Category: Indiranagar

  • The Pizza Bakery

    Each time I think that it is impossible to have another grub spot on 12th Main, I see a new place launched with much pizzazz. This time, it was The Pizza Bakery, which is above Tata Cha and is spread across a couple of floors, one of which is a rooftop. Great thanks to Bangalore weather, but spoiled thanks to the loud horns on what has to be the busiest road in all of Bangalore. Also, right next door is some gym, so you need to be mentally prepared for any feelings of guilt you might have thanks to those strange people who work on their abs at 8 PM on a Saturday night while you are busy well, working on your abs.

    We had a reservation for a table in the alfresco section, and if you’re planning to go on a weekend, you really should book a table because the place was packed all the while we were there. Thanks to the soft colours, comfortable seating that includes high stools and some decor elements like that Bev D version of Mona Lisa, the place gives a casual chic vibe.

    We tried the St.Martin Belgian White on tap, and weren’t too impressed. It’s a bit darker than the standard wheat and I felt a metallic after taste. Should have stuck to Geist. Also tried a Watermelon & Mint juice that wasn’t bad.

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  • Cafe Max

    I realised that though we had visited the place, I’d never written about it! And that a lot of the newer set in Bangalore don’t know of the place. I have to admit that it’s pretty well hidden in broad daylight, so that’s not surprising. The last time I was there for lunch, from work, I realised that the ambiance would actually be great for a dinner setting! And that’s how we made a visit on D’s birthday!

    The muted lighting, the tree canopy and an excellent playlist confirmed my cosy dinner spot hypothesis! We decided to start with Sangria – champagne for D and red for self. I have to say, I liked mine much more, for a change. Lots of fruits, and exactly the right amount of wine for a wholesome combination.

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  • Maravanthe

    Though Oota, Riverside, and Marigold offer some coastal dishes, Whitefield doesn’t really have any specialised coastal cuisine outlet. And that’s what took us to Maravanthe in Indiranagar. We had really liked Pulimunchi, in the same vicinity, and hoped for some equally excellent fare here as well. Maravanthe is diagonally opposite Meghana Foods on CMH Road, and surprisingly has valet parking! A flight of stairs takes you to a regular, old school, coastal restaurant ambiance complete with a fish tank in the middle. The seating is no frills but comfortable.

    We began with a bunch of disappointments. The meals were unavailable (understandable, they are universally a lunch phenomenon) but we were also told that Sol Kadhi and Pundi had been sold out! Thankfully the other staple was around – Ghee Roast. We tried both Chicken and Squid versions. The first was really good – just beyond a moderate level of spice. The second wasn’t bad but clearly not in the same league. The buttermilk was good too – not the high tart and hyper spicy Kerala fare we’re used to, but a milder version.

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  • ELVNTHRTYONE

    Indiranagar is getting so crowded now that they don’t even have space for vowels, at least if we go by the name of the new bar and kitchen that has opened at the 12th Main junction. Spread across three floors, each styled differently, it even has a simulated golf area. On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, we sat on the lowest floor, overlooking 100 ft Road.

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    We began with cocktails – D chose a White Chocobar, and I wanted to try out the 1131 Old Fashion (sic). The first was vodka based with the unlikely combination of green melon, elderflower, and white chocolate. A bit sweet, but potent and refreshing. 1131’s version of Old Fashioned had a few extra ingredients – orange, cinnamon and cloves, but though they were generous with the alcohol, the mix was rather lacklustre.  (more…)

  • 612 East

    Being in the vicinity of two favourites – The Fatty Bao and Bombay Brasserie – meant that 612 East, even weeks after it had opened, got a bit of a stepmotherly treatment from us whenever we visited Indiranagar. But one evening, we resolved to go. Since we planned to reach around 6 and leave before 8, we didn’t bother to reserve. Quite a mistake, especially if you want to sit in the terrace section. We were offered a regular table which we would have to vacate by 8, but chose to sit on stools closer to the edge, with our backs to the giant screen – for the view and the lovely evening breeze! This was easily the best part of the experience. In the cab, we had been discussing how in a few months, it would be 15 years since we first got off the bus from Kerala. The setting was perfect for rumination. 🙂

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