Our visits to the black box VR mall have been predominantly for the happy hours at Irish House. On one such visit, we were super thrilled to see a Nasi and Mee ‘coming soon’ sign right next door. We’d been really happy with its Koramangala version. But for the longest while, the sign was all there was, and we had given up! On the 1st of April, we decided that it was as good a day as any to check if we’d continue to get fooled. But voila, it was open, with the familiar Edison lamps (though every restaurant now sees it as the passport to coolth!) no-nonsense seating, and those shutters that remind me of a place from long, long ago.
Since we were early, we easily found a seat, especially since we chose to sit in the alfresco section. I don’t think they’ve publicised the place much, since it wasn’t really fully occupied even when we left around 9. A far cry from the Koramangala version, which would’ve had a crowd waiting outside for a table!
We briefly flirted with the idea of the opening special soup – Winter melon chicken – but quickly went back to our favourite Tom Kha soon as we heard that the former was a clear soup. The Tom Kha continued to be its fantastic self, Nasi and Mee had done justice to it earlier as well. The entire thought of dropping in here specifically was because our taste buds were still finding their way out of an infection and we needed some extra spicy stuff to wake it! The Szechuan Chilli dumpling fit the bill and delivered with some excellent spice and superb texture that’s radically different from the standard momo filling. I happily ordered the Spicy Sambal Chicken, remembering an old incident in Dirty Duck, Ubud, where my sinuses and its suburbs were all unclogged thanks to me slurping sambal by mistake! The chicken was well cooked and the spicy sambal marinade was excellent!
The spice levels were such that I decided to ask for a Chendol before schedule! Nasi and Mee continue to serve the best Chendol I’ve had since the first time in Bali 5 years ago! D had earlier asked for an A-B-C juice (apple, beetroot, carrot) which, with a slight ginger flavour, she found quite refreshing. For mains, we agreed on a Mamak Mee Goreng after much debate. The stir fried spicy noodle Malaysian preparation had tofu and chicken, and some superb sambal that complemented it very well. We’d have liked to try the Chocolate dim sum but were too stuffed. But this is close enough for us to easily make several repeat visits. Yay!
All of that came to a little less than Rs.1550, and absolutely worth it. The service was friendly, cheerful and eager to help. The ambiance is quieter than what they have in Koramangala, and the crowd is slightly older. Not that I am complaining! I really like the food they serve, and for the second time, they didn’t disappoint.
Nasi and Mee, 1B, 3rd Floor, VR Mall, Mahadevapura, Whitefield. Ph: 7338364422