JOIN USIn a city like Bengaluru with its burgeoning population of eateries and restaurants, it is hard for a newbie to make a mark. But ‘Ember The Calabash’ has managed to do just that within a short span of hitting the scene.
The catchy name does well to garner eyeballs but the uniqueness does not end there. With a combination of lip smacking dishes, refreshing beverages and flavoured hookah, ‘Ember’ has been attracting youngsters in droves.
“We were always interested in starting a business that will connect with the present generation,” says Darshan Vernekar, who runs the place along with Ravindra Gowda and Tejas Jain. “We have been to almost all the best cafes in the city and we saw that there was a scope for a restaurant like ours in New BEL Road.”
With the services of a chef who has an international work experience to his credit, the owners have brought out a menu that is an eclectic mix of Italian and Continental cuisine.
The starters are the star attraction of the place and so a must-try. In the vegetarian section of the ‘hors d’oeuvre’, one can choose from options like ‘Quick tossed spicy crispy corn’, ‘French fries with chilli mayo dip’, ‘Wok-tossed Thai chickpeas’, ‘Herb-coated cheese balls’, ‘Cottage cheese fingers served with salsa and a salad’ and ‘Cheesy jalapeno nachos’. The last two are a favourites among the customers, points out Darshan.
In the non-vegetarian section, ‘Panko crumbs fried chicken strips with salsa’ and ‘Prawns tossed in schezwan/manchurian’ are the fastest moving items. Apart from this, ‘Norwegian chicken lollypop’, ‘Salt and pepper squid’ and ‘Crispy lamb in oyster sauce’ are some of the other dishes you can indulge in. With a perfect blend of textures and flavours, rest assured you won’t go wrong with any choice you make.
Next in the menu are the burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. The varieties are somewhat limited but the ones that are there are sure to delight the foodie in you. Among the sandwiches, the ‘Health is wealth’ sandwich deserves a special shout out. Made with multigrain Italian bread and a generous sprinkling of roasted veggies, gherkins, lettuce and basil pesto, this is a hit among the health-conscious crowd in the area.
If you are in the mood for something light, pick from the variety of farm fresh salads they offer. With ingredients ranging from celery, walnuts and Chinese cabbage to chicken, noodles and grilled prawns, each bite offers a flavourful experience.
Pastas are next followed by variations in rice and noodles for those suffering a bad attack of a growling stomach. In the main course, ‘Thai curry in a red/green curry base served with basil rice’ deserves a special mention along with the ‘House special- The Ember creamy cheesy seafood wave’. Tip- in case you are confused about what to order, ask the chef for assistance. He is more than happy to help! Portions are ample and give value for money.
Beverage-lovers, try the Irish or hazelnut frappe, any of the milkshakes or the Irish coffee. Hot chocolate is another good choice.
Ambience-wise, it is a relaxed place and perfect for a day out with friends.
‘Ember The Calabash’ is located on no 22, second floor, MSR Nagar ITI Layout, New BEL Road.