Still good….well mostly!
Restaurant: Koshy's
Reviewer: Aalok Wadhwa | 28th October 2018 | Reviewer Rating (Out of 5) 3.63

The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

Nostalgia puts added pressure on the mind to love food that is not really worth loving, if one removes the rose tint of nostalgia from the experience. It could be a Nirula’s big boy burger, or Mohun’s corn flakes or (for me atleast) Rim Zim. I am sure we can think of many more examples of not-so-great food that one had in our childhood that wouldn’t taste good now.

Thankfully the food at another nostalgic childhood haunt – Koshy’s in Bangalore – was not all bad. In fact some of the dishes that I had tasted rather good.

For those of you who have not heard of it, in Bangalore, for decades Koshy's is a meeting point for journalists, artists, theatre persons, students and foreigners. Founded in 1940, it retains an old-world charm with huge pillars and large fans. The main building has Parade Cafe, which is simply referred to as Koshy's, the Jewel Box restaurant and a bakery. It has won MTV's award for the Most Stylish Place in Bangalore, though with all the renovation that is going on there, it may not look it.

We reached the restaurant famished at 2:50 PM and sat down in the canopied (resembling a tent due to the renovation) cafe since the lunch kitchen closes at 3 pm, we were told by a kindly old timer server that we should order Fish and Chips (Rs 420), and Chicken Steaks (Rs 340) if we wanted an ideal balance of speed and taste. We took the cue and ordered accordingly, though I must say the rebel in me also ordered Roast Chicken (Rs 340), an addition he gracefully accepted. A colleague wanted Mince Mutton Toast (Rs 130) but his request was ignored. He persisted and when the dish came, we understood the reluctance of the server.

The fish in F&C was flaky and perfectly crusted – something that the Queen would have approved of. Chicken steak did not look like much but was succulent and tasty.

 

Roast chicken, my rebellious choice was stringy and not really tasty, while the minced mutton was a bit of a disaster on account of it being so dry that it was falling off the toast, and it being mostly tasteless otherwise.

 

We ended the meal with a perfectly baked Caramel Custard (Rs 94).

Of course I will continue to come back to Koshy’s – only this time would rely completely on what the server is recommending.

Ratings (Out of 5)  

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 3.0 | Service: 4.0 | Value: 4.0 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs.700 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: No

Address: 39, St Marks Rd, Bengaluru 560001

Tel: 090071 19356

About the Author
Aalok Wadhwa Aalok Wadhwa
Restaurant Information
Koshy's Koshy's
39, St Marks Rd, Bengaluru 560001
Telephone: 09007119356 view on a map
Opening Hours:
Average Price: Rs. 700 - 800