De Mandarin Bangalore — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Tiny cramped rooms that are not welcoming especially to those that appreciate personal space. We checked in past midnight (booked via MMT) as our flight was delayed and the next day we went down to the reception to extend our stay by one day as we hardly slept. The manager quotes a higher price (30% more) than what was paid for the previous night. They had 8 spare rooms to offer. I asked if I'll get the same price if I rebooked via MMT but the manager says that they have deactivated their rooms on MMT, so according to MMT they were full even though they have 8 rooms available. I negotiated with the manager and the front desk staff and the fact that they are quoting too high for a room that tiny after which they had the audacity to tell me that the room that was offered to us was a premium one. I don't know how long these people have worked in the hospitality industry but that room was below basic and had nothing premium in it. This irked my partner and she pointed out all the problems we noticed like broken light fixtures literally hanging by a thread, dirty linen, and dirty towels... also when we checked into our room there was a strong odour of cigarette smoke like someone was smoking in it right before we arrived. I can only imagine some of the hotel staff were using the room for a drinking party assuming the booked room was a no-show. We had to leave the balcony door open to air it out. I pointed this to the bell person who was helping us with our luggage. We couldn't dispute this previous night as we were exhausted when we arrived at almost 2 am after facing flight delays. When she pointed out all of the issues and questioned how this was premium, the manager ignored us entirely and turned to his front desk staff and told her to give us a late checkout and not proceed with the booking. He literally told her not to extend our booking all while we were standing there negotiating. That was plain rude and we ended up not proceeding with our booking... The only reason I booked this property was due to its location i.e., New BEL road. But this isn't on any main street and is located in a narrow lane. Hence, the location didn't do any justice either. Cabs getting in and out is a challenge and guiding cab drivers over the phone is a whole other story. I suggest avoiding this...

Stayed at this hotel for a night. Was originally searching for a place to stay in Bangalore for a long-term (4 months) along with my team. So thought of experiencing this place before selecting. The verdict is: I won't like to go back to the hotel for a long stay. Here's why:||1. The Room: I took an Elite room (larger room) which itself was quite small. On the plus side, it has all the basic amenities - working table, chair, tea kettle, TV etc. The mattress was okay, I had a good night sleep. There was no Iron (which was promptly provided upon request, although there was no ironing board, so had to use the bed). The wash room is neatly done, with modern fittings. Although, throughout my stay there were strange noise kept coming from the plumbing line I think. The room is also done nicely. It does give a feeling of a contemporary hotel, albeit a bit too small.||2. The Connectivity: this is my biggest issue with the place. My vodafone just did not have enough signal and I couldn't speak to anyone through the stay. Tried logging on to the hotel wi-fi and that it very erratic. Kept disconnecting. Very problematic. This would be one key issue that I can't imagine going back.||3. Entertainment: Another issue here. The cable has limited/no channels for hindi movies or music, english movies & entertainment and news. anything that says more than Rs.1 monthly, is basically not there. It was quite frustating to not being able to watch anything on the TV, not even NDTV.||4. Food: Had ordered room service where the chef helpfully suggested a fish masala which turned out to be very flavorsome. Liked the fish and the Dal Khichdi too was good. For breakfast, they have very limited menu (Idli, neer dosa, boiled eggs and some cereals.). Breakfast was okay, didn't have any issue.||Overall: The staff was courteous and quite prompt. But due to the size of the room and extremely poor connectivity, would not...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Calicut, located on MSR College Road in Bengaluru, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. The restaurant offers a delightful combination of friendly staff, quality food, and generous portions that left me thoroughly satisfied.

One of the standout aspects of Calicut is its warm and welcoming staff. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with genuine smiles and prompt service. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable about the menu.

When it comes to the food, Calicut certainly knows how to impress. The quality of the dishes served here is truly remarkable. The Kerala meals, in particular, are top-notch and showcase the authentic flavors of Kerala cuisine. The traditional Puttu and Beef combination is an absolute delight, with tender, well-cooked beef perfectly complementing the light and fluffy Puttu. This mouth-watering combination is a must-try for any food enthusiast.

Another dish that caught my attention was the Kappa with Beef. The combination of tapioca (kappa) and flavorful beef creates a unique and delicious taste. The tender chunks of beef blend perfectly with the soft and subtly flavored kappa, resulting in a truly memorable culinary experience. I highly recommend giving this dish a try during your visit to Calicut.

However, it's important to note that parking can be a challenge near Calicut. Due to its popularity and limited parking spaces in the vicinity, finding a spot for your vehicle might require some effort and patience.

Overall, Calicut on MSR College Road in Bengaluru is a gem of a restaurant. The friendly staff, quality food, and generous portions make for a delightful dining experience. Whether you're a fan of Kerala cuisine or simply looking to explore new flavors, Calicut is definitely worth a visit. Just remember to plan ahead for parking to ensure a...