Many visits to SodaBottleOpenerwala Bengaluru - Review

Firstly let me apologise for the delay in this blog post. I should have uploaded the post much before as I really love the place now but have been little busy with travel and ill health so the delay. Hope you enjoy reading the post and look forward for the future one's.

I always missed Parsi and Irani food in my life. Never had a parsi friend at whose place I could always go to relish some Dhansak or salli boti. Well, I wasn't even aware of many parsi restaurant in Bengaluru. Then one day I get to know about 'SodaBottleOpenerwala' coming to Bengaluru. With all the hype around, I couldn't resist myself from visiting them. Located centrally at Lavelle road, one just cant miss this place. Truly a tribute to the dying legacy of the Bombay Irani Cafes.

"With SodaBottleOpenerWala, we give you a concept that is unique to India; the dying legacy wonderful chaotic, crowded, bustling, colorful, quirky, cluttered, eccentric and so real world of an Irani café. Our way of reviving the love for the edu and the disappearing race behind the cafes" - - AD and Sabina Singh

Have been to this place many times by now. I cannot get enough of this place too. The first time I visited was to chill over an evening with couple of friends over some tea/coffee and snacks. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a table, probably because it was evening and the crowd for dinner was just entering. It is a vibrant place with some old hindi music playing all the time, the place is always filled with chirping of the people. A small toy train takes circles of the restaurant just above your head. During my first visit, I snacked on some Aloo aunty's veg cutlet, Bombay Rasta sandwich, Vada pav along with Pheteli coffee and Raspberry soda, their version of this famous Parsi drink made from real fruit . Yeah, it was a veggie visit but couldn't help but relish the cutlet and sandwich. The Raspberry soda was a refreshing drink. I preferred leaving the place early as I could see many people waiting for a table. I couldn't take any pics during this visit too :(

Next visit was for a dinner. I was waiting for this visit from the day it was opened. Started the evening with Sekanje bin, Persian inspired drink made from mint and dried plum and MRS SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA’S Cold Coffee, Cold coffee made in house with Mrs. SodaBottleOpenerWala’s secret recipe. During the course, also had Masala Pepsi, all these are from the Irani Chai Bar.

For some starters, we started with Chicken farcha, Parsi style fried chicken. Every bite was tasty and my evening just started awesome with this dish. I am not a mushroom fan but was convinced to try Spicy mushroom on Khari, Khari biscuit topped with mushroom and cheese. This is the only time I have ever loved mushroom the most. 

Next was Eggs Kejriwal, how can one not have have eeda at a Parsi restaurant? Now I can totally understand why its Mr. Devi Prasad Kejriwal’s favourite dish at the Royal Willingdon Sport club in Bombay. Must try! And the last starter was Bohri kheema pav, mildly spiced, but flavourful mutton keema served with pav. This tasted just as my Mom makes, with every bite, I was telling my Mom that its the same taste and one my my favorite mom's recipe. I may not try this again here as I can have the same taste at home.

Heading to main course, I could not stop myself from having Mutton Dhansak, you can opt for boneless or with bone. One can never expect the way Dhansak was served here, it was served in a golden color tiffin carrier with 3 box, one had Caramalised rice with vegetable, one had Classic Parsi dish of mutton with lentils and the last one with kachumbar. Its cooler to call it Kachumbar rather than salad ;) It tasted the best, I could be very bias with dhansak but I just cant not praise it or have it at my every visit. Felt very homely while having this. One more serving for me? Yes, any time but I shall save it for my other visits :)

Paatra ni Macchi was next, it was suggested by some parsi people that I should not miss having this. And for someone like me who loves sea food, I had to ask for this. Pomfret wrapped in green chutney and steamed, healthy and yummy but with bone. The green chutney used in this enhances the taste a lot.

I also tried Sali Mutton, Parsi style mutton curry topped with potato sali. I had to try 'Pateta' at a Parsi restaurant. I like this curry with pav the most.

For desserts from the Irani Bakery, Toblerone mousse came on table, a mousse made from toblerone chocolate. This cup of mousse is very chocolaty and filling. Mawa cake was next, their version of this famous Parsi/Irani cake. Tasted best when warm. 

Some kulfi can be of no harm, so next was Parsi Kulfi. Some Shrewsbury biscuit and Ginger biscuit can also be enjoyed with some warm tea. I usually pack some ginger biscuits from time to time as my Mom enjoys them with her cup of tea.

The entire place was so vibrant and lively, with people chirping. You cannot expect this place to be a quiet one. That night the restaurant witnessed 2-3 birthday celebrations, also people would sing aloud when ever a song starts playing. Now that's the charm of old hindi songs which defines this restaurant too. I really feel the food served here has a homely touch to it which is rarely seen. They have some good cocktails too which you should try. This place makes me visit them for more of eeda, papeta, pav, salli mutton, dhansak, machhi and more.

'Treasures of Sea' festival at Barbeque Nation

I love seafood festivals as I am sea food lover. This time I was invited to be part of 'Treasures of Sea' festival at Barbeque Nation, Indiranagar. I am sure most of us visit Barbeque nation with group of friend's, esp on cheat days to indulge in their lip smacking starters and heavenly desserts.

Treasures of Sea was all about enjoying sea food at Barbeque Nation from January 23rd to February 8th. I was excited to check out the various sea food which would be served.

For drinks, I tried the Chocolate monk. It was a drink resembling chocolate smoothie, stand alone I loved this drink and wouldn't mind having it on a daily basis but not for my meal as it would fill my tummy and also doesn't pair with my food. I also tried Mango Rapture which did not suit my taste as it was too heavy for my meal. So I moved to Lime soda for the evening which would help me eat and also would pair with my food.

I couldn't for starters to be served. Crispy fried anchovy with Tamrind sauce, Jamaican jerk chicken, crumb fried squids with aioli dip, Mai Thai prawns, Maryland crab cakes, Mutton Galawati and Basa Peri peri were served. I loved Mai Thai prawns, Basa Peri Peri, Mutton Galawati and Jamaican jerk chicken and did not repeating it throughout the night. Crumb fried squids does not suit my taste and so did crispy fried anchovy. Maryland crab cakes were decent and were made to perfection. I tried different dips to glaze the starters and enjoyed it.

From the live counter, which is billed separately for the customers, 2 variants of fish was served and they were totally different to taste. I liked the fish manchurian more.

Trying to stop myself for indulging in more starters, I headed to the buffet to try the soups and salad's.
Seafood laksa was superb, though it had less of seafood in it, I did not mind as I felt refreshed and more hungry after I had it. I tried the prawn cocktail salad which is one of my favorite's and Barbeque nation maintained the taste of the cocktail dressing which made me happy. I did not try strawberry and chicken salad and assorted seafood platter.

Main course has always been average at Barbeque nation, mainly because the starters are to die for. The standard of main course as maintained. I tried prawn biryani which was pretty good. Meen moilly and Mangalorean crab curry excited me which should be eaten with Iddiappam. I did not get Iddiappam on time so I just had the taste of the curry. Crab curry did not have much flavors in it and hence it did not excite me more while Meen moilly was good. I did not try Mutton Vindaloo, Bhuna Kukkad masala and Nasi Goreng.

The staff had also planned a small performance for the guest. It was enjoyable. You can watch the video here.

Time for dessert. At Barbeque nation I always indulge more in starters and desserts. So I headed to the dessert counter with a twinkle in my eye to check the varieties. Small gulaab jamoon, tender coconut payasam, death by chocolate pastry, blue sea cheesecake, chocolate strawberry tart, mango mousse, phirni along with fig and honey ice cream and some fruits were placed. I made sure I picked all of it on my plate and made sure my fellow blogger friends were also served. I loved all the dessert and couldn't resist having another round of the same.

How can one not have the famous paan flavor kulfi. This was repeated on the table till we made sure we left the premises. Make sure you have this kulfi as you will not regret the decision.

Over all, an enjoyable evening was set by Barbeque nation for seafood lover like me.

The Hobson-Jobson Festival at Monkey Bar (Wood Street)

Monkey bar always been a place to visit to chill out with my friends. This time, I was invited for the preview of The Hobson Jobson Festival at Monkey Bar on 29th November, 2014. Chef Varun has designed an Anglo-Indian menu so if you are craving for some tasty Anglo-Indian food then head to Monkey bar between 1st December to 30th December, all days of the week.

I started my afternoon with a mocktail, The Royal Bombay Yatch Club East India having a mix of cherry, orange, pineapple with a twist of lime in it. It was a refreshing drink to start with. Later had a traditional mocktail to refresh my taste buds.

























For appetizers, I started with Panthras, crepes stuffed with lamb mince which is pan seared instead of deep fried and served with mint chutney. They make a veggie version with peppers, mushrooms and carrots in spiced tomato chutney. It was as delicious as it looks, rather much more tastier.

Next was Chingree Samosas, prawn balchao and fried brown onions stuffing was nice but less in the baked somasa. Served with mango chutney, but have this without the chutney else chutney taste with over power the taste of the samosa.

I tried very little of Pui Saag and cheese souffle which had a baking of spinach and cheese custard served with toast wedges and tomato chutney. I hate spinach but I wouldn't mind having this again and again. Its excellent.

What tempted me was Chicken Souffle, chicken cakes on a brioche (a light bread) with Mornay sauce and egg salad. It tasted good with the nut and raisin stuffing and I would choose this over the veggie version.

The best was saved for last. Chickpea and smoked fish salad is a delight. A non-salad lover will also enjoy this. Chunks of smoked betki is drizzled with Kasundi (mustard) and lime over organic arugula (rocket leaves), these rocket leaves aren't bitter at all and I strongly suggest Chef Varun, to move this salad to the regular menu for me to have this at anytime ;)

Main course looked interesting, I started with Jalfrezi which had chilli marinated roast beef with baby potatoes, onions, green chillies served with parantha. The beef was perfectly cooked, tender, juicy and spicy to the tongue. It would be the best food to be had on any winter day. I would just make my meal out of this, the next time I visit the festival.

I gave Dak Bungalow Murghi Roast, chicken skewer marinated with spice, lemon and yogurt served on a bed of saffron and coconut pilaf with baked tomato stuffed with mushy peas and roast baby potatoes. Chicken was mildly spicy and the pilaf taste the best due to fried onions. I liked the baked tomatoes the most though.

The veggies tried the Hot Pot, a brown curry with cauliflower, carrots, beans, potatoes and onions served with coriander droppies. The droppies (pancakes) are very cute and taste very well with the coconut curry.

The last main course I tried was Kedgeree, a wholesome meal of long grain rice with smoked fish, ribbons of egg and parsleys and spices. Well, I had this post having a dessert and I would have surely missed something if this was not ordered. A yummy bowl of rice with fish and eggs, squeeze some lemon and you are good to go.

After all the yummy food, my tummy will have some space for dessert. I tried 3 dessert from the menu. Railway Pudding to start with, baked vanilla cake with some Monkey bar homemade jam, cherries, jelly and tutti-frutti, get your childhood back with this sweet dessert.

Next was Brown bread butter pudding, wheat brioche with some vanilla cinnamon custard, tasted best with the ice-cream served.

Plum cake with Vanilla sauce is a killer, warm plum cake, pistachios and brandy butter. Don't have this and drive as it might contain more alcohol than your drinks. I did not try this but the others loved it.

Last dessert was Flagstaff House Chocolate Eclairs, yummy dark chocolate ganache cream could be any day comfort food for me.

You can try these Anglo-Indian dishes at Monkey Bar, Wood street ONLY for which has valet parking too.