Awarded by Times Food and Nightlife Awards 2021 as ‘The Bar with Best Ambience’, Spot 360 at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton with its poolside cabanas, comfortable cocoon beds, a holistic island bar with high chairs creates just the right atmosphere for people looking to escape the maddening crowd or wanting to experience food that is set to rule the next decade. With contemporary and retro music playing in the background, Spot360 banks on Progressive Indian menu with a range of premium liquor concoctions in a perfect setting.
The poolside bar with a wide expanse of green on one side and the twinkling lights of Bangalore on the other is an ideal destination to experience the breathtaking views of Bengaluru when the sun goes down. The place is designed to accommodate the hunger pangs of corporate guests, couples on dates, friends looking to unwind after work and families looking to chill over brunch on the weekend.
A few weeks back, I was at this beautiful place to try out their progressive Indian menu. What followed thereafter really blew me away. The USP of their menu is that as a diner you are familiar with the Indian ingredients that you see on the plate but the “progressive” twist is what sets this menu as one of the best in the city.
While I tried array of dishes from the menu, there were 5 that made me sit back, think and appreciate the creativity and progressive thinking from the Chef.
Chaat Bar
Chaat is probably one of the universal foods across all Indian regions with their own regional versions. In short, you would have been subject to ‘chaat love’ at some point in your life. At Spot360, it puts a step forward to lift your same old chaat to a more progressive taste and presentation. The Chaat Bar is an assortment of North India’s favourite chaats like Palak Patta Papdi Chaat, Aloo Tikki and Golgappa shots. This is probably best way to start your evening, which involves burst of flavours – sweet, tangy, sour, spicy – you have it all.
The Ultimate Dal Bowl
1/2 and 1/2 of two most common dishes that Indian home is acquainted with – the yellow lentils ‘tadkewala dal’ and the classic dal ‘Makhani’. This ultimate bowl is the most addictive thing I have eaten in a long time. Don’t be surprised, I am still talking about the humble dals here. But wait, there’s more that elevates this dish to a next level, a simple idea that makes this progressive and shine – the naan crisps. That’s right, this thin fried crisps have been used as an accompaniment all this while but not here. It leads the way to the level of not being able to keep your hands off it. Try and be surprised.
Makhani Fondue Bowl
Again, chicken or paneer makhani is one of the most common and abused dishes in Indian homes and north indian restaurants. At Spot360, they have literally deconstructed the dish. The makhani gravy is seperately seved in a bowl, with chicken/paneer chunks and toasted naan crisps on the side. Eat the chicken with the makhani or dip the naan crisps in the makhani – you have best of both worlds at your service.
Atta Chicken
If you need culinary drama on the table with a sense of sophistication this is the dish you need to order. This involves primitive cooking of whole chicken wrapped in atta in the KHAD or the pit. A style mastered by the royals, this signature technique will definitely take you to yesteryear. This style of cooking ensures the all the flavours and aromas are packed in the whole chicken, making it a finger-licking affair. The cook on the chicken is absolutely perfect and the char on meat takes this to a whole new level.
Broken Cookie Sundae
Does the name tell you anything? Well that’s what it is. A cookie that is probably served as an accompaniment along with tea/coffee finds a centerstage in a glass, with ice cream, chocolate strip and mint leaves. I bet you can’t stop digging in this simple yet progressive dessert.
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Rating: 4/5
Where: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Marathahalli – Sarjapur Rd, Bangalore
Cost: 1500++ for two