Restaurant Review - Romantic Fine Dining at Grasshopper Bangalore

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If you are looking for a romantic michelin star like experience in midst of madness of Bangalore, grasshopper is the only perfect choice.

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Located in a picturesque setting in a farmhouse off the Banerghetta road, this scenic 10 cover outdoor restaurant, is Bangalore’s quintessential romantic getaway , and it’s easy to see why.

The beautiful candlelit dining setting in the portico garden , will make you forget the hustle and bustle of city-life ,transporting you to the European farm-side.

THE CONCEPT

“Grasshopper is a space that combines both a restaurant and design shop”

The owners, Sonali and Himanshu’s belief in simplicity and refinement in both their food and design , is reflected in ethos of Grasshopper.I was told that only the high quality ingredients are used ,that are either home grown or sourced from the reliable vendors, to meticulously prepare and serve the dishes.

Above: Grasshopper Design Boutique

THE BEGINNING

It was started in the year 2002 by two passionate foodies, Sonali and Himanshu on a farmland that belongs to Sonali’s family. Though designer by profession, the couple had prior experience in running the informal, weekend-only, Italian style restaurant, The Farmhouse, owned by Sonali’s father.

THE MENU

The guest have an option of five-course and seven-course menu of the day.The menu features delectable, European-inspired cuisine made with local ingredients and is complemented by select limited beverage menu. However ,guests are free to bring their own wines and beverages.

Want to visit this place ? Well , prior Reservation is required !!

The exclusivity is key here. And with only five tables every evening, with just one sitting, it allows the guests to indulge and enjoy every moment of the candlelit dining in a calm, serene surroundings, perfect for a romantic rendezvous.

Chef Pritham works on the menu , depending on the daily sourced ingredients from the market. Once my reservation was confirmed ,I was asked about my preferences and allergies ,if any.

Here’s how our menu for the day looked like

non-vegetarian

7 courses menu

cucumber gel with cream cheese, tarragon and flying fish roe

crostini with marinated zucchini, goats cheese and thyme

prawns with ginger, sesame and seaweed

salad of greens with oranges, black olives, walnuts and oregano

crispy sea bass on a bed of balsamic red pepper puree

lamb rounds with a spiced red wine sauce with zucchini pappardelle

Chocolate ganache with mustard ice cream

orange pannacotta with pomegranate reduction

basil seeds and lavender with coconut cream

organic honey and cinnamon ice cream

lemon grass ice cream

Appetisers

We began with a very interesting appetiser, Cucumber gel with cream cheese, tarragon and flying fish roe, an absolutely refreshing amuse bouche with subtle flavors , blended very well with the caviar that is usually used in sushi creation in Japanese cuisine. To pair with our food evening,we chose to order a bottle of red wine from their beverage menu.

Next to be served was the Crostini with marinated zucchini, goats cheese and thyme, a perfectly made canapé for the occasion, going well with wine. It was followed by the prawns with ginger, sesame and seaweed, with evident Asian flavours . Having travelled to many south-eastern countries , I have been in love with their food and this seafood starter was a delightful surprise for me.

Cucumber gel with cream cheese, tarragon and flying fish roe

Crostini with marinated zucchini, goats cheese and thyme

prawns with ginger, sesame and seaweed

Salad

After a sumptuous round of great appetiser, it was salad time. The Mediterranean salad of greens with oranges, black olives, walnuts and oregano , was quite refreshing and its flavours reminded me of my Italian voyage few years ago.

salad of greens with oranges, black olives, walnuts and oregano

Mains

Sea Bass has always been my absolute favourite, as I always feel it’s the perfect fish for grills. The crispy sea bass on a bed of balsamic red pepper puree , served to us here,was perfectly cooked with crispy beautifully browned skin, With nice texture and wonderful flavour, it was easily one of my top pick of the evening. The second mains was the lamb rounds with a spiced red wine sauce with zucchini pappardelle , a well done round steak, served with a wine sauce and well complimented by the flat thin strips of zucchini and potatoes.

Above: crispy sea bass on a bed of balsamic red pepper puree

Below: lamb rounds with a spiced red wine sauce with zucchini pappardelle

Desserts

Finally it was time for the final course of the wonderful evening. We chose to relish The Chocolate ganache with mustard ice cream , a must have for the chocolate lovers. My favourite was the orange pannacotta with pomegranate reduction, with its subtle traces of orange flavours and the uniquely flavoured dessert, the basil seeds and lavender with coconut cream. They also offered us to try the home made ice creams like the organic honey & cinnamon ice cream and the lemon grass ice cream, that had natural, mild and intriguing favours.

Above: basil seeds and lavender with coconut cream

Above: Chocolate ganache with mustard ice cream

Below : Orange pannacotta with pomegranate reduction

THE VERDICT

As mentioned in the beginning, there is no better romantic fine dining place in Bangalore than Grasshopper for me. The experience here was truly overwhelming and I would love to visit this place again. A meal for 2 here would cost you INR 5000-6000 but it is worth spending. Prior reservation is required. I would rate this place as Excellent