If you're not careful, you can rapidly develop a habit for eating seafood food on a regular basis. Come to think of it, with restaurants like Harbour Market to indulge your culinary desires, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Harbour Market is one of those restaurants that just keep growing on you. Seafood is not only tasty if made well but also a healthy food option. Harbour Market stands out like an oasis in Bangalore, which is starved of good seafood joints.
The ambience is bereft of any frills or needless idiosyncratic trappings, which has become the hallmark of restaurants these days. The restaurant is pleasantly accommodating and swanky. However, recently they have introduced a live band, which is quite annoying, and the singer sounds as though he is strangling a cat.
The only other restaurant, which comes close to Harbour Market, is the effervescent Karavalli.
But Karavalli is an upmarket restaurant reserved for people with a fat bank balance (incidentally a meal for 2 costs around Rs. 1, 000 at Harbour Market). The first thing that really got my attention at Harbour Market was the choice of Appams, Iddiappams (String Hoppers), & Parathas. And if fresh prawns (imported daily from Cochin) are your thing Harbour Market's version of Prawns Olitheeyadhu (thick prawn curry) is quite serviceable which is trickled with copious amount of red tomatoes and balanced perfectly with red chilli powder and tamarind and the taste is both immediate and unequivocal.
I also recommend the Tandoori Prawns, which is amazingly succulent and flavourful. The fish fry is also highly recommended, the filets are exceptionally tender and have that searing flavour that only a cast iron Indian skillet can impart. Neat dish. The Crabs, Lobsters, Squids, Karimeen (Pearl Spot Deep Water Fish), Pomfrets and Sear Fish preparations are also very engaging. The zesty Mutton & Chicken curries should not be missed and it is best combined with the steamed rice on offer. For the non-carnivores there is the ever-present Ulli Theeyal (Curry made out of Sambar Onions) and other vegetable offerings, which are also authentic and very flavourful.
The Pal Payasam and Ada Prathaman (desserts) is also top class.
I have taken several guests to this restaurant (and special individuals too) and the first bite always yielded the requisite oohs and ahs which speaks highly of this eat out. So head out to Harbour Market at Hotel 37th Crescent, # 37 Crescent Road, Off Race Course Road, High Grounds, Contact: 98454-10410/4113-6262. The flamboyant, everyman superstar Mohan Lal, one of the greatest living actors on this planet owns this pristine restaurant.
Look for the happy food critic with the proverbial potbelly, that's me, sharing Crabs, tempting libations, and enjoying the great local colour that makes Bangalore such a fun place to live.
- Thank You! We appreciate your effort.