Most people can’t function normally without their cup of coffee in the morning. This post is for them. This post is also for the rest of the folks like me, who sit on the fence when it comes to coffee. Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Pour Over, Nitro Brew, Cold Brew – ordering coffee is no longer restricted to the customary ‘one-by-two’ kapi in a darshini. With hipster Roasterys making their appearance across Bangalore, I thought it’s best we educate ourselves. Ready?
It’s been a while since I dined at a Dhaba. After Bobby Da Dhaba moved from Ulsoor, I haven’t even ventured to any place with the name ‘dhaba’ attached to it! Having the iconic Delhi restaurant – Dhaba by Claridges opening on 12th Main in Indiranagar, was definitely a sign to flex my memory. We walked up the stairs that day and were bemused to see milestone markers on the walls, up to the restaurant on the second floor. Bangalore was missing a casual North Indian restaurant that serves up some delhi-style cuisine, and Dhaba by Claridges hits the spot!
Let’s get it out of the way. Sanchos is now Sanchez. Their new menu is decidedly hip and happening, so none of us should care that the ‘os’ was replaced with ‘ez’. Located in the piazza of UB City, the Mexican restaurant serves up some taquitos, nachos and tamales in style. When you get to sip on lip-smacking Margarita’s and delicious ceviche in a setting like this, there’s very little to complain about.
Sanchez is known for their party like atmosphere as much as their food, but with the recent tweaks to the menu – I’m betting the food will be the main draw. They still make a pretty mean Margarita and I definitely recommend the Mango version, though the classic will always be my favourite. If you have deep pockets they have a range of imported tequilas you can try. Go ahead and loosen those purse strings, I don’t think I’ve seen these bottles anywhere else.
We spent a good four hours mulling over our drinks and taking bites of their to-die-for Charred Corn and Black Bean Guacamole. They prepare the Guacamole fresh at your table and it’s a fun way to kick start the party. The blue corn tortillas are a novelty and make a splendid scoop for the creamy guacamole.
Getting a well-made Ceviche in our ooru is no longer wishful thinking. Here the raw fish is cured with lime juice, for a fresh Mexican spin on a salad. Fresh fish is key to a good ceviche (and to avoid any untoward health hazards), so I generally view it with suspicion in most restaurants. Sanchez serves up a pretty delicious bowl of their ‘catch of the day’ cubed and mixed with citrus zest, lemon juice, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers and jalapenos. We got lucky with red snapper that day and it made for a delectable starter.
Taquitos or mini tacos make for a perfect start to your Mexican meal, especially if you are a large group. This Fish Taquito was inspired by the Baja region in California and served up some beer battered fish dressed with chipotle mayo, pico de gallo, salsa and guacamole. Light and packing in the right amount of zing, I loved the taquitos.
I guarantee you will not find Tamales on the menu anywhere else in the city. So this is a must order if you want to try something out of the ordinary. A corn dog is steamed in a corn husk along with your choice of topping like minced chicken, mushroom or chorizo, smothered with a hot sauce, refried beans, Mexican rice and a blanket of melting cheese! Tamales originated in Mesoamerica and were staple meals for the Aztec’s. This Aztec inspired version that Sanchez serves is also Gluten free.
Apart from the usual Burritos, Chimichangas, Quesadillas, Fajita’s and Enchiladas, Sanchez also offers some interesting Main course options. The Talla Fish from the Acapulco region consists of a fish fillet spread with mayonnaise and guajillo chillis wrapped in a banana leaf and baked. Served with a range of accompaniments like Mexican rice, frijoles, refritos and chipotle salasa – it’s an exciting meal. The Lamb Barbacoa has shredded braised lamb in guajillo chilli sauce served with mini corn tortillas. They also have two versions of Mole on the menu. The Chocolate Mole (no, it’s not sweet) made from more than 20 ingredients including dry fruits, nuts, chillis and dark chocolate is a signature Sanchez preparation and you will surprise your tastebuds with chicken covered in this chocolate sauce. The rarer Green Mole made with roasted pumpkin seeds, fresh chili, coriander and oregano is the Mexican version of a Pesto and goes great with Chicken, Pork or even green veggies.
The Tres Leches as dessert, is non-negotiable. The Sanchez version comes swimming in condensed milk and this home-style soaked sponge cake, always has us begging for more. Don’t be greedy and order one for yourself, because no matter how delicious it is, you can’t finish it without feeling like a stuffed tamale. Churros are a no-brainer, but try the Oozing Churros for a change. Here the fried donuts are piped with Chocolate or a Caramel filling and dusted with cinnamon sugar. If you can’t decide what to order, they have a nice dessert platter with taster portions of the house favorites.
Sanchez is a welcome break from the regular Tex-Mex fare that most Mexican restaurants in the city serve. It’s a real pleasure to see food gems from other parts of the country as well. Chef Vikas Seth, the brains behind the menu – has just returned from a trip to Mexico where apart from dining in the best restaurants the city has to offer, he also collaborated with well known chefs in Oaxaca City to learn and churn out regional delicacies. Cannot wait for him to distill this experience into Sanchez ! Zucchini Blossom Empanadas anybody ?
Sanchez,
UB City Mall, Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru,
Phone : +91 80 41755266
Cost : 1800/++ for a meal for two with drinks
Mall Parking available.
Whitefield, that suburb of Bangalore that’s now the new ‘IT’ location has a new watering hole in The Whitefield Arms. With the influx of the IT crowd and the expat population, Whitefield is slowly becoming a coveted spot for some weekend indulgences. The English pub and café (with a marked colonial hangover) is a part of the Waverly Hotel & Residences in VR Bengaluru.
A moody ambience indoors, with tungsten bulbs, leather bar stools and cozy booths sets the tone for some tipple in the evenings while the cheerful picnic-table seating outside, is primed for a good breakfast or an afternoon of beers. Freshly brewed craft beers are on the cards once they get their brewery license. You can order al la carte from their hot breakfast menu (which runs till 10:30 AM everyday) and have the option of adding a cold buffet to it at a nominal price. The all day dining menu has decided anglo-indian influences and you will see that reflected in the names as well.
The Earl Grey mixture with JW Red was a perfect antidote to a hot afternoon with chamomile, ginger ale and a twist of whisky. The drink is inspired by that gentleman’s bespoke clothing street in London – Jermyn street. Did they like their afternoon tea with something stronger? We can only guess. Another sprightly concoction with Gin, grapefruit, cherry and elderflower named Colonial was consumed, because the menu urged us to experience this if we’ve never been to Pondicherry and visited the French. If you can set aside being a tad flummoxed at the connection, you can easily down a couple of these.
We move from Whitefield to New England with the Seafood Chowder and are happy to get a silky seafood broth with bits of squid, salmon, halibut and shrimp. The melba toast accompanying it provides the perfect interlude between mouthfuls. You can pair the soup with the Haymarket Stacked Salad with matchstick vegetables and greens in a creamy yoghurt mustard dressing for a light lunch.
Most people order the TWA Chips, Cheese & Gravy to go with their beers. This fusion starter has crispy fries topped with dal makhni gravy, melted cheese, chopped jalepenos, green chillies and onions. It’s got all the elements of a chatpata chat and maybe that’s why it’s popular with the masses. An assortment of starters were tried and the Limehouse Hen was especially succulent in a marination of soya, chilli and honey. The Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Hoisin sauce was given the Indian treatment with curry leaves and chilies which surprisingly worked very well. The sliders are called Butty here and we tried the Cottage Cheese and the Pulled Pork variety. No prizes for guessing which one won. Both come with a spicy apple chutney which added the required zing to the sliders.
The Kings meal are plated fusion entrees, where TWA has clearly taken culinary liberties. The Spinach Cheese and Potato Dumplings come crispy fried, cut in half to expose the melting middle and served on bed of tomato sauce with some steamed basmati rice. The Roast Lamb Shoulder is a deviation from expectation, as the braised lamb is doused in a heavy spiced makhni gravy and served with smoked aubergine (bharta), saffron pilaf and raita. Both the main courses make for a pretty picture and a satisfying meal, if you don’t penalize yourself for not being able to make the British connection. There are also safer options on the menu like Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Pan-seared Salmon and BBQ Pork Ribs if you don’t like surprises.
You can’t possibly go to a British pub, see Trifle on the menu and not order it. So that’s pretty much what we did and ended up with a dessert glass filled with layers of sherry soaked sponge topped with custard and jam. They also have a Cheese Platter with jam, crackers, nuts and grapes. If you want to linger over your beer or wine this makes a good ending.
The fusion food might not hit all the right notes but the ambience sure does. If you can reign in your adventurous food streak and stick to the basics, TWA is a wonderful place to spend a lazy afternoon.
The Whitefield Arms,
The Waverly Hotel & Residences
VR Bengaluru, Whitefield, Bengaluru,
Phone : +91 80 45128631
Cost : 1600/++ for a meal for two with drinks
Mall Parking available.
Everyone is always talking about cool things to do in places. Going off the beaten path, finding that unique thing that no one has done before, that scintillating experience that the general tourist can’t lay their hands on. While I agree with all of this and more, some places still have me revisiting the tried and tested because a. it is still fun b. pretty awesome and c. clearly ‘timeless’. So I’m giving you the list of clichéd things that you can do (ok eat!) in Mysore (that pretty much the rest of the world does) but still have an amazing time! We’ll save the offbeat experiences for another post. Ready? Set. Go.
There are many reasons I will always love ITC Windsor, one of them is the white, bright and beautiful Raj Pavilion. Built to emulate the 100-year-old Glass House in Lalbagh, just walking into it lifts my spirits! The décor makes me feel like I am in a sophisticated English Tea Party and for once colonial hangovers are never more welcome! I was invited to try the new menus being launched across the ITC Pavilion’s in the country (#trendingatpavilion) and was truly chuffed that Raj Pavilion was my calling. In keeping with the ‘Responsible Luxury’ theme of the ITC properties, the new menu focuses on locally and responsibly sourced ingredients fashioned into delicious and stunning entrees, appetizers and desserts.
A nip in the air, winter woollies and Christmas cheer all around – the holiday season is finally in swing. The Fatty Bao after bagging the “Best Pan Asian Restaurant 2017” at the Times Food Awards, has one more reason to celebrate! They are closing the year with a bang and letting us in on the festivities, with the Night Market Festival. This feast from the east will let you relive your Asian holiday shenanigans in Indirangar. The carnival atmosphere adds to the charm and gets you in the mood for some street food, grills and innovative ‘Root to Fruit’ cocktails.
When it is Avocado season, I go mad using avocados in every possible recipe. My dear husband is flabbergasted because the only recipe per him, that does justice to an avocado is Guacamole. Inevitably there is always a batch in the fridge for him, but I need more creative uses for the lovely stone fruit.
The FoodPorn Diaries 