Limelight - Coffee Shop at Royal Orchid Hotel

My wife would probably laugh when she reads - "Another Royal Orchid article.... :)" But hey - we are members and must do justice to the place since its decent and across the road. So an evening haunt for us - the Limelight coffee shop at the Royal Orchid Hotel on Old Airport Road.

Its actually a matter of choice but my favorite is sitting out in the lawn in the wooden sit-outs that they have built. Absolutely fabulous in candle-light - specially in the evenings. Although I have done breakfast, lunch and dinner there - I recommend this place for a hot cup of tea and indian kebabs (however funny you find that combination to be). Their veg kebabs are mouth watering and the mint chutney that goes with it is mild and just right.

The buffet spread for breakfast is pretty neat - just right if you dont know what you want to have. South Indian, Continental and a bit of North Indian spreads. Lunch is predominantly Continental and Indian (with a southern flavour) these days. Dinner is the same. So not an exceptional place for a lunch/dinner but the ambience is just right for high tea.

Service is good and the staff is pretty courteous.

Style - 3 stars

Will I go there again? - Yes

Tea/Coffee for two with kebabs - Rs 750

Kolkata - Bengali Restaurant in Koramangala

This one was slightly difficult to find but nevertheless we made it because it belonged to our neighbours and we had to try it - specially given our love for Bengali food. . This one is just behind the Lifestyle mall on the Inner Ring Road. Landed there to find a very nicely done up ethnic decor. Service was very nice - not the usual rush around like the other commercial places. We noted the details in the tables, the menu, the uniforms and even the napkins. Everything had a touch of Kolkata - true to the name of the restaurant. We decided on fish, dal, aloo bhaja and rice. Kosha Mangsho is a speciality. We also ordered mango chutney separately. Everything was exceptional. If you want authentic Bengali food - go there. There is also a newly introduced Chinese cuisine - looks very tempting and am waiting to try it.
The food was very nice. Served hot - enough for the two of us (not that we both are great eaters). The spices were just right and the service was very warm. The combination suggested by the waiter also made sense for us and we thought it was a good balanced meal we had that evening - an unusual Bengali-style date in Bangalore with my beautiful wife :)

Style - 3 stars

Will I go there again? - Yes
Our bill for the food - Rs 400

Pinxx at Royal Orchid Hotel in Manipal Centre

This coffee shop is in the Royal Orchid Hotel and is a great place for coffee or even a breakfast, lunch or dinner. What our family loves about this place is decor, good food (the changing variety in the buffet) and choice. In particular - I would say that lunch buffet is a good one to try out. I dont rate the service amongst the best but the Royal Orchid chain has never been able to train their staff to the levels that others in their league do . I must say though - its still great value for money. Go there for a quick lunch during the week or a relaxed dinner! Decor is contemporary but appears a bit cramped up to me at times. I found the tables too small - specially when there is 4 of us on the table.
Its located right off MG Road so the location is extremely central. Definitely worth a try. Valent parking is a bonus given that this is on MG Road.

Style - 2 stars

Will I go there again? - Yes
Buffet lunch for two - Around Rs 650

Coffee Shop at Zuri...

Its a pretty new hotel - hardly about 6 months old (is what the traditional moustached guard told us). Service is nice and the atmosphere pretty good. Really liked the mix of traditional and contemporary decor. All we had was tea for the lady and coffee for the man (of course sugar for my little prince Rohin!) but it was nice. I really like my coffee in the right proportion - neither too bitter nor too sweet - neither too much milk nor too less. And that is what I was served. Jaya felt that the tea was OK (she would rather have had a service tea than the readymade one that she ). The cookies served along with the tea were delicious - their bakery has to be good! Service was as expected. I wouldnt say it stood apart but then it wasnt something to complain about either. We landed at around 4pm so didnt expect too many people around anyway. Its a bit away from the city - in Whitefield but then I guess the hotel has been built to cater that area itself. We also asked if we could be seated outside by the pool side but they wouldnt serve tea/coffee there (would serve drinks there though).

Style - 3 stars

Will I go there again? - Maybe
Our bill for 1 tea + 1 coffee - Rs 270