What's HOT Bangalore Events,Content and Review

Bangalore#39;s homegrown comedy festival is back with its second edition - it is clearly much bigger and better than the debut. The five day long comedy extravaganza will spread across two wagons and three stages. Almost all big comic in India and some international stars too are expected to attend the festival - read Radhika Vaz, Jeevashu Ahluwalia, Zakir Khan Sundeep Rao, Vamsi Bhojraju, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill and the prolific Vir Das with his Alien Chutney. There will be live podcasts, fan jams and some hilarious installations too! Apart from the performance by 50 plus artists, there will also be some very pertinent workshops by experts here. Get full schedule, here. Season Pass: Rs 3,500 Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com

As winter makes its way into Bangalore, our meat cravings are on the rise. What we would really like to do is to sink our teeth into some meaty burgers - looks like someone just had the same idea for Library Bar is launching a new burger festival this November. This festival presents us with the opportunity to try out some really exotic burgers like Crab Burger with Asparagus, Meat Overload with Mushroom and plenty more. Wash the burgers down with some breezy cocktails from the bar.

Prolific Carnatic singer TM Krishna (on vocal) will collaborate with Vyasarpadi Kothandaraman (nagasvaram); they will be K Arun Prakash (mridangam) and N Guruprasanna (ghatam) for rhythm during this concert by Bhoomija. The collaboration between vocalist and nagasvaram is a rare one; we see it very rarely in short bursts for movie sound tracks. But this may well be one of the first full length concerts exploring this jugalbandi. Price: Rs 300 Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com

Food is invariably an acquired taste. While comfort foods like fried chicken and chocolate pudding will win anyone over, we generally tend to favour the spices and flavours we’ve grown up having. Which is why, a food delivery service that explores Asian food in its totality is great news. 48 East makes a solemn promise to bring us signature dishes from all the 48 Asian countries turn by turn. What Is It This is basically a new gourmet food delivery service that brings us authentic Asian meals in a box. If you want momos in chilli sauce or hakka noodles, then this might not be your slice of cake. Their meals are more like Burmese Chicken Khowsuey (Rs 200) and Stuffed Zuchini with Gongura Golden Fried Rice (Rs 175). The culinary voyage will include food from China, Indonesia, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the Far East and several other niche cuisines. The menu changes every Friday allowing them to experiment with different eastern flavours – so, there will never be any lack of variety. With a rather competitive pricing and no hidden or extra charges like service or VAT, 48 East gets an edge over other gourmet food delivery services in the same segment. They have time slots for delivery starting from 10 am to 11.15 pm; the next available delivery slot is usually an hour and half from the time of ordering. What To Expect The food arrives promptly, packed neatly in boxes with air-tight covers. You also get some complimentary cutlery, which is thankfully sturdy – we are tired of eating with flimsy forks that break while eating chicken. The vegetarian and non vegetarian food is marked off with green and red seals in case you are ordering in bulk. The desserts are served in dainty glass jars which are definitely for the keeps – if you order often enough, you can use these jars to store herbs and spices for your kitchen. If you have any favourites in the menu that you fear will disappear in the coming week, don’t fret – the most ordered dishes come back on the menu, depending on the feedback from the customers. As of now, they deliver within an eight-kilometre radius of Indiranagar that includes localities like Victoria Layout, Cambridge Layout, MG Road, HAL etc. We Recommend We began our meal with Char Grilled Peppery Chicken Salad (Rs 175) with a super yummy mango dressing and Japanese Miso Soup (Rs 100) – healthy and flavourful.. The star of the dumpling menu was the colourful Chicken Chive Pot Stickers (Rs 175). In the mains, we loved the sumptuous Rendang Lamb Sumatran Lamb Stew (Rs 225) with flavoured rice. The Chicken Char Kway Teow (Rs 200) served with Singapore flat noodles had the blazing flavour of jasmine oil; it reminded us that Asian food may be closer home for us than Continental cuisine, but some of it is still acquired taste! Coming to our favourite part, the desserts and the beautiful jars they come in where a huge hit. Can’t really go wrong with Caramel Custard (Rs 100), but the other desserts - like the Nest Of Dragon (Rs 100) comprising chocolate dumplings in a bed of honey glazed fried noodles - were equally satiating. Price: Rs 100 onwards Timings: 10 am to 11 pm Order here

Come September, India’s festive season officially begins with Ganesh Chaturthi, followed closely by the likes of Navratri, Diwali and Christmas. So as autumn’s rust red shades deepen around us, hogging is our go-to way way to get in celebration mode. And as always, Bangalore throws up a plethora of fresh options for us to explore. EDITOR’S PICK Forklore, Koramangala When we entered this new home-turned-restaurant on 80 Feet Road, we thought we had accidentally walked into the Greek village of Santorini. Spotless white walls, white furniture (we caught the sparingly used pastel greens later) and pristine lace curtains – the effect is at its serene best. Thankfully, the food lives up to the simple yet elegant décor. Their savoury pies – Mushroom Leek with Parsley (Rs 165) and Egg, Bacon with Onion Jam (Rs 195) is the perfect way to begin your day. If you happen to come in between 9 am and 3 pm, you can also try the other breakfast combos (Rs 275 onwards). They have salads and sides like Prawns in Butter Garlic Sauce (Rs 275) that are delicious but not novel. The Pita Pockets (Rs 325) stuffed with meat/fish, greens, sauce and herbs from the Mediterranean though is genuine good – succulent, fresh and filled with fragrant herbs. Among the buns, we enjoyed the Meaty Mediterranean Slider (Rs 275) drenched in mustard and coleslaw drowned with a Watermelon n Mint Cooler (Rs 95). Price: Rs 800 for two Timings: 9 am to 3.30 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm NOW OPEN Gunpowder, Koramangala A no-frills addition to the Andhra food bandwagon, Gunpowder makes its mark with zesty flavours. Only North Indians refer to the famous Andhra Podi smattered over ghee rice as gunpowder and this eatery, true to its namesake, serves Andhra food for Northies. Guntoor Chicken (Rs 180) though yummy is not spicy enough to make an Andhraite weep and the Chicken Dum Biryani (Rs 200) too has a touch of Northern influence. Gongura Mutton Fry (Rs 270) with its rustic tanginess was the favourite at our table. If they get rid of those hideous chandeliers, we will definitely visit again! Price: Rs 400 for two Timings: 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Koramangala The industrial décor and sorted look of the pub hardly matches up to the discordant notes of the iconic movie it’s named after. While we fail to see the connect, we are all in for their delicious pub grub. Crunchy Chicken Tenders (Rs 275) with its buttermilk marinade and batter fried crispy finish was our favourite, followed by Pondy Beef (275) for its Southern masala and Salmon Phuchka (Rs 375) for the unique combo. The bar is running on a limited menu for the first two weeks of the launch, but will be in full swing post that. Price: Rs 1,200 for two Timings: Noon to 11 pm (Sunday to Thursday); Noon to 1 am (Friday to Saturday) Fusion Street, Kalyan Nagar Don’t be put off by the clichéd name, as Fusion Street offers a culinary adventure around the globe that is worth the effort. While the ambience is non-dramatic, to the say the least, the food works its magic without using any gimmicks. Mocktails like Screeching Parakeet (Rs 130) with spicy guava flavour and Cinderella (Rs 120) with its citrus twist will keep your food good company. The small plates are interesting and done well with stars like Italian Arancini Balls (Rs 155), Chutta Erachi (Rs 265) straight from Kerala’s toddy shaaps, Coconut Crumped Pawns (Rs 350) with mayo on the side, and Calamari Fritters (Rs 295). Each dish is not only plated skilfully, but has balanced flavours with the right accompaniments, thus getting our vote. Price: Rs 800 for two Timings: 11.30 am to 11 pm ALSO CHECK OUT TherPUP, Whitefield This month, we also have a special opening that will thrill all the two-legged people who love their four-legged pets. Yes, a special café dedicated to dog lovers and their furry friends has opened up in uptown Whitefield. Just walk in, with or without a pooch, as the resident puppies – Charlie, Jojo, Tweety, Oreo, Lucky and Mojo – are happy to greet the dogs and their humans too. The menu is very ordinary, but the experience isn’t. So while you pop some Chicken Nuggets (Rs 100), gorge on French Omelette Toast (Rs 150) or Penne Tikka Sandwich (Rs 100); your significant (furry) other can indulge in customised dog treats complements of the kitchen. Price: Rs 500 for two (human + dog) Timings: 10 am to 8 pm (Tuesdays closed)

Over the years, we’ve seen how the oldest beverage on the planet has become much more than just a regular cuppa – a first flush is as rare as the finest bottle of wine and a balanced blend can taste as complex as aged whiskey. All tea falls into one of six delicious categories – black, green, oolong, pu-erh, white, and yellow – and if you like either of them, then this is the piece for you. We explore the 5 online brands that let you order your leafy favourites without any fuss, so grab a mug and read on. No.3 Clive Road The folks at this boutique brand specialise in exquisite hand blended teas, premium letter-pressed stationery and bespoke locally produced accessories, but it’s obviously the former that we’re most interested in. Radhika Chopra’s year-old baby tries to stay true to the essence of Delhi and its heritage by curating flavours inspired by the city. Expect a twist on the classic masala chai with marigold or sip on cornflower petals with Assam tea. We Recommend: Kashmiri Kahwa, Aurangzeb Blend, Jodhpur Blend Price: Rs 1,250 onwards for 100 gm Shop here Brewlette An online brewery, this new-kid-on-the-block stocks an exclusive selection of premium teas and coffees that are mostly unheard of in the Indian market. Their gourmet teas are blended with superior ingredients such as exotic fruits, flowers, herbs, spices and tisanes, and the premium coffee ranges from audacious to aromatic, spicy to sublime and rich to rambunctious. You can have your box of personal happiness delivered right at your doorstep in exotic blends such as mango pineapple, blackcurrant and 30 more curiously fun flavours. We Recommend: Creamy Mixed Fruit, Mango Blast, Darjeeling Champagne Price: Rs 410 onwards for 100 gm Shop here Tea Trunk Snigdha – the force behind this company – perceives tea as a lifestyle product and not a commodity. She trained under Japanese Tea Master Nao Numekawa and founded Tea Trunk in 2013, which now spruced the finest teas directly from farmers and crafts them into unique blends with all-natural ingredients. The woman behind this kitschy brand, which is sought after as a great gifting idea, is also the spokesperson for the Tea Board of India. From the classics to edgy new flavours like apple spice, their range can also be spotted at many highend boutiques and cafés across the country. Oh and they also have a collection that’s low on caffeine! We Recommend: Wellness Tea Hamper, Lavendar White Tea, Camomile Tea Price: Rs 250 onwards for 50 gm Shop here Teabox Selling tea directly from the source to consumers in 75 countries, the Teabox is a leafy dream that entrepreneur Kaushal Dugar conjured up. From pushing a transparent way of functioning by mentioning plantation names on the website to giving the date of plucking of tea leaves, they ship the tea within 24 to 48 hours of production. The website, besides offering a wide array of teas, also gives you the option to choose a subscription plan, which means you get 3 different blends tweaked to your palette every month. There’s even starter kits to help you brew the perfect cuppa, so get busy. We Recommend: Dark Chocolate, Mountain Rose, Apple Florentine Price: Rs 300 onwards for 100 gm Shop here Vahdam Teas Opening this website means you’ll be spending an hour or more browsing through a lot of interesting facts about tea, and once you get past that information overload, you’ll be awed by how hard their team works to bring together the freshest tea from over 100 plantations in India and Nepal. An ideal choice for beginners, their samplers with 5-20 choices of teas is a great start to your chai nirvana. We Recommend: Kangra First Flush Oolong Tea, Darjeeling Second Flush, Nepal Second Flush Black Tea Price: Rs 200 onwards for 50 gm Shop here

The village of Santorini with its serene whites and powder blue elegance is one of the first images we associate with Greece and thus, it’s no surprise that Kipos aka ‘courtyard’ in Greek has chosen a white colour scheme with a smattering of vibrant blue. The Hosur Road-Adugodi stretch is known for vintage eateries like Tom’s and Fanoos, but it is about time we saw a fresh spot in this zone and this Mumbai import fits right in. AMBIENCE As this newbie’s name translates to courtyard, the look and feel of the place is accentuated by mosaic flooring that imitates the cobbled streets of Greece. Apart from the obvious choice of hues, we liked the wooden high chairs and the plush couches in the VIP coves, which also has an adjoining smoking zone, obliterating the need to walk a distance for ciggie breaks. Also worth ogling over are the intricately coloured tiles at the bar that have been used to border the white stone tables as well – hinting a touch of Turkish influence, which only adds to the aesthetics. They play all kinds of club music and though there is no designated dance floor, the settings are spacious enough to allow people to break into impromptu jigs. FOOD + DRINKS Unlike most other recently launched gastropubs, Kipos has opened its doors with a full-fledged bar menu that covers almost all standard forms of alcohol. We sipped on the house signature Litchi Martini (Rs 300) and pecked at the Watermelon Salad (Rs 250) – salami like slices of watermelon topped with feta cheese, arugula greens and menthol-flavoured molecular caviar to cleanse your palate before meal. This was followed by the obvious choice of Chicken Souvlaki (Rs 350) – chicken chunks marinated overnight in Greek herbs and then skewered with peppers, chargrilled and served with fluffy pita bread as well as some Mushroom Caps (Rs 350) – button mushrooms stuffed with minced chicken cooked to perfection. The pick of our appetisers though was the Prawn Saganaki (Rs 400) – prawns cooked in a sauce of passata tomatoes and native Greeks herbs, garnished with feta cheesel while vegetarians will love the Spanakopita (Rs 300) – a yummy spinach pie packed into light puffs that look like mini-samosas. Impressed with the novelty of flavours, we hopped on to main course with a Lamb Moussaka (Rs 400) – a delicate dish of minced lamb layered with eggplants drizzled with mushrooms and tomato juice. Sumptuously wholesome and satiating, this dish is hard to gobble up on your own, so order with a plus one. Dessert is a decadent but light affair with the Iranian Baklava (Rs 350) aka a traditional Greek patty served with caramel foam and naugat. While we enjoyed the authentic flavours of almost every signature here, we didn’t miss the slight nuances added by the use of modern molecular gastronomical techniques, which led to a combination that is deliciously fresh! IN A NUTSHELL WH Verdict: Fresh flavours from the azure blue land in dainty settings. Meal For Two: Rs 1,800 Timings: Noon to 11 pm (Sunday To Thursday), Noon to 1 am (Friday-Saturday) Follow them on Facebook **The writer was invited by the bar to preview their menu**

Standup artists taking the stage by storm is no longer news in India, since we’ve had some big names coming in, with the biggest of them all (ahem Jerry Seinfeld) almost making it before the government played spoilsport. So the self proclaimed King of Comedy – Jason Byrne’s three city tour is not a surprise, but a nice change nonetheless. These days, he’s taking inspiration from curious paraphernalia including ducks, false chins, portable igloos and more. Here’s what to watch out for during his debut tour next week. WHAT IS IT For those of you who are comedy virgins, Jason Byrne is an Irish born comedian who started his career as a radio jockey with a self-titled show. His claim to fame was his knack for involving the audience in live comedy sets for some good-natured embarrassment, by putting them in a tight spot. He moved on to full-time live comedy later on, but maintained his original style of spontaneity. The most amazing part about watching Jason Byrne perform is that he gets the audience involved to an extent where you start feeling that he has given up on his script or never had one to begin with. Yet, he’ll be challenging you with more ideas in an hour than most other stand-up acts can claim to explore in one set. A regular at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival during a career that spans more than two decades, he was one of the finalists at So You Think You Are Funny back in 1996, which made him a household name in the US. WHAT TO EXPECT On his last tour of UK, Jason reconnected with prop comedy and it was a huge hit with the audiences. Now prop comedy is not a new concept and in fact, it’s probably one of the oldest forms of comic performances, but it transforms with Byrnes’s electric touch. On his tour of India, we will be witnessing this new-found affinity as he’ll be using giant ducks, a mouse with a moustache, portable igloos, mops for legs and other equally outrageous props to invoke laughter. The show itself has a tell-tale name – Jason Byrne Is Propped! – so even when he uses out-of-the-box props like bewildered owls and dolphins, it looks completely normal. We hear his props blend in organically with the content, without feeling forced, so we’re keen to check it out for ourself. The three city tour begins at Bangalore’s MLR Convention Centre, Whitefield on September 16th. This will be followed by a show at Mumbai’s NCPA, Nariman Point on September 17th and will culminate in Delhi where he’s due to perform at Kamani Auditorium, Janpath on September 18th. Click the city name for a complete schedule – Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi NCR Entry: Rs 750 to Rs 2,500 When: September 16th to 18th, 7 pm to 8.30 pm

Situated in Idukki district, Munnar is one of the most beautiful towns in Kerala - housed in the Western Ghats mountain range, surrounded by rolling hills, dotted with lush green tea plantations. Established in the 19th century, as a summer resort during the British Raj, Munnar is not only one of the most important tea plantations of South India, but also a magnificent spot for a vacation. EXPERIENCE Munnar gets its name from three rivers - Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly, which converge here. Set at an altitude of 6000 feet, the town is home to some of the most exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests like Kurinjimala sanctuary, Chinnar sanctuary, Manjampatti valley, Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary, Eravikulam national park and Anamudi Shola national park. PLACES OF INTEREST Eravikulam National Park Spread over an area of 97 sq km, this park was opened in 1975 and holds the largest population of Tahr or Asian wild goats. Other than that, this place has 25 other mammals including gaur, Indian Muntjac, Sambar deer, leopard, Golden jackal along with various species of birds and butterflies. Every 12 years, the hill slopes around this park get covered with blue due to the blossoms of Neelakurinji flowers. If you are a fan of waterfalls, you can check out the Lakkam waterfalls of river Pampar, here. Mattupetty Dam One of the most important sightseeing locations in Munnar, Mattupetty is a picturesque dam located in the foothills around 13 km away from the town. It is a concrete gravity dam that conserves almost 55 million cubic meter of water for hydroelectricity. There are speed boats and motorboats available on hire. Anamudi Shola It is the highest shola (peak) in not just Munnar, but the entire South India, situated at a height of 8,800 feet. The name Anamudi means elephant’s forehead, referring to the resemblance of the place to one. Home to a thick belt of flora and fauna, Asian elephants, Bengal tigers and Nilgiri martens are not a rare sight at this fault block mountain range. Attukal Waterfalls There are quite a few waterfalls around Munnar like Nyayamakad, Chinnakanal, Kuthumkal, Cheeyappara, Valara, Thoovanam and Lakkam. The most beautiful and popular one is Attukal waterfalls. Located 9 km away from the town towards Pallivasal, Attukal offers a rare sight of roaring and cascading water falling from the top of the mountain. You can even hike or trek up the mountain, if you want to. WHERE TO STAY Munnar has a lot of lodging options, but the average price is a bit on the higher side. From homestays and economical hotels, to three stars and five star resorts, Munnar has them all. If you are looking for an excellent location in the midst of hills, try Terrace Greens (twin occupancy Rs 4500 onwards) which comes with a barbecue area, multicuisine restaurant, coffee shop, spa, bonfire area and bikes on rent. If you are looking for a budget stay, Vedanta Wake Up (twin occupancy Rs 1350 onwards) or Emmel Dwellings (twin occupancy Rs 1600 onwards) that offer all the basic amenities and a great view. FOOD If you want to taste the authentic local cuisine, drive to Nullatanni at Saravana Bhavan and get familiar with Keralian cuisines. Try Rapsy restaurant for their paratha, Mughlai and Chinese dishes, SN restaurant for an economical Chinese fare, the North Indian vegetarian spot Sree Mahaveer Bhojanalaya or Mayabazar for their Indian, Chinese and Arabian cuisines. SHOP Like many other hill stations, Munnar is famous for its collection of tea, coffee, rare spices, condiments and homegrown chocolates. Other than that you can try the locally grown Eucalyptus oil that has quite a lot of medicinal values. There is a natural dyeing unit run by Tata’s Shrishti Welfare Centre called Aranya naturals, a Tata initiative in Munnar. They sell cotton and silk saris, shirt materials, stoles, shawls and various other apparels designed using ethnic dyeing techniques and vibrant colours. Best Time To Visit: January to March and September to December How to Reach: There are plenty of buses and trains every day that ply from Chennai and Bangalore to Aluva (110 kms from Munnar) or Ernakulam (130 kms from Munnar). From there, private cars and buses are available throughout the day. The nearest airport is Cochin. From Chennai, you can drive through NH 38 and from Bangalore; you can take the NH 544 and NH 83 route. Distance: 588 kilometers from Chennai, and 475 kilometers from Bangalore

Directed By: Nimmi Ravindran Written By: Manav Kaul Three men on a bench in park that could be just about anywhere; each one wants the best seat but for that that they stake a reasonable claim. While we begin to think that the play is all about playful and witty punches, the plot turns to violence as the three characters start discussing larger issues like personal space and individuality. Note: On October 23rd and 30th, there is one play at 3 pm and another at 6.30 pm Price: Rs 300 Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com

Directed By: Puneet Gupta Written By: Martin McDonagh A writer is called in for a strange investigation. There has been a series of murders in the city and the victims are all children. What is even more eerie is the fact that these murders bear a striking resemblance to what happens in the plotlines of this particular writer#39;s books. Is it just whimsical storytelling or a deep seating mystery - we wonder as the writer gets further embroiled in the case and even his mentally challenged brother is brought in for questioning. Note: On November 20th and 27th, there is one play at 3 pm and another at 6.30 pm Price: Rs 300 Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com

Directed By: Vandana Prabhu Written By: David Lindsay-Abaire We have couple who are happy and have everything anyone could wish for but their life takes a turn for the worst after a tragedy. Coping with grief makes them release that comfort can be found in the unlikeliest of places and the path to recovery is always bittersweet. Note: On November 7th and 13th, there is one play at 3 pm and another at 6.30 pm Price: Rs 300 Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com

From dumplings to mixed fried rice, sweet and sour chicken to hakka noodles, Chinese cuisine has always been popular in India. So, in Bangalore, we went looking for the best authentic Chinese cuisine. And guess what? We found the best of the best offered by some of the finest restaurants in town. Here is my list of favourites: Yauatcha Yauatcha is a Michelin-starred Chinese dim sum teahouse from London that offers an all-day dining experience, ideal for a light lunch or large feasts and social drinks with friends and family. The menu has authentic Cantonese dishes with a modern influence, offering a wide range of steamed, baked, grilled and fried dim sum. To complement the cuisine, the drinks menu comprises different types of tea, as well as cocktails inspired by Chinese ingredients, and a broad wine and champagne list. The design of the restaurant is a modern interpretation of the old Chinese teahouse. The light environment and deep booths emulate the ‘chatter shop’ atmosphere of a traditional dim sum eatery in Hong Kong, providing a captivating drinking and dining space. Some of the top-selling dishes include Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun, Truffle Edamame Dumpling, Stir-Fry Udon Noodles in Black Pepper Sauce, Stir-Fry Chicken in Szechuan Peppercorn Clay Pot and Raspberry Delice. Pair these with drinks like Lalu, Lychee Martini, Cha La Lai, Lam Peak Martini and Black River Martini. Address: Level 5, 1 MG Road Mall, MG Road Phone: 9222222800 Beijing Bites Beijing Bites offers Chinese food with an Indian touch. Dating back to a decade and a half, the restaurant chain was started to cater to the ever-increasing demand for tasty Chinese cuisine. Known for serving a vast spread of Chinese food at pocket-friendly prices, it is spread across 30 locations as standalone restaurants as well as in some of the best malls in the city. With emphasis on the quality of food, the restaurants boast of excellent infrastructure and has a friendly ambience, making it an ideal choice for a casual lunch or dinner with family, friends or for official purposes. In deference to the cosmopolitan profile of the city, all employees at the restaurants can converse in most languages. They also provide home delivery services, with one of the fastest turnaround time for delivery. They also undertake bulk orders and cater to outdoor parties. Address: Beijing Bites is at multiple locations across the city Contact: www.beijingbites.com OKO OKO, by virtue of its location, contemporary architecture, and luscious food and beverage caters to the younger generation who are equal spenders in the current gourmet scenario. Offering pan-Asian cuisine (Japanese, Malaysian, Chinese and Thai), this fine-dining rooftop restaurant has a twin satellite bar, live sushi and teppanyaki, live grill bar and exclusive private dining space for 10 people. The signature dishes are OKO Autumn Platter, Tom Yum, Kung Nam Phrik Pao, Som Tam Thai, Bocai Chao Yumi and Tai-Chi Quan Su Chi. Chef Tenzin Dolma, born and raised in the Kham region of Tibet, is known for integrating fresh and locally-available vegetables and meats. The fine art of innovating and creating new dishes was passed down to her by her mother. The painter-turned-chef has long been associated with a number of international brands and has trained under the popular chefs, understanding the culture. Chef Tenzin has prepared an extravagant five-course dinner with a live cocktail sushi bar, which diners can enjoy with a five-glass pairing of wine and champagne from some of the most unique boutique wineries. Reservations are required for this exclusive dining experience. Address: The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, Kumara Park High Grounds Phone: 9980158286 Shao The highly-acclaimed and a member of the prestigious Chaine Des Rotisseurs, Narendra Singh, -the executive chef at Shao- Park Plaza - not only believes in perfection, but the fact that food is something very personal. He dishes out authentic specialties, taking you on a food journey through pan-Asia. The restaurant, which has a contemporary setting, also has a live kitchen counter for its diners to watch as their culinary team creates magic with exotic Asian herbs and spices. Their newly-launched menu features a wide range of cuisines such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian. Some of the must-try at the restaurant are Traditional Peking Duck (Chinese), King Prawn Yakitori, Tonkatsu, Salmon Yakizuke (Japanese), Kimchi Mundu, Bulgogi, Seafood Japchae (Korean), Jjiajangmyeon, Pho’ga (Vietnamese), Angus Beef Rendang and Sayur Lodeh Tofu (Indonesia). Pair the pan-Asian specialties with a wide range of red, white and sparkling wine that are specially flown from famous vineyards. For desserts, the restaurant serves homemade ice creams like kafir lime, litchi and coconut, among others. Address: 90-4, Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli Phone: 8884400175 Here is my complete list of the best restaurants in Bangalore for Chinese cuisine:

A bustling crop of start-ups, convenient co-working spaces, peaceful residential complexes surrounded by a host of hang-out spots – that is HSR Layout for you, in a nutshell. Some call it the most upcoming part of town - a crossover between residential, commercial and office spaces, like a second Indiranagar. No wonder, this neighbourhood provides fertile ground for some of the city’s most interesting cafés to prosper. If you live /work at HSR or just happen to be in the vicinity, keep the following cafés on your radar. Here Now Café We began our café trail at the newest all-day breakfast places in the neighbourhood – Here Now Café that is bang opposite the BDA Complex. If you are an idler, then the place will win your heart right away – a bookshelf full of familiar titles, scribble sheets for doodling and plenty of board games (carom, foosball, chess etc), along with some very good food. Their All Mighty English Breakfast (Rs 290) is sumptuous but slightly over-priced for the portions. Waffles (Rs 40 onwards) and Pancakes (Rs 130 onwards) for those who begin their day with a bit of sweetness. Although, this is an all-day breakfast place, we liked the burgers better. Vegetarians make a beeline for Badmash Badshah (Rs 160) that is a re-interpreted version of the hearty burger with rajma in it; meat eaters have plenty of options to choose from – Cheeky Chicken (Rs 190) with that oh-so-yum sauce spread, Pork O Pine (Rs 235) with pineapple and pork, In An Open Relationship (Rs 165) that is by far the most interesting open burger, patty served with fries and add-ons. A special mention of the Hash-Paradox (Rs 120) that has quickly become our favourite omelette in town! Price: Rs 800 for two Timings: 9 am to 8 pm (Tuesdays closed) Sector 7 Café This café appealed to us for two reasons – exceptionally good food and the badass LED diyas in caged facades on the tables. Their book shelf, we felt, needed some serious donations – if you, like us, are not into frothy romances. There’s nothing fresh about their décor, but their menu offers a great deal of Italian dishes. The breakfast section has two definitive winners – Small One (Rs 230) with two slices of buttered toast, sausages, choice of eggs, baked beans, pancake and coffee/tea as well as the All Eggs Breakfast (Rs 195) that comes with grilled potatoes and creamy spinach-mushroom instead of the sausages. We loved the Garlic Spinach Pizza (Rs 170). and got our cheese fix from the Carbonara Pasta (Rs 295). There aren’t too many options for the non-vegetarian, but vegetarians will be happy to know that the Legumes section of their menu offers healthy dishes with plant protein. Price: Rs 600 for two Timings: 10.30 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 10.30 pm (Mondays closed) Art Blend Café An artist will find a kindred spirit for his/her soul within the premises of this café. The walls are lined with artwork from aspiring artists; some of them are for sale. We loved their faux-tree bookshelve, but were slightly disappointed to see it half empty. The various seating options at Art Blend make it special. Whether it is the colour pop modas or the marble benches on the roof, we love to sit just anywhere. Their is nothong exceptional about their food. We have a soft spot for their Cream of Chicken Soup (Rs 120) that is creamy, but not sweet. Their Hash Brown With Toast (Rs 90) or Scrambled Eggs with Toast (Rs 90) make for a decent breakfast. Their Mini Samosas (Rs 90) and Masala Chai (Rs 65) go very well together, especially on a rainy day.. Their menu also offers Chinese, Continental and Italian options. Skip straight to the kid’s menu for some melt-in-the-mouth Mac n Cheese (Rs 120). Their service, however, is painfully slow on weekends. Price: Rs 800 for two Timings: 9 am to 10 pm

Our love affair with bags goes back to our childhood, when a handbag meant you were well on your way to being counted as an adult. While we now rely heavily on our trusty tote to hold everything from wallet to notebooks and even our emergency stash of candy – we can’t help lusting after a good, durable handbag every time we see one. If you are the same, then check out these homegrown labels whose creations are not only well crafted but environmentally responsible too. Twenty Seven Founded by Aditya Abhankar and Joydeep Singh, this label focusses on simple, functional design. We love their unisex backpacks – the City Backpack and Weekender Bag – that are practical yet chic enough for work, while the Crow Backpack comes with an additional section for your laptop, making it handy for overnight trips or as carry-on luggage. Their laptop sleeves too have been thoughtfully designed with various pockets and holders to keep your notebooks, stationery, pen drives and cables organised. They’ve also got a small selection of slings and wallets, plus a sturdy beer pack that’s designed to hold up to six 500ml cans and keep them cool for up to five hours. P.S.: All their products are crafted from vegan leather so you can shop guilt free! We Recommend: Their City Backpack Cost: Rs 1,000 onwards Shop here The Burlap People Burlap, or hessian, is a woven fabric made from jute or sisal fibres, and while it’s easily available in India, its use is mostly relegated to the manufacture of gunny-sacks. Putting a luxe spin on this hardy, eco-friendly fabric is The Burlap People’s line of vibrant bags with an earthy and minimal aesthetic. Their range is both stylish and strong enough to survive the wear and tear of daily use with the likes of roomy totes, handbags (with plenty of compartments), duffle bags, laptop sleeves with a vintage vegan leather finish, and even yoga mat carriers on offer. What we love the most though is that they’ll gladly customise your order, which means you end up with a product that’s perfectly suited to your needs. Everything is handcrafted and made from scratch, so be prepared to wait for about two weeks for your bag to be shipped. They don’t have an online store just yet, but you can browse through their Instagram page and email them for a full catalogue. We Recommend: Their Burlap Boss Bag Cost: Rs 2,700 onwards To shop, email theburlappeople@gmail.com Chiaroscuro Fitting right in with the Make in India wave, this Delhi-based brand works with local artisans to create handcrafted totes, sling bags, pouches and wallets. They’re made from natural leather sourced from by-products of the meat industry, while care is taken to keep to the natural grain and prevent over-processing of the material, giving the finished product a great texture and finish that ages well. We love the simple silhouettes that ensure the bags will go with most outfits. Their pouches are a good bet to keep your bag organised and are big enough to store essentials like the cellphone, cards, cash as well as hold a kindle or small tablet. We highly recommend their colourful little coin purses too and if you can’t seem to find the right handbag from their current collection, you can choose from a catalogue of older designs and get it made-to-order. They’ll even add a specially designed monogram to your purchase. We Recommend: Their Cocoa Big Stella Cost: Rs 2,050 onwards Shop here October Jaipur Another champion of handcrafted artisanal goodness, this recently launched Jaipur-based label creates handcrafted bags inspired by Rajasthan’s rich arts and crafts heritage. We’re currently smitten by their gorgeous Ikat Story range and are also drooling over the unusual Dhurrie collection that incorporates traditional weaving techniques used to make rugs. They’ve got bandhani and blue pottery inspired ranges as well, plus October Evenings – a collection of accessories for special occasions embellished with delicate hand embroidery. You’ll find an extensive variety of bags on their site – from laptop and camera bags and iPad cases to various kinds of handbags, duffle bags, backpacks, clutches and wallets. As a bonus, there’s the option of customising your pick and choosing the colour combination, shape and number of compartments as well as have your initials embossed on it. We Recommend: Their Blue Pottery Duffle and Saddle Red Durrie Cost: Rs 1,750 onwards Shop here

Ssaffron offers a 180°-view of the city, is classy and has great food from four of the most popular regions of India DECOR This fine-dining restaurant feels like one as soon as you step in. It has well-spaced out tables, custom-designed charger plates with elephant motifs, and a stunning view from practically every table. With options to eat under the stars or in a more formal setting indoors, one is spoilt for choice from the word go. FOOD The menu comprises dishes from four prominent regions — Punjab, Rajasthan Hyderabad and the Konkan-Kerala belt. We picked a few dishes from each region and some chef recommendations. Be warned as the portions may include just 4-5 pieces, but they are quite generously sized. The Tulsi Kalonji was essentially a layered round Paneer Tikka in a basil-and-spices marination. The paneer was unbelievably soft and the smoky aftertaste was memorable. Tikki Rajma, as the name suggests, was a ghee-heavy patty of potato and rajma beans. It had a superb balance of flavours and was very filling. The Bhutte Ke Kabab was served on a skewer and studded with pine nuts, and was quite delectable. Bhatti Da Murg was served in a copper balti, but the big tender pieces of smoky chicken could have done with longer marination. Given the size of the pieces, the marinade had not seeped all the way through. We ordered the Lamb Chops, which were impressively plated and even better tasting, thanks to the dhungar process, which infuses fragrant smoke into the meat. For mains, the Lobster Moilee was aromatic and made just right - we liked the novelty of having a lobster and not a fish moilee. The chef recommended the home-style chicken, which was wonderfully light, and the Rajasthani Laal Maas, which was spot on. Served beautifully, the meat fell off the bone with no effort. The most unique preparation by far was the rare Murg Soweta — slow-cooked pounded millets with tender chicken in a light spicy gravy. The Dum Biryani was as expected, but not outstanding. We decided to veer away from the much-consumed Daal Makhni and opted for the chef-recommended Daal Panchmela. This is essentially a beautiful coming together of five different daals with a ghee, jeera and garlic tadka. We loved the fact that it tasted homely and was spiced just so. Aloo Wadiyan from the Punjab belt was made exactly like we make it at home - not too masaledaar, allowing the wadi to be the hero of the dish. The Kofta Nazakat (cottage cheese dumplings in a yoghurt and saffron gravy) was too rich and a tad bland for our liking. Zaraja Paratha, a flaky bread with a generous sprinkling of paprika and kalonji, was fabulous and needs no gravy to accompany it. We tried a variety of desserts between us. The star was an assemblage of Mysore Pak, Khubani Ka Meetha, Rangoli Kulfi and Jalebi. The Churan Aamrakhand — mango pulp and foamed mango yoghurt topped with cashew nougat, which is a desi avatar of a modern Mango Espuma — was excellent. We loved the play of textures. SERVICE The staff is well turned-out, attentive, well-versed with the menu and happy to recommend. PLUS AND MINUS The ambience, food and service are top-notch. Vegetarians will be happy with the options on the menu. The cost factor may be a deterrent, but given the quality of ingredients, the price is not surprising. MUST TRY: Lobster Moilee, Murg Soweta and Aamrakhand Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.

As if a month long celebration of beer wasn’t enough, Bangalore is now getting ready for a week long celebration of cocktails! Taking heady affairs a step further, The Bangalore Cocktail Week lets you mix your cocktails and have them too. What’s better? The variety of concoctions being offered at special subsidised rates make sure that the ‘end of the month’ does not come between you and your inebriation. What To Expect Spread across more than 25 venues in the city, this festival includes a special set menu of cocktails, master classes that deal with different types of alcohol and how they must be stirred into cocktails, pub crawls, a war of bartenders and plenty more. Roping in celebrity mixologists like Jamie Walker, Andrew Quadari and Hemanth Mundkur is definitely getting the cocktail week more eyeballs. The primary offer during the Cocktail Week will be the chance to sample the best of signature cocktails at 25+ venues for Rs 300 each. The celebrations begin and end at Shiro, that is hosting both the opening and the closing parties. Other notable watering holes like Bootlegger, Watsons, Hard Rock Cafe, Smoke House Deli, Barebones, Easy Tiger, Three Dots And A Dash and Church Street Social will be hosting the festival for eight days at a stretch. Apart from getting you great deals on drinks, this week-long event is a celebration of cocktail craftsmanship – the art of mixing cocktails comes naturally to some of us. If you want to try your hand at the art of mixology, you mustn’t miss out on the masterclasses (Rs 600 each); workshops conducted by majorly by iconic mixologist, Jamie Walker. Each of these workshops will be focussing on a different kind of alcohol. The workshops take place between 2 pm and 4 pm in the afternoon from August 28th to September 1st - whiskey session happens at Watsons, Gin follows at Social on the next day, Beer masterclass is conducted at Biere Club on the day after, wrapping up with a general cocktail mixing workshop at Hangover on September 1st. Each of the masterclasses can accommodate about ten to fifteen people – so, make your reservation right away, lest you miss out. Tickets available on Dine Out One of the major attractions of the Bangalore Cocktail Week is the bartending competition that is happening at Bootlegger on August 30th and 31st from noon to 5 pm. This is your chance to catch up on all the drama around mixing cocktails, live – shake it, stir it, smoke it up or infuse! We Recommend The crowning glory of the event is the pub crawl scheduled for September 2nd in the neighbourhood of Indiranagar that is littered with pubs. However, the organisers have taken the effort of picking the not-so-common venues for this crawl – the night begins at The Black Rabbit and ends at Loft 38 stopping over at Cirrus, then Liber in between. The pub crawl is priced at Rs 1,000 for these four stop-overs and will be a major crowd-puller with more than 200 pub-hoppers participating in it. Tickets available on Dine Out Entry: Free, some events are ticketed When: August 26th to September 2nd Where: Multiple venues For details, click here.

He gave deities a human face and took considerable flak for it. He was a master of the European renaissance painting style, but rejected it in favour of his Indian sensibilities. He mass produced his own art and made it affordable for common people. Raja Ravi Varma, Kerala’s iconic painter is known for all this, and much more. The exhibition, Raja Ravi Varma: Royal Lithography and Legacy that is being hosted at the National Gallery of Modern Art is in its last leg (till August 31st) and here is why, you must not miss it. What To Expect Ravi Varma is typically known for two things – painting human representation of Indian deities that exudes an aura of divinity; and creating lithographs of his own paintings for the first time. This exhibition focuses on the original lithographs that were created in his press between 1894 to 1930. In totality, 134 such surviving lithographs can be traced back to Raja Ravi Varma’s actual paintings – 131 of these will be on display here. So, it is not unfair to say that this will be a comprehensive representation of the painter’s exhaustive body of work. It is pertinent to note that lithographs are not prints – at least not the cheap digitally printed artworks we see today on calendars and posters; these were created later. The lithographic printing machine (owned by Varma) comprised of 15 to 30 blocks, each drenched in a different colour to produce these prints. Thus, these lithographs are just as rare and niche as the paintings themselves. In fact, in some parts of Europe, lithography is still a separate genre of art. We Recommend Considering the fact that Raja Ravi Varma is a rather dynamic and often misunderstood painter, the walk through with curator Ganesh V. Shivaswamy is a must to put his art in perspective. This specially curated walk will happen on August 27th from 3 pm onwards at the NGMA. The curator will speak at length about the significance of the lithographs and how they were created. He will then draw two analogies to help debunk the myth that Ravi Varma’s style of painting was too European. The first will be by displaying the works of Dutch painter Philip Balde, who toured Ceylon and became the first ever foreigner to paint Indian deities. This will help us understand how Westerners perceived Indian divinity. Secondly, he will compare Ravi Varma’s work to existing Indian art that depicted the divine, like the Tanjore and Mysore paintings. The painter’s unique art form stands out from both these styles. Another USP of this walk will be the photographs of Ravi Varma’s actual sketchbook that will help art lovers understand the artist’s thought process – the entire journey of painting from its conception to completion. The curator will also dwell on interesting trivia like how these lithographs travelled abroad and took on local colours. The anecdote about Ravi Varma’s lithographs that were used as Japanese match labels with tweaked featured to make them appear local, is particularly ingenious. Finally, participants will get to see how the painter’s work inspired the architecture of some of the later temples. Many temples down South have borrowed their chura designs from Ravi Varma’s paintings. Entry: Rs 20 per head Where: National Gallery Of Modern Art, Vasanth Nagar When: August 1st to 31st, 10 am to 5 pm (Mondays closed)

River rapids are nature’s way of making up for your lack of activity during the rainy season, and river rafting is an adventure sport that can be best experienced during monsoons – from June till the end of September. Catch up on the rapids before the rains subside at these three spots around the city. Dubare Barapole, Coorg The district of Kodagu or Coorg in Karnataka offers the twin shores of Dubare and Barapole for rafting enthusiasts. If you are staying in North Coorg (Madikeri and surrounding areas) then go for Dubare. The banks of the river Cauvery at Dubare, are home to two tourist attractions – the Elephant camp and river rafting base. During off-season, these waters provide tourists still water rafting. But if you dare to take on the river when the waters swell, then try white water rafting during Monsoons. The rafts accommodate about 6 to 8 people and must include a guide or trainer. Suitable accommodation is not available at Dubare; but there is a changing room to change out of drenched clothes after you finish rafting. Ideally, you must visit this river-side camp on the way to or from Madikeri. Barapole, South India’s most challenging rafting spot in South Coorg, is closer to places like Kutta, Gonicoppa, Ammathi, Ponnampet and Virajpet. The stretch of river used for rafting at Barapole is about 3 to 4 km; the difficulty on the rapids is about class 4 to 5 depending on the density of rainfall during the year. Preliminary training is compulsory for all rafters where they must go overboard (to be rescued by teammates) and also learn to rescue others. Each rafting expedition lasts about 3 hours and requires a fair amount of fitness to attempt. Slots for river rafting at both Dubare and Barapole can now be booked online - this makes sense because there is a terrible rush during the rainy season and rafters have to sometimes wait for days to get their turn, especially at Barapole. There is no place to stay at the camp and homestays around Kutta and Gonikoppal, the nearest habituated areas are few and far; so bookings for stay also need to be made in advance. Cost: Rs 1,200 (per head) onwards Distance from Bangalore: Dubare (252 km via NH75) and Barapole (270 km) Best Time To Visit: July-August Bheemeshwari Located closer to home, Bheemeshwari offers Bangaloreans an adventure packed day trip. The three-hour drive to Cauvery Fishing Camp, where white water rafting happens is anything but dull. This stretch, known to be home to 200 different species of birds, and the landscape set against the Western Ghats is picturesque. Doddamakkali Nature Camp and Galibore Fishing Camp are also located in the vicinity; they too, host rafting expeditions. The 8-km stretch for rafting is longer than the stretches at both Dubare and Barapole, but the difficulty at Bheemeshwari is just class 3. The rapid are pretty straight forward and can be experienced only during the peak of the Monsoons. Four-seater rafts and all safety gear are available on rent here – booking in advance is usually not necessary. Apart from rafting, kayaking is also a viable option at these camps, depending on the water level. Moreover, there are several jungle lodges here that organise adventure tours – trekking, rafting, bird watching and finishing. The Bheemeshwari Nature Adventure camp at Muthani in particular with its pitched tents and cosy cottages is quite a favourite among adrenaline junkies. Cost: Rs 1,400 (per head) onwards Distance from Bangalore: 120 kms via Kanakpura Road Best Time To Visit: July to September

If you are a pork virgin, the belly should definitely be your debut – being soft and snug, it easily absorbs flavours of the ingredients used to cook it and is thus, generally considered comfort food. Braised, barbecued, slow cooked or roasted, there is no end to the ways in which this cut of fatty meat can be cooked. As is the case with all other kinds of meat cuts – the belly, too, is either your thing or it isn’t. If you haven’t tried these four yummy pork belly signatures being served in the city, then you haven’t had it all. Café Thulp, Kammanhalli To fully comprehend the quality of a dish, one must know how it is cooked traditionally, so let’s begin with a classic. Fat Chance (Rs 450) at Café Thulp is a smoked version of the pork belly. As the name suggests, this is not a dish that will find favour with lean-meat lovers – get ready to dig into a very fatty piece of meat that is slowly smoked for hours and then dressed with crackling honey oyster sauce. The taste definitely leans towards the sweeter side of your palate. It is served with crisp rice vermicelli noodles and steamed bok choy, keeping with the oriental flavours used in the dish. PS: Although there are four other outlets of Café Thulp (at Ulsoor, Koramangala, Indiranagar and Nagawara), we think the Kammanahalli one nails this dish in the best possible way. Price: Rs 1,000 for two Timings: 11 am to 11 pm Connie#39;s, Kammanahalli Another all-day breakfast and diner in the neighbourhood of Kammanhalli, cooking up a storm with the swine’s belly – is none other than Connie#39;s, a restaurant for people with giant appetites. Known for their generous portion sizes, Connies serves a classic Southern American version of the pork belly and it doesn’t have a fancy name – it is just called the Pork Belly (Rs 475). In this dish, the belly meat is coated with minced beef and then wrapped with slices of bacon. The meaty portion is served in a soothing red wine sauce. You can also order the sizzler version of this dish that costs Rs 500, but we would advice against it – the sizzling leaves a smoky undertaste in the meat that doesn’t go too well with the delicate wine gravy Price: Rs 1,500 for two Timings: 11 am to 11 pm Farzi Café, Vittal Mallya Road The latest Asian gastro-pub to join the pub-wagon of Bangalore, Farzi Café is a Delhi-import. And guess what, they have made a mark by taking a pot-shot at the infamous Delhi Belly jokes with their delicious Delhi Belly Tikka (Rs 425). What we like the best about this dish is that the meat is substantially fat-trimmed, looping in people who shun the pork belly as calorie indulgence. But despite being a leaner cut, the meat is supple and melts in the mouth. The tikka element of the dish is accentuated by the desi murabba glaze – it is served with roasted russet apples, wholesome and sumptuous in totality. The original dish is quite saucy, so ask them not to drench the meat in too much sauce if you don’t like it to be slobbery. Price: Rs 1,800 for two Timings: Noon to 11.30 pm The Fatty Bao, Indiranagar After a brush with the Indian version of pork belly, it is time to cross-over to the Japanese one. The Fatty Bao PBJ (Rs 365) is one of the most iconic renditions of belly meat. You can sum up the delicacy of the dish from the way it’s cooked – the meat is cooked twice over and then slow braised. It is then made crisp and lathered in mustard miso jam, a house special at The Fatty Bao. Price: Rs 2,500 for two Timings: Noon to 3 pm; 7 pm to 11.30 pm

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