Mentored by Rashmi Uday Singh, Kunal Vijayakar and Sid Mewara, the inaugural edition of ITC Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 Bengaluru, hosted by Conrad, Bengaluru, was a resounding success
By SHUJATH ALI
Nobody understands India’s complex culinary landscape better than the people of this country, hence, the need to develop our very own restaurant ratings with the biggest names in the food industry mentoring these ratings and the leading tastemakers from across the country nominating and voting for their favourite restaurants.
The pioneering inaugural edition of the citywise ITC Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024, in association with DLC Guide and Hospitality Hope, kicked off in Bengaluru on October 21. Hosted by Conrad, Bengaluru, it was a resounding success with the who’s who of the city’s food and hospitality industry as well as celebrities and HNIs in attendance including Triveni Vinod, Spoorthi Vishwas, Shazia Khan, Aslam Gafoor and Suresh Hinduja.
This was the first time ever that there was an independently tabulated and adjudicated ratings by the trusted Ernst & Young (EY), making these restaurant ratings both credible and transparent. Needless to say, the evaluation process was impartial and thorough, involving various key industry professionals and tastemakers. More importantly, no fees were charged.
Mentored by Rashmi Uday Singh, Kunal Vijayakar and Sid Mewara, the restaurants were voted by an esteemed independent jury comprising over 60 leading food critics and connoisseurs. These distinguished jury members contributed their insights, making a meaningful impact on the culinary landscape.
The ratings were divided into two categories – Epicurean Stars (Fine Dining) and Epicurean Gems (Casual Dining) – covering the culinary landscape in the Garden City from end to end.
While ITC was the Presenting Partner, Bisleri Vedica and Popular Foods were the Associate Partners and Marqland was the Luxury Car Partner.
Conrad Bengaluru’s GM Digivijay Singh and his team pulled out all stops to present a culinary extravaganza that the city will not forget in a long, long time.
After the Bengaluru edition, ITC Presents Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 will now move to Delhi NCR on November 10 at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, followed by ITC Presents Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 for Mumbai at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu on December 17. Next year, three more cities will be added.
The culinary movement has begun!
AIMING FOR THE STARS
ITC Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 Bengaluru recognised and celebrated 25 stars (fine-dine restaurants) which were a mix of the best outlets in five-star hotels and standalone properties
Fine-dine restaurants in Bengaluru were given one, two or three stars based on the votes by the esteemed jury members, three being the highest rating.
The votes were tabulated by Ernst & Young (EY) and the top 25 fine-dine restaurants that met the criteria and received the highest number of votes were announced at the prestigious and glittering event at Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 at Conrad Bengaluru.
The fine-dine restaurants were a mix of the best outlets in five-star hotels and standalone properties. They were voted by an esteemed independent jury comprising over 60 leading food critics and connoisseurs.
EY collated the list of nominations received by jury members and conducted an independent review based on stringent eligibility criteria outlined by them.
In the final leg, once nominations were received and compiled, EY requested jury members to score the nominations on a scale of 1 to 10 based on set parameters and according to guidelines laid out by them. Their scores helped determine the final ratings of the best fine-dine restaurants in Bengaluru.
Hence the list of 25 stars that was recognised and celebrated at Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 Bengaluru passed a stringent test – coming out with flying colours. It proved the Garden City is well and truly a foodie’s paradise.
EPICUREAN STARS
(in alphabetical order)
3 STARS
Naru Noodle Bar, Shanti Nagar
Karavalli, Vivanta Bengaluru Residency Road
2 STARS
Bengaluru Oota Company, Cambridge Layout
Burma Burma, Indiranagar
Dum Pukht, ITC Windsor
Farmlore, Bagalur
Koko, Jeevan Bima Nagar
Kuuraku, Forum Rex Walk
Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Palace Bengaluru
Navu, Domlur
Oota Bangalore, Whitefield
Oz By Kebapci, Ub City
Rim Naam, The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Toast & Tonic, Ashok Nagar
Wabi Sabi, The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Yauatcha, MG Road Mall
1 STAR
Alba, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
Araku Café, Indiranagar
Far & East, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru At Embassy One
Grasshopper, Bannerghatta Rd
Jamavar, The Leela Palace Bengaluru
Kappa Chakka Kandhari, Koramangala
Muro, Shanthala Nagar
Olive Beach, Ashok Nagar
Tiamo, Conrad Bengaluru
RECOGNISING HIDDEN GEMS
ITC EPICUREAN RESTAURANT RATINGS 2024 BENGALURU honoured 25 GEMS (CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS) WHICH HAVE WOWED FOOD LOVERS
Not just fine dining but, for the first time, casual dining restaurants in Bengaluru were also honoured and recognised. They were given one, two or three stars based on the votes by the esteemed jury members, three being the highest rating.
The votes were tabulated by Ernst & Young (EY) and the top 25 casual dining restaurants in the city that met the criteria and received the highest number of votes were announced at the prestigious glittering event at ITC Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 Bengaluru at Conrad Bengaluru.
The casual dine restaurants were a mix of outlets in hotels and standalone properties. They were voted by an esteemed independent jury comprising over 60 leading food critics and connoisseurs.
Hence, the 25 gems that had wowed food lovers in the city were given their due and celebrated at ITC Epicurean Restaurant Ratings 2024 Bengaluru.
EPICUREAN GEMS
(in alphabetical order)
3 GEMS
Bob’s Bar, 100 Feet Road
Esplanade, Indiranagar
Matsuri, The Chancery Hotel
Ranganna Military Hotel, Jayanagar
Veena Stores, Malleshwaram
2 GEMS
Azukii Bistro, Richmond Town
Brahmins Coffee Bar, Basavanagudi
Fia’s Lounge, Shanthala Nagar
Kebapci, Koramangala
Sarposh, Indiranagar
Smoke House Deli, Indiranagar
Thai House, Thippasandra
The Filter Coffee, Indiranagar
1 GEM
Bento Bento, Indiranagar
Brik Oven, Church Street
Humblebean, Indiranagar
Khazana Food Paradise, Richmond Town
Koshy’s, Shanthala Nagar
Lyfe Farm To Fork Whitefield
Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Lalbagh Road
Nagarjuna, Shanthala Nagar
Paragon, Sobha Mall
Shri Sagar Ctr, Malleshwaram
Taaza Thindi, Jayanagar
Toit, Indiranagar
A NEW CHAPTER
Credited by Forbes New York in 2022 as being the founder and innovator of the world’s first business platform, Della Leaders Club DLC, Jimmy Mistry founded DLC Guide, an independent global rating system for restaurants and hotels, earlier this year.
After awarding restaurants in New York, London, Dubai and Singapore, Jimmy launched the India chapter of DLC Guide in Bengaluru. The restaurants that were awarded were: Chef and Restaurateur Manu Chandra’s Lupa, Far & East at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru helmed by Chef Atsushi Yonaha, The 13th Floor, Farmlore by Michelin-star Chef Johnson Ebenezer and Head Chef Mythrayie Iyer and Shiro led by Chef Priyank Chouhan.
SPREADING HOPE
Rashmi Uday Singh is taking Hospitality Hope Icon Awards nationwide, beginning with the Bengaluru edition
After a successful inaugural edition of Hospitality Hope Icon Awards in Mumbai earlier this year, where 28 family-run, value-for-money iconic restaurants that have been the backbone of the city’s gastronomic culture were recognised, renowned food critic and author Rashmi Uday Singh is taking the awards nationwide.
She launched the Bengaluru edition at Conrad Bengaluru and is set to take it to Delhi at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon on November 10 and Mumbai at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu on December 17 later this year.
In 2025, Hospitality Hope Icon Awards, which celebrate the unsung heroes of each city’s culinary scene, will add three more cities to its list.
The winners in Bengaluru were: Vidyarthi Bhawan, Malgudi Mylare Mane, Hotel Fishland, Naati Café, Hallimane and Dindigul Ponram.
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
Kunal Vijayakar, whose popular YouTube channel Khaane Mein Kya Hain? discovers hidden gems, honoured heritage restaurants in Bengaluru
Renowned food writer, author and TV personality Kunal Vijayakar, whose popular YouTube channel Khaane Mein Kya Hain? (KMKH) discovers hidden gems in street food markets, launched KMKH Awards in Bengaluru.
As India’s biggest foodie, Kunal knows and understands his food like no other and, predictably enough, he awarded traditional restaurants that have withstood the test of time and touched the heart.
These establishments have preserved the culinary heritage of the city and its authentic cuisines. According to Kunal, they are more than just places to eat; they are custodians of culture, flavour and history in a rapidly changing world.
To give away the awards, Kunal was joined on stage by KMKH’s two co-founders, Mohit Khushalani and Pratik Patel. The four restaurants that were celebrated and awarded for Best Heritage Dining Experience were: Koshy’s, Nagarjuna, Hallimane and Ranganna Military Hotel.
THE BIG PICTURE
Sid and Shanky livened up the stage with their OWN INIMITABLE quirky sense of humour and announced their top five picks at The Big Forkers Awards in Bengaluru
By the hugely popular YouTube channel’s own admission, The Big Forkers is an irreverent, unapologetic, uncensored food and travel show.
Exploring cuisine and culture from main street to high street, hosts Sid Mewara and Shashank ‘Shanky’ Jayakumar travel the world and review, refresh, and sometimes reject widely held notions of what is good or bad food.
In character with their show, the duo had the audience cheering them as they livened up the stage with their own inimitable quirky sense of humour as they went on to launch The Big Forkers Awards in Bengaluru.
The five places they picked were: Bangalore Oota Company, Bar Spirit Forward, Khazana Food Paradise, Nagarjuna and Navu Project.
