You wouldnt think from the nondescript arch on a sidewalk behind the Jayanagar Shopping Complex that this is the entrance to the Central Jail Restaurant Bengalureans have been going gaga over on social media.
A series of doodles with stick figures on the wall beside the narrow stairway, with a narrative around how somebody landed up in prison, see you upstairs.
And youre faced with the main entrance, complete with bars and all, beside which stands a mannequin in a prison inmates garb with a slate-sign that reads, 'Welcome to Central Jail'. Diners awaiting tables or their order to arrive come outside and click selfies with the man who, a co-founder of the partnership that runs the restaurant jests, "is so many people's boyfriend". Inside the rather dimly-lit interior, you find a photo corner of sorts, with a height scale, a cop's hat and stick — though this is less popular with selfie takers.
However, other elements vie for your attention: policemen-waiters taking down orders, with people dressed as jailers serving customers; some jail-cabins that are apparently hard to get reservations for and the first of which is numbered '420'; and some silhouette wall art right at the back. Quick facts off the internet relating to prisons hang framed on the walls. The music is soft, mostly from the early 2000s, so conversation can take precedence among the largely "family crowd" that throngs the eatery.
The month-old restaurant is counting on its rather unusual concept to draw crowds — yes, it's working — even before it's management has finalised the menu.
"This is a temporary one," offers another co-founder. "You can ask for anything on or off it."
The menu, in the co-founders words, is a "mishmash of Chinese, Andhra, North Indian and tandoor" though whether they are authentic fare is another question. The meal opened with a chicken soup, with cabbage and spring onion. This was followed by paneer manchurian with fresh mushrooms and a chicken variant of it. But the starters, even though hot, were lacking in flavour and excessive in oil.
The Indian breads — butter naan and methi roti — are soft and buttery as youd expect them to be, but the gravies fall somewhat short. The chicken in the pale Nizam special gravy is succulent but not very flavourful. The shahi veg, on the other hand, is too salty. The Jail special biryani, the final item in the meal, was by far the best. Lemony pieces of chicken cooked in orange rice (food colour alert!) were layered with boneless chicken. This comes with a vegetable raita. Some even ask for it to be spicier. Others, it seems, are disappointed with the regular cutlery and have been asking to be served in aluminium plates for the 'true jail experience'.
![]( "Out of the box: The restaurant has an interesting ambience based on a prison theme.")
You wouldn't think from the nondescript arch on a sidewalk behind the Jayanagar Shopping Complex that this is the entrance to the Central Jail Restaurant Bengalureans have been going gaga over on social media.
A series of doodles with stick figures on the wall beside the narrow stairway, with a narrative around how somebody landed up in prison, see you upstairs.
And you're faced with the main entrance, complete with bars and all, beside which stands a mannequin in a prison inmate's garb with a slate-sign that reads, 'Welcome to Central Jail’. Diners awaiting tables or their order to arrive come outside and click selfies with the man who, a co-founder of the partnership that runs the restaurant jests, "is so many people’s boyfriend”. Inside the rather dimly-lit interior, you find a photo corner of sorts, with a height scale, a cop’s hat and stick — though this is less popular with selfie takers.
However, other elements vie for your attention: policemen-waiters taking down orders, with people dressed as jailers serving customers; some jail-cabins that are apparently hard to get reservations for and the first of which is numbered '420’; and some silhouette wall art right at the back. Quick facts off the internet relating to prisons hang framed on the walls. The music is soft, mostly from the early 2000s, so conversation can take precedence among the largely "family crowd” that throngs the eatery.
The month-old restaurant is counting on its rather unusual concept to draw crowds — yes, it’s working — even before it’s management has finalised the menu.
"This is a temporary one,” offers another co-founder. "You can ask for anything on or off it.”
The menu, in the co-founder's words, is a "mishmash of Chinese, Andhra, North Indian and tandoor” though whether they are authentic fare is another question. The meal opened with a chicken soup, with cabbage and spring onion. This was followed by paneer manchurian with fresh mushrooms and a chicken variant of it. But the starters, even though hot, were lacking in flavour and excessive in oil.
The Indian breads — butter naan and methi roti — are soft and buttery as you'd expect them to be, but the gravies fall somewhat short. The chicken in the pale Nizam special gravy is succulent but not very flavourful. The shahi veg, on the other hand, is too salty. The Jail special biryani, the final item in the meal, was by far the best. Lemony pieces of chicken cooked in orange rice (food colour alert!) were layered with boneless chicken. This comes with a vegetable raita. Some even ask for it to be spicier. Others, it seems, are disappointed with the regular cutlery and have been asking to be served in aluminium plates for the 'true jail experience’.
A series of doodles with stick figures on the wall beside the narrow stairway, with a narrative around how somebody landed up in prison, see you upstairs.
And youre faced with the main entrance, complete with bars and all, beside which stands a mannequin in a prison inmates garb with a slate-sign that reads, 'Welcome to Central Jail'. Diners awaiting tables or their order to arrive come outside and click selfies with the man who, a co-founder of the partnership that runs the restaurant jests, "is so many people's boyfriend". Inside the rather dimly-lit interior, you find a photo corner of sorts, with a height scale, a cop's hat and stick — though this is less popular with selfie takers.
However, other elements vie for your attention: policemen-waiters taking down orders, with people dressed as jailers serving customers; some jail-cabins that are apparently hard to get reservations for and the first of which is numbered '420'; and some silhouette wall art right at the back. Quick facts off the internet relating to prisons hang framed on the walls. The music is soft, mostly from the early 2000s, so conversation can take precedence among the largely "family crowd" that throngs the eatery.
The month-old restaurant is counting on its rather unusual concept to draw crowds — yes, it's working — even before it's management has finalised the menu.
"This is a temporary one," offers another co-founder. "You can ask for anything on or off it."
The menu, in the co-founders words, is a "mishmash of Chinese, Andhra, North Indian and tandoor" though whether they are authentic fare is another question. The meal opened with a chicken soup, with cabbage and spring onion. This was followed by paneer manchurian with fresh mushrooms and a chicken variant of it. But the starters, even though hot, were lacking in flavour and excessive in oil.
The Indian breads — butter naan and methi roti — are soft and buttery as youd expect them to be, but the gravies fall somewhat short. The chicken in the pale Nizam special gravy is succulent but not very flavourful. The shahi veg, on the other hand, is too salty. The Jail special biryani, the final item in the meal, was by far the best. Lemony pieces of chicken cooked in orange rice (food colour alert!) were layered with boneless chicken. This comes with a vegetable raita. Some even ask for it to be spicier. Others, it seems, are disappointed with the regular cutlery and have been asking to be served in aluminium plates for the 'true jail experience'.
You wouldn't think from the nondescript arch on a sidewalk behind the Jayanagar Shopping Complex that this is the entrance to the Central Jail Restaurant Bengalureans have been going gaga over on social media.A series of doodles with stick figures on the wall beside the narrow stairway, with a narrative around how somebody landed up in prison, see you upstairs.
And you're faced with the main entrance, complete with bars and all, beside which stands a mannequin in a prison inmate's garb with a slate-sign that reads, 'Welcome to Central Jail’. Diners awaiting tables or their order to arrive come outside and click selfies with the man who, a co-founder of the partnership that runs the restaurant jests, "is so many people’s boyfriend”. Inside the rather dimly-lit interior, you find a photo corner of sorts, with a height scale, a cop’s hat and stick — though this is less popular with selfie takers.
However, other elements vie for your attention: policemen-waiters taking down orders, with people dressed as jailers serving customers; some jail-cabins that are apparently hard to get reservations for and the first of which is numbered '420’; and some silhouette wall art right at the back. Quick facts off the internet relating to prisons hang framed on the walls. The music is soft, mostly from the early 2000s, so conversation can take precedence among the largely "family crowd” that throngs the eatery.
The month-old restaurant is counting on its rather unusual concept to draw crowds — yes, it’s working — even before it’s management has finalised the menu.
"This is a temporary one,” offers another co-founder. "You can ask for anything on or off it.”
The menu, in the co-founder's words, is a "mishmash of Chinese, Andhra, North Indian and tandoor” though whether they are authentic fare is another question. The meal opened with a chicken soup, with cabbage and spring onion. This was followed by paneer manchurian with fresh mushrooms and a chicken variant of it. But the starters, even though hot, were lacking in flavour and excessive in oil.
The Indian breads — butter naan and methi roti — are soft and buttery as you'd expect them to be, but the gravies fall somewhat short. The chicken in the pale Nizam special gravy is succulent but not very flavourful. The shahi veg, on the other hand, is too salty. The Jail special biryani, the final item in the meal, was by far the best. Lemony pieces of chicken cooked in orange rice (food colour alert!) were layered with boneless chicken. This comes with a vegetable raita. Some even ask for it to be spicier. Others, it seems, are disappointed with the regular cutlery and have been asking to be served in aluminium plates for the 'true jail experience’.