If you are looking for a place to plan a nice candlelit dinner, then here is our list of sure-shot places that you can try in Bengaluru. Rest assured, you and your partner are going to love the time you spend at these restaurants.
A lovely Asian setting for a candlelight dinner could really set the mood for a romantic evening. The Rim Naam has the setting, the food and the drink down to an excellent T. If you are looking for recommendations, the classic Som Tam is really good here. Do try the Thod Man Koong Man Poo - deep fried prawn and crab cakes served with a plum sauce. The Tom Kha is very comforting is the perfect recipe for a chilly evening. Go with the classics of Thai Curries with Sticky Rice and perhaps some stir-fried Bokchoy and Asparagus too.
There is a magic about walking past its door and into a classy world of good food and wine. A never-fail place in Bangalore when it comes to showing a loved one a good time. In the evenings the ambience sets the perfect romantic mood. The food – The Seafood Veloute, The Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad, the Moroccan Lamb Tagine and ending on the Tres Leches – the perfect meal to share with your partner.
Veterans of Bangalore will talk about Mynt with a hint of nostalgia. That old world charm, with a touch of the British Raj in the décor, is a setting behind several good memories. And, a candlelit dinner here will definitely tip the scales in your favour. For your starters, you can pick from a wide range – for the vegetarians and the meat eaters. The Marinated Olives are great, the Grilled Artichoke has slightly charred goodness to it and the classic combinations of Tomato-Mozzarella, as well as the Watermelon Feta, are familiar and good choices. Meat eaters can pick from the Chicken and Pineapple Stick, some nice Seared Prawns and Leeks and Prosciutto on Pumpernickel Toast. Going the Mediterranean way you have the Iranian Chicken Kebab, which is chargrilled chicken paired with the carrot and raisin salad and some pan-seared onion. The Espresso Martini packs quite a coffee punch and the Hot and Smoky Bloody Mary comes with some table dramatics too, which is perfect for date night.
Upper Cut is a classy restaurant that offers you both indoor and outdoor seating options, by the pool. If you are dining there for dinner, I would suggest making the best of the outdoor weather. Let us begin at the bar – they have some lovely cocktails with a touch of the local ingredients in them. Try the French Pearl, with gin, and an infusion of anise and mint. You could also try Avenue, with an aged whiskey, apple brandy, passion fruit and homemade grenadine with orange blossom waters and bitters. I often find that breads are my choice of nibbles when I am nursing good drinks and the warm bread basket here with herbed butter is quite a delight. There is nothing more delightful than scallops that have been treated well. The Pan Roasted version here, with textures of cauliflower and honey truffle dressing, is brilliant. You will also want to try the Smoked Warm Asparagus Salad, with the quail egg on the side, petit greens, and parmesan and onion shells. On a cool evening, the Lobster Bisque or the Classic French Onion Soup is what you should be looking for.
Both an indoor and a semi-outdoor setting to this place makes it a beautiful place for date night. Particularly, if you are seated near the koi pond (you can even feed the fish, check with the management). The restaurant runs a tight operation, the service is good and the food always topnotch. Here is some of what you can consider ordering – the Rosettes of Norwegian Salmon, the Chicken Croquettes, some Sauteed Mushrooms with Basil Pesto and Fresh Mozzarella, or perhaps you may want to share a big messy burger together then the Chicken Filet Burger is a good idea. If you decide to go the ethnic way, there is a vast choice for you to get through. A personal favourite is the Basil Sambuca Risotto – a very unique combination of flavours.
If you are looking for a romantic Mediterranean touch to date night, then look no further than the wonderfully located Fava in UB City. Here are some of my all-time favourites at Fava. You would never think it but the Chicken and Yogurt Soup is a lovely start as is the Chilled Tomato Gazpacho. The Fava Special Vegetable Kibbeh and the Mushroom, broccoli and Onion Sheesh Kebab are lovely choices. The Falafel Shawarma is a lovely answer to the classic meat one. For the meat eaters, you have the Persian Chicken Jujeh Kebab as well as the Adana Styled Minced Lamb Kebab. If you are looking to share, then the Crostini Duet in cherry tomato or minced meat options. Desserts are brilliant here whether you are trying the Caramel and Chocolate Flan, the Liquid Nitrogen Infused Icecream, Frozen Yogurt or the Sorbet with the range of toppings, you will not go wrong.
The lovely thing about Brewsky is that it can be a space for the party crowd and just as easily turn into a lovely space for a couple looking for a quiet night. When here, of course, give their beers a shot. But also try the Stuffed Chilli Bajji are a tribute to the city and having a filling of paneer. The Miso Popcorn Chicken is another great pick. For those of who you love offal, the Pepper Fried Mutton Liver is great. The Achari Baby Potatoes combines everything that ensures happiness – potatoes and spice. The Nimbuwala Murgh Tikka is another brilliant combination with their Hef, or even with their Wit and Blonde. I like the fact that they know people love burgers, but after all the starters may want something in a smaller portion – the Mini Burgers, especially the Beetroot Burger and the Pulled Pork are good ones to get to the table. If you want some of the classics, the Wings and the Onion Rings are just what you want. They have some nice desserts which you may want to end on.
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu has been a media professional for 18 years now, across multiple platforms. As a passionate F&B writer, she has interacted personally with internationally renowned names such as Marco Pierre White, Janice Wong, Chef Vivek Singh, Chef Vikas Khanna, Madhur Jaffrey, the late Tarla Dalal and many others for her stories. A highlight has been personal interviews with all three of the celebrity judges on Masterchef Australia. She is on several jury panels of food and beverage awards, is sought after for opinions in the field by publications and has her work published in well-known names such as The Hindu, Firstpost, HuffPost India, Condé Nast Traveller, NatGeo Traveller among many others.
