Banjara Melting Pot in Koramangala stands out prominently on Srinivagilu Main Road. The artistically done up restaurant is the property of the late artist M.F. Husain that has been leased out to the restaurant. The original structure of the house has been retained, which lends a cosy, almost homely feel to the restaurant.
As you enter, you are greeted by the sight of a red letter box and a slanting tree both of which were part of the original house. The interiors of deep woodworks, prints of M.F. Husain’s art works on the walls and intricately laid out and close set tables add a touch of legacy to the restaurant.
The cuisine served includes North Indian, coastal and pan Asian. We begin our meal with spicy guava, a mocktail, with a hint of Tabasco sauce and the glass rimmed with salt. It’s a play of hot, sweet, sour and spicy. We are then served burnt garlic chicken soup, a swirl of chicken pieces and tomato, flavoured with garlic. Next up, are a variety of starters, which includes stir fried vegetables of broccoli and bok choy flavoured either with garlic, lime or olive oil. The chilli basil mushrooms are particularly good. The murgh lalwari kebab, a signature dish, with its stuffing of spinach and cheese makes it worth a try. But the ghee roast prawns, a Mangalorean speciality, is the starter of the day. We then sample the main course of vegetarian pulao, chicken dum biryani and phalguni sabzi which are all good, but the desserts are the icing on the cake. The apple pie with hot custard is not overwhelmingly sweet and makes for a great combination. The blueberry cheesecake is a close second.
Banjara Melting Pot is located at 32, 80 feet road, 4 Block, Koramangala. For reservations call: 49653253.
