Bay of Bengal

A wonderful experience with bengali food at 6 Ballygunge Place prompted us to try out the recently opened Bay of Bengal for lunch this Saturday. It is located above K. C. Das on St. Marks road.

First impressions were not favourable, a dark narrow stair way with some dangerously hanging cables led us to the entrance. Just at the entrance was an overflowing dustbin and a pile of crap.

Decor is simplistic, the restaurant is well lit though tables are placed a little too close to each other. The table napkin was not as clean as one would like.

The service is extremely courteous, bordering on apologetic. Being a hot day, the AC not working at its best, was enough to put us off. The menu is surprisingly limited and any vegetarians had better avoid this place, unless they want to eat Russian Salad bengali style.

To start with and to compensate for the AC, we ordered Aamras. It was chilled but rather thick, the taste was quite alright though. A better one can be had at Bombay Post.

We skipped the starters and went straight to the main course with Steamed Rice, Baby Naans, Chicken Korma and Pomfret Jhol. The Pomfret was perfectly done, in a mustard gravy, not too spicy though a tad salty for my taste. The waiters were not keen to serve and we had to do the honors ourselves. The korma was average. The baby naans were excellent.

Bay of Bengal is an entomologists paradise, with innumerable flies that will join you for lunch, I also saw a red ant walking across the table.

Eager to get away from the flies, we skipped dessert and ordered a mineral water bottle, which was not available chilled. On asking for finger bowls, we were told that hot water wasn't available! This is a first for me - Finger bowls with water at room temperature and a slice of lemon.

The restroom is very very bad; period. I will not go further and ruin anyone's appetite.

All in all, this is not a place we will be visiting again. Lunch for two will set you back by around Rs. 400. Tread in only if you are willing to sacrifice hygiene for good taste. We'd rather recommend 6 Ballygunge Place for a true Bengali food lover.

Jalsa

Jalsa is a restaurant that looks like a sand castle on the dusty dry outer Ring Road, and almost as soon as you approach, you are treated like royalty. Never before has someone bothered to hold open the car door for us!

The interiors are cool and inviting, resembling a set of Mughal-e-aazam. We were led in by a lady dressed in the garb of the period, a tad garish, but still in keeping with the theme.

The staff are most courteous, and wait on you constantly. Each table has its own little space, with glittering glass bead curtains, for a intimate feel.

The food was excellent, save for the Fish Curry which was a bit over poweringly cinnamon flavoured. I especially liked the Sheekh Kabab, moist and succulent.

Half way through our meal, the gentle ambiance was broken as a projector screen came down from the ceiling and a video of Devdas was screened. The volume increased as well, replacing softly played old numbers with their louder modern cousins.

At the end of our meal the maître d', dressed like a nawab, checked in on us and enquired in Urdu as to how we enjoyed the food.

For dessert we decided to try the Flambe-ed Jamoon. The jamoon was drowning in a small cup filled with rum and set alight. Sadly, the rum and the jamoon were not on talking terms and the combo was a failure.

Before we left, we were offered pa'an, which did not come up to the standard of the food. On the way out, we got to pick a small scroll each from a basket of Shaeries.
I was delighted until they were opened to reveal rather silly poems in English.

Conclusion:
Overall a very delightful experience. The food is great, provided you make a choice that suits your taste buds. Ambience is the main attraction. We would recommend every connoisseur of food to visit this place at least once.

For us, it was one of the better places in Bangalore.

Rating: 4/5

Cost: Though a bit on the costlier side, we feel the money is worth spending for some reasonable occassions or when you are in mood to be pampered like Royalty. A meal for two may set you back by around 1000 to 1200 Rs.
They do not have a buffet menu, hence the place is to be ruled out for those who relish great places on company/team budgets. :)

Route:



For those coming from Airport road side:

Airport Road -> Marathalli -> Take left connecting lane at Marathalli overbridge signal -> go around 2 kms on the outer Ring road towards K.R. Puram, beyond the Dhaba(another well known restaurant). It will be on your left hand side.

For those coming from Sharjahpur Road side:

Continue past Innovative multiplex-> Go below the Marathalli overbrigde ->go around 2 kms on the outer Ring road towards K.R. Puram, beyond the Dhaba(another well known restaurant). It will be on your left hand side.

For those coming from K.R. Puram side:

K.R.Puram railway station-> Take the over bridge connecting Whitefield main road to Outer ring Road towards Marathalli-> go around 5 kms on the outer Ring road towards Marathalli-> Once you see a cluster of upcoming apartments, slow down -> Look for a sand castle like place on your right. It is right opposite a popular South Indian dhaba chain Bhagini. Keep in mind not to miss the connector on the road few feet before the restaurant Bhagini, else you'd need to go another 2 km to take a U turn.