You know how there are some restaurants which have a very inviting exterior, but yet you have this unsure feeling of what you will get when you step inside? Well Babettes is one such of Bangalore's restaurants. It has a very inviting exterior which finally managed to lure us in. Babettes is attached to Aspasia, a hotel. Surprising enough, you can park in the lot if you want to visit the hotel, but there is absolutely no parking provision for those who may want to visit the restaurant. In fact the security personnel standing at Aspasia's gate seemed a bit confused when I mentioned that we were headed to Babettes, more like he wasn't sure what Babettes was. Only when I pointed to the restaurant next to him did he tell us to find parking across the street.

Okay, so parking done, we entered the restaurant. It has two seating areas, a seemingly outdoors one and a fully carpeted Tudor styled interior. The designated spot for the host was vacant and we suddenly unsure of whether the restaurant was open or not. A steward came running out and escorted us inside. Once inside, you feel like you are in a really long English study room. We were seated at a nice corner spot with a full view of the restaurant. Overall the place looks pleasant, but if you look closely, you will find bits of peeling paint and patches on the carpet. Tiny signs of the restaurant not being cared for.

Anyways now for the food - the cuisine here is primarily European. However, it also combines another restaurant titled Fujiyama which serves Japanese food. While the Japanese menu was a nice leather bound one, the European menu was printed on white paper and the one I was given had been used as a scribble pad to note down someone's phone number!!!

We can't resist sushi and so decided to go Japanese to begin with and then have continental main courses. We had the Tai Maki which was described as vinaigrette rice and red snapper fish rolled in nori. For the Rs 350 that it cost for this dish, the portion was fairly decent. The wasabi packed the punch and the pickled ginger served with it was good.

Anoushka was happy with a plate of french fries and some chicken nuggets. The french fries felt quite the packaged variety. The chicken nuggets was the other way round. Fresh chicken had been pounded, shaped into nuggets and crumb fried. Pleasant.

Main courses next - Sudhakar decided to have the Herb Crusted Roast Chicken with Thyme Jus. We expected the chicken to be breast fillets, but what came was three chicken legs, crumb fried and dusted with something powdery that I cannot put my finger on. A few steamed vegetables on the side and the dish was complete. While the taste was not exceptional, it was definitely not bad either. Would have appreciated something boneless though.

I had the Spaghetti Carbonara which they told me was done in pork here. Fair enough, bring it on. The dish that came was good quantity of spaghetti covered with creamy carbonara sauce, lots of bits of ham and a direct-ticket-to-heaven's gate worth of parmesan cheese shavings on top. The dish was really really good, but impossible to finish.

We were too full for dessert and the choice was not too appealing either. A meal here is pretty expensive considering that this meal came to Rs 1500 with any beverages. But since we were Dine Club members (click on the widget for details) or here (the offer though has expired). Babettes offers a flat 50 % percent discount on the bill and so we left paying around Rs 800 including VAT, which was fairly decent. I wouldn't say that this place is an absolute must-visit, but it is worth it at a discounted price and when you need a bit of peace and quiet when you eat. Loos are clean and the service is fairly quick and efficient.