NEW IN THE HOOD
Asian forward @ Kai – Bar & Kitchen, MG Road
Offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Bengaluru’s historic Army Cantonment is the city’s latest restobar. Perched on the 13th floor, this newly-launched rooftop lounge offers more than just views. Its main bar ceiling’s design draws from peacock feathers, and the floor – camouflaged by ample greenery – is neatly designed to accommodate a private dining zone, semi-outdoor seating, a terrace for sundowners, and intimate skyline seating as well.
Kai – Bar & Kitchen
| Photo Credit:
ARANYA GHOSH
Chef Virendra Singh Chauhan is at the helm of the food, and the menu’s highlights are the Asian offerings. Think melt-in-your-mouth dimsums and comforting ramen bowls perfect for the city’s nippy weather. Other dishes include edamame with Sichuan pepper, Kyoto mushrooms with hot coriander sauce, Spanish gambas al ajillo with Cochin prawns, paneer khurchan tarts, porcini risotto, green Thai curry, slow-cooked laal maas, Malabar seared fish and lamb tagine. End the meal with the classic yuzu and matcha cheesecake and After Dark chocolate pudding, among others.
A dish at KAI Bar and Kitchen
| Photo Credit:
ARANYA GHOSH
The beverage programme headed by Ashish Adhikari features a signature cocktail section with offerings such as a Korai that has smoked vodka with kaffir lime, lemongrass, and matcha; the Kai Negroni with butter-washed rum and coffee-infused vermouth; Hibana; Cape of Good Hope; Penicillin; Pisco Sour; and martinis.
At 13th Floor, Du Parc Trinity, MG Road
CBD’s new outpost at HAL
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Special Arrangement
Signature cocktails @ CBD – Central Bar District
The second outpost of this gastro-bar known for its signature mixology is now at HAL. Helmed by Ajit GS, Chef Gaurav Raghuvanshi, and Aman Dua, the trio behind Crimson and Clover Hospitality (Flo, Rasai, Cafe Del Sol, Bento Lab), CBD’s new branch is spread across three levels with areas for intimate gatherings, a bar area, and more.
The menu has Indian food at the core with small plates and mains. Signature dishes include truffle chicken sliders, Korean chilli prawns, smoked ghee roast tacos, charred burrata flatbread. Dishes exclusive to the HAL outlet include tandoori quail, Sindhi aloo tuk, butter chicken puff, medu vada, nadan murgi korma, and jackfruit biryani.
The cocktail section features the likes of Kantara, CBD Gudbad, Revised Rasam, Rain Water, Noon In Doon, among others.
At 124 HAL Road, Old Airport Road, Murugeshpalya
Dishes at Alfresco
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Special Arrangement
Botanicals and more @ Alfresco
Adding to the city’s many cocktail offerings is Alfresco with community-style cocktails such as the Golden Sangria, with a white wine infusion; Lillet Spritz, a sparkling serve with delicate botanicals; Bubble & Botanicals that is gin-forward; and Grape Escape that reinvents the classic red sangria. Also available are mini-bottle cocktails including Fire & Lime, a spirited take on the Picante; Caffeine & Oak, a take on the Old Fashioned; and the tropical Painkiller.
The indulgent food menu features the bruschetta pomodoro with wine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil; pinsa bianco al tartufo with truffled mushroom and mascarpone; sushi nachos with crispy wonton, spicy tuna, avocado, and wasabi mayo. Other highlights include Turkish doner kebabs that are served with flatbread and mint, Korean BBQ chicken skewers glazed with gochujang and paired with kimchi, and classic Spanish garlic prawns infused with olive oil, chilli, and parsley.
At The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences
Food at Shoyu
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Special Arrangement
Asia comes home @ Shoyu
After launching in Hyderabad, this Asian label co-founded by actor Naga Chaitanya has arrived in Bengaluru with its first outlet. Shoyu is known for its small plates such as dimsums, sushi, crudo, sashimi, and grilled meats and vegetables. Highlights include the truffle asparagus and avacado sushi rolls and ebi, salmon sushi rolls, charcoal black and white dimsum, Sichuan chicken chilli oil dimsum, to name a few. Mains include chicken pad krapao, Malaysian and Thai curries, kimchi bokkeum bap, Chinese wok fried rice, lo mein noodles, kung pao chicken.
At Teachers Colony, HSR Layout
The new outpost of Oasis
| Photo Credit:
SHAMANTH PATIL J
Diners’ sanctuary @ Oasis
Whitefield gets yet another brewery, and this time a massive one that is sprawled across 1,50,000 square feet. While it has a seating capacity of 1,800 guests, the venue also houses two exclusive banqueting spaces that can host over 2,000 people.
The menu features over 250 dishes spanning Mediterranean, Pan-Asian, and Modern Indian cuisines. Highlights include Arcot mutton chops, charcoal chicken dim sum and grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce. The bar programme with 56 curated beverages comprises 20 signature cocktails, 15 classics, shooters, and five premium gin and tonics. Standouts include the Golden Hour, Pistachio Paradise, and Herbal Citrus.
At Whitefield Main Road, Devasandra Industrial Estate Area
A drink at Eight
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Special Arrangement
European desserts @ Caspars Bageri
This new cake studio brings European dessert styles to Bengaluru. Specialising in entremets, which are multi-layered French desserts, founder and pastry Chef Jyothi Vijay was trained in Dubai. Caspars is a word that is inspired by her family, while Bageri is the Dutch word for bakery. Each cake is multi-layered and has different textures which are intentionally made, and Jyothi works in small batches to create the flavour-forward cakes.
Desserts at Caspars Bageri
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Special Arrangement
Some bestsellers are the raspberry crème brulee entremet, the intense chocolate and English toffee entremet, and the salted caramel and milk chocolate entremet. Customers can order through the official website, and even pick up the cakes at the studio. The team is currently working on an experiential set up where people can sit and try the cakes.”
At HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar.
NEW MENUS
Straight from Korea @ Eight
Savour the flavours of Korea all through November at this Pan-Asian dining destination in the city. The limited-edition menu spotlights Korea’s vast culinary landscape, including street food and home-style traditions.
Signature creations include dakgaejang (spicy chicken soup), handmade mandu dumplings, bibimbap, tteokbokki, and Korean fried chicken. Desserts include bingsu, shaved ice confection; and Korean congee. Savour these alongside their range of Korean-inspired cocktails: Young-Hee (Rose of Sharon) that blends soju, gin, and elderflower; Yong-ui Nalgae (Dragon’s Wing) with soju, rum, dragon fruit, and blue pea tea; and Chahyang (Oolong Whisky Sour).
All through November at Phoenix Mall of Asia
Shakshuka-style eggs at Circa 11
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Special Arrangement
Brekkie @ Circa 11
New on the city’s list of breakfast spots is this coffee house-cocktail bar that has introduced The Breakfast Society, a weekend-only breakfast menu. Diners can expect dishes such as breakfast chicken parm with sugo al pomodoro, mozzarella, poached eggs, and greens; okonomiyaki-style eggs with cabbage slaw, Circa kewpie; shakshuka-style eggs; ricotta pancakes with honey butter and brûléed banana; passion fruit French toast with berry compote, to name a few. Also on the menu are sandwiches, and laffas, Iraqi flatbread.
Then, the drinks. If you fancy a cocktail with your breakfast, choose from Centre Court, Wimbledon that blends pink gin and strawberry cream; Article XI: The Prohibition of Sobriety that turns cold brew into a negroni; Soy Sauce with Vanilla Bean Milk; Orange You Cute?, In the Green of Things, etc. There is also a coffee and smoothie section.
Only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:30 am to 11 30 am. At 12th Main Road, Indiranagar
A dish at Seta
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Special Arrangement
Poolside meal @ Seta
A new Med-Asian menu at this poolside restaurant aims to bring in the feel of dining at a resort. The menu’s highlights include wok tossed mushroom chili hoisin, sweet and sour crispy tofu, Sichuan style smoked pepper chicken, Seta house salad with sesame nectar dressing, lamb puffs, and more.
The bar also features a new cocktail selection that blends Indian and international flavours such as kaffir lime, blue pea, and pandan leaf syrup.
At Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks, Challaghatta
