SALT - Indian Restaurant Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Bengaluru

This was our second visit to Salt, Nexus Shantiniketan Mall. We went for a full course meal - starting with shorba, moving on to chicken and prawn Kababs, followed by naan and subzi. On both the occasions, we simply loved the food. The food is not peppered [pun intended] with chillies. Nor is it excessively oily or daubed in butter. The taste has an element of laid back refinement - delicious yet mild. For North Indian fare, this is the place whose food we like the most.

It is pertinent to mention that all the items we took were of really good taste. That is quite a feat. Special mention should go to the prawn kabab wrapped in small naans. The shorba was also really good. We had lasooni paneer and once again, it was a winner.

The decor and ambience of the place is nice. I think it would be good if the restaurant employs a few more people to serve and manage the kitchen. Waiting times, both outside and while waiting for the next food item can drag on. Considering that it is an expensive place, this may be something for the management to think about.

I would share a word of thanks for Mr. Bijay who served us. He understood our needs, helped us and was polite. It so happened that the day on which we visited the place was Fathers' Day. Everywhere crowds were large. It was quite late when we were done eating. Just when we were about to leave, the restaurant manager Mr. Sanjeev Gautam brought us a brownie with a candle to celebrate Fathers' Day. He noticed my young son and encouraged him to celebrate it. It was a nice gesture. In a day and age when the very word patriarchy is so detested, when the very notion of a caring yet decisive father bearing a sense of authority is such an anathema for society, the sight of a middle aged man bringing a brownie to another middle aged man to celebrate and honour fatherhood was touching. It created a moment which both my wife and son loved and which I found memorable. Thank you.

We have seen a trend that many restaurants start off serving food which tastes excellent yet is not too hot or spicy. Unfortunately, over a period of time, as they expand and target a wider clientele, the taste of the food takes a turn for the worse - taking on the two traits which I mentioned just now. That is a disappointing thing and over time, we move away from those once-loved places.

We hope Salt can buck this trend and keep up the good work even as it expands...

As I sat there in this newly opened place, I casually observed great use of a small space. There was great use of the height in terms of seating. I understood what the designer wanted to achieve in terms of variety and being quirky, but I believe the end result was sub-par. As the manager, Parth of the place tried to explain the "essence" of Achaar to me, I couldn't help but conclude that the place is confused, personal opinion of course.

Achaar has great pockets of seating indoors, and some of the most comfortable outdoor seating. But, overall the decor and ambience is confused. Couple with inexperienced staff, it has the clear signs of a new place. Now, let's come to why you see the 4 stars. The food and drinks are impecabble. Like, some of the best drinks and food you'll have, period. Their signature drinks are truly some of the most unique and authentic cocktails I've ever had. Delicious, bold combinations that truly work together, kudos to the mixologist. The food is very well-prepared and as delicious as it gets.

All in all, this little place in Forum Shantiniketan Mall that has the same parent group of the very popular "Salt" in VR Mall is a definite must-go to place in Whitefield! I shall definitely go back here and update my review as this new place evolves.

Update: Well , this place has just gotten better, the ambience, seating, people. There's greatness all around from one of the new Captains,

Vamsi Krishna!

I've found my favorite waiter and bartender as well - Papai Ghosh and Sithin GS! 😁 I highly recommend this great team and restaurant!

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4/5 - A recommended place for the food and drinks!

May great food await you....

There's often an expectation from lavish dining to ambient service to exquisite flavours from restaurants that hold themselves at the pinnacle of luxuriously priced fine dining. Salt Indian Restaurant - Bar and Grill is one such opulent restaurant that is finely sun-kissed for sumptuous lunches and brunches and beautifully candle-lit for the evening dinners. And might I say that this restaurant has good valuable reason to hold its place in such high regard. Although the prices were on the higher side, it is value for the quantity and the generosity of flavours. I wasn't particularly hungry that evening but I possessed a voucher that would give me a dis count on the bill at this restaurant which was about to expire. So, I along with a friend, ordered Paneer Tikka Masala with Spring Onions and two Garlic Naans. The bread was slightly crispy and delightfully savoury, amply dressed with good handful of finely chopped garlic and coriander and glazed with lubricious butter. It was a great bread for a robust curry. The curry was a marvelous triumph with robust and complex flavour. The tenderly roasted spices, aromatics and alliums, and strongly cooked and caramelized tomato onion gravy were in perfect sync with the heavily smoked and hard roasted Paneer which was still tender and moist in the middle. It was one of the best meals I had in a while and it certainly mesmerized and tantalized my jaded taste buds. All in all, this restaurant has given an exceptional dining experience for all senses. Despite the prices it not the help of the voucher, it's worth a lovely experience and I rooted for every bit of it. Look no further for a fine candle-lit dinner for a date or a lovely dinner with a few...