New Cocktails at LikeThatOnly, Bangalore

Are you in mood for some cocktails?

Walk into a pub or a bar; look up their menu or ask the bartender for recommendations on cocktails and you will be given an array of options which include the likes of Mojitos, Bloody Mary, margaritas, martinis, Mai Tai, variations of island ice teas etc.

Cocktail Lovers, “bored of these; aren’t we?” Don’t we need some innovation on the drinks being sent out of the bar just as we see in the food being sent out of the kitchens?

Well, then how about going to a place that is really willing to innovate and stir up with some really fabulous, interesting and exciting new concoctions?

A place does exist… You don’t believe me? Okay, let me tell you “don’t be surprised if you are recommended ‘Misty Morning’ or ‘LTO Tom Yum’ or ‘The Bath Tub Special’ and so on. You still don’t believe me? Then, read on -

‘LikeThatOnly’ – the fun Asian Bar and Restaurant in Whitefield is known to focus on innovation right from its kitchen to behind its bar counter. Comes as no surprise, ‘LikeThatOnly’ recently introduced some signature and luxury cocktails to their already innovative cocktail menu. I was really excited to receive an invitation to the sun downer preview of the new cocktail and short eats menu.

Flight of Cocktails

If I was asked at the end of the cocktail tasting session I wouldn't have been able to give an answer to - “How many cocktails did I try that evening?” But now, I’m sober and say, “It was 7 new tantalizing cocktail concoctions.” An evening that involved a lot of drinking started on a note (well, not literally) which I noticed on a glass coaster ‘Enjoy Responsibly’

Actually, we started on a sweet note with ‘Misty Morning’ our first cocktail for the evening stirred up. It is a vodka based drink with lychee giving it the prime flavor and a hint of flavor from the rose petals. If you like sweet cocktails then this has to be your drink. To me, it wouldn't be my first choice.

Some of the crowd favorites that evening were the ‘Grape and Goat Cheese Martini’, ‘The Bath Tub Special’ and ‘LTO Tom Yum’.

Yes, ‘Grape and Goat Cheese Martini’ – again a vodka based drink (not gin) which involved the use of wine infused grapes and goat cheese as its ingredients. This was served to us in a martini glass with a swirl of goat cheese on its interiors. I loved this concoction not only for its flavor and balance but also the creamy texture of the drink; thanks to the goat cheese.

‘The Bath Tub Special’ captured special attention. This was a really refreshing cocktail made with gin, cucumber and orange at the heart of its concoction. A sip of this and I could only recollect an age old idiom ‘cool as a cucumber’.

Now this is another example that just reemphasizes the importance of innovation from behind the bar counter at LTO. It has to be the ‘LTO Tom Yum’. Yes, ‘Tom Yum’ but not the soup, it’s a vodka based cocktail shaken with fresh pomegranate and tamarind. Now why the name – ‘Tom Yum’? Well, that’s because of the secret infusion in the vodka that I’m not sure if I can let out.

While the above qualify as my favorites, the ‘Basil Bliss’ and ‘LTO House Passion’ didn’t fail to please at all. ‘Basil Bliss’ is a rum based cocktail which is shaken with fresh pineapple, sweet and sour mix and as the name suggests; basil. This cocktail has a mild flavor and is very easy on the palate.

‘LTO House Passion’ gets its name from the use of passion fruit that is grown in the garden at ‘LikeThatOnly’. So yes, this mix is a fruity drink with fresh watermelon and passion fruit shaken with vodka. Unlike ‘Basil Bliss’; this drink had a really strong flavor of the passion fruit which tasted good but seemed like an overdose over the course of the drink.

A perfect end to a food course is usually a dessert. Likewise, ‘Muddy River’ which I’d classify as a desert cocktail was served to us. It came as a glass nearly filled with crushed ice, Kahlua and Baileys poured over it, then topped with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream and finally with a drizzle of chocolate shaving. I love coffee and needless to say, I so loved this drink too.

Short Eats

One way to ‘Enjoy Responsibly’ is to eat well before and while you drink. It is said, “One tends to drink less with distractions like food, games, etc.”

We were served an array of short eats from their menu. Here is a pictorial review of some of the food dishes that I absolutely loved –

Spicy Lamb Bao - A perfect balance of spicy lamb filling in a mildly sweet casing of steamed bun

Pork Belly on Skewers - Deliciousness on a stick

Stuffed Mushroom Oshitashi

Coconut Prawns in Spicy Mayo - Lovely medley of textures from the crunchy coconut, fresh prawns & the creamy mayo

The other dish that I absolutely loved and couldn't resist myself from was the fried crispy squid; so much so that I do not even have a picture to share.

Events & Offers

There are a plenty for those who believe in work hard and play hard. How? Every evening, between 5PM and 8PM you can head to ‘LikeThatOnly’ for ‘Second Shift’ to enjoy innovative concoctions at special discounts.

Also, the weekends get even closer with the I’LTO – ‘I’LikeThursdayOnly’ every Thursday, from 7 to 11:30 PM.  It’s a time when cocktail lovers can sip and enjoy the classic and innovative cocktails and the new short eats menu in the company of signature music from the 80’s.

Address: #14/31A, Hagadur Road, Whitefield, Bangalore 560066
Landmark: Behind Forum Value Mall

Phone Number: +91 80 6547 5610