Dahlia - I always thought it was a tropical flower, an unlikely name for a Japanese restaurant, but maybe I’m wrong. This is not a new one, its been around for quite a while. Since there are so few Japanese places in the city that are not attached to star hotels, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
The place is not large, and doesn’t bother to dress itself up very much, or advertise its cuisine, still novel to our city. Sure, there are a couple of low tables, but most of the seating is extremely functional and unremarkable. An overhead TV broadcasting alternately CNBC or ESPN near the cashier is another I can do without.
The service staff are mostly Indian who speak Japanese, though the cook is Japanese. When we dropped in on a Friday evening, nearly all of the places were taken by visiting Japanese businessmen or tourists. Stepping in among so many of them, an unusual sight in Bangalore, felt like I had suddenly left India altogether.
I was looking forward to sushi, but was disappointed - it’s only served on Wednesdays (check with them before you go, this may have changed). The rest of the fare - the salad, tempura, meso soup, barbecue chicken were still very good. Food is pricier than other cuisines in the city-entrees range around Rs 500.
It felt refreshing to find something simple and authentic -they haven’t turned the spice dial way up for Indians, nor drowned it in sauces for the Westerners.
The owner stood by, bowing little Arigato’s to the guests as they left. Do not attempt to make eye contact with this man, he won’t. Why? I’m no expert in Japanese culture, so I’m waiting for someone to clue me in.
Dahlia is on Church st, near the Brigade Rd end.