Zen Perhaps the classiest pan Asian restaurant in the city, it is elegant and meant for a leisurely meal. Try the exotic dishes, which are done very well: teppanyaki, sushi, tempuras, glass noodles, Thai soups and curries. The Leela Palace Kempinski 23, Airport Road T: 080-30571520 Average meal for two ` 5000 JAPANESE Harima Stylish and elegant, with traditional Japanese low seating at one end of the restaurant this is for the true Jap food lover. The sushi and sashimi are great, as are the prawn tempura, stewed pork and soba noodles. 4th Floor, Devatha Plaza 131, Residency Road T: 080- 41325757/65688222 Average meal for two ` 1000
Edo Very high end, very classy and very nice: the latest ITC branch to be launched, this is all Japanese done in semi casual style with teppanyaki and robatayaki. The menu is extensive; try the sushi, sashimi, soups and steamed dishes. ITC Royal Gardenia 1, Residency Road T: 080-22119898 Average meal for two ` 40005000
Korean food. The best way to go about it is by having the set meal with kimchi soupl, chicken in chilli sauce, roast pork, tossed greens and such like. 20, Paul Castle Castle Street, Ashoknagar T: 080- 41127730 Average meal for two ` 500 Soo Raa Sang Tiny, cosy and expensive, the restaurant serves authentic Korean that goes beyond just kimchi. Try the grilled meats and seafood soups. There's also a karaoke room is you like that kind of thing. 35, RK Arcade Wind Tunnel Road, Off Airport Road Airport Road T: 080-41303435 Average meal for two ` 800
Hae Kum Gang Not much of a place to look at, the restaurant nevertheless provides a large window into
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Au Bon Pain A chain of smart looking cafes serving a variety of beverages, cakes, pastries, breads and short eats, these are good to chill and catch up with friends. They also do hot sandwiches, soups, pastas and rice and curry dishes for quickie lunches. MG Road, 86 Mahatma Gandhi Road T: 080-25586969 Also at: ITPB, Whitefield Road T: 080-28412260 / 61 Mantri Square Mall, Malleshwaram, T: 080-22667435 Old Madras Road T: 080-65832366 Jayanagar, T: 080-41538841
THAI Rim Naam Set in a gazebo surrounded by greenery and water, there can never be a better setting for the delicious and authentic Thai food served here. Must haves include som tam, prawn and crab cakes, warm seafood salad and any of the Thai curries with the fragrant jasmine rice. 37-39, The Oberoi M G Road T: 080-25585858 Average meal for two ` 300 TIBETAN Taste of Tibet A rather dingy and cramped place in a small shopping mall, the restaurant nevertheless serves authentic Tibetan; try the momos, pork buns, noodles and fried rice. Nanjappa circle, 1, Cornwell Road, Langford Town T: 41235438/41237875 Average meal for two ` 150 VIETNAMESE
KOREAN
CAFES
Blue Ginger High end and set in a beautiful location with greenery and water all around, this is a great place for a leisurely meal. Feast on the raw mango and papaya salads, noodle soups, crab cakes and the fish/prawn curries with rice. 55, Taj West End, Race Course Road T: 080-66605660 Average meal for two ` 5000
Ants Café Relaxed and laid back atmosphere, this is ideal for a leisurely meal; there's even an all day breakfast so doesn't matter what time you wake up; try the eggs, sandwiches and coffees. 2023/B, 14th A main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar T: 080-4152742/41715639 Boca Grande Homely and amiable, the ambience is very café and tends to make people linger. Ditto with the all day breakfast, as well as the lasagne, crepes and other desserts. 606, 8th Block, Near Bethany High School, Koramangala T: 080-41105183, 41110889 Bean Fuel Café Nothing much of décor or ambience, but the coffees, especially the frappes are excellent and the place is ideal for that all important caffeine shot of the day. IBP Petrol Pump, Opp. Next/FChisel, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala T: +91 9880866955 Café Noir Owing to its location it looks
very Parisian with just some tables and chairs spread out casually. Not just the coffees, but the variety of sandwiches and salads are good; however, the array of desserts, yummy cakes, pastries, mousses and tarts, just take the breath away. 206, The Collection, UB City, 24, Vittal Mallya Road T: 080-40982050 Café Thulp Casual ambience makes for a very homely feel; board games and abundance of books further enhance this feel. The food is mostly burgers, sandwiches and like, almost all of which are excellent. The highlight however is the changing menu on the blackboard: fish and prawn curry rice, Thai curry rice, pandi curry and sannas… 998, 1st Main, 1st Block, Koramangala T: 080-40933344 Barista Funky when it started out, this has become just another chain of coffee shops; the blaring music could be an irritant for some, though others swear by the cappuccino. A few of the cakes and muffins are delectable. 664,1st floor, 11th A, Main, 5th Block, Jayanagar T: 080- 42075023 Also at: M G Road T: 080-41134817 Cunningham Road T: 080-41148062 Koramangla Ring Road T: 080-41218329 Frazer Town T: 080-41253983 Magrath Road T: 080- 40913723 Old Airport Road T: 080- 41265329 Café Beanstalk A nice place to linger and hangout, the list of coffees is fairly extensive, though the food menu does not inspire. If you have to eat, try the kheema dosa. Opp Post Office,311 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar T: 080-65358858 Café Coffee Day CCD revolutionised coffee drinking with its simple cafes, chirpy music and yuppie attitude; has branches all over in its trademark red and beige colours. Some coffees are good, while the food is average but is