The city’s newest Pan Asian restaurant, Kaze, is perched atop the SKAV 909 building, bang opposite Bangalore Club on Lavelle Road. With views over the Central Business District (we spot UB City, Kanteerava Stadium and The Ritz-Carlton to name a few landmarks), the sprawling space is divided by an open air area on either side of which are a bar, and a more formal dining area. Rich olive green and deep purple accents come together for a luxurious effect and the cool blue al fresco space is inviting, even on a hot summer day.
Getting started
The menu is a mix of Japanese, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines and we are first served the Pork Belly and Fresh Papaya Salad from the ‘Soups and Zensai’ section. The pork is grilled to perfection and is presented with a tart, sweet and lightly spiced, papaya salad — a milder version of the original Thai dish. The balance of flavours is impeccable. From their signature cocktails, we pick the Days of Sakura, which is a vodka-based drink with Triple Sec, lime, ginger, cucumber, hibiscus and sparkling sake. It is topped with diced strawberry and dehydrated orange and served in a golden pineapple-shaped cup for dramatic effect. While the look of it was enough to make an impression, the drink itself was bit on the sweet side.
Mushrooms usually grown on the mountains of Japan, such as Enoki and Shiitake, come together in Kyoto Mushrooms, a must-try vegetarian appetiser. The fungi are fried in nori butter and served with a topping of shredded nori for a plate that is a harmonious blend of complementary flavours. The Sichuan Green Chilli is a slightly fiery treat, so tread carefully. The dish features the banana chilli pepper (typically used in making chilli bajjis) stuffed with cheddar cheese and doubanjiang, a chili paste sauce from Sichuan cuisine. The Hotate To Edi Kudamono — seared scallop on pineapple and crispy fried prawn on watermelon — is also highly recommended. The seafood and fruit are equally fresh and we love the interplay of flavours and textures. The menu also offers gyozas (such as Crispy pan seared crab meat dumpling) and an exhaustive list of sushi and sashimi, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Yuzu surprise
For main course, we sample the Black Cod, which is quite an exquisite choice. The fish is marinated in miso paste and mirin for six hours before being grilled. The delicate flavouring lets the flavour of the fish speak for itself and the marination complements it beautifully.
We round things off with the Ling Ming Parfait, which more than satisfies our dessert cravings. The parfait is made with white chocolate and coated with salted cashew nuts for a clever contrast of textures and flavours. A quenelle of yuzu sorbet completes the plate. The parfait takes a backseat after a bite of the sorbet, which is vibrantly citrusy, and refreshing.
With an extensive menu, great views and a luxe setting, Kaze is not just a great spot for a dinner date with your special someone, but also the place to go to if you’re in the mood for impressive Japanese food.
Rs.2,500++ for two. At Lavelle Road