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Citrus Trail: A Beautiful Escape, But Does the Food Live Up to the Setting?

Every once in a while, you need to get away from the city without actually going too far. A drive through greenery, a quiet property tucked away from the hustle and bustle, and a leisurely meal sound like just the thing. Citrus Trail seemed to tick all these boxes when we decided to visit.

And while the drive and the property certainly had their charms, the food left us wanting more.

Getting There: A Drive Through Greenery

This was kind of a belated anniversary lunch date for us.. I had booked us for a lunch on Sunday 1.30pm… Took us about 45mins to get there.
The drive to Citrus Trail was lovely, taking us through parts of Bannerghatta National Park. There is something about leaving behind the traffic, concrete and general chaos of Bengaluru and finding yourself surrounded by greenery that immediately puts you in a better mood.

That said, the last stretch wasn’t entirely smooth. Some sections of the road were rough, with stretches that hadn’t been properly paved. It wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it is something to keep in mind, especially if you’re expecting a completely comfortable drive all the way to the property.

First Impressions: Green, Inviting and Beautiful

The property made a lovely first impression.

As we walked in, coffee plants flanked either side of a long walkway, creating a rather inviting entrance. The building itself was beautiful and had a welcoming feel to it. There was a sense of space and quiet that felt quite different from the usual city restaurant experience.

Citrus Trail has cottages, a lake and plenty of open space to wander around. We took some time to explore the property, and that turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit.

If you’re looking for a place where you can slow down, take a stroll, enjoy the greenery and simply spend some time away from the city, the setting definitely has its appeal.

The Food: A Mixed Bag

This is where our experience became a little less satisfying.

We started with the appetisers, and thankfully, these were good. The fish and chips were enjoyable, as was the Mangalorean mushroom ghee roast. Both made for a promising start, and we were looking forward to the main course.

Unfortunately, the pizza that followed was a disappointment.

The base was severely undercooked — quite literally just a step away from being raw. When we brought this to the staff’s attention, both a staff member and a senior member of the team came over to explain that cooking it any longer would burn the pizza.

I understand that getting the balance right can sometimes be tricky, but an undercooked pizza isn’t exactly what you expect when ordering one. And being told that cooking it properly would burn it didn’t really resolve the issue.

To their credit, the team offered us a brownie with ice cream as compensation. It was a thoughtful gesture, and we appreciated the attempt to make up for the disappointing main course. However, the experience did leave us wondering why the pizza couldn’t simply have been prepared properly in the first place.

The starters had set our expectations reasonably high, but the main course let the meal down.

The Property: Worth Exploring

After lunch, we walked around the property, and this was perhaps the part of the experience we enjoyed most.

The cottages, the lake and the greenery make Citrus Trail feel like a little retreat away from Bengaluru’s relentless pace. It is quiet, spacious and inviting, with enough room to wander around and soak in the surroundings.

You can imagine spending a relaxed afternoon here, enjoying the natural setting without feeling the need to rush from one activity to another.

The property has potential as a getaway for anyone looking to unwind, particularly if the idea is to spend time outdoors rather than focus entirely on the dining experience.

We wrapped up things and walked to the car, a good km or so, and that is when the partner wanted to use the restroom, only to be told the only options were at the restaurant.
He made the trek to relieve himself while I cooled off in the car. Thought this was weird, cos there were security personnel, and am sure some visitors might want to visit the restroom before or after their visit. Oh well…

So, Would I Recommend Citrus Trail?

Honestly, not really — at least, not if you know your food and are planning a visit primarily for the food. The property is beautiful, the drive is enjoyable for the most part, and the quiet surroundings make it an appealing escape from city life. The starters were good, and the team did attempt to make amends when the pizza disappointed us.

But when you visit a place expecting a good meal alongside a beautiful setting, the food matters. And in our experience, the main course simply didn’t deliver. Sometimes, a beautiful property can make you overlook a few shortcomings. But when the food is a big part of the experience, the setting alone isn’t enough.

My verdict: Visit for the greenery, the quiet and the leisurely stroll. Just keep your expectations in check when it comes to the food. Because a lovely escape deserves a meal that lives up to it.