ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: 080 22119898
Address: ITC Gardenia, 1, Residency Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:45 PM, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 4,000
Cuisines: Japanese
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Luxury Dining, Brunch, Valet Parking Available, Smoking Area, 4/5 Star, Table booking recommended
Edo Restaurant & Bar, Richmond Road, Bangalore: Decor
Winner of last year’s Times Food Award for the best Japanese in Bengaluru, Edo is also one of the most stylish dining rooms in town. Built on the lines of a modern stone garden, there’s a play on minimalism here. Muted earth tones and restrained decor ensure the focus is all on the drama that unfolds on the plate.
Edo Restaurant & Bar, Richmond Road, Bangalore: Food
I was returning to Edo after a long time, during which a collection of elaborate set menus have been introduced. I was offered the one titled ‘Tokyo’, a meal to be attempted when you have the luxury of time and are in the mood to linger over eight exquisitely crafted courses.
The Edo experience combines tradition and fun rituals and you begin with a sake bomb, pounding to the table to the beat of ich ni san, allowing the sake bowl to drop into an icy beer. I nibbled on Edamame scattered with salt while I waited for my meal.
The first course was Zensai, arriving on a platter that looked like a painting. It held seasoned jellyfish, baby octopus marinated in fresh wasabi, sea urchin flavored cuttlefish — spectacular — and grilled eel with glutinus rice. Not for the unadventurous, but if you want to experience some of the briney nuances of Japanese cuisine, then this is it. Then came the Sashimi — medium fat tuna that melted on the tongue, and yellow tail, presented in all their simplicity.
Sushi followed and then there was the Agemono course, of which the star was the ebi or prawn tempura. No restaurant does a better version of this common Japanese dish than Edo. And on to Slow Braised Pork Belly, sweet and buttery and delicious, fabulous Miso-Marinated Black Cod, an Edo signature, and New Zealand Lamb Loin served with Yaki Soba. Only the last of this left me a little underwhelmed, but that may be because I was quite full at that point.
I did, however, find renewed joy in the Roasted Black Sesame Ice Cream; the name gives no indication of how delightfully creamy, earthy and satisfying this dessert is. A Matcha ritual put the perfect finishing touch to a superlative meal.
Edo Restaurant & Bar, Richmond Road, Bangalore: Service
ITC has a long tradition of excellent service, both in its hotels and restaurants. The staff are top class, making it seem utterly effortless.
Edo Restaurant & Bar, Richmond Road, Bangalore: Plus & Minus
If you want the best Japanese food in town, look no further than Edo. And be prepared to pay five-star-plus prices.
