ISIS, Jayanagar 3rd Block: ***1/2 and $$$$

Electric Blue Metal! That is the first thing that struck (no pun intended) us while we were waiting to be seated. This place has a totally 'modern or abstract' (I am no art guy, so don't misunderstand my direction) setting which is a welcome change from the usual.
The layout of the floor itself is on two levels, one in the pit which you enter and a set of peripheral tables at a higher level. The floor on that level glows with blue light and is covered with metal on that level. The AC overdoes its job and you feel really cold at the end of the meal. We also observed that our meal turned cold (no joking) between servings.

Coming to the food , the place has a decent fair for where it is trying to position itself. Not wanting to mix food (like not mixing drinks) we thought we should try Thai all courses. A Thai appetizer of prawns,pretty well made, was a good start.Serving was ample. The Pad Thai which was only average, and some Thai chicken steamed with basil that was tasty, were both not authentic but better than average. The food is priced steeply and drinks are expensive too.

The staff is not (yet) knowledgable on the way some dishes are prepared, as they drew a blank a few times. We had know what we were ordering, to be safe. The lady-ushers are very helpful and ours actually gave us a seat I chose (strategically to avoid draft from the AC) without much fuss. But we had to wait anyway.

* Bad, ** Average, *** Good, **** Up there, ***** Beats all expectations
$ Great Value, $$ Average, $$$ Expensive, $$$$ Very Expensive

Tamarind, Koramangala: **1/2 and $$1/2

Continuing our 'discovery' of places in Koramangala, we went to this place on the K'gala Main Road that eventually becomes Intermediate ring road. This one is situated a little after the Sukh Sagar junction toward IRR.

The menu is filled with varities of cuisine, but we found it was hyped-up ; the ambience was better than the food. But ambience itself was just OK. The menu is filled with a mix of Goan, Punjabi, Chinese, Mexican, Thai and what not. We ordered a fish Amoteek (menu did not specify which fish, but we guessed Seer) and a Chettinad Chicken Curry, but were disappointed with both. The virgin cocktail my wife ordered was also plain fare.

We got a deep corner table (itself not so much of a problem), which had the split AC directed down straight at my face.The waiters do not look at the fine points. We keep looking around for someone to refill our glasses, while the waiters were huddled up with the Captain. The chap also kept the food at the table and took off, not offering to serve it to us.

Try this place if you are going with a crowd having mixed tastes, becuase there is something for everyone. Don't expect any great shakes.

* Bad, ** Average, *** Good, **** Up there, ***** Beats all expectations
$ Great Value, $$ Average, $$$ Expensive, $$$$ Very Expensive

China Pearl, Koramangala: **** and $$1/2

This is a quaint little place in Koramangala 5th Block. My wife and I ended up here first time because we could never miss the simple 'Chinese' facade of this small building, each time we passed it. Ever since we have made three more visits.

The food is pretty authentic (as authentic as Indianised Chinese can get) and the menu offers the full range of dishes you would expect from a Chinese carte. The decor of the this place is very Chinese with the 'oriental' lampshades, 'pasted-up dragon murals' etc. Tables are well arranged and the service is neat. The service is a little slow, but blame than on the rush of people always there after about 8 PM, especially on weekends. The best part of this place is the value for money you get.

One of the things I look for, personally,in a Chinese restaurant is the quality of the chopsticks they provide on request. Best ones here!

* Bad, ** Average, *** Good, **** Up there, ***** Beats all expectations
$ Great Value, $$ Average, $$$ Expensive, $$$$ Very Expensive