On a bright sunny Friday afternoon two of my friends and I decided to hunt down a place for some casual dining in the busy area of Koramangla. The very hoarding of Bonsouth drew us right in front of the entrance.EAT! EAT! REPEAT! Oh yes we were totally game for it.
The impressive greenery at the entrance with a small pebble garden added beauty to the place. After having confirmed our reservations the staff helped us out to our table. This place was quite crowded with large groups of people having their corporate meeting cum lunch, family lunch parties and kitty parties.We were seated at the indoor dining area as the alfresco dining was occupied. Soaking all the hustle-bustle and noise around we sat down to order for one vegetarian buffet and two non-vegetarian buffets. Before we could begin with our lunch we were welcomed with some refreshing welcome drinks. The gaadha buttermilk and the rejuvenating Litchi drink definitely boosted our spirits for some food hogging spree.
TO START WITH-THE STARTERS!
Within minutes of ordering, the starters started pouring in onto our plates. Beginning with the soft and moist Thair Wada (Dhai wada), marinated in thick sweet curd and garnished with boondi, it was pretty good although I found it a little too sweet. The crispy baby corn and sabudana wada were just delicious. The innovative experimental dish-Cheesy pizza utthappa was a cracker. The button shaped podi tossed idlies and piping hot paddus were served with three different flavoured chutnies– mint, coconut and onion which blended perfectly with the taste. Paneer served was average to taste.
This place does not disappoint the non-vegetarians too. Wide varieties of dishes made out of chicken, mutton, prawn, fish and crab are available. Their unique recipes are savoured with some exotic flavours down south. The non-vegetarian starters served to us were Manglorean butter garlic prawn, Coriander fish Manglorea, Chettinad mutton chops and Telangana kodi roast (grilled chicken). The chicken was fantastic while the mutton was not all that great. I was delighted by the way the Coriander fish Manglorea was presented. Wrapped up in a green leaf and steamed, the fish inside soaked in the flavour of the leaf tasting different and delicious.
The live counters in here are embedded in the form of a show kitchen where one can see the chefs dish out a plethora of steamed, grilled, fried, tossed and tawa cooked starters. This not only a treat to the eyes but serves well to the stomach too.
THE MAIN COURSE
In the main course, Kuzhi Paniyaram-a fried rice and urad dal dumpling interested me as it was something different from the usual. Kai Kari stew with appam was definitely a standout dish. The exact essence of a typical Manglorean household could be caught hold in a bowl full of Manglorean koli gassi (manglore home style chicken curry). The flavour matched perfectly with what is actually prepared in the coastal part of Karnataka. Meen curry (fish curry) tasted great with just the right amount of spice, sourness and salt. Most dominating dish from main course on my plate was my favourite Calicut chicken biriyani with thick raitha. Miriapakay pattani curry (yellow chilli with mushroom and peas) tasted brilliant with those layered Malabar parotas. The main course had loads more to offer fusing some enticing flavours into the South Indian cuisine.
MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH DESSERTS
A separate dessert section with some drool worthy desserts-Now that’s a perfect way of ending a heavy sumptuous meal. I was quite surprised with the fact that they had a dessert named Elneer payasa. Prepared with tender coconut milk this payasa is an innovative creation. Mango phirni tasted good too. One could pop-in those tiny Gulab jamuns and Rasgullas with ease. Among the other desserts there were two flavours of ice-cream,some fresh cut fruits and plum cake.
THE VERDICT
Ambiance is decent with quality and hospitable service by the staff. The food served is delicious with some catchy presentation, although the flavours could have been a little more authentic.
Value for money: Reasonable
Lunch Buffet prices-
• Vegetarian-605/-
• Non-vegetarian-665/-
Visit this place for a pleasant dining experience satisfying your South Indian food cravings.
Address: 131, 1st Cross, Koramangla 5th Block, Jyoti Nivas College Road, Bangalore 560095, Karanataka.
Contact:
Timings: 12:00 noon-3:30 P.M(Lunch), 7:00 P.M-11:00 P.M
Photo credits: Abhinaya U Jogi