When the menu card resembled a tome

Mithuna's Kitchen will surely not be lost in the crowded culinary map of Bannerghata if they focus on their USP and hasten their service before getting their bar license

When the menu card resembled a tome

Mithuna's Kitchen will surely not be lost in the crowded culinary map of Bannerghata if they focus on their USP and hasten their service before getting their bar license

Travelling all the way to Bannerghatta for a meal on a day off better be worth the behemoth effort. And we aren't saying the luncheon experience in Mithuna's Kitchen wasn't. But we are not used to a pendulum experience like this one. There was no middle path here. Either a dish was superlative oru00a0 damp. That afternoon at Mithuna's brought back images of self help books that corporate bigwigs write harping on ' working on your strengths.' And perhaps they have a point there. Maybe the easiest way to ensure that you don't lose the plot is by focusing on what you're great at. But before this starts sounding like one of those books, let's get to the point.

Prawn Tandooriu00a0Pics/ Ramesh HS

The five-month-old Mithuna's Kitchen, which has a lounge called Flames on the first floor, does everything from Italian to Thai, Chinese, Continental and Mughlai. But it's the latter, more specifically, the Mughlai grills, that they excel at. The grills are the only thing that will take you back there. So, we started with the chef's recommendation - the Murgh Pahadi Kabab (R 165). And what a start it was! The green chilly and cilantro marinated boneless meat, with spices just right, melts in your mouth. Next in queue was the superbly done Prawn Tandoori (R 165). Easily one of the best we have tasted, only comparable to the one that Barbecue Nation makes, but at about half the price. The Chicken Lemon Chilly Coriander soup (R 75) was the only thing we tried from their Chinese menu, and it was great quantity for the price. More importantly, it stayed refreshing and warm even when conversations took us far away from it.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Then came the crumb fried fish and chips (R 195). And that was ordered only with the intention of tasting something from the Continental menu. And this brings us to the other point. Scores of items across cuisines is not just hard to administer for the head chef, but becomes extremely difficult to choose from for a diner. You may fancy a biryani, but the Red Thai curry will call you. And in the clash of titans, who would win?u00a0 You do agree that only one can. After all, can you ever pair sambar with pasta?

The fish was a let down and so was the Chicken biryani (R 150) and we suspect the overly saut ufffded onions played spoilt sport in the latter, lending it a sweet taste. But they did win back some brownie points with the Mutton Rogan Josh (R 150) and Green Peas Masala (R 90), another recommendation from the waiter. But the last item for the afternoon, the Chocolate Mousse (R 75 )sprinkled with chocolate flakes, was hugely disappointing.

So here's our verdict. Do try the place for the grills, as they do one of the best in town with prices that are unmatchable. Also, if rudderless conversation is on your mind, don't try the lounge on top. They will get their bar license soon, and yes, it's a fancy lounge with a woody set up, a snooker table and giant flat screen TV suspended from the ceiling. But the seating isn't comfortable; neither for eating nor chatting.

The ground floor, which happens to be child friendly (they have a cot in one corner where you can deposit your infant) with its novel d ufffdcor, is better for both. Mustard seeds, dried mushrooms, bay leaves and kidney beans are laid under the glass panels of every table. And they claim to change them every few days.

Where: CGJ Complex, BTM 4th Stage, near Vijaya Bank layout, DC Halli Road
Call: 41682041/26485450/42011321
Meal for two: Rs 1100
Mithuna's Kitchen didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.