryani did not excite the taste buds as much as the former items. (8/10)

Service- Excellent and Splendid. Service is quick and prompt. Waiters are well trained and courteous. Valet Basement Parking is available. It’s a bit difficult to get table reservations immediately. (7/10)

Ambience- Spectacular and Wonderful. Located on the 13th floor of Barton Centre on MG Road. The rooftop outdoor seating has a mesmerising sight indeed. Incredible view of Central Bangalore City- from UB City to St Joseph’s School and Chinnaswamy Stadium. Beautiful interiors. Marvellous seating arrangement and nicely air conditioned. Exuberant  Atmosphere. (8/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Not ridiculously expensive but not very pocket friendly either. However the delightful dining experience, great service and superb food is worth every penny. (6/10)

Recommended- Dakhni Bhatti Ka Murgh, Kakori Kebab, Pepper Mutton, Chooze Makhni, Murg Alishaan, Ebony and Ivory and Double Roti Ka Meetha.

 

Ramadan and Fasting

Ramzan Mubarak!

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion & worship. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar considered holy by Muslims commenced with the sighting of the crescent moon yesterday. It is the month in which the Quran was revealed by Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad.

The Quran says “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness” – 2:183. Fasting is to be done by all able bodied men and women. If a person is sick, travelling or has some illness or if a woman is pregnant then they are exempted from fasting.

During Ramadan the people who fast are not allowed to eat or drink anything (including water) from dawn to after sunset. Also one has to restrain other body parts, which may render the fast worthless; so the tongue, for instance, must avoid backbiting, abusing, slander, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things considered as sinful; the ears must stop from listening to conversation, words, songs, and lyrics that may spoil the spirit of fasting; and finally controlling of the heart and mind from indulging in unproductive or futile activities like, fighting, hurting or causing destruction/loss to others.

The main purposes or reasons of fasting during this month are as follows-

1. To overcome temptation, learn self-control & discipline and attain piety by feeling closer to God.

2. Fasting compels you to purify your soul and refrain from any wrongdoing, harmful habits and all evils prevailing in the society. It is detaching ourselves from all worldly pleasures and focus on one’s inner self. Fasting is not only to avoid eating from sunrise to sunset but also to abstain from speaking or doing anything bad.

3. To follow one of the five pillars of Islam that is to fast in Ramadan along with 5 times prayer a day, going for hajj at least once, believing in one god and giving alms to the poor.

4. When one is fasting and feels hunger and thirst he has to remember other people in the world who do not have food and water. Charity is one of the extremely recommended acts during fasting. Muslims are required to give minimum of 2.5% of their annual savings as charity. We come out of our luxury and experience what a large number of people lack- proper food and meals 3 times a day and help them in whichever way we can to ease their suffering. This creates feeling of empathy in our hearts to share a part of our vast resources and money with the downtrodden. 

In recent years lot of research has been done about the medical benefits of Ramadan. The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension. There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. Muslims take advice from the Prophet who said, “If one slanders you or aggresses against you, say I am fasting.” This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes. There is a beneficial effect of extra prayer at night. This not only helps with better utilization of food but also helps in output.

Every Ramadan culminates with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month.

Majlis

Food- Fantastic. Nothing exemplary though apart from one or two items. The restaurant offers an exquisite Arabian cuisine along with a few Indian (Mughlai) Dishes. The kebabs are succulent and brilliant. Curries can be improved. The taste of garlic and spices overpowers the gravy. Rotis are splendidly soft. Desserts are delightful but should be a bit more sweet. A tantalising and sumptuous meal overall. Something like an incredible factor is missing. {6/10}

Ambience- Impressive as it is something different. A wonderful Middle Eastern Traditional Theme. However it does not look very spectacular or marvellous during the day. Walls are adorned with beautiful paintings and lamps. The roof is in the shape of a tent. Awesome flooring and furniture. Calm and peaceful atmosphere with an exuberant open glass kitchen. {5/10}

Service- Excellent despite glitches at times. Although it is quick, the staff should be more courteous. No Valet. You have to find Parking on the main road itself. The lift takes you up to the 3rd floor only. You have to climb a few steps to reach this place. It is not air conditioned.  {5/10}

Pricing- Moderately high. Little value for money, not extremely expensive. {6/10}

Recommended- Bharwa Cheese Kulcha, Shawarma, Masti Chicken, Hummus, Mahi Afghani and Malai Phirnee.

Green Onion

Food- Decent. Offers Indo- Chinese Cuisine. Some dishes are quite delicious while some are pathetic. Appetizers are amazing. However nothing on the menu is outstanding. 6/10

Ambience- Pretty ordinary but it has AC and comfortable chairs. Looks more brilliant from the outside. Atmosphere is neat and calm. Cleanliness is lagging a bit. Excellent Location. Being centrally located off MG and Brigade Road, this place is easily accessible. 4/10

Service- Poor. Though there are many waiters, service is slow. The staff is lazy and lack courtesy. There is Long waiting queue due to lack of space. This restaurant does not provide parking facilities. 4/10

Pricing- Remarkably Cheap. Pocket friendly. 8/10

Recommended- Fried Rice, Chili Chicken, Crispy honey Chicken and Momos.

 

Top Restaurants In Delhi

1.Karim’s
Ambience- Pretty decent. Comfortable seating but no AC and very congested.
Food- Outstanding and Fantastic. I can easily say that one of the best sheek kebabs in India are available here. Superb naans and sumptuous gravies. The smell of spices wafting from the open traditional kitchen is incredible.
Service- Okay. Though lethargic at times, it’s quick and efficient.
Pricing- Moderate. Economical with value for money.

 

2.Chor Bizarre
Ambience- Spectacular and Magnificent. The design and arrangement of the place is indeed unique. Beautiful Vintage theme. Remarkably Decorated with old and rare collectible items. Impressive Furniture.
Food- Excellent. Succulent Kebabs. Large variety of choices for a brilliant meal. Love the tandoori tikkas.
Service- Slow, Clumsy and staff are not very courteous.
Pricing- High but reasonable.

 

3.Gulati
Ambience- Amazing. Well Planned, fully air conditioned, neat and spacious. Nice wallpapers and light music.
Food- Quite Good. Butter chicken is exemplary. The richness was mesmerizing and appetising which makes it the most delicious I’ve ever eaten. Its rated among the top ten dishes in Delhi. Well deserved. The biryani is splendid. However the starters are ordinary and deplorable. Galouti kebab was terrible.
Service- Prompt and Fast. Offers a fine dining experience.
Pricing- Expensive. Not at all pocket friendly.

 

4. Do try the Oreo Foreplay Sundae at the fabulous dessert parlour called Whipped when you visit India’s Capital City. Its phenomenal. Too awesome to describe. Relished every bite of the ice cream. Cheesecakes/pastries are just wonderful to say the least.

 

I vehemently disagree with the saying by anonymous that ‘A moment on your lips, forever on your hips’ and strongly believe that life is really nothing without great food. The tantalising bites leave delightful memories to cherish while exciting your taste buds and tickling your palate. My advice is live To Eat and Explore more exquisite cuisines. Go on an exuberant gastronomical journey and enjoy the marvellous Food Adventure. The joy of seeing culinary masterpieces is heavenly bliss.

Shiv Sagar

Food-Incredible. It is a phenomenal place for snacks. Personally one of my favourite restaurant for pure veg food.  Chaats are exemplary. Dosas are very rich and delicious. Splendid gravies. Mexican and Italian dishes are amazing and appetising. Stupendous desserts. Superb South Indian and wonderful Chinese Cuisine. Brilliant beverages/ milkshakes. Baby corn Manchurian was smelling and not so nice. The food leaves you delighted with a Happy belly. (8/10)

Service-Quite okay. Little slow. Waiters should be more courteous. Long waiting for a table. Being located on a narrow lane in the ever bustling central  shopping district of Commercial Street has both pros and cons. Parking availability is a big problem. No valet facility. You have to park your vehicle at a little distance and walk up or better to use cab service. It is always crowded and there is a lot of rush. The last order is taken before 10 PM so not suitable for a late night visit. (6/10)

Ambience-Pretty Ordinary but decent. Noisy atmosphere. Top floor is air conditioned. Comfortable chairs and spacious seating arrangements. (6/10)

Pricing-Relatively low. Not extremely pocket friendly. However there is value for money as both quantity and quality is provided. Shiv Sagar satisfies your hunger and fulfills your cravings without burning your fingers. (7/10)

Recommended/ Top Picks- Chinese Bhel, Cheese Nachos, Pasta, Cheese Masala Dosa, Pav Bhaji, Kadai Paneer, Pani Puri, Mango Cream, Kulfi, Sizzling Brownie.

Chinese Bhel

Cheese Nachos

Baby Corn Manchurian

Masala Dosa

Mango Cream

Kadai Paneer

Sizzling Brownie

Butter Pav

Cheese Pav Bhaji

Zaitoon

Zaitoon is located on Old Airport road opposite The Leela Palace.

Ambience- Simple and Neat. Remarkable in its own way. Little hot because of Central Air conditioning. Comfortable sofas, Compact arrangement. Wonderful White and cream colour theme. Small tables separated by a wall. The building looks more beautiful from the outside than interiors. (7/10)

Food- Fantastic and Excellent. Arabian, Chinese and Indian cuisine is offered. It’s famous for its exquisite Arabian Specialities. Tawa Kebabs are amazing. Tandoori can be improved. Boneless Indian appetizers are outstanding. Chinese starters are brilliant. Fried rice is impressive. On the whole a sumptuous and satisfactory meal. I prefer the succulent and tantalising chicken dishes here rather than seafood and meat. The dry items are lovely and delicious. However the gravies are nothing great and not so tasty. Biryani was horrible. Desserts choice is limited but sizzling brownie is superb. (7/10)

Service- Slow and Bad. The waiters are Clumsy and do not respond properly. Not only during lunch or dinner, the restaurant is overfull even at evening or late night. Lot of rush waiting to get in and queue system. It does not take reservations. There is a ground next to the hotel to park vehicles.  Service must be enhanced to provide a fine dining experience.(5/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Not too over priced. Popular among residents of the area as other places are more expensive. (6/10)

Recommended/Top Picks- Special Barbeque Chicken, Shawarma, Dajaj Meshwi, Dragon Chicken, Malai Tikka, Triple Schezwan Fried Rice, Butter Naan.

Honey Chilli Chicken

Barbeque Chicken

Iffa Dajaj

Triple Schezwan Rice

Biryani

Fried Rice

Chicken Guldasta

Chicken Tikka Gravy

Sizzling Brownie

Malai Tikka

Grilled Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Dragon Chicken

Dajaj Meshwi

Assorted Naans

Smally’s Resto Cafe

Food- Remarkable. The burgers are sumptuous and impressive. Loved the original chicken burger but my favourite is the Chickaboo that is fantastic. Fat Rosy’s Cheese Burger is brilliant.  Bucket of Fries is incredible. Chicken Wings are excellent. Paneer Steak is exemplary. Desserts are superb. Kinder Mousse is Splendid. The Red Velvet Cupcake Shake is amazing. However there are some items in the menu that are terrible. The crispy chicken burger is pretty ordinary. Peri peri Chicken burger did not suit my palate because it was too tangy and spicy. Though big hen is hunger satisfying with double bun and chicken, it’s not as exciting since it is tasteless and bland. The snickers milkshake is refreshing but nothing great. If you are looking for a high calories heavy meal this place is a must visit. (7/10)

Ambience- Outstanding. As the name suggests, this is a tiny restaurant. The space constraint makes it a bit congested but the arrangement is well planned. Smally’s resto-cafe has bagged the Limca Book of Records 2015 for being the smallest restaurant in the country and is a popular hangout place for students. It is the organisation of the place, wallpaper and the decoration of wonderful food quotes & pictures in frames on the wall which makes the ambience nice. It has a seating capacity for 15-20 people and is air-conditioned. Brick walls and eclectic design give a funky edge. The atmosphere is noisy and loud music adds to the disturbance. Lights made up of Bottles, glasses, kettles and kitchen appliances hang from the ceiling on ropes. Wooden door is spectacular as it gives a classy feeling . Seating is uncomfortable because there no chairs or sofas, only stools.(8/10)

Service- Bad. Due to heavy demand, the waiters had become irritable and were not very courteous. In Spite of this the order was taken quickly and food arrived quite fast. There is no parking facility available. It’s better to call for home delivery than dine-in. (5/10)

Pricing- Moderately High. Though the restaurant pledges to provide extreme value for money it’s not true. Some items are ridiculously high and not worth the amount. Some dishes match every rupee spent in terms of quality of ingredients and satisfaction. (5/10)

Green Theory

For all the vegetarian fans here is something to cheer about. This is the only pure veg organic restaurant that I thoroughly loved and enjoyed dining in. Located in a small lane opposite Cotton Girls in Residency Road, the Sign Boards are easy to spot.

Ambience- Carefully designed and landscaped to provide an escape into a peaceful atmosphere away from noise and pollution of  the overcrowded Metropolitan City of Bangalore. There is a lot of greenery, and also a garden with a small pond. Different types of seating is offered- outdoor benches, indoor low sofas as well as chairs. Beautiful wall painting and marvellous colourful graffiti. One of the favourite meeting place for students and teens. Wonderful arrangement and an awesome lively ambience. It is open and not air-conditioned. There is also music playing through speakers which is splendid. Though Green Theory does not give a feel of a luxurious, classy, sophisticated and elite hotel; the elegant setting is magnificent. ( 7/ 10 )

Food- Pasta is remarkably good. Pizzas are amazing. Lychee Lemonade drink was excellent and refreshing. Nutella pizza something unique and exotic that you don’t find elsewhere but I missed trying. Sizzler is too messy and not so nice. The looks of the main course are deceiving, taste does not match expectations. Burgers are quite delicious. The starters are the best and greatly appetising. Although the dishes are not enough for a sumptuous and a filling meal, it can satisfy hunger, delight the eyes and excite the palate. I being passionate about chicken and a meat enthusiast, could not understand the exquisite stuff that I was eating and the suspense of flavour & enigma was incredible. ( 6/ 10 )

Service- Fantastic and Brilliant. However no valet parking service is available. The table has buttons to call for service, order or billing which is truly impressive. The waiters leave the area to give you privacy and respond quickly to the bell. ( 8/ 10 )

Pricing- Moderately Expensive. Since it’s only vegetarian, some people would not be okay with the costs while it’s a culinary paradise for others. The amount is fine for a less frequent visit. A few items indeed give value for money and deserve every rupee spent on it while many others are overhyped. ( 6/ 10 )

Top Picks/ Recommended- Oreo Cheesecake, Strawberry smoothie Stuffed Mushroom Crunchy, Broccoli Rolls, Mr Potato burger, cottage cheese pizza and bruschettas.

 

Cream Stone

Located in the restaurant hub of Frazer Town, this place is a newly opened ice cream parlour which was inaugurated just last week.

Food- Truly exquisite and tantalizing desserts are available here. It Indeed gives you heavenly bliss. The ice-creams are remarkably unique in taste and just brilliant. Each and every flavour is splendid and makes you feel special. There are many options to pick from: Nutty Concepts, Fresh Fruit Concepts, Chocolate Concepts, Berry Blast Concepts, Kids Concepts, Mini Concepts, Make your Own Concepts and Seasonal Concepts. There are various choices under each and is a mammoth task deciding what to start with. It leaves you satisfied and delighted. ( 9/10)

Service- Exemplary and impressive. There are enough staff employees to attend the customers that makes the billing fast and quick order. Since it is located on the busy Mosque Road, parking is a bit difficult. In order to compensate this, car service is available. Waiters are well trained and courteous. (8/10)

Ambience- Spectacular and Amazing. It has a beautiful Pink and Purple Theme. The Seating arrangement is nice and sofas are comfortable. Magnificent atmosphere. The preparation process of the ice cream is exciting and a pleasure  to watch. (8/10)

Pricing- A bit on the higher side. In addition the tax makes it expensive.  But what’s the cost of happiness? The amount of joy these Fantastic desserts give cannot be measured in terms of money. (6/10)

Recommended/ Top Picks- Nuts Overload, Chocolava, Ferrero Rocher and Lichee Berry.

Chocolava

Nuts Overload

Willy Wonka

Ferrero Rocher

Karamel Sutra

 

Truffles (Ice And Spice)

Food- Fabulous menu; Stupendous pasta; Lovely desserts. The phenomenal and incredible food is the reason for the long queues and rush outside this restaurant at all times every single day. Appetizers are succulent and sumptuous. Main course is delicious as well. Burgers are superb and outstanding-  the taste is much better than that of KFC and McD. This place is famous for its cakes. The Cold Coffee is refreshing. (8/10)

Ambience- Located on the bustling St. Marks Road, truffles is very popular among students. Awesome ambience; Wonderful arrangement; exuberant atmosphere perfect to hang out with friends. Marvellous wallpapers adorned with food quotes. However seating capacity is less and not very luxurious. (6/10)

Service- Excellent. However sometimes due to heavy demand it may be slow. There is a long wait for a table but is really worth it. The restaurant does not take reservations. Parking is a big problem and no parking facility is provided. (5/10)

Pricing- Moderate. Some items are very affordable while the Costs of some dishes is on the higher side. A great place to treat on special occasions as it’s not very expensive. (7/10)

Top Picks/ Recommended- Chicken Rocky Road, Crisp-Cross Chicken Burger, Truffles Rooster, Butter Chicken Burger,  All American Cheeseburger, Tandoori Chicken Steak and Ferrero Rocher Cake.

Cold Coffee

Tex Mex Burger

Crisp Cross Chicken Burger

Creamy Cheese Pasta

Ferrero Rocher Cake

All American Cheeseburger

 

Empire

Ladies and Gentlemen Imagine a situation when you suddenly wake up at night and you’re stomach rumbles and mouth waters longing for exquisite dishes you love. You’re very hungry, and want to eat your favourite thing but don’t know how to cook and you’re fridge is empty. What do you do? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you the solution. Whether we are working, studying, talking to friends or watching  a movie late into the night, there is a remarkable restaurant to satisfy all our Midnight cravings. The legendary Empire Group of Hotels was founded in 1966. Today, it has over 20 branches conveniently located in every nook and corner of the city and has become a common household name in Bangalore.

The Restaurant does not have valet service but there are alternative parking arrangements. Neat, spacious and simple ambience, it has comfortable seating and is air conditioned. Though the rush makes it very noisy during peak hours, the atmosphere is perfect to start conversations over a plate of appetizers that give immense joy. It also has a spectacular juice shop outside. Service is excellent. 

The Boneless Chilly Chicken is amazing. It is remarkably spicy, juicy and delicate that excites the taste buds.  The tender Tandoori Chicken was fantastic. It is sprinkled with a special masala that made it splendidly delicious. Grilled Chicken is beautiful. Seldom have I seen a leg prettier than this. The Shawarma is impressive. The texture of the khubus and the well done chicken and vegetable filling is really nice. Ghee Rice and dal fry is incredible. The rich flavour of the rice is just brilliant. The Empire Special Chicken Kebab is phenomenal and the best. I prefer the boneless one. The succulent and scrumptious kebabs provides true heavenly bliss and can mesmerize you.

However the Brain Fry  was surprisingly bad. Its was too chewy and peeper was overpowering every other ingredient. Fried rice can be improved as it was too bland and one part was overcooked while the other was raw and hard. On the whole it was a wonderful dinner. Sweet dreams are indeed made of great food. Long live Empire that always delights and never disappoints.

Tandoori Chicken

Chilly Chicken

Empire Special Kebab

Boneless Chicken Kebab

Coin Parotha

Fried Rice

Grilled Chicken

Dal Fry

Shawarma