Shang palace, Chinese experience at Shangri-La Bengaluru

Shang Palace is Shangri-La's signature Chinese restaurant perched on level 3, offering authentic Chinese cuisine presented by a brigade of Chinese expatriate chefs. It has indoor and outdoor seating. For a more intimate dining experience, guests may dine in either of the two traditional private dining rooms, Bengaluru’s first of its kind, catering to 12 and 8 guests. I had a walk through the restaurant during the launch of the property but I was recently invited to enjoy a Shangri-La experience at Shang palace along with other few bloggers.

At level 3, as you enter Shang Palace, you will have to walk a long ramp to head to the dining area. Chef Lin Lin Yang and his team greeted us to a private dining area where we experienced some of the best dishes along with conversations. Started the evening with some refreshing Chinese tea while everyone warmed up for a gastronomical experience. I love authentic chinese food so I waited with waited breath for every dish to be unveiled.

We started the meal with some appetizers, Crispy lotus stems (lotus stems tossed with chilli and hoisin sauce), Chinese cucumber salad (cucumber with yellow bean sauce, banana chilli and coriander), Chongqing chilli chicken (Wok fried chicken with dry red chilli and schezwan pepper corns) and Roasted crispy pork belly. I did not try the pork belly. But I loved the cucumber salad which had a tangy twist to it, at times I am fond of veggies too ;) I'm not a fan of lotus stems but hoisin sauce twist to this dish made the difference and I liked it. Chilli chicken was very spicy, clearing my throat and the taste of chilli was left on my throat for a long time.

After some yummilicious appetizers, it was time for some dim sums. Pan fried mushroom bun (Fungus, shiitake and spring onions in a pan fried bun) and Prawn hargau (Traditional cantonese prawn dim sum) was served. I have always loved prawn hargau and this tasted good too. Though I am not not fond of mushroom, but pan fried buns have been my favorite but in lamb. Mushroom bun with the sauces available was delish. I am waiting to try Barbecued chicken puff when I visit next.

How can I miss having Crabmeat soup when its on the menu? With asparagus and egg drops I enjoyed every spoon of it. It is a must try here.

I sipped on a refreshing mocktail while I ate some finger-licking food.

For main course, Mapo tofu (Tofu tossed with bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms in chilli bean sauce) and Stir fried chinese greens (Seasonal green tossed with garlic) was served with Yangzhou fried rice with egg. I am not fond of both the dishes but gave tofu a try as it was praised for tofu being very soft.

For non-veg, Hunan style steamed fish (fish with pickled chillies and fragrant soy sauce) was served with Yangzhou fried rice. This tasted exceptionally well. Also, Gongbao prawns (prawns fried with dry chillies and peanuts) with the fried rice was relished. I could also eat the prawns by itself.

Roasted Beijing duck (duck meat carved and served with scallion, cucumber, sweet bean sauce and pancakes). They made rolls by adding all ingredients and served. This dish was a little sweet compared to all other dishes and this completed my entire meal, of course dessert was pending ;)

Almond milk jelly (almond milk jelly served with papaya) with Cinnamon ice-cream was the dessert for the night. Papaya over powered the milk jelly which anyway did not have much taste but cinnamon ice-cream was very good. I'm not very fond of asian desserts much too.

Overall the experience was brilliant where almost all dishes were loved which is a rare thing I face. When I had a look at the menu, there were many other dishes which I could like to try in my other visits. I couldn't help but admire all the chandeliers in the hotel. Yes I am visiting the place again for the brilliant service along with exceptionally tasting food. The prices of the dishes are also reasonable making it a must visit place. You can also enjoy this experience while having a hearty lunch (from noon to 3PM) or a healthy private dinner (from 6:30PM to 10:30PM).

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.

Republic of Noodles at Lemon Tree Hotel

I was invited to a Pan Asian restaurant in Lemon Tree by the name Republic of Noodles. Over a year, I have developed a good taste for asian food. It a cosy restaurant with dim light and low roof with bright color seating with standard seating across the restaurant.

For drinks, I started ,my evening with Sunshine in the evening which was refreshing and thirst quenching followed by Apple Frappe but twisted to a refreshing drink. I preferred the former over the latter.

Fried wontons came on the table first. Portion could have been a little more is what I felt. Fruits with wontons was had by me for the first time.

The Crispy Water Chestnuts with Bamboo shoots was served next. Not really fond of water chesnut starter, hence did not enjoy it much. The starter was filled with herbs which is why I could try it.

Banana Leaf wrapped Grilled Fish was next which excited me the most. Basa was cooked well and the taste of banana leaf was also present. It was simply delish and had an extra serving of it.

The Steamed Tofu with lime chilly dressing came next, not fond of tofu actually, but this came as a surprise to me. I actually liked tofu with lime chilly dressing giving it a pungent taste in every bite. Full marks to this.

Thai garlic pepper prawns which were fried and seasoned with herbs was good. I usually have sauteed prawns. But this was crispy and with the seasoned herbs it gave a flavor in every bite.

Grilled mushroom was served and by now you would know that I have not been a big fan of mushroom and especially in starters so I gave this a miss after tasting one.

Veg Vietnamese roll came along and this surely is something I would like to eat a little more. I like veggies in such roll with minimal ingredients to enhance every flavor.

Soups came in next, Tom Yum Goong soup was my choice. It was made to my taste, a clear soup with boiled prawns. One should try this during their visit.

The Veg Indonesian Soto Vegetable soup looked heavy and creamy with loads of vegetables in it. I just had a spoon of it and cannot write much.

Time for main course, I started with Phad Thai noodles. I don't like peanuts but it complimented the noodles very well and at least 1 peanut came in every morsel.

Another commendable dish was Green curry of prawns with Steamed Jasmine rice. Earlier I thought, green curry went really well with noodles but green curry with prawns tasted better with rice.

Some of the other served dishes which were served were Cambodian Chicken curry, Malaysian Family style chicken, Thai Fried Rice with chilli and basil, Tofu with exotic mushrooms, and Sri Lankan Curry fish. etc but I will try these the next time, esp chicken curry.

To end the meal, I was really waiting for this, Water chestnut rubies and longan in coconut milk was served which I thoroughly enjoy at every place so did I enjoy at Republic of Noodles too.

























Coconut jelly with mango cream sauce was served. Coconut pudding tasted good and refreshing and the mango cream complimented it.

Natural flavored ice cream platter was the last on table with various flavors on offer. Tamarind, Kaffir lime, Choco Chilli, Wasabi, Lemongrass and Green Tea were on the platter. I tried Tamarind and kaffir lime for the first time and was mighty impressed with the taste. Wasabi, which I avoid most of the time, was not very strong hence I could eat it. Green tea and lemongrass are always refreshing along with choco chilli which gives a spicy after effect while having chocolate.

I enjoyed my meal at Republic of Noodles and will visit again to either try new dishes or try my favorites again. Hope this helps you to decide your dish during your visit to RON :)