High Note - Indiranagar

This one is on 100 feet road in Indiranagar. What is nice is the valet parking, roof top setting and good service. In fact there is also a bar below which is quite a nice place.

What I really liked were the mocktails (specially sunset if you like coconut based drinks!). Starters were good and so was the food. What really got me going was the perfectly grilled chicken kebabs that we ordered for starters. The chinese at this place is normal - not a traditional chinese menu but will pass off well if you want to try it without too much authenticity.

The best part for me is the continental spread. That is surely nice and well done. Whether it is the grilled chicken or grilled prawns - they all have a unique flavor. The veggies along with the dishes were also well done. Good pastas that are worth a try for sure.

So for the food, the ambience and the overall experience - this is one place I would indeed recommend!

Style - 3 stars

Would I go there again - Yes

Food for two - Rs 1000

Caperberry Bangalore

This one is located on Dickenson Road (right behind the Tanishq showroom). It is a very well done place - excellent food and very nice services. I was quite amazed that it was not crowded on a Friday evening when we went for dinner. There are decent portions of whatever you order - chicken, fish or vegetarian. I tried the grilled John Dorry (if I remember the name correct!). It was white fish - Australian, which had its own taste. I liked it. The chicken, duck and mushrooms looked good too!

Dessert was OK though. It was a fancy preparation (live chilled cooking in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 celsius) but I honestly did not relish the taste as much as I liked the main course. Must mention that the chocolate cake provided by them was at the perfect temperature. Was impressed by that!

Was not in for wines as I had to drive family back but then this is one place where I would say wine would go very well with the food.

If you are in the mood for something different - European - try this place.

For the ambience, service and quality - I would admit I found the prices reasonable.

Style - 4 stars

Would I go there again - Yes!

Food for two - Rs 1000 (without liquor)

Lido (Coffee Shop) at Hotel Ista, Bangalore

The old Lido cinema screen gave way to creation of the Lido mall and the Fame Cinemas in Bangalore (just off MG Road). As I write this - Big Bazaar is looking at setting up shop there. But the hidden treasure there is the hotel Ista (on top of the complex) which has its own entrance and its own set of beautiful restaurants.

By Bangalore standards - this is by far the best coffee shop I have come across - whether it is ambience, quality of food or service - a fantastic combination!!!

We went in to be awed by the open feeling in the coffee shop which is on a covered-open air setup (on a partially open 4th floor terrace which is covered well). The coffee shop opens up right into the pool and the palm trees make the ambience vey romantic! My mom thought it was a Persian touch although I felt there was a contemporary touch to it. We ended up agreeing that it is a mix of both.

They have continental, oriental, italian, western and indian on their coffee shop menu which I think is great for choice. We ordered as we wanted. Thin crust pizzas and vegetable shaslick. Couldnt have asked for more. The pizzas were fresh from the oven (including the crust) and the shaslick had grilled veg sheeks with rice and tomato based sides (of course the menu had a more sophisticated description than what I give).

There was a nice menu for the buffet (but not for me - it was a cold menu!).

I would not do justice if I do not mention the exquisite italian brouche with olive oil - that keeps you busy while you wait for food.

Romantic evening, business meeting, casual dinner, friends get together or just some coffee - I would go there again!

Style - 5 stars

Would I go there again - ABSOLUTELY!

Food for two - Rs 1000

Mugen - Indiranagar Bangalore

Being close to our place is always an advantage because it saves us the effort of driving all over town to get to a meal! But this one is a new find. The food is different - Indonesian, Thai and Chinese. Parking is not tough as there is a valet (although I thought the guy could have been more proactive in the way he helps customers). You are bound to notice the interesting chef's table with "Benjorong" crockery as you enter. Pretty attractive - although we preferred eating in the more functional normal crockery :)

The starters are very nice - they can tune the taste to your buds which is quite cool. We tried veg momos and the "Gai yang horappa" - grill chicken with thai herbs and basil leaves. It was a good start. We've done some Thai curries, Chinese Curries and also went adventurous with Indonesian but and thought that food was good overall. They do seem to have a nice set of chefs. I recommend the "Pla neug manow" - fish in coriander & lemon sauce.

Service is decent and portions are good too. Get 2 starters and 2 dishes at a table of 4 (normal diet!!!).

Style - 2.5 stars

Will I go there again? - Yes (when the mood is traditional Oriental)

Meal for 2 (sans alcohol) - ~ Rs 1400