Restaurant Spotlight: Raahi Neo Kitchen & Bar - Taking Bengalureans On An Inspired Epicurean Expedition

Raahi Neo Kitchen & Bar, located in St. Marks Road, Bengaluru aims to work closely with native ingredients and create an experience that will stimulate all of your sensories. The word Raahi defines a traveler, and this kitchen & bar intends to add to the journey by giving them a chance to explore new regional cuisines and ingredients that reflect in this kitchen’s ever-evolving menu.

As soon as you step into the restaurant, at first the majestic chandeliers catch your eye. The muted brown tones from polished wooden, cushion-backed chairs and mood lighting make this a lovely place for an intimate meal. The long and lit-up bar is a major focal point here. There’s mixed seating and you can choose from low sofas indoors and high tables in the pleasant alfresco area. It sets the mood for an elegant and memorable evening.

In order to facilitate their plating, they only use handcrafted tableware and glassware from Khurja. Along with a change in menu, the crockery also changes to suit the food they are serving. The unique crockery is also a talking point and often allows them to tell a story. Each time a plate is placed before you, you may want to ask which of the many culinary techniques – ranging from flavor extraction using a rotary evaporator, controlled pressure and temperature cooking, to fermentation, smoke penetration, wood fire, salt curing, dehydration, vacuum drying or even Casei culture – is behind what you are going to grub on!

Serving some of the best modern Indian dishes and cocktails, start your meal with a glass or two of their boozy cocktails or their non-alcoholic drinks. If you are a person who enjoys gin, try out their Eastside Gimlet (L) which is a perfect combination of Gin, Lime, Cucumber, Mint, Sugar and Soda water. Or if you are looking for something stronger, try out the Green Blast (R) with an excellent mix of Absinthe, Lime, Cucumber and Sugar.

For non-alcoholic options, if you are craving something fruity, try the Jamun Shrub which is a colonial fruit cordial preserved with vinegar and house spice mix served over ice and topped off with soda or lemonade.

We highly recommend you to try out the Fried Aloo Channa Chaat (Delhi) (L) – Old Delhi styled fried potatoes and black chana infused with sweet and savory dip, Maharashtrian Bhel, Sev Crisp (Maharashtra) (C)– a sweet and savory chaat with puffed rice, papdi, vegetables and a tangy tamarind mint sauce. For non-veg options, try out the Chicken Chettinad Tartlets (Tamil Nadu) (R) flavoured with black pepper, chillies, curry leaves & mustard and dehydrated coconut.

Going forward to the main course, the restaurant serves some of the best dishes for you to have a gastronomic experience like Fish Moolie, Mustard Kulcha (Kerala)(L) a mustard and curry leaf based coconut curry, spiced seared fish and tadka mashed potato or Pistachio And Herb Crusted Lamb Shank, Saffron Mash (R) fennel flavored braised lamb shank, Kashmiri saffron mash potato and bloomed pistachio crumb.

A meal is incomplete without a sweet touch in the end. You can pick from the Burnt Basque Cheesecake (Pondicherry)(L) with a classic Spanish baked cheesecake with berry fluid gel and brandy snaps or Tea Expression, Cat’s Tongue Cookies (R) which is a masala chai and rusk mousse with cookie crumb, aerated chai and cat’s tongue cookie.

In the end, Raahi Neo Kitchen & Bar is a place for some soulful dishes and a place where you can actually see the culinary techniques you read about in action. While some of the dishes are satisfying, others leave you underwhelmed.

Do not forget to book a table through EazyDiner whenever you are planning out a meal or drinks and get the best deals & discounts.

Other recommendations: Voyager’s G&T, Anejo Highball, Mangalorian Chicken Pepper Fry, Mutton Keema Fry and Thukpa