Paisa Vasul Eating for those stuck on Brigade Rd, Bangalore
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. That's also the easiest way to a heartburn, of course. But i am not here to discuss theories on oil content in daily food intake, but rather on some of the most wholesome eating places i have been able to discover in my limited travels through Bangalore.
Those familiar with this overgrown little town would know that Brigade road, though enchanting to those looking to kill time or get drunk in copious amounts,offers little in terms of strict paisa vasul eating, and for thrifty (read: kanjoos) foodies like yours truly who abhor what passes for food from the likes of Mcdonalds and KFC; Small establishments like Hotel Kohinoor offer the most delectable of culinary experiences unlike any other. Kohinoor is the little place set behind the grilles, set into the wall beside the dockers and Reebok showroom on Brigade road, and sandwiched by the red Levis store on the other side. Bang opposite to KFC, hotel Kohinoor is the little establishment that looks and smells like a distant cousin of the India Coffee House.
With a decor that won't look out of place in any of the thousands of mofussil towns in the hinterland, or more specifically, the land popularised as God's Own Country. And that's where the writer's preoccupation with this humble culinary establishement gains increased momentum. The staff is almost entirely drawn from the afore mentioned state, with a menu composed of chicken, mutton, 'brain', kerala parotta and other assortments that shout their allegiance to the land of my forefathers. And as a special mention to all 'Pure Vegetarians' - you most hypocritical of all gastronomic specie, just stay away from here.
Of course, the tea here is prepared just the way it has been in countless 'chaya kadas' that have for time immemorial doubled up as a social forum since when facebook was hardly a . And on request, the maroon clad servers even serve it in those glass tumblers that take you back to the days when cradling a cup of tea and talking psuedo philosophical nonsense was seen as the 'in' thing to do between classes. The decor is butter yellow slipping to a more jaundiced version of it, with a inner chamber offering secluded cabins and a atmosphere that ram gopal varma would have been proud of. right above the main entrance from brigade road, on the inside, is a large mirror that been placed, it seems, just to allow patrons to view the backsides of their partners facing them, or as a more appealing and practical reason, to abstract sly glances at the more better looking of the female patrons.
Where the little eatery scores, apart from its humble prices (considering its placement on this most famous of Bangalore's tourist spots, the prices do require some getting used to), is the unhurried pace it offers to its patrons, the promise of a relaxed atmosphere where one can tuck in before or post a movie at the rex, a shopping adventure, and just chat or read while downing cups and cups of the afore mentioned beverage. As for myself, i have never seen the place empty, if ever. The simplicity and the familiarity of the atmosphere offered do take one back to time when restaurants were meant to while waya one's time in, and not where one had to stand in line to get a permutated concoction that was conveyed to be a bread or a meat based product, and then eat through the whole thing, while pondering on the cellulite being addded to one's frame.
A deliberate study of the menu card is recommended, it may just throw up some hidden literary nuggets. For those whose taste buds haven't yet been mangled and demolished by the likes of the KFC opposite, this the place to be.
Those familiar with this overgrown little town would know that Brigade road, though enchanting to those looking to kill time or get drunk in copious amounts,offers little in terms of strict paisa vasul eating, and for thrifty (read: kanjoos) foodies like yours truly who abhor what passes for food from the likes of Mcdonalds and KFC; Small establishments like Hotel Kohinoor offer the most delectable of culinary experiences unlike any other. Kohinoor is the little place set behind the grilles, set into the wall beside the dockers and Reebok showroom on Brigade road, and sandwiched by the red Levis store on the other side. Bang opposite to KFC, hotel Kohinoor is the little establishment that looks and smells like a distant cousin of the India Coffee House.
With a decor that won't look out of place in any of the thousands of mofussil towns in the hinterland, or more specifically, the land popularised as God's Own Country. And that's where the writer's preoccupation with this humble culinary establishement gains increased momentum. The staff is almost entirely drawn from the afore mentioned state, with a menu composed of chicken, mutton, 'brain', kerala parotta and other assortments that shout their allegiance to the land of my forefathers. And as a special mention to all 'Pure Vegetarians' - you most hypocritical of all gastronomic specie, just stay away from here.
Of course, the tea here is prepared just the way it has been in countless 'chaya kadas' that have for time immemorial doubled up as a social forum since when facebook was hardly a . And on request, the maroon clad servers even serve it in those glass tumblers that take you back to the days when cradling a cup of tea and talking psuedo philosophical nonsense was seen as the 'in' thing to do between classes. The decor is butter yellow slipping to a more jaundiced version of it, with a inner chamber offering secluded cabins and a atmosphere that ram gopal varma would have been proud of. right above the main entrance from brigade road, on the inside, is a large mirror that been placed, it seems, just to allow patrons to view the backsides of their partners facing them, or as a more appealing and practical reason, to abstract sly glances at the more better looking of the female patrons.
Where the little eatery scores, apart from its humble prices (considering its placement on this most famous of Bangalore's tourist spots, the prices do require some getting used to), is the unhurried pace it offers to its patrons, the promise of a relaxed atmosphere where one can tuck in before or post a movie at the rex, a shopping adventure, and just chat or read while downing cups and cups of the afore mentioned beverage. As for myself, i have never seen the place empty, if ever. The simplicity and the familiarity of the atmosphere offered do take one back to time when restaurants were meant to while waya one's time in, and not where one had to stand in line to get a permutated concoction that was conveyed to be a bread or a meat based product, and then eat through the whole thing, while pondering on the cellulite being addded to one's frame.
A deliberate study of the menu card is recommended, it may just throw up some hidden literary nuggets. For those whose taste buds haven't yet been mangled and demolished by the likes of the KFC opposite, this the place to be.
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