Food

Started in 2002 by Udaya Acharya, Café Acharya’s serves traditional South Indian snacks and meals. The place is popular for its masala dosas, kesari bhaath, idli vada and other savories. The place is frequented by people wanting a take away as well as those catching a quick bite before rushing to work. Cafe Acharya near Sarakki signal, J P Nagar 1st Phase. Pic: Uma Swamy. Backed by 25 years in the hotel industry, Udaya, a native of Hubli, says that they use fresh vegetables and good quality ingredients, while keeping the rates of dishes within the reach of his middle…

Its chic and very Ooh La La.  For croissants and conversations. Pic: Uma SwamyWe are talking about The French Loaf that inaugurated its latest outlet at Aurobindo Marg, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, near Indira Gandhi Circle.  People can choose among a variety of The French Loaf's specialty items such as croissants, pastries, pies and doughnuts. Those wanting a quiet tete-a-tete can enjoy the air-conditioned indoor or the outdoor seating arrangements.Located near  Sarakki Gate, on the Kanakapura Main Road, Sri Raghavendra Davanagere Benne Dose Hotel is a favorite of the dosa connoisseurs of the area.  Mouth water benne dosa beckons.…

On Gandhi Jayanti, as I was walking past the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road, I was delighted to see a banner regarding its centenary celebrations still displayed. Although I was aware that this renowned institution turned a hundred in July 2010, I was unable to participate in any of the relevant events. Curious to know what was on that afternoon, I entered the green and serene campus. The helpful security guard and a staff member directed me to the large group of Mizo youth (our siblings from the state of Mizoram) chatting and playing merrily. Learning that there…

Having got the info from Amit Chaudhary about the affordable food at BIAL (Bangalore International Airport Ltd.), I decided to find it and check it out, too. Where is it?When you come out of the Arrivals area, you have a long corridor stretching perpendicularly in front of you. First cross the car lanes, and on the right, you will find the BMTC buses. Go further and on the right, you will find the Sulabh Pay and Use toilets. Go to the left of, and behind, this building, and behind the area where all the taxis are parked, is the Parking Cafe:…

Think Id and Biryani comes to mind. Think Ganesha and the visual imagery is that of the elephant god with a Modaka in his hand. Food, either abstaining from it or partaking of it, has always been central to religion and community. This could be due to the fact that while men may create rites in the patriarchal societies that most of us live in, it is women who perpetuate them. Within families, the bedrock of any community, women carry on rituals and customs; ensuring that traditions thrive. The food stalls around Swagath Road get busy in the evening as…

A brief newspaper item carried last month talked about city schools enforcing the importance of eating healthy - that parents had been told to send nutritive packed lunches and educational authorities were giving the thumbs down to food high in sugar, salt and oil content.The report went on to say how parents are struggling to meet these expectations in the face of their young ones demanding novelty each day. As a mother lamented that her three year old did not like salads and she had no time to pack chapattis or dosas every day, the thought came up: what were…

I had to visit theShanthi Polyclinic a small nursing home, in Jayanagar 4th Block, and it was a pleasant discovery to find a nameless, boardless canteen, tucked away under the road level!The canteen serves both breakfast items such as Uppittu and Idli, as well as rice items for lunch, and tea and coffee, starting from about 6.30 am to about 8pm, every day. It is a great boon for the families of patients who have been either admitted to the clinic, or are even waiting there for consultations or tests. The rates are extremely reasonable...so much so that I found…

Despite the plethora of fancy eating places and the deep pockets that enable us to eat at these restaurants; for some of us it is traditional food that provides a satisfying experience. Witness the throngs at eateries like MTR and Halli Mane and at the few restaurants that offer Jolada Roti meals. Ironically, or maybe because this segment is smaller, most restaurateurs hesitate to go down the ethnic path. Walk on the well travelled road and one can't go wrong, this appears to be the vein of thought in the restaurant industry. So even as you scour eateries for some…

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and foodies of all ages - It's showtime. In the blue corner, priced between Rs 249-299, claiming to offer "old Dilli" cuisine, please welcome More than Paranthas (MTP). Its challenger, in the red corner, with their Set-Menu priced always at Rs 299 and claiming to offer authentic Mughlai cuisine, put your hands together for Umerkot! Veg Starters at Umerkot. Pic: S K Shivashankar. Round 1 - Decor and DecorumWhile MTP offers a much better lit and aesthetically pleasing decor, it loses out in terms of customer service which is simply not brisk.Round 1 is…

The venue is Lalbaug, the time two in the afternoon. It's a hot day, the kind where you'd prefer to be in the cool confines of your home indulging in a siesta but, under the shade of a spreading tree, an enthusiastic group is getting ready for a session of food and fun. They settle down with glasses of pulpy grape juice to watch the magician among them perform card tricks. Once the informal show is over, the food that each has brought is laid out and collectively partaken of. There's a variety of items - things like samosas, pasta…