Honesty is the word that describes ArtBar the best. In an ever growing market of restaurants which double up as discothèques, ArtBar is like an Anurag Kashyap movie in the midst of Salman Khan’s melodrama.
A place which catches your breath and tugs at your heart. There is not much fanfare. The food is not plated eccentrically, neither does their barman spin up mixology cocktails. But it’s the theme of the place that will make you come back again and again. Set up as a place to promote local art, the walls are adorned by paintings made by artists still trying to find a foothold. The stage is occupied by a musician who is still competing to move to the next level, you might also find some clothes from a budding designer. You can snag a good deal on some really good pieces if you got an eye of an collector. But a restaurant must be dissected for its food and we get down to business.
The cocktails won’t really have your taste buds spinning but their well stocked bar provides you with enough ethanol to get your senses buzzing. The Basil Martini is a definite tryout for an adventurous mind. Otherwise, just stick to your regulars.
The Bang Bang Chicken (INR 245) is nothing like the movie from which services it’s name. Juliennes of chicken fried in rice flour and coddled in curry leaves. A crispy medley served with two chutneys. One is the classical onion chutney from the Udupi restaurants and the other is an orange chutney originating from the creative mind of Chef Harman Singh.
Banb Bang Chicken
The Wasabi Mutter ki tikki (INR 215) is a similar eccentric vegetarian counterpart served with a mint Mayonnaise. One thing you’ll tend to notice is the immense amount of work they put into creating a dip or chutney for each of the dishes they serve up.
Wasabi Mutter ki Tikki
The Purani dilli burger and stuffed Shammi ‘Kapoor’ Kebab sliders are both simple burgers. The purani dilli stuffs an aloo tikki and is served with a sweetened ketchup. Whereas the Shammi slider packs a punch with the super sift kebab accompanied by a tangy mango and mint salsa. Told ya, the dips just keep on coming. In fact, they have a jaegar sauce for Chicken strips. Curious…. Huh??
Shammi Kebab Slider
Purani Dilli Burger
The baked Classic Margharita cones (INR 245) serves your everlasting favourite in a totally new aavatar.
Classic Margharita Cones
The Mushroom and truffle oil pizza (INR 275) maintains a sense of calm by sticking to the classic earthy flavours.
Mushroom and Truffle oil Pizza
The bowls serve up some of the interesting food of the night. The Malabar Prawn Curry bowl (INR 275) serves up deliciously soft prawns in a creamy coconut curry over a huge portion of sticky rice. Let the flavours flow over your palate as you rejoice.
Malabar Prawn Curry Bowl
More in store is the Dal Chawla bowl (INR 195). Your regular medium grained rice served with a dal takda, achaari aloo and a roasted papad on the side. Comfort food for the soul.
Dal Chawaal Bowl
In mood for something healthy, try the Vegetarian bowl (INR 195).
Vegetarian Bowl
End your meal with even more eccentric deserts. The Tiramisu kulfi (INR 275) is a delicacy to be treasured. It wiggles on the stick right before you put it into your mouth for some coffee heaven.
There is also the Fried Mars Bars (INR 275) which is decadently sweet and romantically fattening.
Some eccentric creations from the kitchen courtesy of Harman and Megha will accompany you on our sojourn of seeing some great art and listening to some really good music.
