Tomatina, is a newly opened multi cuisine vegetarian restaurant at HSR Layout. As the name suggests, red predominates the colour scheme of the interiors and ‘tomato' is used in almost every delicacy. The ambience has a touch of countryside charm and there is terrace seating too.

Tomato dhaniya shorba, tomatina. Pic: Nagashree Gururaj

"The restaurant specialises in Jain food, Tandoor and continental food", says Shivaram Nataraju, 31, Assistant manager. He also adds that the chefs are from the Maldives.

The menu offers sizzlers (Rs 200-400), continental food, north Indian food and salads; it also has soups served chilled - like tomato gasparchio, carrot soup and more. Liquor is not served. Cost: About Rs 1000 for two.

Tomatina, 2631, 27th main, 1st sector, HSR Layout. Ph: 080 42420606

Litti-chokha, chilli pepper. Pic: Nagashree Gururaj

Chilli Pepper in Kormangala is just three months old, offering authentic Bihari cuisine. "The place is famous for its unique bihari dishes like litti choka with chicken curry or mutton curry", says Chanchal Banerjee, 28, manager.

Another specialty is sattu lassi. Sattu is a kind of channa which is powdered and used as a masala in the lassi and is available only in Bihar, he adds.

The menu ranges from Bihari food to coastal (fish and prawn) to desserts and coolers. Cost: About Rs 1000-Rs 1500 for two.

Chilli Pepper, 80 feet road, 17th D main, 6th block, Koramangala. Ph: 9379441899