Modern Thai food and clever cocktails at Sama in Bengaluru

Sama, a new cocktail bar in Ulsoor, gets its name from the phrase “Samavaagidiya nodu?” meaning, “Check if it is equal?”, something said while pouring and sharing drinks. The bar is trying to capture this ethos of Bengaluru’s drinking culture, but in a chic modern avatar. It is founded by Pratheek Reddy from Leela Hospitality, the people behind the Mexican restaurant Comal. The menu has Thai small and large plates, and an innovative cocktail menu, that has been created in partnership with Cat Bite Club. The Singapore-based bar ranks at number 55 on the list of the World’s Best Bars.

Sama is located on Ulsoor Road, the relatively quiet street parallel to MG Road. On the first floor of a nondescript building, the bar is dimly lit with red accents and plush interiors. There is an outside area, which is more laid-back.

Chilli On Tincture cocktail
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Special arrangement

The cocktails

Sami Terki, the bar manager, is a consultant at the Cat Bite Club in Singapore. The cocktails at Sama blend unique ingredients with technique. Just poring over the cocktail menu, I see ingredients like apricot brandy, makrut leaf or Thai lime leaf, and toasted almonds.

I have a Chilli On. The drink has tequila, mezcal, watermelon shrub, sherry, chilli and saline. It is fruity, and if you want it spicier, it comes with a vial of chilli oil to add. My friend has Last Drop, their take on the Negroni. Whisky, vermouth, sherry, cointreau, bitters and burnt sugar. This one is potent.

We share the Velvet Eclipse, made with dark rum, jaggery, espresso and coconut foam. Sami tells us he wanted to keep it dairy free, so decided to make it with coconut milk rather than cream. The warm drink is like a creamier espresso martini. But have it quick, as it got bitter as we let it sit for a while.

Grilled eggplant
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Special arrangement

The food

The food menu, inspired by holidays and travels, has Thai forward dishes. The kra-pao potato chips are local wafer style chips, but tossed in a chilli and Thai basil coating. These disappear from the table very fast!

Asparagus and tofu is an east-meets-west dish. The silken soft tofu and grilled asparagus have Asian notes but served on top of Swiss Belper Knolle cheese. The dish is creamy, and the asparagus has a bite to it.

The pomelo salad is a winner. The citrus is tossed with young coconut bits, yuzu and crunchy averebele. The Penang chicken skewers are juicy and coated in a peanut and coconut curry marinate.

Sama in Ulsoor, Bengaluru
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Special arrangement

The small plates are the highlights, but they have a short main course section too. With two options — dirty fried rice, and wok tossed noodles. I have never been able to choose between rice or noodles, so naturally we get both. The rice hits the spot after the cocktails. Thai basil, bok choy and morning glory shoots flavour the jasmine rice. The Thai noodles are tossed with greens and peanuts, and are moreish.

We skip the dessert, but they have a few options from Maki Patisserie.

Although positioned as a take on old local bars of Bengaluru, I find Sama more innovative and cutting edge than that. I love a short menu that keeps it focus to one thing and does it well, in this case its Thai bar bites.

₹2,800 for two. At Ulsoor. Open 7 pm onwards. For more details, call 8904841477