Cheers in Kammanahatton

Conversations brewing and I hear someone quoting a word I had coined in the literary world, terming our locality as Kammanahatton. True to its glocal title, this area seems to be burgeoning every day and sometimes totally unrecognizable. From the days of pot hole ridden roads, bare development, this area has seen exponential growth with the mushrooming of new joints for food, drinks, entertainment and social conversations. It’s almost synonymous with Bangalore, the pub culture is raging and here is one more that is making some noise. While I review selectively, this one is special, as I have grown to be a patron of this place that has seen changing hands, yet has retained its culinary perfection and charm. The owners thrive on warmth, personal service while they keep their research updated to ensure they have the best on offer. This is Firehouse Bar & Kitchen, where conversations peak while your plate of soulful food is served with something to cheer about. So clearly I write this not after my first visit, but after this hotspot has become my choice to unwind. It began as our place to celebrate but now has me a regular visitor even on my Friday dates whenever possible, with just a stone’s throw away from home.

There is blend to this place - it’s a culmination of classic and modern, in not just the drinks or food but also in the warmth of its décor. As you drive up to its entrance, be welcomed by the hospitality of their valet, which is precious given that Bangalore has no space to park and makes going out a planning nightmare. As you enter you choose between a quaint dining at the ground level for those cozy conversations or the thumping music to show your best moves on the dance floor with a vibrant bar and a little openness on the first floor. The team here is casual and experienced, ready to give you a detail to all that is planned on the menu. The unassuming chef, is sure to impress you with the finger licking food that he dishes out. With his international exposure, eye for detail and his magic with his own combinations and secret ingredients, I have never left Firehouse disappointed with the yum in my tum. With the sizeable potions, there will always be a price tag to it, but you will see value in that tag. You get a platter of variety all under one roof from continental to oriental, or the charm of some Coorg specialities which is a hot favorite here. Confused with the variety, well they are good at it all, just take the help of the team and they will help you with all that your taste buds are craving for. I am a teetotaler so not the right one to endorse all that is high and wonderful, but with everyone who has accompanied me, they are have been thrilled with all that is to offer. You will find me happy sipping on that fabulous Fresh Lime Soda, and eating sinfully as I plunge into the depth of cheese in that indulgent Fish bake while my kids binge the French fries and Pizza - yes there is Pizza too, that is very child friendly. The bacon wrapped prawns or the oriental fare is the hubby’s favorite order. While I can go on about the many dishes that keep me tingled, it may consume all my words too.

As mums we often look for quick respites and to be able to let our hair down with a ladies night seemed like the perfect answer. We need that dash of madness and uninterrupted fun to recharge us. With proximity, everyone was thrilled and with the joy of fabulous English and Hindi music, we numbed our feet as we danced to every number that played and sipped on the fabulous cocktails and mocktails on offer. Yes you read me right, Firehouse has these fun nights planned during the week that keeps you looking for more, whether it is ladies nights on Wednesdays (Bollywood nights), Corporate nights on Mondays, Karaoke nights (or Kroke nights) on Fridays, Jive nights on Saturdays, there is always something for everyone to eat, drink, dance, sing or even learn. All these at fabulous prices and offers. While these are the days of the week, keep a look out for festivals, celebrations, when DJ’s visit, spin what they mix and Firehouse works its magic. If you have a game to catch make sure to feel the pulse of the large screen as Firehouse gives you the excitement of it all. With new management steering the reigns I hear value Sunday brunches and all inclusive meals should be on their patrons’ checklist.

I am swooned by all that they have to offer. Like every place, they have their hiccups, but they are willing to learn from patient feedback. They will make their mistakes and that’s what keeps them real. They are giving their might and are shaping what best they can. They have plans to revive, renew, refresh and recreate all that is there, with a vision that has set their minds on hospitality. I am no food critic, nor a restaurant reviewer. I write with my heart, when the stomach is content and the mind is calm. My note here will gather you no discounts, nor will it help if you take my name. But a snapshot of vibrance in that space, will tell you more than I have written here. So check it out yourselves - you may like it or may not, but you will get an idea about what I like. Have fun and write in when you do make your visit there. Make it quick cause I read they are part of the Dineout Great Indian Restaurant festival or just plan that memorable Valentine’s day with food, drinks, luck draws and prizes to be won there, and we might just bump into each other! See you soon!

In sadness we still have to speak..

I stood there looking at him. He wasn’t aware I was there. The sounds of the ICU, the sight of a ventilator made my heart sink as memories came back. In a sorry moment I knew how he felt. The doctors were struggling to keep that monitor ticking. They tried but without much hope. He was calm but tired. He had blessed us with his presence for 80 plus years and now it was time to go to a better place. The family had gathered.. everyone assuring each other with theories of peaceful death and no suffering. As I paced, my eyes glanced my 2 nephews and 1 niece who waited there. They were waiting to say goodbye to their grandfather – their loving thathu. One was old enough to understand and reason, other was too young to comprehend. But the 7 year old gripped my heart as I saw him stand by the window in silence. His mother stood by him, perhaps not sure what were the right words. I was told he was in silence through the day. He is our bundle of sweet energy who has been my best guest too. He dotes with relationships and that was his day of grief. His attachment to his grandpa was visible.. tears silently trickled down his cheeks while he controlled to wipe them off.

The man who left us was an uncle, husband to an aunt, father to his sons, and a doting grandfather to 3 grandkids. Its not his accomplishments that brought those tears, it’s the human being that he is that gathered everyone there with so much respect. A fine gentleman, few words to say, but never to politicize. He was affectionate and had no room to judge anyone. Exemplary health record, an example for many in our generation. But his certificate of character is best endorsed by these grandkids, who are the best judges of good people. They had not just lost a grandfather, but a best friend too. My heart sank, as I watched my nephew. He had to be spoken to, explained and assured, as I believe that silence is often ignored as adults swim in their own emotions of loss. 

My parenting technique is not perfect, but I have just one theory. My girls and I speak our hearts out on anything. My belief is that, they can be a part of birth and death to experience all emotions attached to it. That will keep them real and make them better rounded people. Kids these days understand more than a lot of adults so discounting their emotions is pure ignorance. On matters of death I wish upon a star to guide them always..the way they understand that my father, brother have all become stars to me and watch me every night. They understand me, and every matter brings more questions, but they learn as they go. Elders opine I give too much information, but this clarity has given me a relationship of equals and for life.

Talking to my daughters about relationships and loss of people they have not been entirely attached to, was mighty easy. But today, I was silenced with the confusion of talking to a heartbroken grandson, who needed some answer for where his ‘thathu’ was going and why. As I held him tight, and explained how his thathu was becoming a star and how he had to write to God to look after him. I cited my losses, through my life and gave my reasons to it. I spoke of memories that I remember and how I channel them. He listened intently and nodded with every question and then I suddenly felt a loud outburst as he broke down in a true childlike cry. Watching him, it was hard to hold that tear back, but I was relieved he did not hold on any longer. We spoke a while and I realized as I struggled to say anything convincing, I had already said what mattered to him. After a while, he went home – hopefully to make that card that will go with his thathu for God.

I write this today, to remind my friends who are fabulous parents and grand parents. Our biggest accomplishments will be in the eyes of our kids and grand kids. So make it count. While losses are inevitable, speak to them like there is no tomorrow. They have confusion, sadness, anger all at once. They never know how to deal with that. They might play and spike in naughtiness the next minute but don’t imagine their heart was not touched. They are impressionable, so make the right impression, cause that’s the honest one.

So here's to my cousins who will continue to give the kids the best memories and keep the thathu happiness always alive. Here's to my aunt, who will feel the loss the most, but will find ways to understand it and smile in comfort. With all my love, strength and wishes of optimism.

Thoughts on Republic Day!

One nation. One vision. One identity.
No nation is perfect. It needs to be made perfect.
- MK Gandhi

Its one day for independence and other to mark a document. Well, the way I see this, it’s all year round marking India’s democracy and what we must actually stand for – integrity, respect, safety, progress, value system, culture, thought leaders and more. Generations have seen different variations of India shining and with every passing year we hope for a better tomorrow.

While progress has been remarkable, mindsets are yet to be impacted. The never ending debate over safety continues, but still the pride with which we stand for the national anthem gleaming at the tri colors of our national flag is remarkable. There is simplicity yet there is advancement. There is modern yet there is tradition. There are western influences yet there is culture. There are complaints, yet there is pride. There is interest, yet there is initiative. We are made for India, so let’s make more in India. We make our own benchmarks, so let’s be true aspirations. We have our shortfalls, but we are willing to learn. We make corrections slowly, but there is humility to do that. We are building a tomorrow for our kids, but we love the today we are basking in. We continue to point fingers, but we also pat in admiration. We are defined strongly with corruption, but we are admired for our warmth and hospitality.

Our generation has seen the blend of modern and tradition – the weave that we string with dedication. We have a history that keeps us grateful and grounded. We have a future that keeps us hopeful. We have a culture of togetherness, traditions that speak a 1000 words and the creativity that brings passion to life.

On this republic day, may we continue to shine in India, for India, like India, hope for India and cheer for India! So let’s fearlessly make the change, in the words of MK Gandhi, “This nation will remain the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

Happy Republic Day!