I have just returned and am looking forward to the restful night ahead. Life has seemed a bustle today... I've felt like I was in the thick of a swarm of bees rushing hive-ward... not necessarily pleasant... it could have been a lot worse... and everything around me was positively humming with activity!
Lunch was a double dhamaka- with rotis and my chicken sukka (it was really very good!) followed by the burra kebabs from Treat, biryani from Plantain Leaf and black forest cake from Cake Walk- in honour of the "pri-ji's birthday". The biryani was eminently missable- with large chunks of half cooked mutton and mildly flavored rice. Chef distastefully swallowed a few mouthfuls- and graciously offered to finish up with the starters. The burra kabab from Treat was a treat... and I swiped a couple of chunks of the paneer too.
The venue was Pista and Navs newly done up flat at Thippasandra. Ethnic artifacts and decor were complimented by (she was right- it really is!) a bright red wall. The space was airy and the lot of us did crowd it up a bit... but then there was a lot of us there! By the time we arrived with the cake the party was in full swing and everybody was looking (and sounding) positively happy. We rushed through lunch and the cake as I had loads of other things to catch up with later...
All in all the company made lunch tolerable.
Back home food was really the last thing on my mind... However, I had a dinner invite at Rose- something I should have looked forward to all day if I had enough time to think about it!
Veg pulao- mum ish-tyle... chicken curry in a peppery onion gravy, yummy fish cutlets, date and lime pickle (the fresh dates...), the flat pale green beans poriyal (uncle said it was seasonal), mixed veg sambar... all in all a delightful home cooked meal! Right in the middle of it all I had a call from the office (strange for a weekend!)... and I was distracted through the after dinner conversation over a fresh fruit trifle... aunty 's fish cutlet wa slght and fluffy- definitely something I need to learn from her!
And now... finally... home... and tucking in!
Showing posts with label restaurant review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant review. Show all posts
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
On coming of age
My culinary journeys today have led me to the firm belief that eating out in general, and the food industry in Bangalore in particular, has come of age.
I can see some heads nodding sagely- or is that just the last bit of energy expended nodding in satiety? I wonder...
I ate at two restaurants today that are perhaps the epitome of what the catering industry would term super specialty niche eateries.
At one end of Banaglore, in a relatively green and airy neighbourhood, at the end of a yet to be tarred road, nestles Kanua. Currently housing/ hosting a family of raucous mynahs, this eatery brings together the old world charm of an informal setting with an almost homely feel and, the fine dining experience that one has come to expect of any new world eatery.
The Mangalorean food is a treat for the senses. However, the food I would recommend is the chicken- and NOT the fish! The ghee roast was visually a rich red- but surprisingly mild, perhaps in honour of the almost permanent set of expatriates I have found there. Alcohol is not on the menu- this being probably one of the reasons why this eatery seems to always have a table at hand. Texturally I have found the food here superb- every dish having been seasoned exactly right. The odor of the crisp curry leaves and the spluttered mustard with the crisp red chilli waft tantalisingly in the air every few minutes. Visually every plateful seems a treat... although the ghee could seem overpowering to more conservative souls. The flavors could improve. The fish is surprisingly bland- with the batter fried dishes I have tasted offering you a perfect experience of the crisp shell and soft innards you mght have learnt to expect only from the most experienced hands. The chicken biryani is clearly the south indian version- and the flavors are well balanced. The desserts have left me dissatisfied... the ghee fried banana fritters winning hands down in this area. They offer sugarcane juice- a definite must do!
The other eatery I visited today was the South Indies. A tad disappointing in that they seemed to be running a full house. Surprising that a veg eatery was that full- on a weeknight, as Pads pointed out! A corner table outside was the best they could do at short notice. The ambience again is a smart, fairly up market eatery. We started on a variety of the papads and their three chutneys. The green (my favorite) mint n coriander, a sweetish red onion and the standard white coconut. Lovely! Then came the Kuzhi Paniyarams- soft and fluffy. (Just like what you would get back home, if only mama knew how...) The Vadais followed in quick succession- and I can tell you this is where the regular Vadai eater who is too scared to sample roadside wares will be heading. My stomach was already begging for respite- while Pads was debating on whether we could follow up the main course with dessert. Deferring the decision till post main course, we settled on Mambazham curry and steamed rice. ANd that was where it all ended for me this evening!
Interesting- and definitely inspiring... I am going to be making variations on all of these in the weeks to come. Keep coming back- my recipes shall follow!
I can see some heads nodding sagely- or is that just the last bit of energy expended nodding in satiety? I wonder...
I ate at two restaurants today that are perhaps the epitome of what the catering industry would term super specialty niche eateries.
At one end of Banaglore, in a relatively green and airy neighbourhood, at the end of a yet to be tarred road, nestles Kanua. Currently housing/ hosting a family of raucous mynahs, this eatery brings together the old world charm of an informal setting with an almost homely feel and, the fine dining experience that one has come to expect of any new world eatery.
The Mangalorean food is a treat for the senses. However, the food I would recommend is the chicken- and NOT the fish! The ghee roast was visually a rich red- but surprisingly mild, perhaps in honour of the almost permanent set of expatriates I have found there. Alcohol is not on the menu- this being probably one of the reasons why this eatery seems to always have a table at hand. Texturally I have found the food here superb- every dish having been seasoned exactly right. The odor of the crisp curry leaves and the spluttered mustard with the crisp red chilli waft tantalisingly in the air every few minutes. Visually every plateful seems a treat... although the ghee could seem overpowering to more conservative souls. The flavors could improve. The fish is surprisingly bland- with the batter fried dishes I have tasted offering you a perfect experience of the crisp shell and soft innards you mght have learnt to expect only from the most experienced hands. The chicken biryani is clearly the south indian version- and the flavors are well balanced. The desserts have left me dissatisfied... the ghee fried banana fritters winning hands down in this area. They offer sugarcane juice- a definite must do!
The other eatery I visited today was the South Indies. A tad disappointing in that they seemed to be running a full house. Surprising that a veg eatery was that full- on a weeknight, as Pads pointed out! A corner table outside was the best they could do at short notice. The ambience again is a smart, fairly up market eatery. We started on a variety of the papads and their three chutneys. The green (my favorite) mint n coriander, a sweetish red onion and the standard white coconut. Lovely! Then came the Kuzhi Paniyarams- soft and fluffy. (Just like what you would get back home, if only mama knew how...) The Vadais followed in quick succession- and I can tell you this is where the regular Vadai eater who is too scared to sample roadside wares will be heading. My stomach was already begging for respite- while Pads was debating on whether we could follow up the main course with dessert. Deferring the decision till post main course, we settled on Mambazham curry and steamed rice. ANd that was where it all ended for me this evening!
Interesting- and definitely inspiring... I am going to be making variations on all of these in the weeks to come. Keep coming back- my recipes shall follow!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Of chilly and spice and everything nice...
It seems like it has been aaaaages since i last logged in... I have been in a very different world. Books have been keeping me busy. Not the kind of books I would necessarily recommend though!
Sushi has been on my list of things to do for the last few weeks. And my trusted sushi buddy has not deigned to give me company. Hmmm.. We shall wait! In fact my food buddy has not been willing to go out and forage for a while. Methinks something is amiss!
However, on to more pressing matters.
The most intense power play I have ever been privy to occurred this weekend. My little one year old angel held mum n me enthralled for two days straight- both when she was present and in absentia. She was all we spoke about...
The little miss pointed and we scurried to and fro- literally at her beck and call. Mum missed her afternoon nap- and plodded around- exhausted, but not willing to give up right until the little miss left.
Ah! The vagaries of the young! And she does not even speak intelligibly yet!
The meals at Nandini have oft been recommended to me. I have always come away dissatisfied. I have found that the meals are way too spicy to be considered palatable (forget terms like delicious!). Last week, I discovered the reason why I had such a disparate view. My jaunts had been limited to the "Traditional Andhra" section- which in a way explains the extra dose of chilly. However, having had access to the best of Andhra cuisine in all its furiously spicy glory- I beg to differ on the authenticity of this version. The fare upstairs- for the "normal" Andhra meals was palatable, if undifferentiated. The podi was missing. The gongura pachidi was slightly (strangely) musty. The rest of the fare passed muster. The missing fish fry- my favorite accompaniment to the Andhra meal- was a little disappointing. All in all, a moderate Andhra experience.
Nagarjuna still rules. Bhima's, Maharaja's and Amaravathi stay untainted by the Nandini experience.
Sushi has been on my list of things to do for the last few weeks. And my trusted sushi buddy has not deigned to give me company. Hmmm.. We shall wait! In fact my food buddy has not been willing to go out and forage for a while. Methinks something is amiss!
However, on to more pressing matters.
The most intense power play I have ever been privy to occurred this weekend. My little one year old angel held mum n me enthralled for two days straight- both when she was present and in absentia. She was all we spoke about...
The little miss pointed and we scurried to and fro- literally at her beck and call. Mum missed her afternoon nap- and plodded around- exhausted, but not willing to give up right until the little miss left.
Ah! The vagaries of the young! And she does not even speak intelligibly yet!
The meals at Nandini have oft been recommended to me. I have always come away dissatisfied. I have found that the meals are way too spicy to be considered palatable (forget terms like delicious!). Last week, I discovered the reason why I had such a disparate view. My jaunts had been limited to the "Traditional Andhra" section- which in a way explains the extra dose of chilly. However, having had access to the best of Andhra cuisine in all its furiously spicy glory- I beg to differ on the authenticity of this version. The fare upstairs- for the "normal" Andhra meals was palatable, if undifferentiated. The podi was missing. The gongura pachidi was slightly (strangely) musty. The rest of the fare passed muster. The missing fish fry- my favorite accompaniment to the Andhra meal- was a little disappointing. All in all, a moderate Andhra experience.
Nagarjuna still rules. Bhima's, Maharaja's and Amaravathi stay untainted by the Nandini experience.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sambol Sambol!
The day started off rather early- with Pads waking me at 3 am. To be honest, I thought the sky was falling and in typical Chicken Little fashion I scurried around for exactly 6 seconds before burrowing myself deeper into my pillow and tucking the blanket snugly around myself for round 2. Snore...
I woke myself up with determined effort and made it to work by half past ten. Breakfast was Alu Parathas with tomato chutney. Fairly good- and after missing last night's dinner it was just what I needed to set off on my morning.
Pri called in sick and the day unfolded with a huge flurry of work... Despite the rush jobs required, I wanted a satisfying meal. Su was dutifully blackmailed into joining me and we rushed to Sri Krishna Cafe. There was mixed vegetable sambar, puzhikozhambu, more kozhambu and a yummy pepper rasam with the rice. A masaledar bitter gourd gravy, kosambri with diced, steamed beans and carrots (this was a new one for me- I've never had kosambri with dices and steamed veggies in combination before!) and a delicious ash gourd kootu. Hmmm- it hit the spot. The appalam and the instant mango pickle I swiped clean. I consciously avoided over-eating and wafted into the office- in a happier and lighter frame of mind. Can't say the same for Su though!
I skipped going for a swim- it is way too cold... and a dip in freezing water doesn't sound too appealing... I hope the clouds clear away by tomorrow.
Dinner was a thai red curry with Tina's latest contribution to my larder- the sambol paste that she found too spicy! A generous dollop of coconut milk, a few leaves of basil and lemon grass and sliced veggies and dinner was ready and served by half past eight. Smiles galore from Chef- who for some reason was trying to get me to add the cashew paste he had made into my curry. Pads was dropping off and headed straight for bed by a quarter past nine.
Hmmm- bed does sound inviting!
I woke myself up with determined effort and made it to work by half past ten. Breakfast was Alu Parathas with tomato chutney. Fairly good- and after missing last night's dinner it was just what I needed to set off on my morning.
Pri called in sick and the day unfolded with a huge flurry of work... Despite the rush jobs required, I wanted a satisfying meal. Su was dutifully blackmailed into joining me and we rushed to Sri Krishna Cafe. There was mixed vegetable sambar, puzhikozhambu, more kozhambu and a yummy pepper rasam with the rice. A masaledar bitter gourd gravy, kosambri with diced, steamed beans and carrots (this was a new one for me- I've never had kosambri with dices and steamed veggies in combination before!) and a delicious ash gourd kootu. Hmmm- it hit the spot. The appalam and the instant mango pickle I swiped clean. I consciously avoided over-eating and wafted into the office- in a happier and lighter frame of mind. Can't say the same for Su though!
I skipped going for a swim- it is way too cold... and a dip in freezing water doesn't sound too appealing... I hope the clouds clear away by tomorrow.
Dinner was a thai red curry with Tina's latest contribution to my larder- the sambol paste that she found too spicy! A generous dollop of coconut milk, a few leaves of basil and lemon grass and sliced veggies and dinner was ready and served by half past eight. Smiles galore from Chef- who for some reason was trying to get me to add the cashew paste he had made into my curry. Pads was dropping off and headed straight for bed by a quarter past nine.
Hmmm- bed does sound inviting!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Excesses and more...
Que sera sera!
Everyday brings a new set of zingers and some days leave me reeling- as if I have just been ejected off a gargantuan movie set at Ramoji Film City! Truth be told- I have never seen Ramoji film city- except through the flattering eye of a cinematographer's lens... Nevertheless, one is sure one gets the drift...
Life is a series of peaks- as I chase one wave after another- everything seems tidal while it lasts!!! Take for instance the plan for the big party this weekend. The menu is under discussion. How does one decide on a menu, by the way? Time at hand plus resources- manpower and moolah of course! That s a definite no-brainer. One would think... However, things work differently sometimes...
The menu this week has hot and sweet lamb chops in a thick brown sauce which is between a barbecue sauce and a chinese hot and sweet sauce, stir fried mussels with cucumber chinese style, the classic inimitably delicious butter garlic squid, and thai style chilli basil prawns as starters. The main course is a fruity ghee rice with mango chutney and a delectable curry with mixed vegetables and mushrooms. Dessert is still unclear- any suggestions?
The mandate this week- with three pregnant women waiting in line- is a low spice meal. The chef is one with an enviable reputation- with a hand to die for! Each dish will turn out to be a well balanced delicacy that will leave everyone in a Dickensian world of wanting and waiting.
As I type this in, the chef- who wants to be referred to as "the undertaker who is a specialist"- is looking over my shoulder trying to pepper my blog with random phrases. Go get your own blog chef! He is now singing Aye meri meri zohra zabeen in a strange voice... Looks like he is getting into gear- it has been a good day!
Back to the big menu... dessert will include some part of a cake.
Hmmm... There is still a piece of chocolate excess lying in the fridge (and it's calling out my name). I haven't exercised in weeks now and the guilt is overwhelming! I imagine that every cell has its own little fat storage unit working overtime and it is visible to the entire world as i walk.
I have just tasted the mutton curry that's for dinner- oh oh! Vive la chef! A south indian spicy curry that will serve as a great accompaniment to either rotis or rice... What will it be?
Uh oh! my tummy is still complaining about the heavy MTR meal I subjected it to at lunch. I think I have been sitting on the fence with this one for far too long. The verdict is out- and it's final! MTR is vastly over-rated. A minimum 20 minute wait at 1 pm for a meal that leaves you wondering why you bothered! The sambar and rasam are good- not great. The bisi bele bath- IMHO- is better at Woody's. The palya is OK. The poori and sagu are average. The chutneys are good. The pongal and hesarubele payasa were nice (and the saving grace if you ask me, today). To be honest, I've never enjoyed the raitha and the kosambari as much as I did today. the one really good thing about the entire meal is that the quality is truly homely- my stomach has been saying good things about the quality of all the ingredients all afternoon... and trust me, I would have known by now if things were not quite right. Happy birthday Latha aunty- you were spot on about the quality of the food- but taste is of consequence too! And the entire experience leaves a lot to be desired. Are the Maiyas paying heed??? ;-)
My bulbul is back in the balcony bamboo... my little ecosystem is flourishing! Maybe I am learning the ropes, after all... I want to "make friends" with him. He looked in on me this morning too. Bulbuls are fruitarians, I read... He is noisy, and curious, and exceedingly brave. He flew into the house and had to be carefully shown the door lest he hurt himself...
The most important point of the day- it is my little angel's first birthday... she has been very bulbul like- yakking away at the other end of the phone. I have not gone to see her yet- and will only do so over the weekend when i shall be a part of the 70 member gathering at rt nagar!
Now to more excesses!
Everyday brings a new set of zingers and some days leave me reeling- as if I have just been ejected off a gargantuan movie set at Ramoji Film City! Truth be told- I have never seen Ramoji film city- except through the flattering eye of a cinematographer's lens... Nevertheless, one is sure one gets the drift...
Life is a series of peaks- as I chase one wave after another- everything seems tidal while it lasts!!! Take for instance the plan for the big party this weekend. The menu is under discussion. How does one decide on a menu, by the way? Time at hand plus resources- manpower and moolah of course! That s a definite no-brainer. One would think... However, things work differently sometimes...
The menu this week has hot and sweet lamb chops in a thick brown sauce which is between a barbecue sauce and a chinese hot and sweet sauce, stir fried mussels with cucumber chinese style, the classic inimitably delicious butter garlic squid, and thai style chilli basil prawns as starters. The main course is a fruity ghee rice with mango chutney and a delectable curry with mixed vegetables and mushrooms. Dessert is still unclear- any suggestions?
The mandate this week- with three pregnant women waiting in line- is a low spice meal. The chef is one with an enviable reputation- with a hand to die for! Each dish will turn out to be a well balanced delicacy that will leave everyone in a Dickensian world of wanting and waiting.
As I type this in, the chef- who wants to be referred to as "the undertaker who is a specialist"- is looking over my shoulder trying to pepper my blog with random phrases. Go get your own blog chef! He is now singing Aye meri meri zohra zabeen in a strange voice... Looks like he is getting into gear- it has been a good day!
Back to the big menu... dessert will include some part of a cake.
Hmmm... There is still a piece of chocolate excess lying in the fridge (and it's calling out my name). I haven't exercised in weeks now and the guilt is overwhelming! I imagine that every cell has its own little fat storage unit working overtime and it is visible to the entire world as i walk.
I have just tasted the mutton curry that's for dinner- oh oh! Vive la chef! A south indian spicy curry that will serve as a great accompaniment to either rotis or rice... What will it be?
Uh oh! my tummy is still complaining about the heavy MTR meal I subjected it to at lunch. I think I have been sitting on the fence with this one for far too long. The verdict is out- and it's final! MTR is vastly over-rated. A minimum 20 minute wait at 1 pm for a meal that leaves you wondering why you bothered! The sambar and rasam are good- not great. The bisi bele bath- IMHO- is better at Woody's. The palya is OK. The poori and sagu are average. The chutneys are good. The pongal and hesarubele payasa were nice (and the saving grace if you ask me, today). To be honest, I've never enjoyed the raitha and the kosambari as much as I did today. the one really good thing about the entire meal is that the quality is truly homely- my stomach has been saying good things about the quality of all the ingredients all afternoon... and trust me, I would have known by now if things were not quite right. Happy birthday Latha aunty- you were spot on about the quality of the food- but taste is of consequence too! And the entire experience leaves a lot to be desired. Are the Maiyas paying heed??? ;-)
My bulbul is back in the balcony bamboo... my little ecosystem is flourishing! Maybe I am learning the ropes, after all... I want to "make friends" with him. He looked in on me this morning too. Bulbuls are fruitarians, I read... He is noisy, and curious, and exceedingly brave. He flew into the house and had to be carefully shown the door lest he hurt himself...
The most important point of the day- it is my little angel's first birthday... she has been very bulbul like- yakking away at the other end of the phone. I have not gone to see her yet- and will only do so over the weekend when i shall be a part of the 70 member gathering at rt nagar!
Now to more excesses!
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