Bisi Bengaluru: Grill and beer it!

The mantra of authentic Punjabi food made the traditional way, Made in Punjab became the city’s go-to for soul food from the fertile soil of Punjab. And with that hospitality maverick Zorawar Kalra brought back his father Jiggs Kalra’s legacy to Bengaluru plates. We loved it. When the flavours are authentic katoris from the pinds of Punjab, the paet puja is on point. So when we heard it had taken on a brand new avatar, in BBQ’D, and we were curious and also licking our lips in anticipation of what the house of Massive Restaurants had come up with. This one speaks to the meat eaters, and aspires to reinvents the Bengaluru dining scene with several live counters including the Spanish styled churrasco, table grills, special Craft beer made in the micro brewery right in the premises, live pasta, chaat and desert counters including soft serve ice-cream and cotton candy for kids! It’s for the masses. For us, it did a bit too much. But most Indians like variety at an affordable cost, and that is why Zorawar Kalra, founder and managing director, decided to bring in this global concept of dining. Of course, there is nothing like having a family of different tastes getting their heart’s desire at one place. The buffet specs of BBQ’D serves unlimited global BBQ’D delicacies with gourmet pizzas, unlimited fresh dimsums and hand rolled sushi too.

With morsels from the Tandoor, Sighri, Tawa and Kadhai, it plans to introduce a Live Churrasco grill, dosas Bengaluru style and of course the table grill. “It is the best value for money in the country. We give pizzas of good quality, and there are 18 items on the menu. The trend of the whole dal makhani and butter chicken trail is on its last leg, and we decided to answer this with a new swanky, space that is the first to offer unlimited fare that uses the best ingredients.” While the Made in Punjab  food is on the buffet, we were left perplexed as to this change from a successful mantra. Zorawar Kalra felt it was time to step away from heavy food and go global, “I think these are the concepts that are doing well in the Indian context today. We serve 18 items and with absolutely the same love and care, the value is unparalleled. It’s a concept.” From chicken, prawns, fish, lamb, kebabs, mushrooms, paneer all in skewers, the idea of this unlimited grill and brewery concept with custommade Craft beers handcrafted by the finest brew masters in the country, we had the dimsum with a chilli dip which were delicious, glazed perfectly and hot and steaming. Good. The meats, especially the chicken was perfectly cooked, succulent and juicy. The prawns were slightly dry, with a table grill that can happen but the marinades were very good.  We liked the lamb but weren’t crazy about the fried chicken. Zorawar mentioned a tequila chicken that sounded delicious but was not on the menu that day. It’s nice to have a grill on the table, but it doesn’t work with Indian audiences. They don’t really want to do the cooking or the pre-cooked version gets too dry on the table! The paneer and mushrooms were perfectly cooked, delicious and so were the roasted peppers. Unlimited skewers of the day’s specials amble to the table, and fill you up quite amply! But there’s something amiss, as the waiters and staff are frazzled at the many tables, while they are accommodating and helpful, we had to wait for quite a few of our orders. The live counters are alright, but similar to many a five star buffets, so one wonders how this seems a better option. Then comes the large buffet spread that many an Indian family prefers, we of course, preferred Made in Punjab fare. At the live chaat counter, we had papdi chaat which was delicious, spicy, and crunched up, but we expected pani puri with rava and aata puchkas instead of the newage offerings that does not taste the same. The pizzas, came in hot, but lacked a nice crusty base and enough sauce, and the pasta too was very average. And one didn't make it to our table.

They know their Indian, and we loved the Malabar prawn Biryani. Which was spicy, rich in dry spices. Delicious. The mutton curry was to die for, with the juiciest of mutton falling off the bone in a gravy that left us smackling our lips. The deghi saag, a coarse textured spinach with spices had a home cooked wholesome taste. It was perfect with the bread basket, which finally came to our table after a long wait. If it’s melt in the mouth dal makhani, here’s where it does come full circle. And their breads were fresh, soft and perfect tandoored and amazing with the slew of dishes. We did not venture towards the Chinese and Thai… just a bit too much on offer. For dessert, again, the lychee in mishti dahi and pineapple jaleebi in Rabri were both delicious and out of the ordinary. We even liked the bread halwa and the rich chocolate cake which was not too sweet. Our tummies were full with the starters, though! We lasp liked the subtlety in the masala.

We ordered a beer tasting portion of four beers since their brewery is up and running and the French beer drinker on our table liked the IP which was nice and bitter, the stout all right.

We did feel there was an overkill of too many cuisines but like Kalra pointed out, it is value for money. The service was really not the best, given it was a weekend and they were full up. We loved the successful mantra earlier… and even love their North Indian food now… so having this jolly cuisine family in tow seemed a bit much. for small eaters, maybe just a meaty unlimited starter set option would be apt… just a suggestion, as really, how much can one eat? For the masses, be it kitty parties, large groups and families, this new format sits pretty well, and for the hungry horses too. We preferred the old… and loved it’s malai mar ke taste… still do. The masses can go here. 

Level 2, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road, Bangalore
Timing: 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 1 am
Contact numbers:  +91 7899700900 &  +91 8040990151

Value for money:    Veg and Non-veg  
LUNCH 
(Mon-Saturday)    580    690
Sunday        685    795
 DINNER
(Mon-Tuesday )    660    775
(Wed-Sun)    830    953
 KIDS
All Days  380
Early dinner
(Wed-Fri) 660    775