2018 saw a flurry of startups in every lifestyle sector, be it food, fashion, wellness, beauty and more. Bengaluru is always buzzing with activity and there’s always something new and innovative with myriad choices to pick from. Many promising new ventures set shop in the city this year. Here’s a lowdown on some of them that left us impressed hands down…
BY NAMITA GUPTA
Ambience: The Bollywood fan in you will dance with joy as Amitabh Bachchan welcomes you to Housefull. The life-size painting of this larger than life personality on yellow brick walls, alongside a handpainted scooter with a side car attached, reminds you of the good ol’ Sholay days and sets in the retro theme. We also loved the quirky posters on the walls all across and the open bar that stocks Pallonji soda bottles and whips up fun mocktails like Guava Chilli, Aam Panna, Kala Khatta Gola, Jal Jeera, Chaas and HF Celebration Shooters.
Man behind the making: Housefull is a venture of AA hospitality LLP. Founded by Amit Ahuja, this pure vegetarian and non-alcoholic space has already become a favourite with the neighbourhood locality.
What’s hot: Whoever said vegetarian food is boring said it wrong. Once you dine at Housefull, you will rethink vegetarian. Rethink the presentation, the cuisine, the taste and flavours. We begin our meal with Stuffed Fried Idli, Gunpowder and Sambar Cappuccino, which is idlis stuffed with vegetables, sprinkled with a tinge of gunpowder and served with sambar cappuccino in shot glasses. The Corn Chenna Palak, Taftan Rolls is a preparation of palak paneer inside the taftan rolls along with jaggery butter. The idea is to recall the childhood memories as we used to eat cream rolls by taking a dessert in an appetizer form. We loved their Chaats – Puchka Shots is a platter of six puris or golgappas with various flavoured paani like coriander chilli water, tamarind jaggery water, cumin water and masala chaas. There’s also Batata Wada and Ragda Chaat, Bhalla Papdi Chaat and Dilli Ki Raj Kachori, a typical Delhi style chaat, with a tangy masala pumpkin filling instead of the usual potato and chana stuffing. The Spaghetti and Jalapeno Cheese balls, fritters made with spaghetti pasta cooked with cheddar and jalapeno are some mouthful heavenly balls that are a must try. From a cheeseling bhel to a Bournvita coated Pista Kulfi served with Caramel popcorn, Housefull has some great options that are not thankfully run of the mill. For mains, try the Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer or Subzi Kolhapuri. Desserts also come with a twist like the Gulab Jamun Cheesecake is cheesecake with gulabjamuns baked inside it, Jalebi Churros, is served Mexican style with the rabri air foam and the Jhakaas Sundae, is an interesting combo of sponge, ice cream, caramel popcorn and chocolate ganache fumed with liquid nitrogen. With a great mix of Indian, Italian, American and Asian food with a Housefull twist, there is something for everyone, including a large Jain offering!
Where: Housefull, No 86, Shubhodaya, Railway Parallel Road, Kumara Park West, Bengaluru. Call: 080 23560055 / 9902470006.
