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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- The Hindu
This fine dine Chinese restaurant in Bengaluru brings dishes from four regions of China
For a long time in Bengaluru, pan Asian cuisine was ruling the restaurant circuit. It seems that is now passe, as we get more region-focussed menus. Case in point, Yan Yan, the new restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore. A fine dine restaurant that brings together dishes from Canton, Hakka, Sichuan and Hunan regions of China. Even though it launched last week, the restaurant is packed, a good sign. Yan Yan is in the same spot where Lantern, their previous Asian restaurant was. Shades of red, in typical oriental style dominate the decor. Blue vases, Chinese hand fans and lush silk fabric complete the look. It is spread over two levels, the lower floor overlooking a flowing water body. Yan Yan means a feast for the eyes. And in that vein, we are handed a menu on an iPad that is complete with pictures of each dish, so you can see what your dish will look like before you order it. The menu has sections such as cold plates, dim sum, hot plates, mains and desserts. The beautiful plating makes it hard to decide what to order. Hidden gems Each cocktail at Yan Yan is named after a jewel or a gem. The highlight for me is the Moonstone Elixir cocktail. A concoction of vodka, sparkling wine and bitter melon (yes that is a karela). It takes us by surprise, as it is fresh and light, with a hint of the bitter. Even the non-bitter gourd lovers on the table gave it their approval. Serpentine dew is made of Sichuan peppercorn infused tequila, tomato water and celery soda, and Jasper Ember has whiskey, homemade goji berry syrup and aromatic bitters. All the cocktails are Asian inspired, balanced and innovative. An array of small plates are brought to the table. The tofu skin and baby spinach salad is made of delicate bean curd skin, that is chewy and savoury. Served a stop crunchy wanton skin and greens, we really enjoy this. The petit greens and colossal crab with quail eggs is decent; the flavours are not much to write home about. Shaolin asparagus and water chestnut is crunchy with an umami-heavy dressing. We try a platter of dim sums too; the thin casing impresses us. Classic Chinese numbers We want to see what elevated Chinese is when it comes to the classics. So, for mains, we opt for Sichuan chicken, stir fried greens, noodles and crispy prawn. The chicken is the clear winner. A mildly spicy sauce, that is nutty and aromatic with juicy pieces of meat. The dried red chilies and cashew nuts add another dimension. The wok fried prosperity noodles are the perfect combo for this. We pick a delicate soy garlic sauce for the noodles. The truffle and tenderloin fried rice also comes highly recommended. Vegetarians should try the 12 Mile Farmed Mushrooms. The dish is made of five types of mushrooms — pioppino, shiitake, wood ear, eryngii and oyster— in a light gravy. Dessert too is a mix of classics and modern. The sesame mochi is warm and chewy and stuffed with a rich black sesame paste. The darsaan has tender coconut ice cream, atop a bed of fried noodles. Crunchy, sweet, cold and fruity, all in one. Warm service, comfort classics but elevated and creative cocktails won me over. I will be returning to try more. Cost for two ₹4,000. At Residency Road. For more details or reservations, call 9035416155
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
If You Know You Know
Later in the week, a very mysterious box was delivered to my doorstep by a very presentable young man in a uniform. I am quite used to our (always in a hurry) delivery boys who are waiting to drop off your parcels with the wrong security-staff or hurriedly dump your parcels outside your door if one doesn't answer the doorbell fast enough. So I was pleasantly surprised to see a personable young man waiting patiently at the door while this very beautiful parcel was delivered. And what a sense of mystery surrounded it! The bag held a box which unfolded into a chocolate egg which needed to be gently tapped with a wooden mallet (provided) to display the contents within! There wasn't a whimper about where this enigmatic Yan Yan was, which day it was unveiling itself, or where it was! A flurry of phone calls yielded no results but ultimately my good friend, the GM of The Ritz-Carlton, solved the mystery by inviting me to a 'sneak-peek' consisting of his close friends and a smattering of foreign consuls, to an outstanding evening of ambrosia and Chinese food. The vibe of the restaurant sets the pace. One enters to a long bar with outstanding cocktails and small plates, while the level downstairs is for the main courses. The menu is well thought of with the freshest of ingredients and to my surprise, I found myself quaffing the cocktails and their vegetarian-fare, which was outstanding; especially the mushrooms and the stir-fried greens! The world is going through a chaos domino effect and it's scary. Not one to believe in sooth-sayers but… the coincidences are chilling. Enjoy every day, be happy and learn to give precedence to loving yourself more. As the Gen Z says IYKYK (if you know you know)! (The writer's views are personal)
