Canopy is one of the oldest restaurants in Bangalore ; going back to the seventies . In those days , it was an Elite restaurant and not a favoured joint by for example the college crowd , who used to crowd the Symphony theatre with whom it is cheek-by-jowl . Subsequently it got a makeover , sometime in the nineties and is now much down to earth , though still on the first floor of Bangalore’s tallest 26 floor Utility building. ( That’s second floor if you include the mezzanine )
One enters through the transparent capsule elevator that transports you silently upwards from the streaming traffic of MG Road.
As you exit , you are welcomed by a mini waterfall . To your right is the open-air section, whereas to you left is the covered area , including a AC section. The open area was earlier covered by several canopies hence the name . The earlier metallic canopies have now been replaced by tiled-cottage areas each having a lot of potted plants which isolate each area .
Another nice touch is in winter , wherein each area has a small charcoal brazier to warm you up. What’s great about the place is that it’s got lotsa space , which is especially useful if you have hyperactive kids like I have. The AC joint is mainly for parties and wedding receptions etc.
Coming to the food, Canopy has become more famous for it’s daily Buffet lunch which is great value for money. But for dinner you basically have two options North Indian or Chinese. While the fried rice is quite close to my hot favorite Chung Wah’s , the North Indian is great in parts . The kebabs are excellent but the gravies are just close-to-good. The place does serve drinks , but cocktails , though on the menu , are a distant mirage.
As regards service , it’s fast on weekdays as also for the buffet where basically You are the prime mover ; but on weekends , you are reminded of our railway trains ( Aaney Kee Sambhavana Hai )
What keeps me going back is 1. My kids 2. Lotsa of unreserved parking space of MG Road and 3. The great oudoorsy ambience .
If you are going for the food , stick to the buffet or trusted stuff like butter chicken and kebabs . Oh and do watch out for falling bodies from above on depressive days !
The Sage’s Take :-> What’s immensely palatable today is immensely unpalatable tomorrow.