The missing non-veg buffet: a Desmond's speciality

Desmond's on Lavelle Road, Bangalore, serves a mean buffet. All you can buffets - both, veg or non-veg - for an extremely affordable Rs.100. Having had the buffet on many an occasion before, I can attest that it is great value for money.

But, unfortunately that isn't quite the end of the story. The last few times I have been there I was categorically told that the non-veg buffet will take time to be ready and instead have had a veg buffet foisted upon me. In fact, the last time the waiter was at great pains to make the non-veg buffet seem perpetually elusive - it would take an undisclosed amount of time to be prepared.

What might seem a harmless irresponsibility at first actually turns out to be an elaborate scam. By marking up the prices on the veg buffet to match that of a non-veg buffet - and then making excuses not to serve the latter, Desmond's could actually be making a neat profit. And fools of all its customers.

A glance at the bill - and the hidden costs that crop up in it - should convince that the establishment in question is indeed capable of such a ruse. A mysterious item on the bill is marked as 'S C' only. Enquiry reveals it stands for 'service charges' - but there are gullible customers who will be leaving a handsome tip, even after paying the 'S C.'

Do drop by at Desmond's if the veg buffet is all you want. But if you or your lunch companion is looking forward to a non-veg buffet, I suggest you call up beforehand to politely enquire 'if their chicken supplier has had an accident this morning.' Their numbers are +91-80-41278000/1.

[Original pic by Bob.Fornal]

The Emperor of all Shorbas

If you are a mutton lover like me, Yakhni Shorba at Samarkhand (Infantry Road) in Bangalore, should delight all your taste buds significantly. In plain english it's a yoghurt based mutton stock in very thin consistency.

I haven't had the chance to try this shorba at any other restaurant yet, but I doubt if any one should manage to get this one wrong. That might take more work. Just like any dish made from potatoes - where the magic in the ingredients triumphs over any shortcomings of the cook.

Like most mughalai cuisine, this shorba too has its origins in Persia and was imported to India during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The earliest documented recipe for Yakhni Shorba can be found in Ain-I-Akbar. Akbar himself however did not think much of meat. The 400 cooks he employed had to be kept busy I guess.

Not wanting to be left out, the vegetarians during the British raj innovated appropriately on the recipe to match their palate, in the form of Yakhni sauce - minus the meat of course.

If you ever find yourself at Samarkhand in Bangalore, do give Yakhni Shorba a try. Couple it with Seekh Kebabs and Dum Ghost Biryani and even Akbar would convert into a mutton-arian at this meat-lovers haven.

[Original pic by akbar1947]

Tiramisu, anyone?

I wonder what it is about Tiramisu that most cafes make it a point to feature it on their menu. But stop right there. What gets served on your table is invariably a pastry in light brown color, only sometimes with a flavor of coffee - if you are lucky.

The motivation is easily understandable if my reaction to the mention of Tiramisu in a menu is indicative of a larger trend. Overcome with greed and hope, I give it a shot everywhere - at least once. But then 'pick me up' ( what Tiramisu means in Italian) is a promise not easy to resist. The fact that Tiramisu is only around ten years old should hardly be an excuse for the disappointment that follows, or for the widespread culinary short change.

Said to have been originated at Le Beccherie in the city of Treviso (located north west of Venice), Tiramisu was an instant hit. It was as instantly copied by other restaurants, first in Italy and then the world over. It has been claimed that even today Le Beccherie makes it with the classic recipe - ladyfingers soaked in bitter strong espresso coffee, mascarpone-zabaglione cream and bitter cocoa powder.

So, until I manage to save enough euros to make it to Treviso, I will have to settle for Little Italy on 100 feet road in Bangalore the next time a Tiramisu craving strikes. In my opinion, Little Italy also serves the best pizzas in Bangalore - and the only pizza I eat these days.

Back to the story, one of the regrets of Alba and Ado Campeol - owners of Le Beccherie - is that they didn't patent the name and recipe to avoid speculation and the profusion of many a recipe that have nothing to do with the original Tiramisu. If only.


[Original pic by pasotraspaso]
[Tiramisu origins courtesy Linda Stradley. ]

Idli-Dosa at Salem Kitchen

Salem Kitchen at the Forum Mall (Food Court), Bangalore is my first pick for a quick and no nonsense idli-sambar-dosa meal. I quite enjoy the way I can make a multi course meal out of it.

The starters range from a plate of idlis or a bowl of mini idlis and sometimes even the exotic paniyaram. For the main course I usually go with the crisp paper masala dosa or the set dosa. But you can also choose from onion dosa, rava dosa and many uthapams - all of which are excellent.

On the days you might want to abstain from idli dosa, you can make a happy meal out of their ghee rice (only if you are not the calorie counting types) or their multi layered malabari parathas with chicken or mutton curry.

The last time I tried the biryanis, it didn't leave me running for more. Salem Kitchen also serves a range of sea food that I have yet to feast my taste buds on. Until then, nothing like their idli-sambhar-dosa meal to make me shell out auto fare to the other end of the town.

[Original pic by kastner]

Short eats at Coffee World

Coffee World at Eva Mall in Bangalore may be inconveniently located but it has its own secret draw that has hardly anything to do with their menu. Eva Mall (Brigade Road) happens to have the best kept restrooms of all the malls in Bangalore.

But once you are there, Coffee World doesn't disappoint either. The menu has variety for both tea and coffee lovers. If you want to grab a quick bite just pick from any of their freshly made sandwiches. I personally prefer their sandwiches with french bread since panini or the wholewheat bread get too dry sometimes. This is usually followed by an Earl Grey tea pot or two; and sometimes even a hot capuccino on longer visits.

If you have a sweet tooth, chocolate brownies with ice cream or Belgian waffles with cream aren't bad choices either. I wouldn't recommend their cakes though.

In the evenings, the seating outside is a better option. But don't expect service at its best there.

Coffee World's proximity to Inox cinema at Garuda Mall makes it my favourite retreat after movies. Nothing like tearing apart a movie over a hot mug of capuccino or an apricot tea pot with my friends.

[Original pic by B Tal]

Queen's stinking ways

Queen's on Church Street is the first refuge for all north indians in Bangalore missing 'ghar ka khana'. Until a year back, I too was a regular. I guess I was guilty of over-visiting to a point where I outgrew it.

What best to order depends on what time of the day you land there. If it's early evening, I like to choose from their chaats menu. It's always a close call between Aloo Tikki, Dahi Papadi Chaat and Paani Puri. If it's a not a tie, ie. But if you are not the chaat types, veg or egg rolls are a good bet for any early evening snack.

If I land up for a long leisurely dinner, chicken tikka kebabs make an excellent starter. Sometimes I am guilty of overdoing it with chicken tikka curry for main course. The bread menu has choice too but I rarely deviate from the healthy and simple phulkas. Plus a veg dish of stuffed capsicum or baingan ka bharta usually rounds up the meal for me. Not counting the Sirka Pyaz (vinegar soaked onions) and pickle that make the usual accompaniments at Queen's.

For a quick lunch, Methi Aloo is my big favourite. It tends to be dry, so always order a curry to go with it. Methi tadka dal does just as well for me. But my lunch is never complete without steamed rice and a glass of buttermilk to wash it down.

PS: Sadly biryanis are nothing home to write about. Mutton (in all forms) is average. The service is bad at peak hours and the owners seem least bothered about guest experience - including the stream of sewer water running in front of the entrance, the last time I visited them a year ago.

[Original pic by mutantlog]

End of my Coffee Days

It's all thanks to Cafe Coffee Day(on MG Road) that I am a happy Barista convert today.

Until a year back, it was every day that I headed straight to Cafe Coffee Day (next to Bombay Store) after a hard day's work.

So what has changed? Apart from the service that sucked even in those days, ie. For starters, the capucinno got progressively worse. And their marketing brains got wiser.

Now, I rarely get full change back from them. It comes back with a promotional pack of mint (in lieu of change) and a barely audible mumbled apology. (Note to aforementioned marketing wise men at Coffee Day: I've my own lil strategy to combat that ;)

Then came their own branded packaged drinking water - inconveniently priced against the norm. Followed by the caveat that only medium sized capucinno will be served and no longer the regular size. Plus came the trauma of in-your-face hideously packaged merchandise occupying more real estate. Extracting the life time value of a customer in one single visit seems their motto now.

But there's one thing that they have managed to keep just right. The rich, luscious and gleefully sinful - Chocolate Fantasy. Very toothsome. So when I want to indulge my sweet tooth, I know exactly what to do. Get myself a take away!!

[Original pic by mondoagogo]

Sad demise of Mumbai Masala Sandwich at Brio

For a regular like myself, a new printed menu card only brings bad news. Not only do I have to work harder in finding what I usually enjoy having, but I've to pay more too. For a portion size that has just begun to shrink.

But when Brio at HomeStop printed new menu cards this time, they did more than just touch up the prices. They even changed the recipe for their famous Mumbai Masala Sandwich. For worse. Leaving me with one less thing to order :(

Now when I'm there, I just feast on the hot chocolate. And the yummiest croissants that I 've tasted so far. Thank god for small mercies ;)

PS: Sadly both the tiramisu & teas are avoidable, so opt for coffee instead. You might find delight in the choice of coffee in the menu.

(Original pic by Spo0nman)

tea house

A coffee lover, I was initiated into tea by my best friend. And it started with some practical sessions at a place with the largest tea menu that I've come across in Bangalore yet. If you are a tea lover and have been in Bangalore, Infinitea on Cunningham Road hardly needs an introduction.

Being a regular there, I have tried and tested most of the menu and have come up with my own list of what to order when only the best will do. All the herbal teas are amazing; and are terrific value for money. But if you are ordering the chamomile tea pot, do ask for extra hot water especially if the carafe doesn't look full to you (chamomile tends to soak in a lot of water). Earl grey is another favourite that will never disappoint. And nothing like a plate of piping hot momos while you are at it.

Momos are the star sellers at Infinitea. Of course, if you are a regular visitor, you would notice that the prices are soaring and portion sizes are dipping. Probably, the owners are trying to palm off the cost of renovation to guests. Wouldn't have minded it as much if they would have paid some attention to the washroom as well.

If you like your tea very much, you can even buy authentic and exotic tea leaves and make some for yourself at home. And give the sandwiches a miss if you are a value for money type like me. Order a pasta salad instead.

If you end up there for a meal, Cubbon Fish is worth a try. There's choice for chicken lovers too. And to wash it down? Some green tea perhaps.

PS: In the picture you see my favorite two seater at Infinitea.

(Original pic by Premshree Pillai)

Cappuccino time

If you are strolling down MG Road in Bangalore and looking for a hot cup of coffee there are many choices you have. There's Cafe Coffee Day in front of Bombay Store, there's Java City on the parallelly situated Church Street, or the fashionably bohemian Koshy's up the road. Along with a smattering of more Cafe Coffee Days, Baristas and Coffee Worlds if you are prepared to walk down to Brigade Road.

But if you are looking for a quiet relaxing spot with a view and a delicious mug of coffee to go along with it, my pick would be Barista on MG Road in the Barton Centre Complex. And while you are at it, I would recommend a nice hot Apple Cake to go along with it. (Do insist that it's heated up; you'll get mixed results otherwise.)


PS: I really hope that you'll have the good sense to give Java City, Church Street, a miss. It positively serves the world's most horrible coffee and tea. But if you do land up there, don't miss the Chicken Corn Quiche - which more than makes up for everything.

[Original pic by Voxphoto]