Windmills Craftworks — Restaurant in Bengaluru

I first visited in 2014. I loved the decor, the space, the elegance and most recently I went last week. I then got THREE calls over the past week regarding feedback after the visit about "sour paneer kofta".

Except that it was someone else's feedback, and two times on the phone I politely said my actual feedback was about having more vegan-friendly options or adjustable options, not about paneer that I couldn't have ordered.

And then they would hurriedly want to hang up. Apparently everyone at the kitchen is losing their minds about a supposedly sour paneer kofta, but couldn't hear me out for 3 minutes. The third time they called me by mistake, I insisted on elaborating.

To recount, my husband (a non-indian brewmaster who has also worked in Bangalore) and I had been to their brewery (lovely beers and cocktails btw), and we were excited about ordering some delicious looking dishes. But each time, we were told 'oh the kabab is not vegan. Oh the mushroom is not vegan. They all have butter inherently in the batter' or whatever.

And when we asked politely if they could swap out or skip the butter for something else, the kitchen refused until FINALLY offering something with big concessions. We were initially offered fries at a first attempt though. LOL! It's 2024 and a premium place like this offers fries because they don't have a paltry 3 items on the menu that can be made readily vegan friendly.

And before anyone jumps up to say vegan food is gourmet and fancy schmancy, it's none of that. Here is a list of naturally-occurring vegan dishes in Indian cuisine - masala peanuts, masala papad, pani puri, bhel puri, masala puri, idli, dosa, poori, potato in at least 5 creative forms, mushrooms in at least 5 forms, cauliflower in at least 5 forms, veg kabab, semolina, rice, vermicelli, noodles, roti, sauteed veggies, dips not involving cow curd/milk and the list is endless (I haven't even gotten to the international options).

Please keep your menu pretty looking and actively catering to meat and dairy consumers, but for heaven's sake have the decency to hear one out when one gives feedback instead of hurrying to hang up, and please actually listen when I'm talking. I got to hear some feeble excuses on the phone like 'it is a standard menu and there's veg and non veg and vegan is a bit "you know" ' (whatever that means). I heard "you know" at least 5 times on the phone because of course there's no good defence.

Too difficult to skip or swap out butter for oil upon polite customer request? Suggestion - I'll happily take a measly masala papad with peanuts or a bhel poori for Rs 400 if it that doesn't need 3 complicated consultations with the kitchen.

The evening itself at the brewery was pleasant SOLELY because the staff waiting on our table was professional and accommodating.

Pretty lame for a premium brewpub kitchen in 2024 whose customer relations team called me in panic 3 times by accident to talk about the kitchen's precious paneer carrot kofta that some othe customer happened to call sour, and then wouldn't even bother to say "Could I help you with your actual...

Upon arriving at this restaurant, there was such humility in the staff. Very cordial. They started speaking in the tone of compassion and asked us to wait but then Chef Keshav Yadav had already booked a table for us.

Little bit about Chef Keshav: He was a total stranger before the day we met him in that hotel but we interacted one time very briefly and we informed him that we were coming and usually we only have seen the message passing down in the ladder and one of the concierge receives you, but Chef personally came from the kitchen and received us and saw us to the table.

About the hospitality: All the staff were very sweet.

About the ambience: Exquisite,but we sat in the Balcony and the view was really beautiful.

About the house beers: When we attended here, we had 6 types of beers, it was carefully crafted and balance is well maintained. The fermentation process took apt time. Two special mentions:

1. Hefeweizen: It was exceptional, one of the best in the micro-brewery category in whole of Bangalore.

2. Coffee stout: It was as if I was drinking aerated Coffee with a bittersweet after taste.

About the Food(most important aspect of this review):

I am going to mention about the special things which I found very distinctive about their prepartion process.

Their pizzas are prepared with Sour dough and the crunch it had on whilst preparation in the oven is about right balance on the crunch and bread texture. Must try is because of the sour dough and after smell and after taste on your palette. You will order minimum of two pizzas even if there are two guests. It is cooked as per special instructions by Chef Keshav. If you go there, do demand to meet him and he will oblige and make you visit there memorable.

Nacho lovers - get to one thing, every ingredient is put together and cooked right there. Even the NACHO!! Yes, that's something you don't see everywhere. So must order, again courtesy: Chef Keshav

Best for Last:

Desert: Biscotti

The word biscotto derives from “bis,” Latin for twice, and “coctum” or baked (which became “cotto,” or cooked). ... Biscotti were a staple of the diet of the Roman Legions

After a long time this definition was justified, because it was constructed and executed by the great Architect Chef in a very precision manner. First layer - Cracker, Second layer - Butter cookie and the last layer - cookie dough smoothie. And this was merged. I have deconstructed it for explanation sake but this was just one layer from top to bottom respectively. This was made with White butter and hint of vanilla.

Hand made and brought to table by again: Chef Keshav.

All in all 2 x 5 stars of 5 stars for...

Had been willing to visit 'Windmills Craftworks'  for almost two years now, but never got an opportunity. One several occasions when we did plan to meet at Windmills, for some reason or the other, either the plan got dropped or changed at the last minute. However, I am so glad that I finally visited the place with my very close friends & batch-mates from graduation college. The cisit did turn out to one of those where time just flies commemorating the old times, crushes and what not.

Windmills is located in a very posh location in Whitefield overlooking the tall residential and office skyscrapers. Located on 6th floor of the building, it provides a very nice view through the outside sitting area (next to the shining microbrewery). Both outside and inside sitting areas look very beautiful and classy, with very tastefully designed interiors, furniture and decor. The outside sitting area also has very beautiful lawn which connects the two discreet sitting sections of the area. The inside sitting area comprises of book racks on three sides, with a stage in the front and a beautiful bar towards the back of the hallway. One can choose to sit on the couches or on the bar stools that look into the outside sitting area.

The freshly brewed beer was the highlight, very smooth and flavorsome. There are a verity of craft-beer to choose from, but I tried the 'Weizenbier/ Hefeweizen' and 'Vienna Lager' beer. 'Weizenbier/ Hefeweizen' (traditionally from Bavaria, in which a significant proportion of malted barley is replaced with malted wheat) is one of favorite beer and have tried it in almost all the microbreweries in Bangalore. Vienna Lager was pale amber in colour with a reddish hue, a slightly bitter but had a unique toasty flavor and some residual caramel-like sweetness. Loved both the beer and accompaniments which were 'Nachos' and 'Honey Chilli Potato'. We also ordered their 'Greek Salad',  made from exotic vegetables, ricotta cheese and lemony dressing with herbs, and it was amazing. Also tried the white sauce 'Penne Pasta', which came with the seasoning of olives, sun-dried tomatoes and basil. The sauce was nice, though we felt that Pasta was a little under-cooked and hard.

There was also a live band from Boston, performing Contemporary Jazz - which made the visit even more special and added an altogether different feel and energy to the place. Loved the place and would recommend a visit for sure, one of the best places to hangout in...