Nothing to rave about

The week-old Coorgi restaurant fails to give the right kick to any discerning palate and is worth a pass

The week-old Coorgi restaurant fails to give the right kick to any discerning palate and is worth a pass

Coorg on the Western Ghats of Karnataka draws many Bangaloreans to its scenic estates, falls and its cuisine, cooked in its own unique way. But this brand new small eatery bang in the heart of Koramangala just above the StagePass store speaks none such, except its name Coorgi Koramangala. This restaurant has no relation to its namesake called Coorg in Indiranagar which opened a couple of months back.

coorgi koramangala
Food: average
Service: slow
Ambience: no fuss

I stopped by on a Saturday, a day when the state had declared bandh, thanks to the cold Rajniti war that got heated up. With many restaurants shut in the city, Coorgi Koramangala (yes, that's what it's called) though open for business, didn't have a soul stirring nearby.

Dark wooden tables were set with black ceramic plates and plain walls. I knew I was in for a no-frills meal and immediately told myself not to set my expectations high.

The only menu that they have is a small standing one, placed on each table, with barely ten dishes to pick from. But what was Chindian (read Chinese Indian) doing on the menu, I wondered? What a shame.

I wish they had picked only from one region and stuck to it. Steering clear from it, I chose the Chicken Kebab (Rs 85) to begin with. Regular deep-fried small chunks of chicken with bones was served, which didn't score high on taste.

Little of what I ate was actually Coorgi, except the few Pork options. There's Pork Chilli and Pork Curry on the menu. I picked Pork Fry (Rs 130), a dish that many might like to pig out on.

Robust and high on spice, the dish was tempered with hot green chillies, mustard and curry leaves and was quite a porcine treat, though I would have preferred it with lesser helping of oil. This had oil smothered all over and floating proudly on the sides.

For the main course, I tried the Akki Roti, called the Rice Roti here (Rs 6) with the Veg Curry (Rs 80) which was a sheer let down.

Wonder what the Kodavas would say of this curry which is just a mishmash of an overdose of spices and chillies dunked in gravy with meagre portions of carrots, beans and cauliflower florets? Those with a sweet tooth will be disappointed as there are no desserts on the menu.

I really doubt if I will go back for the mediocre food. But since the joint is very new, I would like to give them some time to spruce up to brace themselves for some stiff competition from the 400-plus restaurants in the food haven they have set shop at.

There is nothing to shout about here, though one point that might be their saving grace for drawing neighbouring college students and some techies would be the price that isn't inflated for a restaurant in Koramangala.

At: Coorgi Koramangala, 62, 1st Floor, 1st Main, 7th Block, Koramangala
Call: 4099 1191
Meal for two: Rs 350
Coorgi Koramangala didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals