pastameshugana

We always love to go for crostini platters. You can get just one 'flavor' or a whole variety - plus high margin. One of the places here in B'Lore does a great thing with it: Just serve the bread with some peeled garlic cloves, basil leaves, cherry tomatoes. The customer rubs the garlic on the bread, then the basil leaf, then salt/pepper/olive oil, then the tomato half, and it's done. It's got that 'hip' vibe of doing it yourself, with the added benny of no overhead for kitchen staff. Plus the usual suspects for crostini toppings: Mushrooms, diced tomato, etc. My .02,

All the veg prep. I work at home, with a very very busy schedule, but I love having an excuse to ditch the office to go chop a bunch of veg for whatever is happening in the next meal. A couple days ago, I wasn't paying attention and chopped several things we didn't even need because I had gotten so absorbed in the process! +1 on the Roux, as well...

Some more Bangalore tips... I've lived in B'Lore for a little over two years, my home is the US (AZ and Las Vegas).. In Koramangala (near Forum Mall, ask anyone and they'll know the place) you can find: -A Taste of Rampur - one of the finest places in town, yet little known. They serve a selection of 'Mughlai' cuisine. More cream, less spice. Definitely try the Murgh Khali Mirch and Makhan Murgh Rampuri, true classics. -P!ng - a nice, affordable Chinese place specializing in dimsum -China Pearl - old-style asian food - lots of chinese, malay, thai cuisine, many seafod options In Indiranagar (old airport road): -Little Italy - veg Italian food, very nice -Shangai Salsa - hard to explain, but absolutely worth a visit - some cuban and chinese influences (it's better than it sounds!) Near MG Road: -Harima - best sushi in town. Tell Chef/Owner Mako that Mr. Jonathan sent you and get the special treatment -Nandhini Palace - it's a chain of south Indian places, the one on St. Marks road is the best. Lots of Andhra style food -The Only Place - tremendous beef (if you want it), the double-fillet and chargrilled sirloin are the best, my wife loves the wienerschnitzel -Aromas of China - at the bottom of Brigade road, very classy, and a great lunch buffet, beautiful roof-top setting Hope this helps!