December has got to be one of our favourite months. Not only do we gear up for lots of partying, but it’s also the time when restaurants dish out their new menu. Here’s a look at some of the places you’ve got to check out before the month is over, be it sipping on cocktails or indulging in baked decadence.
1. Alt Pizza
It’s pizza but it’s not Italian. Get introduced to Singapore’s Alt Pizza that opened its first outlet in Bengaluru recently. Inspired by one of the world’s most favourite dishes, Alt Pizza takes their menu to a slightly different level. What you get here are sourdough pizzas, made with a 10-year-old starter that comes from Singapore. The menu is packed with all sorts of yummy food – from salads and small plates to pastas and desserts. The pizzas at Alt, all creations of founding chefs Matthew White and Daniel Chin, take you by surprise. ‘400º’ with crushed tomatoes, pork salami, mozzarella and shaved parmesan is a decadent pie, but what takes it up a degree (or several) is the touch of jalapeno and Bhuvanagiri chilli. You can amp up the heat with some of the house-made chilli oil too. Then there’s ‘Say Cheese’ that brings together five indulgent kinds of cheese – bocconcini, mozzarella, aged cheddar, Parmesan and blue cheese. There’s a lot more to choose from, so how about dropping by for a meal.
Where: Koramangala 80 Feet Road
When: 12pm-10am
How much: Rs 1,300 (plus taxes, for two)
Reservations: +918123892268
2. Bento Bento
Helmed by chef Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar of Edible Archives fame, Bento Bento is one of the newest Asian restaurants in town. But it’s no ordinary Asian place. The menu is all about sustainability, sourcing responsibly and innovation of course. It’s one of those places that might ask for your patience to relish a meal whether you’re sipping on their boba or digging into Japanese stew or the Korean cauldron beef short ribs. There are no typical dishes here, even if you find one odd known flavour. It’s totally worth a trip and don’t leave without trying the Jaggery Crème Brulee.
Where: Indiranagar
When: 12.30pm-11pm
How much: Rs 2,000 (meal for two)
Call: +919113887478
3. Copitas
What makes Copitas as a bar truly special is its focus on being sustainable. Their entire menu is inspired by the ethos of using every part of the plant – from seed to fruit. Its ‘Greener Future’ menu includes delicious local flavours such as ‘Leaf’ that has tequila, betel leaves, saffron, honey water and lime juice, or ‘Root’, with vodka-infused infused vettiveria or khus clarified with local nannari syrup, lime and milk, or even ‘Seed’ that has gold rum with homemade peanut candy liqueur inspired by the peanut chikki. The menu also intends to spark conversations around nostalgia where one relives their childhood memories.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, RT Nagar
When: 5pm-midnight
How much: Rs 4,000 (for two)
Call: +919645669697
4. Foo Asian Tapas
It’s that time of the year when soups, dim sums, noodles suddenly become the hero. And what could be better than digging into a big plate of familiarity. Foo Asian Tapas is all that and much more. The menu features delicious dim sums, sushi, salads and a lot more. It also has a separate section for those who prefer a Jain diet. What’s even cooler is that they also have a vegan and gluten-free section, just to make your life simpler.
Where: Brigade Road
When: 12pm-11.30pm
How much: Rs 1,500 (meal for two)
Call: +919321707545
5. Hard Rock Café, Whitefield
This popular American café now has a new menu that pretty much trots around the globe. Curated by head chef Cyrus Irani, the menu has 26 new dishes and a few cocktails as well. The line-up includes Cuban sliders, char-grilled quesadilla, mezze platter, prawns Koliwada, Maharashtrian chicken sukha, chingari murg tangdi, Surf & Turf burger, Asian noodle bowl and grilled Norwegian salmon among many others.
Where: Hard Rock Cafe Whitefield
When: 12pm-12am
How much: Rs 1,200 (for two)
Call: 08061224722