Affordable

-Venue : Cafe Appetite
Bhagat Singh Colony
Andheri Link Road
Chakala
When : Sunday Dinner on 4th October,09

Decor : The location is good.If the owner removes the glass doors, it would remind you of eateries in Paris/ Italy. The decor is OK.Yelow coloured it walls is something I personally dislike. But, many restaurants keep it that way.The seating is comfortable, not too lavish. Just chairs and tables in sets of twos and fours.

Experience:
It was raining heavily. And, it being a Sunday ritual to go out for dinner I searched the internet for something new and closeby.Came across Cafe Appetite an Indo Italian Indo Chinese restaurant.So off we went.Its a small restaurant run by a husband and wife.He is a friendly Sardar guy lets call him Mr. Singh who goes personally to every customer and asks about the order, food, likes & dislikes etc. Takes an interest with what you order. And lets you know of his journey from the beginning.

We ordered a Tomato & Basil Soup priced at Rs 60/-

The aroma of the soup was something.The consistency was good ,not very watery. The basil leaves were quite fresh. It was also liked the family.

For starters we wanted something which the baby would like. As, she eats the main course very meagre.
The owner suggested Garlic Bread with Cheese again at Rs. 60/-

Yes, yum it was! The bread ,we were told, is baked by the restaurant themselves.It was a herb and garlic bread. The garlic was not too strong as is found at many places.So, was loved by the baby even.

The main course was farfalle in Alfredo pasta
It was a creamy pasta. The only negative was the oil. The olive oil used in the pasta for two was enough for a pasta for four.The owner explained that he needs to emulsify the pasta in the end.Anyways, the layers of taste which should come out were subdued because of the oil.
They have a variety of desi pastas too.But, I think no one can beat them at joints like Bombay Blues etc.

Next, We ordered a Triple Shezchuan Rice for the brother at home.

That too was good enough.Quite spicy as it should be.The quantity was enough for two.One can get good chinese at many places in Mumbai.It would be good when they serve it fiery hot.
Overall the food was good but for the excess oil in pasta.The shezuan was very generic in its taste.The sop and starters were excellent. And, it being recently opened you get a table without hassles even on a Sunday.
I would suggest the restaurant menu should have more of desi stuff. The owner promised me some good kebabs when i visit him next.
Hope, he has more options for vegeterians like me by then.
Price: Rs. 350/- for 2

This is a online / telephone take away / home delivery only place. They are based out of Koramangala / HSR Layout / Frazer town and generally deliver across the city.

We decided to order about few days back for Dinner and we live within 5kms of this joint.

What did we order

Starters
Sesame Corn toast (i threw it away) and Vietnamese spring roll

Maincourse
Phad Thai (i make better ones) and some fried noodles (we had to throw away).

Largely the experience was bad because 1) It took them 90minutes to deliver 2) The food was cold and spring roll by then had turned into a soft roll.

In all not a good experience and it costed us 500bucks.

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Dim Sum - Koramangala.

The best momo's in town without a doubt. I have eaten food from this joint over a 100 times as it has been the best chinese I have found in Bangalore.
The pricing is affordable and the quality is uncompromised. There is a small eat in area but it is better to order home and enjoy the food with friends.
The menu compromises of Momo's, their speciality (in pork, chicken and veg, Fried or steamed) served with an awesome sauce which i have not tasted anywhere. Other snacks and starers are followed by
soups, speciality dishes and sizzlers. One of the fewplaces which serves awesome pork in a variety of dishes. Definitely worth shouting about.

64565969/ 9243015969

34/3 K.P. Srinivasa Reddy Bld, Near Shiva talkies, 8th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560 095

Free delivery within 3km

A place I rate right on top of the charts! Have been a regular there for the last 18 years- right from my college days when me and a bunch of my fellow foodies use to eat there at least thrice a week. A very satisfying (huge) meal would cost us all of 15 rupees back then........

Cut to the present.....new management (taken over a few years back by the Bade Miyan but mercifully, the quality of food remains more or less the same. Yes, the chicken is not as humongous as it used to be and the roti's as thinner- but i still don't complain).
The place is actually quite old and run down- reasonably clean though! Don't miss the old warnings still plastered on the walls ("Food will not be served to over-drunken persons").
Right guess- no booze here but have no fear- old faithful Gokul is right across the street.
If you are in the mood for some major hogging- start with Chicken Fry - this is piece of Fried
Chicken (you can choose the body part you want- Breast or Leg) along with a fried potato- both with a delicious light reddish batter- Yum!!
The standard order is Chicken Fry Masala with Roti. It is the same Chicken Fry but with some yummy gravy. The roti's are divine (used to be much better)
If you are a Beef eater then don't miss Beef Kanda (onion) Fry. It is not on the menu but order that instead of the regular beef fry (with tomato's and potato's). Top all this with a delicious caramel custard.
Soft drinks available. Can also try the mutton korma, biryani etc.
Can have a full meal in under 100 rupees.

Abhishek is a recent (~1-1.5 yrs.) addition to the group of restaurants' near Nal Stop. Its excellent service, delicious food, and good ambience, has given other restaurants in that area a run for money.

They serve normal North Indian, and Punjabi food, but the taste, and the speed of service is awesome. Try the Methi Malai Kofta, mouth watering. The servings (including the starters) are generous. For a family of four the expected bill comes to around Rs. 500, so I would term this restaurant as "affordable".

The only con I can see is the rush, it is crowded during weekdays too. The weekend waiting can go as high as an hour and half, though they manage to get you a table as fast as possible. The staff is courteous, and the ambience is decent. I would highly recommend it for a casual dinner (except on weekends).

Oh, one thing - there are two Abhishek hotels opposite each other, one of them is a bar (you will be able to spot the difference visually though).

For all the BUDGET TRAVELLERS to BANGALORE (BENGALOORU)
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Food expenses can range from mega cheap to expensive. I am refering to pure veg south indian stuff.

But Halsur is the mecca for real cheap southie food. Outlets located
along the Old Madras Road are the haven for cheap madrasi veg food. Checkout the roadside shops near the bus stand.. they taste helluva great and are very easy on the pocket.

Filter coffee for INR 5 !! served piping hot over the counter in small steel tumblers.. Forget starbucks.. u cant beat the taste of a hot tumbler of FC !!

Idli-s, Dosa-s, Bhajji-s, Bonda-s.. none of them above INR 20 (USD 0.50)
and the taste is heavenly and they are gentle on your gastric system.

Just tip the staff handling the works inside 2-5 bucks and see the ROYAL treatment meted out to you !!

For the kind of place this is, I am amazed at the fan following and the kind of crowd it attracts.

No frills means absolutely no frills. This place defines the term. No frills in food, no frills in service, no great shakes on decor - even the building is a creaky old structure that looks like a hundred years old.

So why does the place attract a lunch crowd of young professionals from the nearby banks and offices?

Let me describe the experience.

First of all, for people who aren't the urban explorer types, it is a little tough locating this place. The regulars just brush you off. "It's opposite Sterling yaar" - is the most concise direction I got. I've never found the place in the first attempt (I always ended up at the wrong place, then try a couple more buildings and watchmen) until my office shifted close by. So here's how - get to Sterling cinema, and walk towards the Cathedral and John Cannon School (in the opposite direction from CST). The second building on the left side of Wallace street is the decripit Apeejay Chambers with many old world offices.

You could go around to the back of the building for a rickety lift ride up to the fourth floor - or take the equally rickety wooden stairs up. If you are in lunch hour - 12.30 to 3.00, simply follow the well-dressed crowd.

Right. Now you are on the fourth floor. See a dining room? No, don't barge in there. You are advised to meet the well-built man on the counter on the left side, and buy a token of Rs 40/- (TR coupons accepted). Then, join the queue.

Modern Hindu Hotel serves eaters in batches. There are two halls, which seat around 12 people each. Only when either of these halls empty out, are you invited in by an old gent. You sit in a chair-table combo, and then it all starts.

You can chose to eat in a steel plate or a plantain leaf. (Shed your north Indian sensibilities and nod for the leaf, man). The quick, mechanical, efficient procession starts as soon as you have sprinkled water on the leaf. First, two katoris (small steel bowls) get plonked (If you like your dal in a katori, ask for an extra) on your table. Sambar (a delicate, yellow type which looks and tastes more like a Gujarati kadhi with cucumber, than the Udipi sambar we are all used to) comes first, followed very quickly by rasam (tangy gravy-soup made of tamarind, dal, tomato) - these are filled in your katoris. Then a curry of the veggies of the day (it was beans + gourd + brinjal once and beans + pumpkin the other), and a creamy but light dal, on your leaf/plate. You could ask for a spoon, but everyone else would be eating with their fingers.

Chapatis follow. Once you are done, rice, dahi and a large papad follow.

That's about it. You could ask for extra helpings of the same stuff which are free of charge. However, chaas, extra papad and sweet (Mysore Pak, usually) are charged separately.

The meal isn't exceptionally rich or heavy. Niether is it made with desi ghee or the finest, most expensive ingredients. But it tastes homely, simple, light and easy on the palate and wallet. No great gastronomic experience. But I go there again and again because it somehow reminds me of a simple time long ago, when you did not have to bother about trans-fats and lifestyle diseases - because they just did not exist. There is much joy in partaking a simple, hot and filling meal.

Modern Hindu Hotel is open for lunch from 12.30 to 3.00 pm and dinner from 7.00 to 9.00 pm.

I dont know how i missed writing about this place since i have been going here quite regularly. Was originally introduced to me by a colleague of mine from Dharwad.

I have always gone there for lunch of Jowar Rotis. What do they serve

- Kalu (legumes), Badnekai (Baingan) curry, Soppu Saru (greens), Raitha : All fantastic
- Unlimited Jowar rotis...hot off the tawa with butter... the focus of the meal
- Red chilly chutney...yum
- Ground nut chutney dry.. .have it with Jowar Rotis. I like to mix this with Curd
- Rice / Sambar / Rasam / Curd : Average
- End it with Banana / Pan

Wallet factor : 60 bucks for the lunch.

As a pizza lover, I have eaten pizza at almost every place in Mumbai.. (psst.. I dont rate the stuff dished out in the countless UDIPI-s in the name of 'pizza', cheese 'pijja'.. stay clear of them)

Till recently, the tragedy of eating pizzas at places like smokin joes, dominos and the other chains was that their pizzas were invariably 2 cm.s plus thick bread-y base (aaargh !).. rendering pizza eating a punishment rather than an enjoyment.

This is precisely the reason we (spouse and I) hopped on five-star restaurant to another.. in search of the perfect pizza, really really thin crust, with gourmet cheese/toppings...

Of course, we did come across some good ones price around Rs 350-500 for a standard 12-incher.. thin-thin crust ():

- Oberoi Hilton Nariman Pt
- Taj Lands End Bandra
- Hyatt Vakola
- JW Marriott Juhu

non 5-star
- Don Giovanni Juhu
- I-forgot-the-name-of-restaurant in the Pantaloons shopping complex in Lower Parel
- Penne Juhu (yes.. their pizza is indeed good !)

Recently,

- Dominos (try their thin crust pizza)- I have become their latest fan
- Garcia's (try their whole-grain healthy thin crust.. its amazing)

But pls pls AVOID the following places for PIZZA. Once bitten, forever shy !! They made me think if these guys knew anything about pizza at all !!

- Le Meridian Sahar
- Trattoria (yes..Unpleasant surprise..I was shocked beyond belief !)
- Leela Sahar
- Hyatt Sahar
- ITC Sheraton Sahar
- ITC Sheraton Parel
- Intercontinental Sahar

non 5-star

- smokin joes (god !! they do not understand the concept of thin crust.. hope they do sooner.. for their toppings are pretty good.)

- the various udipi eat-outs in mumbai (their standard 5 inch 'pizza' or 'pijja' is about piling up some grated cheese, capsicum, onions over a readymade 1-inch thick disc of maida)

If anyone has come across really good thin crust pizza-s other than the above, pls let me know. Happy navratri.