As with the blog itself, it began as a part of life logging. Back in the days when mobile phone cameras couldn’t be relied on to take food pictures! Any pictures for that matter. In fact, the first few restaurant reviews didn’t have photos! The very first review dates back to 2008 – a place called Cafe Masala, part of the BJN Group, which had some amazing restaurants.
Two excellent associations happened because of this. When Zomato launched in Bangalore, I had about 80 reviews already on the blog. So they got in touch to publish them on the platform. And that’s how almost all the early Zomato Bangalore reviews were mine. 🙂
After I left Bangalore Mirror, I freelanced with them as an editorial consultant. Part of that deal was restaurant reviews, and I ended up doing 70+ reviews. I still remember how, early on, they used to insist on people photos, and I couldn’t repeat folks! Lots of crowdsourcing happened on Twitter, and many new friends were made!
The latest posts are here, but some quick navigational help for the 300+ reviews, especially since I have not archived the restaurants that have closed down.
This has the lion’s share of reviews (120+) because we stayed there for the longest time! Also includes Sarjapur Road and HSR. The photo is from Kappa Chakka Kandhari, which has some amazing Kerala food!
Indiranagar was another frequent haunt, because of its proximity to Koramangala. The image is from Bohemians, which somehow manages to offer calm on 12th Main!
We used to make frequent trips to MG Road and CBD in general when we were staying in Cox Town. The Permit Room has a unique menu, hilariousness on the walls, and the best presentation of Brain Dry Fry I’ve seen.
Whitefield is home now, and thankfully, new places have been popping up in the time we’ve been here. This is our favourite soup – Tom Kha, from a favourite place – Red Rhino
Rest of Bangalore
Not a lot, even collectively, though we do make the occasional trips to Kammanahalli on one end, and Bannerghatta Road on the other! This is Byg Brewsky in Hennur. South Bangalore, North/West Bangalore, East Bangalore
The only category that gets a shout out because we have been very persistent about it over the years! Out of Bangalore’s gazillion microbreweries, we have been to 35, and hope to continue until we cover all of them! Grin, and beer, as the saying goes.