Skewered, succulent and scrumptious

Ice

Where: Taj Residency, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore

Contact: 080-66604444

Meal for two: Rs 2,500 (approx.)

Open from: 12 noon-11.30 p.m.

The Chill Factor

In its bid to be different from the rest of the crowd, Taj Residency has moved away from the staple fare of fried, fatty food served at most bars, pubs and lounge bars across the city. Its response to the overdose of homogenous cocktail snacks is a teppanyaki, or Japanese grill, where guests can choose their seafood, meat and even vegetables from fresh samples and watch being barbecued as they shoot the breeze. The teppanyaki at Ice, the hip barbecue and bar at Taj Residency, is rather popular.

Guests gather around a sizzling grill, watching food being rustled up as they decide on a barbecue of their choice. Order the NikuGo-Han, which is a choice of meat (tenderloin, chicken, lamb or steak) in a teriyaki sauce.

However, it’s not a for-carnivores-only carnival by any stretch; Ice also has some unusual vegetarian dishes, including hibachi (mixed vegetables in a vegetable sauce) and Gurin Pilsu teppanyaki (three types of mushroom in a vegetable sauce).

Must try: NikuGo-Han and Gurin Pilsu teppanyaki

Sigree

Where: Silver Arcade, J.B.S. Halden Avenue, Kolkata

Contact: 033-22517031/32

Meal for two: Rs 1,400+taxes (approx.)

Open from: 12 noon-11.30 p.m.

The Chill Factor

Sigree is a typical north Indian barbequing device—open grill and coal fired. And as the name suggests, it is a speciality barbecue restaurant. This latest offering from the owners of Mainland China, thrown open a couple of months ago, is already one of the most popular barbecue joints in Kolkata.

The well-researched menu of Sigree includes Pukhtuni Shorba, Multani Chaat, Paneer Rawalpindi, Tandoori Chicken Peshawari, Gujarariwala Sheekh, Pathani Hing Kebab, Borderwali Machhli and Chaamp-e-Baluchistan. Don’t miss out on exotic starters like Dilliwali Tikki, Chutneywali Makai Sheekh and Jhinga Jaituni (prawns steeped in a marinade flavoured with fresh ginger, garlic and chopped olives and slow cooked in a tandoor). The chefs had been sent to London for special training on how to go easy on oil and fat content. The outcome is dishes like Bhunnawa Methi Machhli and Tandoori Bekti Masala.

Apart from the food, it’s the well spread out tables and the chilled-out ambience of the place that really attracts the discerning diner to this restaurant. Try it out.

Must try: Borderwali Machhli, Chaampe-Baluchistan, Jhinga Jaituni, Paneer Rawalpindi

Barbeque Nation

Where: Ansal’s, Sushant Plaza, Ground Floor, Block A, Phase 1, Gurgaon

Contact: 0124 4044574/76

Meal for two: Rs 1,000+taxes (approx.)

Open from: 12:30-3:30 p.m. for lunch and 7:30-11:30 p.m. for dinner

The Chill Factor

Reminiscent of an English country home, Barbeque Nation is popular for its “live grill” concept, which the owners claim, is something that’s unique to the restaurant. A charcoal grill is placed at the centre of your table and the veggies and meats (90 per cent pre-cooked) of your choice are put on skewers to be grilled.

Dips and marinades are placed on the side so that you can douse them in dressings of your choice. Order as much as you want to and finally (if you have any appetite left) move on to sample some of the buffet spread. Small avadhi naans, called Baby Gilaafi Naans, and tandoori specialities are also served with the barbecues. Done up in earthy colours like beiges and browns, the place is the favourite haunt of techies, who usually come here for their team lunches. Barbeque Nation has also just opened an outlet in Janak Puri, so you can check that one out as well.

Must try: Barbecued Chicken Teriyaki, Lebanese Barbecue