Bengaluru is rapidly becoming like London or the Big Apple where new restaurants apart from serving awesome food, need to offer something different and unique to excite our faded, jaded palate.
So in comes The Open Box on St. Marks Road flaunting its philosophy of letting it all hang out. Quirky interiors —check, whacky names on the menu — check and inventive serving options — check. Though if I have another drink in a jar, I swear I will turn a teetotaller — but that is another story.
The owner of The Open Box, Amit Ahuja, says, “While we have kept our entire space open to interpretation, our core idea is simple, “never be restricted.” Restaurants are about food and The Open Box has invested as much energy on the food as choosing those twee number plates. We start with the Cuban Goli soda which looks like a wildly successful chemistry experiment and tastes as good. Phirangi pani — chilled avocado pani puri soup sounds like something dreamt up by the folk of the Faraway tree and tastes right out of the Land of Goodies.
When the hummosa comes to the table, I am all set to hate this hummus-samosa salad but what can I say, it actually works. Crisp flaky samosa doing a tango with creamy hummus. Kolkatta by trawler — traditional Kolkata Jhal Muri served with vegetables or prawn just about works by the skin of its teeth.
The Manchurian pizza follows in the jolly tradition of Indian-Chinese food hitting the right spice notes. The biryani is competent but serving it in a painted pressure cooker is just brilliantly kitschy.
Don’t desert the dessert the menu warns and I am glad I didn’t for the maghai paan ice cream is on the right side of eccentric while custard made with filter coffee ensures you don’t have to do coffee and dessert by presenting it in one efficient package.
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Food for thought
Food with a twist is the underlying principle of The Open Box. Visit to explore from 11 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday) and till 1 a.m. (Friday and Saturday)
Wallet factor : Rs. 1,200 for two
Location: The Open Box, 9, 4th Floor, Halcyon Complex, St. Marks Road Call: 41290055, 4128 0055
