Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Dining under the stars (http://bangalore.burrp.com/valentines/)
Are you ready to paint the town red? Shalini Bhattacharya gives you a peek into some of the most romantic restaurants in town.
True to its name, this quaint little terracotta-tiled rooftop restaurant is veiled in a nook on Edward Road and is one of Bengaluru' s best-kept secrets. It claims to offer a " fresh home- cooked, fine-dining," experience with an assortment of 30-40 dishes with recipes borrowed from Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Oriental countries and our very own Coorg. The dynamic blackboard menu adds to its enigmatic atmosphere.
Recommended: Watch out for their salads (avocado and prawn cocktail and the mozzarella and ham salad), sea food (crab cakes and fresh fish with sauce of the day) and desserts (apple crumble and crème brûlée).
Fancy a night under the starry sky? Liquid, the rooftop alfresco lounge, offers that and more. You can sink into the soft white cushions on the couch and order from its variety of beverages and appetizers. Once the heady feeling of love has descended, hop across to The Pink Poppadom for dinner. As you walk through its doors, you are greeted by an impressive wine- display wall. The dining area literally makes you feel like you' re seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses – hues of pink have been used to create a chic yet cosy ambience. Pink sheers hang flirtatiously around the tables giving the room a rather regal atmosphere. What makes this restaurant different from your run-of-the-mill Indian diners is that it' s the first of its kind to serve pre-plated
Recommended: Tandoor dishes
Note: Liquid has recently introduced jazz nights on Fridays and progressive/techno music on Saturday nights.
Caperberry in Hebrew translates to 'provocation of desire,' which is evident in this restaurant' s menu. While the interiors are simple with interesting art adorning the walls and bursts of white lilies in over-sized vases, the food is anything but ordinary. Each dish looks like it has been taken straight out of an episode of MasterChef Australia with its attention to detail and presentation of their pre-plated meals. With innovative and edgy food, the chef is constantly pushing the boundaries by sending you on a gastronomic joy ride. While the dishes refuse to be pinned down to one country, the menu admittedly has a strong Spanish influence.
Location: 8/1 Ground Floor, The Estate Building, 121 Dickenson Road, in Tanishq building next to Manipal Centre.
With the sparkle of city lights peppered across the horizon, 13th Floor offers a breathtaking view - perfect for starry-eyed couples. Conveniently located on MG Road, it is an ideal place to gauge the pulse of the city. The music here is primarily retro and its colourful cocktails keep the energy levels of the lounge high. For those who prefer a more intimate setting, try 'On the Edge' across the hallway. This restaurant offers Indian, Thai and Continental among other cuisines. With similar decor and an 'almost-as-stunning' view, On the Edge has a calmer, cosier ambience.
Recommended: Bar stools outside, Thai curry platter, Indian finger food and cocktails like green apple martini, passion fruit margarita and Champagne sangria.
One step through the tall blue gates and you are transported to a chic Mediterranean set-up with pebbles scattered along the pathway, yellow fairy lights embracing the trees and the winding staircase. The food, like the music, ranges from fun to seductive with an array of tantalising Mediterranean fusion food. With ornate chandeliers, a well-stocked bar, wooden barrels, and brightly-coloured cushions contrasted with white stucco walls, this award- winning restaurant is most likely to exceed your expectations.
Recommended: Pizzas served with unique toppings, fresh seafood (oysters and grilled jumbo prawn) and cocktails.
Location: No. 16, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar, parallel to Castle Street, opposite Brigade Towers
Tel: 080-4112840
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 2,500 (excluding alcohol)
It's that time of the year again: the market is flooded with its annual surge of red, greeting cards are back in vogue, road-side Romeos hit the streets with new-found zeal and the local florist triples his prices.
So why not celebrate the non-commercial spirit of the season and make it just about you and your loved one. Here' s a list of five centrally-located date destinations that are guaranteed to earn you brownie points!
1. Secret Garden Cafe
Recommended: Watch out for their salads (avocado and prawn cocktail and the mozzarella and ham salad), sea food (crab cakes and fresh fish with sauce of the day) and desserts (apple crumble and crème brûlée).
Location: No 7/1, Off Queens Road, Edward Road, parallel to Cunningham Road.
Tel: 080-41131365
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,000
Note: The restaurant does not serve alcohol. Opens only for lunch (12 - 5 pm) and is closed on Sundays.
2. Liquid and Pink Poppadom
Fancy a night under the starry sky? Liquid, the rooftop alfresco lounge, offers that and more. You can sink into the soft white cushions on the couch and order from its variety of beverages and appetizers. Once the heady feeling of love has descended, hop across to The Pink Poppadom for dinner. As you walk through its doors, you are greeted by an impressive wine- display wall. The dining area literally makes you feel like you' re seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses – hues of pink have been used to create a chic yet cosy ambience. Pink sheers hang flirtatiously around the tables giving the room a rather regal atmosphere. What makes this restaurant different from your run-of-the-mill Indian diners is that it' s the first of its kind to serve pre-platedIndian food.
Location: Hotel Ista, next to Lido Mall, 1/1, Swami Vivekananda Road, Ulsoor
Tel: 080-25558888
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 2,300 (for dinner at The Pink Poppadom)
Note: Liquid has recently introduced jazz nights on Fridays and progressive/techno music on Saturday nights.
3. Caperberry
Recommended: Try their salads (such as Jamón Serrano made of cured Spanish ham with figs and caperberries), tapas (authentic Spanish dish), pork chops and fideua (baked, glaze- crusted vermicelli dish).
Location: 8/1 Ground Floor, The Estate Building, 121 Dickenson Road, in Tanishq building next to Manipal Centre.Tel: 080-25594567/9845177162
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,800 (excluding alcohol)
Note: Its Tapas Lounge (timings 5:30 – 11:30 pm) serves up some daring cocktails along with interesting starters. Timings for lunch and dinner service: 12:30 – 3:00 pm and 7:30 - 11:30 pm, respectively.
4. 13th Floor and On the Edge
With the sparkle of city lights peppered across the horizon, 13th Floor offers a breathtaking view - perfect for starry-eyed couples. Conveniently located on MG Road, it is an ideal place to gauge the pulse of the city. The music here is primarily retro and its colourful cocktails keep the energy levels of the lounge high. For those who prefer a more intimate setting, try 'On the Edge' across the hallway. This restaurant offers Indian, Thai and Continental among other cuisines. With similar decor and an 'almost-as-stunning' view, On the Edge has a calmer, cosier ambience.
Recommended: Bar stools outside, Thai curry platter, Indian finger food and cocktails like green apple martini, passion fruit margarita and Champagne sangria.Location: No. 84, 13th Floor, Ivory Tower Hotel, Barton Centre, MG Road
Tel: 080-25589333/ 080-41783355
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 1,800 (excluding alcohol)
Note: 13th Floor offers a variety of starters but limited main course dishes. It has a cover charge of Rs 1,000 for couples on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Club rules apply.
5. Olive Beach
One step through the tall blue gates and you are transported to a chic Mediterranean set-up with pebbles scattered along the pathway, yellow fairy lights embracing the trees and the winding staircase. The food, like the music, ranges from fun to seductive with an array of tantalising Mediterranean fusion food. With ornate chandeliers, a well-stocked bar, wooden barrels, and brightly-coloured cushions contrasted with white stucco walls, this award- winning restaurant is most likely to exceed your expectations.
Recommended: Pizzas served with unique toppings, fresh seafood (oysters and grilled jumbo prawn) and cocktails.
Location: No. 16, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar, parallel to Castle Street, opposite Brigade Towers
Tel: 080-4112840
Approximate budget for a couple: Rs 2,500 (excluding alcohol)
Note: The restaurant follows a strict dress code (no casual footwear). Also, children below the age of ten are not allowed during dinner service. The restaurant usually hosts a flea market and serves brunch on Sundays.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)