Posted on April 27, 2014

SEN5ES

April 27, 2014

SEN5ES – All-Day Dining Innovation

By Anubhav Sapra

SEN5ES is an all-day dining concept by Pullman Gurgaon, Central Park. Located at the Lobby Level, the restaurant exudes a warm contemporary feel with a culinary spectacle. A visual delight for the eyes; the alluring aroma of food wafting through the restaurant; an authentic & delectable world cuisine; and the personal touch of a Pullman persona, all combine to give you a superb experience! Needless to say, the word SEN5ES then signifies the surreal experience offered to the guests.

The 130 cover new attitude all-day dining revolves around the five interactive show kitchens displaying a sumptuous array of food, a dining concept that brings the excitement of cooking from behind the scenes to your table. These stylishly designed live cooking stations comprising of a wood burning pizza oven, the rare Chinese duck oven, tandoor and grill station, ice cream teppanyaki, and saut stations, are encompassed with fire and an enchanting aroma that engage the guests! Playing with natural light, the sky light in a section of the restaurant ceiling, paired with a luscious green view and the warmth of the impeccable service creates an unforgettable experience! The uniqueness of the restaurant is highlighted with its attention to detail with under-lit plate cabinets showcasing the pristine china and cutlery and the place-setting of each table keeping in mind, convenience, simplicity and style.

However, it is difficult to review buffet of any restaurant when compared to A la carte. There is a huge variation in taste. I noticed this during my visit to Sen5es where I tried only Indian cuisine out of the buffet. While other bloggers started with Soup, I quietly roamed around the restaurant trying to find the tikkas and biryanis to satisfy my hungry soul. The most enticing was the Chicken Tikka and Fish Tikka. I started the journey with Chicken Tikka, which was quite normal, not as soft and succulent as it should be.

Their mouth-watering chaat menu was a treat to the eyes- Dahi Bhalla, Bhel Poori Chaat, Papadi Chaat, Naspati ki Chaat, Mix Sprouts Chat and Tawa Aloo Chat. You can add the masalas and chutney according to your preferences. Unfortunately, the Dahi Bhalla was hard to crack. Normally, the mark of a good dahi bhalla is its soft balls of urad dal soaked and served with yogurt. The Chef got me another plate of Dahi Bhalla but from the A la carte menu this time, which was perfectly made, with softer bhallas and the correct balance of spices. Here again I was reminded of the maxim, one cannot judge the food of a restaurant by its buffet menu!

In the main course, I had Nihari Gosht, Chicken Tikka Masala, Trivandrum fish curry and Biryani. The fish tasted heavenly but the Chicken Biryani lacked the texture and flavor. The SEN5ES has an enticing list of desserts to opt from : Moong Dal Halwa, Banana and Choco Chip Pudding, Mango Cake, Raspberry Cake, Tiramisu and are some among them. What I liked the most was the Kheer, which had a nice smoky flavor.

The most significant element of the restaurant is their steady inflow of customers, which itself is an excellent indicator of their reputation for quality. Fine food and a lovely ambience – Go for it!

Anubhav Sapra

Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 21, 2014 April 26, 2015

Bloggers’ Lunch @ Tonino

April 21, 2014

Bloggers’ Lunch @ Tonino

By Anubhav Sapra

On Saturday, 19^th April 2014, Tonino celebrated their 10th anniversary. I am glad that I was a part of this revelry, celebrating with them a decade of their successful run in Delhi! One of the finest Italian restaurants in the City well-known for serving authentic Italian cuisine, ToninoIs famous for havingbrought to life the romantic old world charm.

Conceptualized and created in 2004 by The Eagle Group of Companies, Mr. Parmeet Singh Sawhney, Managing Partner and Mr. Tonino Generale of Italy, Tonino is known for its exquisitely prepared Italian dishes and extensive wine collection. Meticulously designed interiors and exteriors are proof enough that the Sawhneys with Chef Suman have left no stone unturned to endow the place with the distinct rustic charm of Tuscany.

The lunch started with a brief introduction by Mrs. Simran Sawhney. She graciously took us all on a tour of Tonino’s history, beginning with its inception in 2004. She shared that “Tonino was created to provide the most scrumptious authentic Italian cuisine in Tuscan surroundings where you can enjoy your meal in the Al fresco style or dine indoors in the lavish Italian old world comfort”. To her, these 10 years are not about the statistics, but about a journey of passion, of creating a place in Delhi where one can forget one’s background, and experience the romantic charm of Italy. Food is not the only prerogative;the ambience and the people engaged in running the restaurant all collectively work towards adding that personal touch. She beautifully sums up the discussion- “Tonino believes in relationships. People experience the ambience and talk about it”.

The interaction with Corporate Chef Suman, trained with the ‘European Champion’ and the ‘Five Star Chef’, was very engaging. He travels to different regions of Italy every year in a bid to provide a traditional experience to the guests that incorporates regional Italian food and its culture. He said that great care has been taken to keep the taste authentic by using original ingredients imported specially from Italy.

The Chef had planned a delicious menu for the lunch. The food journey started with Aspragi Bellavista 650 (fresh asparagus and roasted red pepper with garlic crumbs) and Pollo con Pesto( pan grilled pesto marinated chicken with parmesan cheese ball). I liked the Pollo con Pesto as the chicken was juicy and tender. In the first course section, I had Tortelloni Di Spinachi Ricotta (Spinach ricotta and basil tortelloni with truffle oil and parmesan butter cream) and finally in the main course, I had Costolette Di Pollo Con Salsa Piccante (Chicken chops with BBQ sauce served with grilled potatoes in vegetables) Being a street food connoisseur, my instincts lead me to compare every cuisine. From eating at fine dining restaurants to the food sold by street vendors, I have done it all. The Salsa Piccante reminds me of the desi style mutton chops I had at Sardarji’s meat shop in Bara Hindu Rao. Tonino’s Chicken chops were truly delectable, very soft and juicy. I had finished my serving within seconds.

For desserts I had the wonderful experience of having Lasagna Di Cioccolato which is a Chocolate Lasagna with layers of warm chocolate cake with white and dark chocolate served with vanilla ice cream. The very process of describing it for my readers is enough to titillate my senses. Apparently, this dessert happens to be Sonia Gandhi’s favorite!

In a nutshell, Tonino is an ideal destination in Delhi for Italian food lovers and offers a perfect place to unwind inafter a rough day. Enjoy savory regional specialties from Italy in a relaxed ambience, under the moon-lit skies.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 20, 2014 April 26, 2015

Mithas

April 21st, 2014

Mithas

By Somya Kukreti, Foodie Correspondent

In the market place opposite Gargi College, overlooking the bustling streets of AnandLok, there is a rivalry going on with no clear winners. On one side is Diggin, the new restaurant on the block which has managed to impress everyone with its style and sophistication. On the other hand is Mithas, a veteran with 20 plus years of experience in providing a wholesome, heart-warming and stomach-filling experience.

An all-vegetarian restaurant, Mithas is well known amongpeople looking for affordable and wholesome food which includes college-goers and families alike. It has three separate eating areas – an open space outside the restaurant, seating area on the ground floor and on the first floor.

A regular haunt for me and my friends, this place has always left me satisfied. The food has been consistently fresh and delicious. One of my favourites is the Veg thali – Dal makhani/Shahipaneer with naan of your choice and a drink. A piece of advice – the portions are generous so don’t forget to take a friend along! Even the quantity of the lachhaparanthasis a little overwhelming andyet it is guaranteed to keep you wanting more.

During my last visit, I ordered vegetable fried rice and Manchurian, and ChholeBhature. I was not expecting the Chinese dishes of Mithas to be this good. They took me by surprise, to say the least. The Manchurian had a well-balanced flavour, tangy and sweet at the same time. I happily started to share it with my friends, only to realize later that the portions were sufficient only for one person. The bhature were crispy, oily and at the same time doughy – which is exactly the way I like them. The chhole were not as oil-soaked as they usually are, and had a distinctive flavour which I have only tasted in Mithas so far.

The only downside is the service which is a bit slow.The waiters look like they are doing a favour by even listening to you, but that can be easily overlooked the moment the food arrives.

Mithas has a pleasingmenu filled with North-Indian, Chinese and street dishes all of which will make your heart sing with joy without making a hole in your pocket. Furthermore, they also give DU students a discount till 3 in the afternoon, making one wonder if they are aware of the financial instabilities of college life! Well, good for us!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 19, 2014 April 26, 2015

Desiya Cafe

April 19, 2014

Gappe Gol Hain

By Aisha Bhattacharya

What do you do when you get a Gol Gappa craving these days? You, hunt for a safe place to eat it which invariably leads you to Haldiram’s or Bikanervala where you get this sanitized-sealed packet of gol gappas and an unappetizing bowl of vaguely sweet & sour water. The joy is missing. Like we Dilliwalahs say, “Feel nahi aati!” (It doesn’t feel the same). The more adventurous types eat off the roadside, always a little sceptical and asking, “Bhaiyya, Bisleri ka paani hai na?” (It’s Bisleri water right?)

Doesn’t feel quite right… does it? Fear no more, the soon-to-be-officially launched Desiya Cafe has just the thing for you. Located in the heart of the Bohemian hub in south Delhi – Hauz Khas

Village aka HKV (shorter version for Social Media Convenience) Desiya Cafe is the first building when you exit the fort or the last one before you enter the fort. Located on the ground floor is Desiya Express which serves Indian street food in a hygienic way while still maintaining the roadside ‘feel’ of it. As of now, they only have the ground floor open which seats about 12 – 15 people at best. There is a long running table along the wall where you can stand or sit. An open kitchen is behind it so you can see your food being prepared in front of you. The chairs are rather comfortable and don’t make you want to get up. The first floor is still being done and will have the Desiya Express menu plus an add-on Dining menu. This restaurant is owned by Jackpot Ventures who have the already well known Turkish and Lebanese restaurant ‘Faarsi’, also in HKV.

I was lucky enough to be invited by the Corporate General Manager, Ankush Myint for a preview of the place and I have to say I was rather impressed by the spread he arranged for me.

Having previously worked in HKV, I know exactly what the Gol Gappa craving is like. I would run to Evergreen 9in Green park Market) and eat insipid ones just to feel better. It never quite worked out well. So imagine my excitement when the first thing to arrive was ‘Gol Gappas’!! I was given 3 atta and 3 sooji ones (which I replaced with atta), a sweet tamarind flavour water, a tamarind chutney, the typical stuffing of cubed boiled potatoes and boiled kabuli chana and my favourite sour water (which I find always tastes like jaljeera). The Gol gappas were huge and that is intentional said Ankush. Apparently till the water doesn’t drip down the side of your mouth it doesn’t feel like the ‘real thing’. This is a tried and tested theory! The entire ensemble is well presented and tasted like it should. A spicy, sour, sweet and crunchy mouthful of heaven.

Next, was the Mumbai staple – Vada Pav. Admittedly I have never been a huge fan but, this one hits the right spot! Butttery bun with a Vada that melts in your mouth, add a dash of the garlic and jeera chutney and you’re good to go! I didn’t just taste, I ate the whole thing. To wash this down I was presented with two beverages – a Kala Khatta Sharbat and a Masala Shikanjvi. The Kala khatta sharbat was a tad bit too sweet for me and when I suggested they add more chaat masala to it, Ankush said that customers had complained that by the time they reach the parking lot, “Pet mein gur gur hoti hai” (stomach starts to rumble) So the executive decision taken was to leave it a little sweet. The Masala Shikanjvi on the other hand, had the right mix of flavours. Nice and fizzy with the right balance of chatpata flavours that reminds one of the masala shikanjvi in Modi Nagar. Yes, ‘That’ one! I found if you sip these two drinks together, you get this wonderful kick of a sweet, salty, tangy, spicy, fizzy liquid.

I was then served a kebab platter with Ajwaini Fish Tikka, Kalmi Kebab and Bhatti Tangri. All three were good standard kebab fare available in Delhi. The fish was exceptionally good, so you must try that if you enjoy fish.

At this point I couldn’t eat another morsel but Ankush insisted I had to try one last thing – Night watchman ka Chicken in a Bun. The name sounded odd but greed and curiosity got the better of me and I succumbed to this onslaught of delicious food. The dish is essentially a buttery hot dog bun slit on top and filled with a wetish spicy chicken keema and topped with some mint chutney. So good. So so good. The story behind this dish is about a Night Watchman who would make this during his shift and a lot of people in 24 hour work environments would come to his thela for a midnight snack. He reported made quite a packet selling this invention. The chicken keema is done Rahra style, well cooked and flavoursome.

In a nutshell Desiya has a big menu with quick service, food that tastes as good as it looks and quirky interiors that make you smile. It recreates the charm of Chandni chowk on your palette while keeping you safely ensconced in a bubble in South Delhi. I would think they will offer stiff competition to Dhaba by Claridges. So, the next time you’re wandering around in Hauz Khas village craving street food, be sure to pop in for a visit and you shall not leave disappointed.

Price for 2: 800 (without alcohol)

To speak to them call: +91-8130200444

To visit them go to: Desiya Cafe, 50-E, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 19, 2014 April 26, 2015

Play With your Drinks

April 19^th, 2014

Play With your Drinks

By Aisha Bhattacharya

Hello Boozy Birds,

I love impromptu invitations to tastings of new drinks menus (alcoholic). I mean, who doesn’t? I was fortunate enough to have received a fun invite to Mamgoto in Khan Market last evening. Now, when someone tells me to play with my drink, I’m not quite sure what to make of it? Because we were told as children not to play with our food, so this concept unsettled me.

I reached at 7 pm and was sent to a table reserved for a Bloggers meet at the terrace. I was the first person to be seated and had to wait for all the other fashionably late Delhiites to arrive. The event started at about 8 pm. One of the Co-founders Rahul Khanna introduced himself and the concept of ‘Play With Your Drinks’. Mamagoto will let you be your own bartender for the night, bringing out the hidden mixologist in you. This interactive bar allows the consumer to choose from a massive spread of alcohol, mixers, glassware and garnishes to help you make your own unique Cocktail. The best part is you even get to name your cocktail. Hence, the Play part of the theme for the evening.

We were divided into teams of two and each team had to make a cocktail. Rahul was watching every step of what alcohol base we used, whether a fresh fruit was being used or just Monin’s syrup, if we used herbs in correct combinations and how the drink was served. He then tasted each drink and scored each team. A winner was announced at the end of the event and the two boys who won got a Goodie bag each of Mamagoto merchandise.

Rahul Khanna is a Mixologist and spent the better part of the evening helping the rest of us get acquainted with what goes into making combinations while mixing drinks. For e.g. Don’t use crushed ice in a shaker as it dilutes the drink, when you muddle ingredients don’t transfer them to another glass but make the drink in that one itself and other such important tips. I noticed everyone listening eagerly while eating huge portions of their dinner that followed. Anything I say about their food, doesn’t do it enough justice. I just know that when in doubt, a bowl of Chicken broth for the Hungry Soul can do wonders or some Rock Shrimp Tempura with a couple of chilled beers on a warm sultry evening will hit all the right spots.

An exciting concept for those who don’t want to drink a cosmopolitan or an LIIT every time they go out, ‘Play with your Drink’ gives you the opportunity to think out of the box and have whatever combination comes to mind, provided they have the ingredients. The only downside being that if the drink tastes terrible, you only have yourself to blame. So, be wise while playing with your drink and have a good evening for just 315++ per drink! If you’re not feeling too adventurous and want to play it safe ask the in-house mixologist to create something for you or order a Cinnamon Whiskey Story pitcher and watch others make newbie mistakes. So bring a couple of friends and come ‘Play With Your Drinks’ at Mamagoto.

You already know what to do on Facebook so take photos of your drink and tag them. Also on Instagram – @MamagotoFunAsian or Twitter – @MamagotoFun. You could also use their hashtag #mamadrinkup

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 18, 2014 April 26, 2015

Kebab And Curry Festival @ Courtyard by Marriott

April 18th, 2014

Kebab And Curry Festival @ Courtyard by Marriott

By Anubhav Sapra

Event Details:
Date: 11th April to 20th April 2014
Time: 7pm – 11:30pm
Price: INR 1450 + taxes per person
Venue: MoMo Café, Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon
For reservations, call: +91 124 488 8444 / Ext 8245

Recently, I was invited by Courtyard by Marriott,Gurgaonto review their Kebab and Curry festival crafted by an imperial guest chef along with Executive Chef Ashis Rout. The evening started with an engrossing discussion with the Chef himself, whose expert understanding of the Hyderabadi, Awadhi and Kashmiri cuisines was astounding. He has spent substantial years in Kolkata, exploring its lanes for its food and spices.

RAJMA KI SHAMMI

My gastronomical journey started with Rajmake kebab which was followed by a slew of mouth-watering dishes like the Subz Sheekhampuri, Chapli Kebabs, tikka masala, Shikampuri kebab served with ulte tawe ka paratha, and Hyderabadi Mahi Rezaal.With Lucknowi spices running deep into the kebabs, the tandoor-cooked Murgh Nishapuri was among the evening’s favourites.

The green chutney that was served with the Kebabs added dollops of flavor to the already juicy and succulent Kebabs.The Chapli kebab, which is a traditional dish from the Pakistani cuisine, was exceptionally spicy and melt-in-mouth delicious. It had a nice lemony tinge to it. The only downside is that it is difficult to find good Chapli Kebabs in Delhi.

Among the curries served, I liked the Roganjosh – a perfect blend of spices and soft and succulent pieces of meat. The color of the curry was blood red, which comes from the Kashmiri dry red chillies used to prepare it. As told by the Chef Ashis, the signature spices for this dish are hing/asafoetida, fennel seeds and the dried ginger powder, along with a variation of a combination of cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. Yogurt is added to givea slight tanginess and texture to the sauce. There are no tomatoes added to the traditional dish, not even to enhance color.

The biggest disappointment for me was the Chicken Nahari. Nahari is usually made of Beef or lamb meat cooked overnight with spices at low flame, after which the meat becomes so soft that it simply melts in the mouth. Unfortunately, the chicken nahari served at the festival had big pieces which were not soft enough to melt and hence took the essence of the dish away.

For desserts, I had Kulfi and Makhane ki Kheer. The kheer was simply delicious and the crispy crunchiness of the Makhana felt great in the mouth.

The Kebab & Curry Festival is on till April 20, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Don’t miss it!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 12, 2014 April 26, 2015

Diggin

April 12th, 2014

Diggin

By Somya Kukreti, Foodie Correspondent

Diggin is a new, multi-cuisine restaurant in Anand Lok, right across the road from Gargi College. Opened in February this year, the restaurant has already made quite a name for itself. The residents of AnandLok and Green Park form a huge chunk of their customer base. Add to this the crowd from Gargi College which cannot get enough of the restaurant’s unique ambience.It is a double-storey restaurant with outdoor seating and patio on the ground as well as on the first floor.

Seeing the influx of college students, Diggin has realized that not all of them can afford its luxuriously priced menu. And so tosatisfy everyone, Diggin has introduced their DU Special Menu from 12 noon to 4 pm, with half the menu, half the prices, and sadly, half the portion. But this isn’t necessarily bad. There are two meal options within the price of Rs.200. You can either get an appetizer, a main and a soft drink, or a main course, a drink and gelato. I ordered a Margherita pizza, garlic bread with cheese and coke. The pizza lacked flavourto the extent that even oregano and chilli flakes couldn’t make it worthwhile. The cheese garlic bread too did not leave an impression on me. What did impress me though were the shakes. Available only on the regular menu, the flavour-filled shakes are surely a treat to the taste buds. Priced at Rs.150, the Ferrero Rocher shake and the Belgian Chocolate shake are a ‘must try’, especially in this weather.

The peach iced tea was a new spin on the traditional iced tea and went well with everything. The white sauce pasta too was delicious, though I would stay clear of the red sauce pasta. Even though the food can be hit-and-misssometimes, the ambience is one to be experienced. Looking at the décor and the efforts they had taken to make their restaurant look appealing, one could only wish they had put as much efforts in making their dishes savoury.One of the unique qualities of the restaurant is that there is a very high chance of running into the owner and striking up a conversation with him. All in all, it is a good place to hang out with your friends, with higher chances of satisfaction if you order something other than the pizza!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com