Swasthaa is a new fine-dining multi-cuisine restaurant, on Bhoopasandra Main Road (near Hebbal Flyover). The place is cosy and has bright lights in colourful flowery lampshades.
We are joined in by Basavaraj Moogi, the brain behind Swasthaa. Having worked as a chef at most of the high-end restaurants across the country, Basavaraj, quit “working in other’s kitchen and started my own space.”
Then he explains the meaning of Swasthaa. “It means eat healthy and that is what we do here. We try and serve healthy, tasty food. We use less oil and avoid preservatives or artificial flavours. Even our fries and kebabs are cooked using German technology in a machine which needs no oil to make crisp fries,” he explains as he walks us through his spotless kitchen.
The place is getting ready to serve dinner. A few chefs are arranging the cutlery, some are chopping and the others are checking their spices, pots and pans.
We head back to the dining area and start with a fruity drink called Swasthaa special - Senorita Juice. Created by assistant chef, Ramzan Khan, this mocktail is a mix of pineapple and mint with a dash of lemon. “No sugar is added and everything you taste is the natural taste of the fruit and herbs,” beams Khan as we continue to sip on the thick juice.
Next come the starters one by one. First come the French fries, which are crisp despite not being fried in oil. Though they look a little less golden, the taste has not been compromised upon. The fries fly off the plate and is soon replaced with Banjara chicken kebabs, with tangy and juicy meat pieces, chicken dim-sums (with the most subtle flavours in the filling), and crisp veg spring rolls.
The menu also boasts of Thai, South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Italian cuisine. As of now everything is served in one dining area. Basavaraj, however has plans to starts a separate multi-cuisine restaurant and a separate vegetarian dining area.
We head to the main course which is a sweet and tangy paneer butter masala teamed with soft rumali rotis. Next is the chicken biryani, mutton sheek kebab and quesadillas con queso (warm tortillas filled with cheese, jalapeño, olives, herbs, sliced onions and tomato). The last one is a must have for its a cheesy treat with every bite. We top it off with a lovely penne paste in white sauce.
Swasthaa also makes its own breads. “We also bake our own cakes,” adds Basavaraj, who highly recommends the baked Alaska. Loaded with mixed nuts, chocolate, topped vanilla and strawberry ice cream and sealed with egg-white. The dessert was not too sweet nor is it frozen to give you a brain freeze making it a perfect ending to a short and snappy meal.
Swasthaa is at # 3 & 4, 2nd Cross, Bhoopasandra Main Road (near Hebbal Flyover)
Specialty - Senorita Juice and starters
Wallet factor -- ₹500 for two
Swasthaa can be contacted on 85999 01999 | 080 2351 9111
