The newly opened bar in Whitefield, Gypsy Turtle, has a mascot that’s a turtle in want of some adventure. The little turtle travels the world and picks up the art of bartending and exotic recipes. The bar embodies the spirit of this turtle with their innovative cocktails and an elaborate international menu. We paid a visit last weekend to check out the place.
Sip on
The 9,000 square feet space is done up with details such as quirky posters, vintage bulbs and an eclectic bar. What really impressed us at Gypsy Turtle was the drinks menu. The first drink we ordered was the Wasabi Bloody Mary. The dash of wasabi in the already piquant drink made this one a hit. We also recommend the Clove Sour or the Tulsi Julep, if you are a fan of those flavours.
The Blue Pea Tea, a refreshing concoction of gin, lavender, lime and pineapple juice, deserves a special mention because of the glass it’s served in — a teacup atop a long wine glass stem. Another drink whose flavours had us going back for more was the Popcorn Frappe, a cream- and caramel-based drink topped with nutty popcorn syrup.
Their food menu is a mix of European, Asian, Italian and regional Indian bites. We had the Celebrity Mushrooms — mushrooms stuffed with cheese and Asian spices, tossed in a peanut sauce — and it was the sauce that made the dish a hit. Also on the table was the Urulai Roast, Chettinad-style spicy roasted baby potatoes, which was the perfect accompaniment to our cocktail.
Puff piece
For something unique try their pizzas. The crusts of the pizzas at Gypsy Turtle are made with flaky puff pastry, which adds a nice texture. We chose the Double Pepper Asian Treat pizza which has toppings of roasted pimento, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and pesto. Although the toppings were interesting, the cheese on the dish overpowered the other flavours. But if you are a fan of the tried and tested classics, opt for the Grilled Fillet Mignon. Served with garlic mash and herbed veggies, the perfectly cooked steak had a black pepper sauce. Although we didn’t have dessert, some dishes they offer are the Gypsy Jar Tiramisu and Raspberry Cheesecake.
With its fun, “wanderlust” theme, the bar is a great place to hang out with friends.
Rs. 1,900 for two. At Whitefield
anagha@newindianexpress.com
@anaghzzz