Sweet fragrance from kitchen

It was her love for baking that led Geetha Krishnan to open ‘The Fragrant Kitchen’, a cosy little eating joint, in Kalyan Nagar in July last year. A former IT employee, Geetha had been baking at home for two years.

   “In fact, I made 150 kilos of plum cakes in 2012. However, packing was tough to manage and that’s why we found the set-up,” she explains.

When she prepared Christmas goodies for her friends taking part at a fair in 2010, little did Geetha know that they would sell out. “I refused to make 50 kilos and made only ten as I thought they would not sell,” she laughs.

However, when she got her first order of six cupcakes, she was quite nervous. “I will always remember that. It’s one thing to cook for friends and family and it’s another to take a professional order,” she recalls.

Today, ‘The Fragrant Kitchen’ is a beautiful space on top. Apart from cakes, it sells a variety of items, most of which are Continental. One can choose from a range of starters like barbecued chicken, chilli garlic prawn, fried chicken, fish fingers, barbecued potato or Indian appetisers like egg burji, pav bhaji and masala omelette. But what’s unique here and “chef’s special” in Geetha’s words is the dahi kabab.

   A delicious starter consisting of hung curd with a host of spices, which is deep-fried and served with a green chutney, this is a treat for the taste buds and a must-try. “Spinach bites is a vegetarian take on hara bhara kabab with different herbs,” she explains.

   One can also opt for the vegetarian stroganoff consisting of a brown sauce on a bed of rice with some grilled vegetables on the side. “The stroganoff is usually a beef-based dish. But since I am a vegetarian, the chef specially made it out of mushrooms for me,” she explains.

   Non-vegetarians can opt for chicken lasagne, chicken/prawn Thai curry (red and yellow), chicken penne arrabiata/alfredo and pizzas among other things. Among the cakes, the banofee cupcake, Ferrero Rocher cake, orange blueberry cake and chocolate cherry cake are popular.

   There are salads, soups, beverages and sundaes to choose from as well. Another thing that the foodies can look forward to is the ‘Sunday Brunch’.

   It consists of a variety of breads (made at the restaurant), fresh fruits, eggs, an Indian appetizer like dahi kabab or dahi chicken and a choice between of a pasta or a rice-based dish in the main course. Priced at Rs 225, the menu for the ‘Sunday Brunch’ changes every weekend.

   “Our motto is to serve healthy food. Even if you eat here everyday, it should be healthy,” Geetha reveals. Another unique thing that they have is the midnight cake delivery service (anywhere in the City) for birthday surprises.

   Pallavi, an interior designer and architect, is a regular here. “I just love the taste of everything here especially the dips for starters. I recommend the place to most people too,” she says.

   ‘The Fragrant Kitchen’ is open on all days from 10.30 am to 10.30 pm. It is located at Chelekere Main Road, Kalyan Nagar Post (near Family Point Supermarket), opposite Bangalore City College. For details, call 9663333003/04.