LUPA, chef-restaurateur Manu Chandra’s new European restaurant in Namma Bengaluru, transports you to Italy
BY NIVEDITH GAJAPATHY
Bengaluru’s iconic MG Road is now the house of LUPA, a luxurious European restaurant that transports you to Italy as soon you enter through its doors.
Amid Bengaluru’s bustling urban landscape, chef-restaurateur Manu Chandra’s newest baby has been designed with great care and attention to detail, blending traditional opulence with old-world charm.
The design of the restaurant needs a special mention right from the outdoor area that sounds particularly inviting, offering a welcoming space to relax and unwind amidst the chaos of the city. The indoor dining area, with its high ceiling, adds to the grandeur of the space and creates a sense of openness and airiness.
With 220 covers, the restaurant and bar are capable of accommodating large groups of diners. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for two or a celebratory meal with friends and family, this restaurant and bar is a great option.
The outdoor deck with an interactive kitchen, pizzeria, and live grill is a perfect setting for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. And the fact that it’s designed like a Tuscan country home adds to the charm.
The below-ground wine cellar sounds like a real treat as well. It’s impressive that it’s the country’s first and only one of its kind. The fact that it sits 12 feet below ground level and is stone-clad adds to the ambience and creates a unique atmosphere.
The exclusive tasting zone is a nice touch as well. It adds an air of exclusivity and makes the experience feel even more special. The fact that it’s available only by prior appointment means that guests can plan and make sure they have enough time to fully enjoy the experience.
The private dining area on the mezzanine floor is the perfect spot to enjoy the restaurant’s atmosphere. The grand staircases on either side add to the elegance of the space, and the oval marble table and chequered stone flooring add a touch of luxury. The gentle lighting and soft hues also create a cosy and intimate ambience.
Being situated above the central dining room provides a unique vantage point that allows diners to observe the hustle and bustle of the restaurant while still enjoying the exclusivity and privacy of their own space.
The size of the table also makes it perfect for small groups of up to 12 people, making it an ideal venue for intimate celebrations, business meetings or family gatherings.
LUPA has meticulously crafted cocktails in a sophisticated atmosphere. The cocktail programme at LUPA is just as exemplary as the food, focusing on celebrating craft and expertise in navigating complex flavour profiles, including using indigenous ingredients and modern techniques.
The bar team at LUPA employs a variety of modern techniques to extract maximum flavours from ingredients and create cocktails that are both consistent and flavourful. These techniques include pre-batching, sous vide, and fat-washing, as well as classic methods like shrubs and infusions.
LUPA’s culinary philosophy is all about pushing the boundaries and experimenting with new and innovative combinations of flavours and ingredients.
The restaurant’s menu is designed to cater to different occasions and guests, with a focus on creating an exclusive dining experience.
LUPA’s Warm Bread Board is the perfect way to start any meal. All the bread is baked in-house and served with delicious chilli, olive oil, parmesan dip, and your choice of flavoured butter. Flavours include truffle, lemon garlic and chives, jalapeno and lime, and garlic and charred onions, providing a wide range of options to suit any palate.
Hot Brie is a delicious appetizer that features warm, gooey brie cheese served with a range of flavourful toppings. The brie is served hot and melted, creating a rich and creamy base for the other ingredients.
Toppings include fig jam, toasted walnuts, smoked honey, fresh herbs, garlic and chilli crumble, all of which add unique flavours and textures to the dish.
The Hot Brie is served with toasted sourdough bread, which is perfect for scooping up the melted cheese and toppings. The combination of warm, savoury cheese and sweet and spicy toppings creates a unique and satisfying flavour profile that is sure to please any palate.
Kale and Quinoa Salad is a delicious and healthy option for those looking to enjoy a flavourful and satisfying meal. The salad features a range of fresh, seasonal ingredients, including roasted beets, pumpkin, and charred asparagus. The quinoa adds a satisfying crunch and protein, while the kale provides a fresh and nutritious base.
Corzetti Ravioli is a signature dish that is sure to delight pasta lovers. The dish features stamped fresh pasta,
which is a unique and traditional way of making pasta
that involves using a special stamp to create intricate designs on each piece.
The pasta is filled with a flavourful wild mushroom ragu, which is made with a variety of mushrooms that are sautéed with garlic and herbs until tender and fragrant. The ragu is then folded into the pasta and served with a rich, creamy truffle béchamel sauce. To add a bit of crunch and texture, it is topped with crispy garlic and toasted walnuts.
Caprese is a classic Italian dish with buffalo mozzarella, pecorino, basil, shaved parmesan and olive oil. The lamb za’atar pizza is a unique take on pizza, featuring Greek lamb meatballs, marinated feta, pickled shallots, olives, confit garlic, dill, parsley and toasted pine nuts.
The pressed half-brick chicken is served with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh red chilli, olive oil, lemon, parsley and aioli. The mustard and chilli marinated seabass is oven-roasted and served with tapioca risotto, grilled vegetables, leeks and basil cream, and herb salad.
For dessert, there’s a classic tiramisu served with an espresso shot and biscotti, a Rocher Paris-Brest with hazelnut pate, chocolate ganache, salted caramel and toasted hazelnuts, and a 24-layer chocolate cake with pine nut praline, gold dusting and vanilla bean gelato.
Overall, LUPA paints a picture of a stunning dining destination, one that seamlessly blends history, elegance and comfort to create a truly memorable experience for
its guests.
Timings: 12pm to 12.30am
Call: +91 8792384999; +91 8792385999
Average meal for two: Rs2,000 without alcohol
Admission policy: Children are permitted for lunch and dinner (till 9pm only) on all days of the week
