Caesars Restaurant is located on MG road, Bangalore, and has been through atleast 4 makeovers in its 10-15 years or so of existence! It is situated underneath the ‘Mahalaxmi Chambers’ building,
in the basement area and mainly caters to corporates and families dining out.
Caesars serves a multi cuisine menu that includes Mughlai, Indian, Chinese, and Continental food, and the food quality and taste appears in the same order as mentioned. The Mughlai and Indian cuisines are exceptionally well made and flavorsome along with an equally outstanding price range; the Chinese menu although not as elaborate as the first two, is typical to most of our ‘Indo-Chinese’ fare, equiva lent to any fancy restaurant, and as regards the continental carte du jour, the less said the better, except for the sizzlers.
The Mughlai and the Indian food are scrumptious as long as one is not expecting the home-cooked taste- far from it because one meal here would contain the average household’s 3 day’s ration of oil, not to mention the masala. In particular the tandoori chicken and romali roti make a great combination, as do the bhendi masala, dals and various parathas and roti’s. The rice items include the usual biryani’s and pulao’s, and curd rice & pickle for the finicky Tamilian! (No offence intended)
The Chinese food has a list of soups, appetizers and main course that could be found on any Chinese restaurant menu in the country, excepting the price that accompanies it. The soups, in particular the ‘sweet corn soup’, ‘lung-fung soup’ (don’t forget to ask for extra coriander) and the ‘hot & sour soup’ are definitely better than almost anywhere else, simply because the vegetables and other ingredients are very fresh (and the MSG content??), and are probably cooked just before serving which is probably why the food takes so long to get to your table. The other food items accompanying the main course are fairly well made and served hot, and one important mention is that the waiters and managers attending are approachable and receptive to any ideas that you might have to improve your dish!
When it comes to the Continental food, one should much rather stick to better options such as ‘The Bangalore Bistro’, ‘The Only Place’ or even ‘Casa Picola’, than Caesar’s. Not only is the average potato salad difficult to put down, there is obviously a huge ‘????’ hanging over your ‘minestrone soup’. Although Caesar’s was once well known for their sizzlers, the taste, the range and the presentation has vastly lessened. As a precautionary measure, do not opt for your steak on a plate as this version is practically inedible! The sizzling alternative is not only tastier but is accompanied with better flavored vegetables, more sauces and tang. The ‘au gratins’ are better left to more competent restaurants as are the spaghetti’s and the stroganoff’s.
Rest assured, whatever pleasure, gratification, misgivings or apprehensions one might have had about the food while eating the fare, it will all come to an abrupt standstill once you see your bill with all the taxes attached! A meal for two with drinks, appetizers, the main course and desserts included would cost up to no less than 1, 500+ with ease.
Caesar’s serves liquor as well, infact they have their own bar (wannabe pub type place) called “The Royal Pavilion’ that serves some pretty decent appetizers and snacks. Birthday cakes on prior request are frequently served along with the birthday music and an abundance of candles.
Service is prompt and amicable, infact sometimes so ardent that one might be compelled to add that icky sauce onto a perfectly well coordinated dish!
The ambiance is seemingly in tradition with the opulent Mughal palaces, with its many mirrored walls replicating the entire floor space, thick carpeting that the feet sink into (beware spindly heeled women), reasonably well lit interiors and antique looking distressed chairs that are tacky compared to the effort put into the rest of the character of the restaurant. One would most likely find families, corporates and software engineers entertaining clients here, therefore it could be considered a reasonably formal environment. The restaurant does not have a home delivery service but they do pack an executive lunch on prior demand.
And lastly, do remember to book your table in advance, especially approaching and during the weekend.