New year, new restaurants tried out, new events taking place, new things to write. Would like to comment on the best news that I have heard since the start of this year. The return of Michael Schumacher. F1 had somehow lost it's sheen since one of it's greatest prodigies retired. True, it still retained a lot of it's fan base, but those were people who were die hard F1 fans, not casual followers. The off-the-track controversies seemed to gain more newsreel than the happenings on the track. The crowning of Lewis Hamilton as the youngest F1 champion, and the crowning of Jenson Button as the new F1 champion in a relatively unknown car did make waves, but apart from that F1 was a sport which seemed to be on the wane. But the return of Schumi seems to have breathed in some much needed life into the sport. Ofcourse it would be a bit weird not the see him racing in the Ferrari reds, but still it would be great to see him back on track.
One of the things I was looking forward to during the new year were the Pongal celebrations. But they turned out to be a damp squib. The only indications that Pongal was indeed being celebrated here were the facts that it was a public holiday and our maid did not come that day. Nothing apart from that. Ofcourse Pongal is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Karnataka celebrates Makar Sankranti on this day. But since the holiday was due to the occasion of Pongal, hence the expectations. Pongal ofcourse is celebrated to thank the Sun god for his benevolence. The celebrations also include the preparation of Pongal rice, which apparently tastes quite good. Unlike Mumbai, where even the smallest of festivals are celebrated with great gusto, the celebrations seemed to be quite low-key here. Though ofcourse I am still to experience Onam. So am keeping my fingers crossed.
Apart from the disappointment of missing out on the Pongal celebrations, things have been looking quite on the up, especially as far as exercising the taste buds is concerned. First week back into Bangalore, I visited the Barbeque Nation. Apart from the fact that I had never been there, the sheer knowledge that this is the closest that I would get to preparing a barbeque was enough to take me to this restaurant. Situated in that haven for food lovers - Indiranagar, this restaurant has the buffet system wherein you are served with the barbeque upfront as starters, and then a normal dinner buffet. Each table consists of a built in stove which had hot coals inside it. The moment you occupy a table, the waiters bring in the barbeque grill and put it on the stove. And then begins an endless procession of barbeque pieces on the sticks. The basic concept here is that the food is 90 % cooked, and you have to cook the rest of it by heating it nicely over the barbeque, whilst simultaneously applying the sauces kept nearby. The only thing that ruins the novelty of the whole thing is that the restaurant is a closed roof one rather that an open air restaurant which would really have given a more authentic feel to the whole thing. The waiter keep on serving you the starters until you lower a flag that is kept on your table. Then it's time to turn your attention to the dinner items being served; that is if you are not already stuffed. The desserts served are also quite delicious. Infact, I got to have gulab jamuns after a very long time in Bengaluru. Kudos to the people who came up with this concept.
Next up was a small French bakery which originated in America. Au Bon Pain translated crudely into French means 'to the good bread' (translation courtesy Google Translate). And that's what this small bakery is: an ode to the good bread. Situated on the famous M G Road, this restaurant is an open air one. Consisting of a variety of sandwiches to choose from and piping hot soups complemented with some delicious bakery items and followed by some brilliant desserts; what more can one ask for. Haven't missed going to this place for a single weekend yet.
The best restaurant I have visited so far this new year is without a doubt Koshy's. Founded in 1940, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Bangalore. And it has done well to retain it's old world charm while catering some modern day dishes. Situated unobtrusively just off the M G Road on St. Marks road, this place attracts both the young and the old, the commoners and the famous to taste it's delicious cuisine. Indeed, this place is reminiscent of the old irani restaurant's in Mumbai. Indeed, this small but elaborate article on Wikipedia says it all.
Next up? More new restaurants, more of Koshy's, more of Au Bon Pain, and maybe the chance to see Sachin Tendulkar bat live when Mumbai Indians visit Bengaluru during the IPL 3. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
