Serving up dishes drawn from Italian, Levantine, Maghrebi, Ottoman, French and Spanish cuisines is the restaurant, Grapevine, set in a bustling area of HSR Layout. Chairs upholstered with floral-printed fabrics, distressed wooden benches and Moroccan blue and white tiles are a few things you’ll notice when you enter the premises of the charming, family-run joint. While the space does have decor elements of the Mediterranean region, there is nothing gimmicky or over the top.
After a long drive across town, we were in the mood for something refreshing. Settling down at a table at the centre of the restaurant, we were pleased to spot a selection of cold-pressed juices on their menu. With no added sugar whatsoever, the juices allow you to quench your thirst with guilt-free abandon. We asked for the Coolness — a mix of apple, pomegranate, mint, orange and cucumber. Citrus with mint is a match made in heaven, and when paired with the fruity and fresh notes from the other ingredients, it makes for an interesting drink that serves to soothe and rejuvenate at the same time. You can also choose from their smoothies (we recommend the Vanilla Cherry), teas (the most notable being the Cocoa Berry — cacao nibs, strawberry, vanilla and black tea) and coffees. Those who can’t do without some vino, will not be disappointed as they have an exhaustive list comprising Australian, Chilean, French, Italian and local wines.
Hum along
It’s no surprise that hummus takes prominence on their menu. But what is interesting is that Grapevine offers a line-up of unusual options such as hummus with spiced and minced lamb, avocado hummus, and sundried tomato hummus.
The Lamb skewers is a fine way to get started. The meat is minced and tossed with chopped parsley before being formed into kebabs and grilled. The accompanying dipping sauce made with yogurt, mint and dates is an unusual combo that hits it out of the park. If seafood is your weakness, ask for the garlic prawns. Fresh prawns are cooked with butter, garlic and white wine for a truly memorable dish.
Taking a break from the heavy starters we ordered the melon and feta salad, which turned out to be a great choice, offering a well-balanced mix of salty, sweet and tart notes. For mains, we sampled the Moroccan lamb with couscous — another knockout featuring mutton falling off the bone, in a thick, spiced sauce. The buttery couscous, with cilantro, mint, toasted almonds and raisins, was also impressive. While not really Mediterranean, the best way to round things off is with their banoffee pie, held together by a crumbly biscuit base.
Rs 1,200++ for two. At HSR Layout. Details: 9940693011