Rarely, do places surprise. But Jonah's did. On 12th Main Indiranagar, Jonah's Terrace Lounge has a Chennai genesis, where its owner Sam Paul has five different Jonah's running - Japanese, Malabar Food, Seafood and Continental standalones running under the eye of Kiwi Chef Willi.
The city-based franchise is run by Leena Sanal and Sanal Govind, and it's a welcome sea of soothing apple green with a formal dining space with large glass walls to appreciate the towering Gulmohars outside, with a wonderful bar and terrace dining area thrown in.
The menu has something for everyone, from wholesome Continental, Balinese, Jap, Thai, and a slew of interesting starters and main courses, which Sanal Govind informed us, was the way Chef Willi wanted it to be. A Caesar Salad will always give you the feel of a restaurant. It's foundation. And it did!
The salad was splendid. Nice crunchy leafy Romaine lettuce with the anchovies giving you a hint of the sauce. Delish. We gobbled it up. Need we say more?
We spotted a sausage breakfast burger and a Schnitzel one too which we will order next time, and dived right into Chef Willi's specials. Sanal informed us that Chef Willi's woodfire oven pizzas are very popular, but the oven was not functional. We went for the eggs Florentine, poached egg on a bun, with spinach leaf, topped with creamy cheese sauce served with chicken and beef sausages with bacon rashers. Plating was wonderful, the eggs were perfectly done, and the cheese sauce was delicious, we would have liked more spinach to bite into. but it was good.
Next on the agenda was the fillet steak, a juicy, succulent grilled beef tenderloin, with a delectable, yet light cheese sauce with bacon and mushroom, a perfect medium rare with blanched veggies to bite into and the most dreamy buttery mash ever. A sign of the expertise at play.
We had to taste the Baked Dijon Crusted Fish, with mustard, the parmesan crust and mash and colourful veggies; but while the flakiness of the fish was perfect, there should have been more of the Dijon flavour.
Happy to have found a place other than the usual suspects in namma ooru for Continental fare, Sanal also informed us that the German meatballs, prawn tempura and woodfire oven pizzas are popular. The open kitchen is also a nice touch, and so is the ambience.
One thing though, the food took quite long to get to our table. given that we were the only diners there, that might need some flourish from Chef Willi, who we hear is in Christchurch, dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.
The plating, cutlery, service and general feel is happy, in fact a fellowdiner loved the steak knives. For dessert, we ordered the Tiramisu, that came in soaked in coffee and delightfully light and yum with the creamy layers conversing with the cake coffee drizzle beautifully. Not too sweet, which we liked.
We will go again for the slew of other dishes, and hope to see Chef Willi, who was earlierwith the Park, and brought Toscano's to India. For now though, the biblically-inspired Jonah's that has only just opened, is a great addition to Bengaluru's famed bill of restaurants.
Opposite Snap Fitness, 12th Main Road, 4th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage,Indiranagar, Bengaluru Call 080 49653132
A meal for two: Rs 1,300 onwards
The restaurant is also starting a corporate lunch and Sunday brunch soon in its split terrace and dining space
Must haves: Caesar Salad, Tenderloin Steak and Tiramisu. The menu has a wonderful selection of dishes to choose from, be it pizzas with a bolognaise topping, or diverse pastas and great bar snacks
