Hype, Shangri-La’s Glamorous Rooftop Bar

Hype, Shangri-La’s Glamorous Rooftop Bar

It’s the year 2016, and along with noticing a major shift in food trends, audience engagement and preferences are beginning to evolve as well. With the middle class moving up in economic strata and their global exposure making them more open to experiment with food, our beloved city is certainly undergoing a food revolution. The fares have gotten more tailored and up-beat, with in-house breweries and signature cocktails becoming synonymous to a space. Décor has transformed as well, with more attention being given to ambience and the mood. Standing out is key in a space like this, and that is where Shangri-la’s ‘Hype’ comes in.

Perched on the roof {19th floor} of the hotel, it offers a split-level deck sprawled over 5220 square feet, that offers a breath-taking 270° panoramic view of the city. With an ultra-chic ambience, vibrant mixologists offering tailor-made innovate cocktails and talented DJs, as well as a comprehensive international wine-by-glass menu and world-class bourbon, and a selection of delectable cuisines from across the globe catering to eclectic tastes of guests coupled with seamless service ~ Hype is the new glamorous spot for Bangalore’s iconic social scene!

My evening “experiencing” Hype started with their heady cocktail selections, and listed here are some of my favourites:

Cocktail Her Hype
Vodka with Chenin blanc, fresh cucumber and basil, lemonade, and homemade chamomile syrup.

Cocktail His Hype
Deep, savoury, rich Bourbon portion with coffee along with orange bitter, chocolate bitter and clouds smoky maple syrup.

Cocktail Flirty Tea
Gin shaken with homemade peppermint tea syrup and fresh lime juice, topped with ginger ale.

Cocktail Asian Mist
Blissed out kaffir lime and rum along with pineapple juice, sugar syrup, and fresh citrus flirting with your senses.

Moving on to the hors d’oeuvres:

Hype Fingers

Poutine to Hype About: Canadian Origin Parma Ham & Manchengo Cheese

French fries baked with manchengo cheese sauce and BBQ sauce, served with parma ham and a syringe shot of yellow mustard sauce. Parma ham is one more name for Proscuitto {which is, of course, a famous smoked meat}. It has a more intricate flavour than smoked ham and I believe is somewhat saltier. Manchego is a well-known Spanish semi-firm cheese of a creamy and slightly nutty taste. It pairs really well with the saltiness of the ham and is a nice change from the standard Parmesan cheese alternative. I rather enjoy balancing the sweet & salty, sour & bitter flavours in a dish, and this one was a charm ~ quirky presentation with a delightful taste!

Deep-Fried Tortellini served with Spicy Marinara Sauce

One thing that I adore about pasta is the adaptability of making it into whatever sort of dish you want; especially one you can really have a lot of fun with. Tortellini has dependably been my go-to pasta for me whenever I am looking for something quick and easy, yet delicious. The deep-fried Tortellini served at Hype has a stuffing prepared with spinach, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. It is served with marinara sauce {tomato, onion, garlic, basil}. For anyone who has eaten a half-decent Tortellini in their lives ~ you know this was exceptional!

Salmon Nigiri with Aburi & Japanese Mayonnaise

Norwegian salmon slices topped up with vinegared koshihikari rice, formed into a type of oblong ball, garnished with spring onion and a dot of mayonnaise. Served with wasabi mayonnaise {to add some zing, but you don’t have to if you are not a fan of pungent wasabi}. For me, the raw salmon had magically been transformed into this melt-in-your-mouth delicacy. Fortunately or unfortunately I now crave this sushi periodically…

Made in Hype from the Tandoor

Vegetarians will love this dish. Button mushrooms cooked in a tandoor {a clay oven} stuffed with cheddar cheese, coriander, ginger, chillies, and a healthy sprinkling of chat masala. Served with mint chutney {mint, coriander, green chillies, garlic, ginger, raw mango, lemon juice} and a side of salad {cucumber, tomato, bell peppers and lettuce} ~ its creamy goodness in every bite!

Chettinad Spiced Baby Potatoes

Chettinad spice {dry coconut, red chilli, coriander powder, cloves cinnamon, black pepper, curry leaf, turmeric} marinated potato served with mint chutney {mint, coriander, green chillies, garlic, ginger, raw mango, lemon juice}, and a side salad {onion, cucumber, tomato, bell peppers & lettuce}. Indian style baby potatoes prepared crispy on the outside and soft on the inside ~ fresh, flavourful and delicious!

Char-Grilled Cottage Cheese Spiced with Harissa

Paneer {Cottage cheese} marinated in Harissa spice {red bell pepper, red chilli whole, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic, lemon juice} and cooked in a tandoor oven. Served with mint chutney and a side salad. This dish will unquestionably satisfy your cheese cravings while also allowing a mild spike in your cholesterol levels… But then, who’s worried about little things like that?!

Buns

Chicken Shawarma Burger with Tahini Sauce

This was an intriguing order… However, the flavours work so well, that it has made me a fan of Chef Rounak Kinger! There are several eateries today where gourmet specialists play an important part in welcoming guests, interacting with them, finding out their tastes and preferences, and making them feel at home ~ Hype is one such.

Chicken marinated in shawarma spice {cumin, coriander, garlic, paprika, turmeric, cloves, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon} cooked to perfection, and served in a white sesame burger bun with a side of tahini sauce {tahini (sesame) paste, hung yogurt, mint leaves, coriander leaves, garlic paste & olive oil.}. The dish is served with Red fries, which are coloured naturally with beetroot.

Hype Vada Pav

This vegetarian fast food native to Maharashtra is a simple dish involving a deep-fried potato patty {prepared with mashed potatoes, cumin seeds, curry leaves, turmeric powder, green chillies & garlic} with coriander leaves and spices. Only, the Hype creation is served with a twist. The unique vada pav has pav stuffed inside the vada, deep-fried and sprinkled with mint and sweet chutney. Too much of a good thing can be bad, you say? Nah, in this case, it was awesome!

Dessert

Chocolate Crème spread with Cinnamon Brioche

Beautiful, authentic butter-toasted cinnamon brioche fingers served with a sinful, delicious hazelnut and chocolate spread on side ~ what is to not love?! And when it is presented with a big, big jar of chocolate spread, it makes the experience of eating this exquisite dessert all the more divine.

New York Cheesecake

The Lemon cheesecake topped with macaroons, and a splash of raspberry, chocolate & vanilla sauce was almost too pretty to eat. One of Hype’s most sought-after desserts, this sinful and delightful dish will please your palate as much as the presentation will have you going for it again & again! Wonderful plating is half the battle won, for a chef. When a dish wins you over with its looks, it does not take you long to fall in love with it taste-wise, as well.

Antonio Tardi, Executive Chef at Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru, brings with him over two decades of culinary experience in five-star hotels and luxury hotels.

To conclude: Generous portions notwithstanding, Hype, Shangri-La’s Glamorous Rooftop Bar with signature cocktails and deep-fried goodies gets my thumbs up!

Hype operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 5 pm ~ 11 pm
Friday to Sunday: 5 pm ~ 1 am

Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from Shangri-La, Bengaluru. Due judgment and care have been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review.