Bangalore is today a foodie’s delight. This metro city has always welcomed restaurateurs with a warm hug. And, if you are someone who likes to experiment with food and try new cuisines, then its Destination Bangalore for you.
Until Bangalore was conquered by IT, it was a pleasant, sleepy, laidback city with MTR, Coffee House, Kamats and Pai’s dominating the restaurant fraternity. Dosas, Idlies, Karabath and Vadas were the order of the day…
Today, this city boasts of not just the Darshinis and Sagars, but multi-cuisine restaurants with places serving exotic global cuisine.
Coming closer home, I happened to visit a classic restaurant called “Sahib Sindh Sultan(S3 for short) ”. This place which prides itself on authentic Punjabi and Indian Cuisine is a treat to the eye and the stomach.
Situated in the heart of Bangalore city, at Forum Mall, Level 2, this place looks very unassuming from the outside… I was wondering, how different can a restaurant be in a teeming, trendy Mall… But, I was mistaken. You step into S3 and it is a world of difference. The ambience is completely “old world”. You are transported to the late 1800s. The place draws inspiration from the Indian Railways in the 1800s. You have platform numbers, old station lanterns and the other accessories that give you a feel of a typical Indian station in the early years.
The seating arrangement is of two types – regular and bogie style. Inspired by history, P.B. Nichani, one of Bangalore’s leading restaurateurs, decided to take a walk down memory lane. The outcome: A plush Pullman coach style dining car, done in leather upholstery, impeccable woodwork and frosted glass partitions that sets the mood for the railway experience in fine dining. He Has actually created bogies inside the restaurants, where people can walk in and sit in the compartments and dine. And… believe me… it is an experience. The interiors are rich and resemble compartments in old times meant for the British.
The ‘platform’ area below is perfect for corporate diners and has large mirrors at either end to enhance its space visually. I must appreciate the eye for detail that goes down to tracks at the sides under a `starlit’ sky, and a carpet simulating cobblestones. A ticket window and a tiny dining room enhance the semblance of bygone railway glory
The menu is elaborate and names of dishes are reminiscent of the pre-independence India i.e, Jhansi Rani Ki Pasand, Tatya Tope Lajawab, Mangal Pandey Ki Pasand etc… There is also 21-Gun Salute section offers mouth-watering fare like the cinnamon-spiked Royal Velvet Chicken Soup and the tangy, corn-rich Jubbalpore Ka Makkai Shorba. The menu card gives you a very subtle run-down on the history of Indian Railways.
The stewards and waiters are dressed like Station Masters and Ticket Checkers add authenticity to the experience.
A meal for two will cost around 700 without liquor. While some of us may think that it is a pinch in the pocket, I recommend this place at least once for the sheer dining pleasure and experience of the by-gone era