Lingannana Angadi .........

Street food in India is a major Food Group :P ...
When one says street food , the first thing we think of are the Bombay Chats ... Yumm !! no doubt but ....... most of us don't realize that Karnataka has its own version of the Yummy chats ! And the chat culture is alive and kicking!!!

We also have our versions of puris and masalas ... Churmuri,Tikki puri, Boti Masala,Kodbale Masala, Nippat Masala , Tumato Puri [Tomato :P]  ... etc etc .. To go with them .. there are all kind of Masala Sodas,Masala Fanta,Masala 7up ... :) Basically a chatpata drink ... How can I forget the Gulkan .... Yummy !!!!!!!!

When I think of yummy churmuri chat , I think of 'Lingannana Angadi' ..... Its a small [matchbox sized] place, near the VVpuram Food Street , on the way to Minerva Circle!! They have been around for generations and o boy can they make the Churmuris :) .... Experts !!

I particularly love their Tikki Puri , its sweet,sour,spicy at the same time !! The taste just explodes in your mouth , to counter it you have carrots and Puri !! I also like their 'Bele Chat' , its yum!! This place is particularly famous for Masala Soda, Gulkan [yummy dish made out of gulkan,banana , butter and Icecream] ... Am particularly fond of Almond  toffees there .... its sticky , yummy and filled with goodness ...

Don't expect any kind of sophistication there its a local , small shop , which sells ciggies and chats and cool drinks ... They are fast and efficient and it is ALWAYS crowded !! But its a clean place and the owners are friendly and talkative !!

Cost : ~50 Rs for 2
Experience : Its street food come on ... Priceless !!

L'il Italy!!

 

I am a fan of Italian food ... i like the soft pastas and the mildly flavored sauces... I love the thin crust pizzas ... i love the nice hot soups and i love the Bruschettas !! .....  

There is this great Italian place called 'Little Italy', in Kormangala and in Indiranagar and in Jayanagar [its called Eurasia].

It is a pure vegetarian Italian restaurant which also serves a little bit of Mexican and Israeli .... 

The first thing that hits you when you enter the place is the ambiance its soft,earthy and sophisticated at the same time. The balance is incredible !!

Soft lighting, gleaming tables ... the wall mountings and the decorations are interesting... You automatically relax there, that is something a very few restuarents can do. 

The food, what can i say ... Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!! Its always well cooked and the variety is amazing and you leave with a warm tummy !! :)

We usually start with a Bruschetta .... they have an interesting selection of garlic breads .. all of them warm from the oven... and tastes heavenly... 

The main course is usually a pizza and Pasta .... they have a mind boggling selection ... its so difficult to choose , they have descriptions in the menu but you cant seem to choose :P

I like anything a tad spicy .. so i go with Pickles and Jalapeno toppings ... The pizzas are thin crusts and they are totally worth it , they are light and yummy , the cheese is soft and stringy!!

The pastas are served in a big bowl , one person cant finish it !! 

If you want to try the Mexican , try the Mexican Rice !! Its yummy .. its wild rice with beans and a spicy sauce !! 

The bar has a good selection of mocktails , they have quite a few surprises , the cocktails rock !! 

The desserts are mouthwatering, there is something called as 'Chocolate Avalance' , its pure sin !! ... Chocolate cakes,ice cream,sauce,choco chips... nuts ... My god !! 

The place is expensive , believe you me .. you cant visit too frequently but once is a while when a celebratory dinner is in order .. head out splurge !! 

Its one of those places you should not miss , the quiet smiling service,the relaxed atmosphere and the good food ... 

Food: 4/5

Money: ~2500 for 2

Experience : 4/5

Thali @ Nandini!!

I love Spicy food and I love South Indian Food .... It all adds up to an Andhra Restaurant !!

My favorite place for an Andhra Thali is and always will be Nandini !! 

Nandini is a chain of restaurants which can be found all over Bangalore ... St Marks road , JP Nagar , Jayanagar ... And boy do they know how to make their food !!! 

The humble thali is the modestly prized and the fastest selling item on their menu... The quantity is unlimited [do you believe that ??  :O] and they'll pamper you until you are full and bursting. 

The thali has the usual rice,rasam,sambhar, veggies,pappad,sweets and the Andhra Dal ... yummmm!! [i saved the best for the last]. I always thought that the thali tastes so good only because of the Dal .. its tangy,spicy and garlicy and very very Andhra... I met a friend from Andhra who told me that a meal is incomplete without a Dal in it... And I can vouch for Nandini , when i say that they make amazing dal !! 

What can i say about their Rasam , except that it is Yummmmmmm!! 

The sweets are not that great , but who goes there to eat their sweets !! 

I am reserving a whole section for their sides :) , with the thali they serve , Chutneys and 'Ghonghura' [a paste made out of ghongura leaves] , the chutneys are spicy and are made of onions , they go with everything. The Ghonghura is a dish on its own, eat it with anything, rice or chapathi, they go well with everything!! Man they are spicy !!

The decor is not at all fancy, but the place is so full that its bursting at its seams.The service is fast and efficienct. It is an ordinary restaurant , but caters to every need. There is north Indian food, Chinese with the Andhra food ... But I would suggest, avoid them and go with the traditional Andhra food, the one they are good at!! 

Most of the times when I eat in Nandini , my eyes are usually watering [its that hot and spicy] , but they are what you call - 'Khushi ke aansu" ... Its just the good food that makes me water !! 

Everyone should once try the Nandini Thali, just to see if they can handle the Spicy goodness !! 

Price [of the thali] : ~100 Rs

Experience: 4/5

Go there when you are hungry enough to eat a huge meal , or you are missing stuffing yourself !! 

Infinitea!!

Bangalore is a city who loves its coffee and its quite apparent when someone comes to Bangalore and sees hundred's of Coffee Shops!!

But I am a Tea person. Tea is always associated with the North Indians and the Brits ... We southies are not supposed to like tea .. But I cant help it !!

There aren't many tea shops in Bangalore , but then there is a quirky tea shop - Infinitea , which makes up for the poor numbers... Its a lovely place on Cunningham road !! A tea shop with a soul.

It is a little upmarket place and a little more expensive than the coffee houses but it is totally worth it when it comes to the experience.

Once you enter the tea house the first thing that hits you is the atmosphere and the attitude and the warmth. It is a softly lit place with comfy couches , plump pillows .. quirky posters. The posters and the coasters a whole topic by themselves. They are highly creative with 'Tea Quotes' on them. There are funny posters,serious posters , educational posters .. and all about tea. There is one which I particularly like - "Women are like tea bags, they don't know how strong they are, until they are put into hot water" :)

The coasters are so cute with every kind of tea quote on them.

The entire decor is very innovative, but nothing flashy which hinders conversation or takes too much of space. The main idea of the shop is for people to come and relax.

I have seen all kinds of people there, people come there for a date, couple who come there to patch up, people who network [ve seen business deals go through] .. there is something for everyone there, that's what i love about the place!!

The tea , what can i say, every flavor of tea, every kind of tea from all over India and the world... you name it you got it !! They also have food to go with the tea ... amazing food .. mostly a mix of continental ,Mexican and Italian ... And you can choose what food goes with which tea !

This place is very famous for its momos.. Its amazing .. never have eaten momos which taste like them anywhere else !!

The most famous [and my favorite tea] is the 'Kashmiri Khawa' ... its herbal tea , with a blend of almonds , cardamom and pista in the tea cup!! Its yummmmmmmmm!!

Then there is the herbal teas .... every variety of the tea is available !! So basically , hot tea, cold tea , milk tea.. green tea anything its there !!

You get Tea Cakes there [Very Brit] but once you eat them, you are a fan !!

You can buy/gift tea , but its too expensive , at least i don't feel like spending so much on it !!

All in all its a must to visit and experience it, totally worth it !! I must say that it does suit the Bangalore crowd !!

Teas per pot - 150-200 Rs

Meal for 2 - 300-500 Rs

Experience - 4 /5

Tea Away!!

http://www.infinitea.in/

Food = Life !!

Food is my absolute passion !!

I absolutely cant help eating, a lot of people eat to live , am one of the lucky few who live to eat!!

I don't have any other vices except eating :P

This blog is totally dedicated to Restaurant Reviews, Recipies [I can cook],Titbits most importantly Street Food!!