I wouldn’t be exaggerating, if I were to tell you that JP Nagar has become the next Koramangala of Bengaluru. A seemingly quiet residential locality, over the last few years, has seen the rise of swanky, spacious and gorgeous watering holes. Bengalureans who often thronged to Kormangala, Church Street or Indiranagar for pub-hopping now happily make their way to JP Nagar. A new addition to the locality’s already thriving nightlife is The Palms Brew & Kitchen, a space where bohemian vibes meet Indian bites.
The Palms In Bengaluru Lets Indian Cuisines & Desi Cocktails Shine
On a Monday evening, I made my way to The Palms Brew & Kitchen — a stone’s throw away from my residence in JP Nagar — for a meet-up with my Managing Editor Rachna Srivastava. Ask a Bengalurean, the sheer joy of evading long commutes and traffic-riddled roads for dinner and drinks! That’s a good enough reason for choosing a spot.
Walk through the gates of The Palms and what would first welcome you is the commodious parking space. It solves the most common problem faced by Bengalureans — parking, especially in a residential area like JP Nagar. The venue’s lush green space is a doff of the hat to the ‘Garden City’.
Founded by Santhosh Sriram of RR Hospitality (Brahma Brews and Indian Biere House), The Palms is a 43,560-square-foot haven watering hole that exudes a bohemian charm with a decor that’s serene and conducive to the environment. A family of Gigantopithecus (prehistoric apes) at the reception, offer plenty of fun photo-op moments that would go great for the ‘Gram. Of course, Rachna and I couldn’t resist clicking goofy pictures!
Also Read: Relish Mysore’s Iconic Mylari Dosa & Naati Delicacies At This Fine-Dining Space In Bangalore
The open-air spaces and lush planters add to the languorous setting. We’re told there are elegant VIP spaces to host exclusive and private events. Chef Vikash Singh and Mixologist Aman Dua greeted us and we were introduced to the restaurant’s USP — the only-Indian brews and bites menus. So, don’t expect the staple Nachos or Mezze Platter here! It’s time to get off the jaded multi-cuisine menus and dive into comforting regional Indian flavours.
What We Tried At The Palms Brew & Kitchen?
Food
- Raw Banana Chop
- Kovallam Chilli Prawn Fry
- Mushroom On Irani Khari
- Bohri Keema Samosa
- Filter Coffee Mousse
Drinks
- Lost In Paradise
- Namma Style
- Malabar Tales
- High Tea
A Journey Through Irani Cafe & Kerala Coasts
We kickstarted our soiree with the chef-recommended Kovallam Chilli Prawn Fry and the Raw Banana Chop( a dish Rachna excitedly ordered, expecting a burst of Bengali flavours). Kovallam Chilli Prawn Fry is spicy, and crispy with a twang of sourness and sweetness. You can taste the flavours of tamarind, coconut and curry leaves in this coastal appetiser.
When it came to the Raw Banana Chop, I felt the chilli and spice powder overpowered the taste of the raw banana instead of complementing it. It did turn a tad bit chewy quite quickly, perhaps owing to the weather. The Indian bites were paired with the kahwa-infused Lost In Paradise and Namma Style, a cardamom-heavy drink.
A frothy saffron foam sits atop Lost In Paradise which certainly brings a theatrical flair to the table. It’s a fine gin-based drink for those who want a taste of Kashmir in their cup. For Namma Style, the house-made cardamom syrup took over the reins from the fresh pineapple juice, a flavour I desired to taste more.
Like most diners at pubs, we gave the main-course a skip, to tantalise our taste buds with bar bites. In our defence, there were plenty of interesting dishes to choose from! The Bohri Keema Samosa was one of my favourites. Biting into a crisp samosa, cradling a perfectly spiced minced meat, on a cloudy, chilly day must have done the trick!
Dunk the samosa in its accompaniment, gleaming kasundi, and let the flavours sing on your palate. For vegetarians, I’d recommend the Mushroom on Irani Khari. A dish that takes you to Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafes.
Bite-sized crisp pattices are topped with mushrooms sauteed in Madras curry powder and finished with melt-in-your-mouth cheese. I would have liked a little less cheese in this, so the mushroom could shine! However, the varied textures in this dish are what makes it a notable appetiser.
Also Read: Chef Vikas Khanna Visits Bengaluru’s Iconic Rameshwaram Cafe; See Pics!
High Tea & Filter Coffee Mousse Were The Highlights
Another round of drinks was ordered. This time we discovered a star that set the course for the rest of our meal (in fact it ended up being the talking point) — High Tea. In Bengaluru’s burgeoning cocktail scene, seldom do I come across a drink that’s so perfectly balanced, consistent (we ordered it twice) and nails its flavour profile.
High Tea is a concoction of Greater Than Gin, Early Grey tea, lemongrass blend and orange blossom water. The most ingenious element of this drink is a Mom’s Magic Butter Cookie. It isn’t a prop. Rather, a device to elevate the drink and your drinking experience. The server squeezes lime juice on the cookie, table-side, and instructs you to take a bite of the lemon-y cookie as you sip your drink.
The result? A zesty, fizzy cocktail that lingers in your mouth long after you’ve had it, compelling you to keep leaning for more sips. While Rachna ordered the High Tea, I couldn’t help but get one for myself before I left the place. It’s a cocktail that would lure me back to The Palms!
Malabar Tales is a vodka-based cocktail infused with fresh watermelon juice, ginger fizz and rosemary extract. A refreshing drink but doesn’t stand out.
And of course, how I can end a meal, any meal without dessert?! A loyal filter kaapi-fan, a Filter Coffee Mousse seemed mandatory. Served in a cute ceramic cup on a saucer, the mousse surprised me with its no-holds-barred flavours.
Coffee desserts are often a tightrope walk, balancing the bitterness of the brew with the sweetness of the sugar. Often, they end up being too tame. The Filter Coffee Mousse was bold, indulgent and luscious without being cloyingly sweet or bitter.
So, should you visit The Palms and if so, why? While The Palms certainly has room for finesse, unlike many others, it has a soul. On a Monday night, this newly opened space was already thronging with diners. Testament enough for what the next buzzing place in South Bengaluru looks like! For me, a restaurant or a resto-bar is a winner if its brews and bites match up to its vibes. The Palms surely does!
Where: 4/A2, Puttenhalli, Kothanur Main Road, JP Nagar, Bangalore
When: 12 pm to 11:45 pm
Cost: ₹1,600 for two people approx.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied and Rachna Srivastava