Having had my fill of Indian vegetarian cuisine lately, it was time to experiment. With its wide assortment of Indian, Thai and Continental cuisine, my search ended at CounterCulture, Whitefield.
Owner Vishwaraj Mohan set up CounterCulture a few months ago when he had finally found the location for his restaurant: an old automobile factory with its high ceiling, long windows and ample greenery.
His passion for experimentation is evident from the menu that changes every month! If you are headed for CounterCulture this May, try the Thai chicken wrapped in banana leaf, served with delicious chilli dip or the stuffed potol with tomato puree as appetizers. For the main course, choose from the eclectic fare that includes ratatouille tart and grilled tomato steaks, chicken breast or fish fillet with Caribbean rice.
A la carte anyone?
And if you happen to visit during one of its exclusive gigs (this time an Ode to the Blues festival, paying tribute to the legendary Robert Johnson), you get a taste of their a la carte menu specially laid out for the occasion (hot dogs and beef as part of the American cuisine, among others). Their desserts are truly a treat — especially the fruit salad with a basil base served with chocolate sauce — being unusual and refreshing on the palate.
Bonding with nature
In addition to food and drinks, CounterCulture reconnects you with nature through the little orchard of chickoo, mango and guava trees that surround it.
The colourful murals on the restaurant walls and mugs designed personally by Vishwaraj add to the ambience. CounterCulture also features works of artists, both amateur and professional. Presently on display are the metal creations of artist Kalyan Rathore.
CounterCulture is indeed worth the long drive from town! And if you want to recreate their recipes at home, find the chef's weekly column straight from his kitchen at www.counterculture.co.in /the_restaurant.
