Out and About
Heading out? Then try these places
PUNE Zambar
The dhow boats with tables nestled cozily inside urge you to embark on a culinary journey of South India at Zambar, which serves a smattering of traditional dishes of the four southern states. A take on the famous south Indian dish, sambhar, this restaurant set up by the Delhi based Lite Bite Foods chain, brings you the best of Chettinad and Malabar cuisines with an influence of the kitchens of Andhra Pradesh. The chef dishes out traditional delicacies like puttu and idiappam which are difficult to come by at other restaurants. The Malabar vegetarian stew here is the perfect comfort food. The highlight of Zambar is that the cuisine from the four states are distinct and stand out from each other. To maintain authenticity, the spices are ground fresh, every morning, on stone slabs. Even the cookware comes from the various regions that the restaurant represents to ensure a home- style touch. The signature drink here is the rasam shot— the spicy curry- drink is served as an appetiser in shot glasses to kick start the meal. The food is delicious and the interiors are tastefully done with a small boat- shaped sofa in the centre. Average meal for two Rs 1,200 plus taxes At East Block, Amanora Town Centre, Hadapsar- Kharadi Bypass Tel 020 67267831
DELHI
Rara Avis
Tucked away in a crowded market, in a cosy nook lies a quaint little French bistro that takes its food rather seriously. Simple, comfortable interiors, a charming terrace which is perfect for breezy evenings and an open kitchen immediately draw your attention to the food. The menu at Rara Avis is exotic, filled with the mention of escargots, duck, morels, champagne sauce, crepes and baguettes— all French as French can be.
Start your meal with the escargots ( snails) in lemon butter garlic sauce— once you get over the initial apprehension of eating snails, you’ll begin to appreciate the faint metallic taste of the snail, offset perfectly by the acidity of the sauce and balance of the baguette. For main course, we insist you skip the Duck with Orange Sauce, and order the Filet de Beouf instead. Not only is this one of the few restaurants in Delhi that uses real beef steak ( not buffalo); they also know how to cook it to pink perfection. Average meal for two Rs 2,000 without alcohol At M- 27, 2nd Floor, M Block Market, Greater Kailash Part 2 Tel 011 41085544
Mai Tai
Mai Tai, the latest addition to the international restaurant chain, Trader Vic’s, offers sumptuous drinks alongside lip smacking Polynesian food. Try the ‘ Scorpion Bowl’— a festive blend of rum, fruit juices and brandy with a hint of almond that serves up to four people or the ‘ Trader Vic's Rum Cup’— a combination of some fine rum, orange, lemon, lime and liquors. Malaysian Chicken Skewers, Maui Fish and Chips or Jalapeno Cheeseballs are recommended bites here. Average meal for two Brigade Orion Mall At Brigade Orion Mall Tel 080 22682038
Monkey Bar
The newest addition to Bangalore’s pub scene, Monkey Bar is a no- frills joint, serving tasty food and quick drinks in a laid back environment. The menu is a mishmash of various dishes, and you’ll find galouti kebab sharing space with peri peri prawns and nimboo pani listed alongside margaritas! The burgers deserve a special mention though, since the patties are finely minced, and then grilled over a wood fire to optimise flavour and juiciness. The music is loud and all— encompassing, and the basement is set up with foosball and snooker tables, ideal to catch a quick game. Average meal for two 1,500 including taxes At 14/ 1, Wood Street, Richmond Road Tel 080 41116878; mobar. in
Bodycraft
Bodycraft’s franchise outlet now has an exclusive skin and hair clinic as well as cosmetic surgery facilities which have been set up in collaboration with citybased dermatologist, Dr Shetty. Services offered here will include botox, microdermabrasion and chemical peels among others. Where Second Floor, Annexure Building, 10/ 1 Mariyappa Road, Jayanagar First Block Tel 080 40933371