Sweet nothings at Madison Square

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By now most of you guys out there are familiar with Mukul Sharma - our guide to the various restaurants in the `Garden City' (never mind if the gardens are not visible). So, all set to eat out with Mukul in Madison Square. This week Mukul has Abraham Verghese, the executive manager, food and beverage, of the Central Park as his companion. Mr Verghese asks Mukul the difference between eating out in Mumbai and Bangalore. Let's hear the difference (if there are any) from Mukul. On to Mukul.....

I was sitting in Madison Square and about ready to wade into buffet any time since I had already read the fine print below the Stir Fried Beef and decided to go for the Indian half of the spread before graduating to the Chinese section, what the heck, let's come clean on thing finally.

"The main difference I find is that in Mumbai eating out is a commerce venture. You round up the kids and the spouse, sprint into the vehicle, speed down several half-concretised arterials, slam you backside into so-called `reserved' chairs, wolf down the victuals like there was no tomorrow, glower at the bill because it's more than the annual budget of Morocco and race back to bed and go to sleep dreaming of burps.

"Whereas", I continued, my plate richer by now with a dreamy looking cauliflower curry and lots of fresh green salad with broccoli in it, "in Bangalore nobody's pulling out the furniture under you the moment you're through." Mr Verghese nods in unison.

Then I have a second helping with great dollops of Fried Rice, Hakka Chow Mein and lots of sumptutuous looking mushroom preparation. "Some desert?" I'm asked, and before I can claim a dentist's appointment for a rabid tooth, I spy a bowl full of fruit punch. "Yes I hear myself saying while shovelling peas, papayas and peaches into my maw.

"Try this too," says Mr Verghese, pointing to caramelised banana preparation.

"You know what I would have done if I'd been serving this at home?" I tell him. "I'd have put a ladleful of rum over it and set it on fire so the bananas `would look nice and rusty." He nods.

Address: Madison Square, The Central Park
47, Dickenson Road
Bangalore 560 042
Telephone: 5584242
Cuisine: Indian and Chinese

Source: The Times of India

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