Anubhav Sapra

Posted on August 18, 2015

HARD ROCK CAFE

FIESTA – A LATIN EXTRAVAGANZA @ HARD ROCK CAFÉ

By Ritika Dhawan

Hard Rock Café is all set to rock your senses with a month long Latin Fiesta, a perfect menu of tequila cocktails and lip smacking Latin American food which will be served from 7^th August to 6^th September. This place has its reputation and never fails to surprise the foodies. Every item on this Latino menu is amazing.

I started with a semi frozen cocktail, which was a fusion of tequila and kiwi pulp, as unique as the combination sounds, it tasted even better. Kiwi was smoothly infused and gave a sweet taste to it and the tequila gave it a kick. Very refreshing and not too strong, one can have rounds of this cocktail. Next in line was a lime, cranberry, orange , white wine and tequila cocktail, this was a bit tangy , very smooth and beautifully presented in a salt rimmed beer jar. The best things should be saved for last; truly living up to this quote was the Mexican Ice Cold Bulldog Margarita- beer slowly flowing into a frozen margarita ; a cocktail crafted to simply blow your senses.

Turning the pages of the menu and now ready to binge on Latin American food, I started with some Char Grilled Chicken Skewers, they were mildly spiced and a little tangy in taste which perfectly complimented to the flavours of the honey mustard dip which was neither too sweet nor too pungent as the use of honey was perfectly balanced with the mustard. For vegans they had Brazilian Barbeque Veg Grill Skewers served over chimichurri spiced fajita i.e. a mix of herbs and spices combined with oil and vinegar which is used as a sauce for grilled meats and vegetables. For all the veggie friendly foodies this is a must have.

Tijuana Chicken Sub Role – a hearty dish that is bound to satisfy all cravings; is a char grilled smoke chicken frankfurter, topped with cilantro, chillies, salsa and laced with cheddar cheese sauce will leave you drooling and asking for more. If this was not enough to satisfy your taste buds; they serve it with some cajun spiced fries – could it get any better? Keep the calorie count aside and just dig in!! A burst of flavours with every bite guaranteed.

The last dish and the star of the night were fresh and perfectly cooked orange tequila prawns. Served in a crisp taco shell, topped with a tangy, spicy orange reduction it gets the taste buds tickling. As you bite into the prawns, the reduction squirts out and hijacks the senses. After devouring the prawns, shamelessly start munching on the taco shell and the leftover orange reduction- heaven on a plate!

I highly recommend every foodie to visit the Hard Rock Café for a taste of the Fiesta as a lot of effort has gone in bringing such authentic flavours to your table. So leave everything, enjoy the Latin spin , spread and scream ole!

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 August 18, 2015

Best Parsi Food in Delhi

Parsi food in Delhi

By Anubhav Sapra

There are only few places in Delhi where one can experience the delectable Parsi Cuisine. However, I believe Mrs. Bagli’s kitchen (at Parsi Dharmashala) to be the one serving authentic Parsi dishes. Mrs. Bagli and her family has been managing the dharamshala since 1950. Her son is the priest of the Parsi temple and her daughter-in-law takes care of the kitchen.

Delhi Food Walks feels blessed to be celebrating Navroz (for the last 3 years) at Bagli’s Kitchen. And every year, we have witnessed slight modifications in the menu to include some of the new dishes. The menu for this year was Parsi pulao, Dhansak (slow cooked dal), Keema patties (mashed potatoes with minced meat filling), Chicken Farcha (an equivalent of KFC fried chicken, I call it PFC- Parsi Crispy Fried Chicken), Patra fish (fish coated with a coconut chutney, wrapped in banana leaf and later steamed), Jardaloo boti (lamb cooked with apricots), Kachumbar (salad), lagan-nu-custard (thick mixture of milk and sugar, baked with egg and garnished with chironji and kismish) and Parsi kulfi.

The food is excellent here. What is more fascinating is the warmth and affection with which Mrs Bagli serves the food. You can locate Mrs Bagli’s Kitchen on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, opposite to the Ambedkar Stadium Petrol Station.

The food served at Bagli’s kitchen has to be ordered beforehand. You may place your order by calling on this number 011-23238615

Navroz Mubarak from Delhi Food Walks!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 14, 2015 August 14, 2015

Shri Banke Bihari Brijwasi Rasgulle wala

Shri Banke Bihari Brijwasi Rasgulle wala
Find it here: D-128, Kamla Nagar
Ring it here: 011-23842116

With a menu ranging from snack bites to a full-course meal- this is a heaven for travellers wishing to try outlandish traditional cuisines in their authentic temperament.

The shop traces its origin to the decade of independence, around the year 1957. Rajiv Brijwasi, one of the three brothers in the third generation of owners, proudly proclaims, “Vrindavan’s authentic taste cannot be found anywhere else, our ingredients are all pure and original.”

It is fascinating how this now-famous shop was initially operated out of a shack at the corner of the street for six years by his grandfather Shri Lala Ram Prasad. Then it graduated to a shop where the magic of cooking took place when his father, late Shri Lala Shyam Lal was incharge, eventually establishing itself at its current location. To the people here, the shop has been here forever- and they keep visiting it time and again.

What sets this place apart is the fact that the recipes have stayed true to tradition, and none of the delicacies use onion or garlic, two household ingredients, in their preparation. They end up tasting better than they could ever have tasted with onion. This could partly be because of their other USP i.e. the use of only and only pure desi ghee in cooking.

A tasty Indian meal is said to have a balance of six flavors: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, spicy and astringent. And this place harbours the accurate balance in its decades-old walls.

For breakfast, they prepare Puri Bedmi and Kachori that make up for two of the most irresistible and filling breakfasts. For lunch, we recommend having a thali consisting of Paneer, Dal, Raita and 2 paranthas.

A very quirky and interesting fact to note is that the best known food that they sell are desserts (they practically owe their fame and name, literally, to sweets), and while Rasgulla has been a specialty for as long as its existence, the enticingly creamy Rasmalai, Raj Bhog and Gulab Jamun have been relatively recent additions. These desserts reek of authenticity and you cannot help but savor them through and through.

Verdict: Visit this place as much for their spongy Rasgulla as for the unalloyed, divine experience of Vrindavan in Delhi.

Must Try: While all the items are such glorious relics of authentic street food, you have to try the desserts, especially Rasgulla and Rasmalai.

A collaborative Project of Delhi Food Walks and Spoon University on Delhi Street Food Series that brings you the best of both worlds- expertise and love for food.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 13, 2015

CARLS JR

CARLS JR IN INDIA

By Prakriti Bhat

The burger lords seem to be in a good mood! This is quite evident from the opening of major burger chains like Fatburger, Burger King, Johnny Rockets and Wendy’s in Delhi over the past few years. And another blessing has been the recent launch of popular burger brand, Carls Jr in the capital. Known for their lip smacking char-grilled burgers, they are here to wow you with their enormous burgers. Their first outlet in India was opened on 8^th August, 2015 at Select Citywalk Mall, Saket.

20150807_152520 A blogger’s meet was held on 7^th August, 2015 as they introduced us to the brand and its delicacies. It is located right next to Khan Chacha. The outlet is done up in hues of red and white. The ceiling has a big metallic star symbolizing the brand logo, from which hanging lamps illuminate the place. It’s quite spacious and the staff is affable. Every staff member was wearing a Carls Jr T-shirt with witty one liners. With beer on tap and free cold drink refills, it is definitely going to be a crowd puller. Carls Jr seems to have put a lot of thought into the designing of their menu since they have tailored it to suit the Indian palate.

To begin with, India is the only country where Carls Jr offers vegetarian burgers. So the vegetarians need not worry. The Paneer Tikka Burger is simply awesome. A Slice of cottage cheese is excellently marinated and grilled till scorch marks are visible. Unlike a few other burger brands which use spreads very sparingly, the sauces and spreads in the burgers here are quite liberal and appetizing. Their signature dish, Mango Jalapeno Burger has a piquant flavor and seems to be an ode to our ever growing love for mangoes. Because “aam ka season kabhi nahi jata!”

For the non vegetarians there is a plethora of dishes to choose from. I tried their Tandoori Pepper Chicken Tikka Burger. With a delectably seasoned char-grilled chicken fillet served in a multigrain bun, this burger is quite filling. You won’t need any ketchup with this since the spreads and sauces already have the required zing. Another of their signature dishes is the hand breaded tender chicken. Though they were quite succulent, I would still prefer KFC’s hot and crispy chicken over this. The Mile High Chicken Burger stays true to its name as it comes fully loaded with onion rings and chicken fillet. This is one flavorsome adventure you do not want to miss!

In other countries like the U.S., Carls Jr is quite popular for its hand scooped shakes, mini beef burgers called sliders and bacon cheeseburgers. While beef items are not included in the Indian menu, they do have hand scooped shakes. A lover of Tiramisu, I decided to try their Tiramisu Shake. This was the only low point in my meal. It tasted more like a Vanilla shake and the flavour of Tiramisu was very fleeting. For me, a burger-licious experience is incomplete without fries. Carls Jr presents a unique blend of American fast food and Chinese cuisine by introducing Wasabi Fries. Your regular fries are accompanied by a wasabi flavoured masala (tastemaker). It tastes exactly like Wasabi, sans the pungency; a very innovative idea. Mr. Sahil Baweja, Director of Cybiz Bright Star Restaurants explained, “We realize the need for spices in India and that prodded us to introduce Wasabi Fries. Yes, we Indians love spices, but it need not always be chillies.” The brand also serves hand breaded onion rings. They, further, plan to open 100 stores across India.

Burger chains seem to be mushrooming all over the country. This is owing to the fact that burgers are a part of finger foods which are easy to consume. You can have a burger easily while driving or rushing for a meeting. The same can’t be done with a slice of pizza or a noodle box. Moreover, burgers are hassle free; they don’t spill and are wholesome.

The burger war has begun and Carls Jr is the latest entrant. Only time can tell how it will fare!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 12, 2015 August 12, 2015

Ashwini ji ke Peepey wale Chole Kulche

By Anubhav Sapra

I remember, once while reading the newspaper I came across this article which said that there are almost 250 cafes and restaurants in Connaught Place. Many come and shut down after some time and the shutters remain unnoticed. In midst of that, there are a few street food joints selling amazing dishes uninterruptedly for many years. One of them is Ashwini’s chole kulche (Mob. 9953085746) at the corner of MCD’s Anti Malaria office. The location might not sound attractive but his chole indeed is worth relishing.

It was Ashwini’s father, Late Prakash Sharma who set up this shop in CP. Ashwini ji used to accompany his father every day and assist him. In 1988, while he was pursuing the graduate program from Delhi University, his father passed away and he took over the shop to make both ends meet .From 1988 to 2007, the Committee staff was against him for running this shop. However, he filed a case in court and eventually got the permission to operate his shop.

Interestingly, the chole is cooked in Lahori style, without oil. The chane is boiled in ghee ka kanaster and then homemade spices are mixed into it. It is famously known as Peepee wale (cans of ghee)chole as the chole is boiled for almost 5 hours in empty ghee cans on slow wood fire. The can is changed every 15 days as “the quality of the cans is not up to the mark as it used to be” remarks Ashwini ji.

The shop is open from 12 noon to 4 pm. Ashwini ji pedals his cycle for two hours in the morning with a big aluminium can filled with hot Chole from Wazirabad and reaches the spot at 12 noon. A plate of chole with three kulcha’s costs Rs 20/-. You can ask for bhaturas as well.

The chole is mixed with brown pudina ka paani(thick mint water). The mint leaves are sourced from Chintapurni, hometown of Ashwini ji in Himachal Pradesh. They are dried and grounded to powder form so as to later add it in the chole. Finally, the chole is garnished with onion and lemon juice.

The concoction of all these makes the chole a bit spicy, but that’s how the locals like it. The gravy was just perfect to be mopped up with fluffy kulchas. I liked the lahori style chole with thick gravy and a punch of mint water. I relished it to the core!

What intrigued me the most at his shop was that people from different sections of society ranging from homeless citizens and shoe polishers to office guards to college students and office goers, all relishing chole kulche, at one place. It seemed to be a perfect example of the equal world which we all wish to see.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 11, 2015

For God’s Cake

FOR GOD’S CAKE

By Prakriti Bhat

The ever bustling Hudson Lane has a lot of options to satisfy your rumbling tummy. But one just can’t ignore the occasional sweet cravings. Till now Cent Percent was the only bakery in the area, and a good one too. The newest bakery in vicinity is For God’s Cake helmed by Divine Spaces, the creators of Wood Box Café and The Vintage Avenue. Opened in June 2015, it’s only a month old but is quickly gaining popularity among the college crowd due to its eclectic décor and cost effective menu.

For God’s Cake is not just a patisserie but also a café; as is written on the signboard. It’s a ‘bakery café’ and thus also serves pastas, sandwiches, shakes and pizzas. The best part about this bakery is that they don’t have a fixed carte du jour. They keep making additions to the food and bakery menu. Following the wooden interiors of Wood Box Café and floral décor of The Vintage Avenue, the makers have made indulgent use of wood here too. The picturesque interiors are a blend of both these places and scores high on concept. Miniature buckets hold napkins and straws. There’s a tiny windmill attached to the wall. Lilliputian bird cages are hung from the lampshades while elfin flower vases are decorated within wooden French windows joined to the wall. The tables and ceiling are covered with beautiful calligraphy and sketches.

I was invited for a luncheon by co-owner Manika Jagdish Pahwa. The place is divided into two sections. One is the bakery section while the other has seating arrangement. The menu has myriads of options extending from sandwiches to pizzas. The Belgian delicacy, Waffles are available in different combinations. One can choose to have it with whipped cream or Nutella. Pancakes are beautifully served with maple syrup and a variety of other sides, instantly transporting you to the colonnades of Rome, where they were first made. We ordered a Chick-o-nara Pizza, Snicker Bar Shake and High Protein Veggie Burger. The Snicker Bar shake was delicious and you can actually feel tiny bits of chocolate in your mouth. It was served in a recycled Jam jar. The pattern made by chocolate syrup was visually appealing, as always.

The pizzas served here are oval shaped which is a very innovative idea. I am a big fan of sausages and salami and the Chick-o-nara pizza satisfied my longing for both. It reminded me of the Chicken Tikka Naanza served at Eatopia, India Habitat Center (which is a bit spicier). Addition of a bit more spices to this pizza would make it even yummier for spice lovers like me. For all health freaks out there, you too can have your share of fun with their high protein burgers. Choose from their veg or non-veg versions that are sure to whet your appetite while keeping a check on your calories. The veg one has a savoury patty made from sprouts served in a multigrain bun. The dishes were presented in wooden trays.

20150717_192415 You can’t come to a bakery and leave without trying the sweet dishes! For dessert I tried a Red velvet cupcake, a slice of Rainbow cake, Hazelnut cake and Caramel cake each. The cupcake was absolutely fantastic. It wasn’t too creamy or too dry and had a slight tang of walnut. It looked adorable in a pink wrapper. The Rainbow cake enticed me with its multi-coloured layers promising a burst of flavor and it surely did that. The Caramel Cake had a glazed surface and was sweeter than the Hazelnut cake which had a criss-cross design on its surface. Another dessert that looked very vibrant and alluring but was too much for my already full tummy was their Cake jar in a variety of flavours.

Still new in the bakery business, they are slowly learning the ropes of the trade. Visit their outlet and fulfill your sinful craving!

Address- 2521, Hudson Lane, GTB Nagar

Contact No.- 01133016122

Cost for two- Rs. 500

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 6, 2015

The Artful Baker

Art on a plate at the Artful Baker

By: Shagun Nayar

The Artful Baker , presently situated at My Square In Select City Walk Mall, Saket is a pop-up Patisserie and Boulangerie cafe by Lite Bite Foods which is shortly also going to take Khan Market by storm with it’s wide array of freshly baked bread, delectable pastry’s, airy macaroon’s & more (End August) . The idea and inspiration behind the Artful Baker and I quote the brand chef , Sahil Mehta , ‘ is to give the masses an authentic and traditional taste of a quintessential European bakery’. The chef who is credited with being India’s first certified Bakery,Pastry and Chocolate expert from the Harvard of Bakery Schools Lenotre, France is the man with the magic wand who has stayed true to his cause by incorporating the finest baking techniques and using premium ingredients. Owing to his previous experience at L’opera,Choco Diva and Rennaissance as the Consultant Chef and Deputy Director Food& Operations (L’opera) , the chef is well aware of the functioning of Patisseries and the intricate details that go into making any menu a success.

My experience at the Artful Baker was pleasantly interactive where i was told about what i had ordered and the ingredents that went into making it , something which transformed merely ‘eating’ to ‘tasting’.I ordered the Lemon Tart, Salty Caramel Macaroon, Chocolate Macaroon, Paris Brest,Cheese croissant, Ham and Cheese Sandwich and Monte Cristo. The order itself is reflective of the variety and the thought that has gone into crafting this menu. “We want to give you a taste of the best European bakes goods across the world” My favourites were the Monte Cristo,the Lemon Tart and the Macaroon’s.

The Monte Cristo is a dark chocolate mousse whipped together with french cream and a hazelut-almond base. As you dig into the sinful Monte Cristo you get the silky chocolate mousse and the nutty hazelnut-almond base which perfectly compliments each other. The Monte Cristo is different from the usual lot because it wasn’t overly sweet like the typical chocolate mousse which ends up killing the taste & overriding the other ingredients. It was a perfet blend and left you wanting more!

I was almost tempted to call a rain check on the macaroon’s , having never tasted the perfect macaroon. However, the chef was confident that the macaroon’s at the Artful Baker would be a definite game changer for me. I can safely admit that the Salty Caramel & Chocolate macaroon’s at the cafe are the best I’ve had in Delhi. They hit all 3 of the check marks on my list : Airy,Delcious filling and Proportionate.

Ending my tasting with the Lemon Tart was just what i needed to balance my taste buds. It was a bite of perfectly balanced lemon curd and meringue on the top with a perfect flaky pastry at the botom. The lemon tart is the perfect dessert for someone who isn’t a big chocolate fan but at the same time has his/her share of sweet-tooth cravings.

To all the dessert lovers, food enthusiasts and the ones who are searching for their guilty pleasures through their cheat-meals , come down to the Artful Baker to get a taste of a traditional and authentic bakery with a wide range of delcious deserts & savoury goods. You don’t have to spend a bomb to experience a little bit of Europe , it’s lagely affordable and definitely worth the money.

Cost for two – Rs. 500

Timings : 11:00am-10:00pm

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on August 5, 2015 August 5, 2015

Delhi 6 se 19

Street food festival at Singh Sahib, Eros Hotel

By Anubhav Sapra

Singh Sahib at The Eros Hotel is one of the few five star restaurants in Delhi which has a loyal fan following. I visited the hotel on a weekday and the restaurant was bustling with patrons. I got to know there that the restaurant is hosting a Street Food Festival by the name of Delhi 6 se Delhi 19. The name signifies the food it intends on celebrating : The old Delhi street food which covers the areas of Delhi 6 (Delhi 6 being the postal code of Old Delhi) and Delhi 19 (Delhi 19 being the postal code of Nehru Place).

To exhibit the flavors unique to the old Delhi street food palate, live counters of the dishes have been put up in the ongoing festival. On offer are the popular street food dishes – golgappe, chaat, desi drinks, sweets, kebabs, omelets, biryani and quintessential chhole bhature. The dishes are being served on disposable plates to provide an authentic experience of eating out in the streets.

I began with aloo tikki and papdi chaat. Both of these dishes were made with the right interplay of spices and served with saunth and dhaniya chutney. Next from the chaat counter, I had golgappas which were served with pudina ka paani (mint flavoured water) and saunth.

After trying small portions of chole bhature, rajma chawal and kadi chawal, my carnivorous drive got me straight to the kebabs and biryani counter though the first iem I tried was egg bhurji. The biryani looked distinct, different from the regular mirch masala biryani which we get on the streets of Jama Masjid. The other mutton biryani was surpassed by any other that I have had. It had tender pieces of meat, cooked in basmati rice which was mildly flavoured.

A lot of effort has gone in to conceptualizing the street food festival; as the presence of a variety of snacks and sweets are ensured. from the Halwai counter. The sweets on offer are balushahi, milk cake, besan laddu, burfi, jalebi, and halwa parantha. I was surprised to see parantha being served with sooji ka halwa. This shows that the Chef has really travelled to the interiors of Old Delhi to bring out the best of the dishes. Halwa and parantha is a popular delicacy in Nizamuddin and Jama Masjid. I have seen evenings in Chitli Qabar, when Halwa Parantha walas on pushcarts cut paranthas into small pieces and serve halwa on them. Although the halwa was a bit sweet for me, I really enjoyed Jalebis which were thin, crisp and slightly flavoured with saffron.

My street food journey ended with a rabri kulfi stick. Indeed, it appeared to be a good attempt to showcase the variety of street delicacies under one roof. The festival is on till 6^th August and priced at Rs 1650/- per person without taxes.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on July 30, 2015 July 30, 2015

North Campus Food Joints

By Prakriti Bhat

Another phase of your life begins as you enter college. Getting into Delhi University is no piece of cake but you made it. Classes have started and you’re getting used to the DU culture. North Campus is the hub of University activities. Allow us to be your food guide through the food joints popular in and around North Campus.

KAMLA NAGAR

Chache Di Hatti– Want a taste of Dilli ke Chhole Bhature? Well, this is the place where you can get that desi feel of street food. You have to stand in a queue to place your order. The long queues here tell their own story. Meal for two- Rs.150
Shawarma Wala– Located in the lane adjacent to Mc. Donald’s; this place has gained popularity in the last few years. Their shawarmas are a hit amongst the students. Try out their Chicken Shawarma, Paneer Shawarma, Garlic Chicken Kathi Roll and virgin mojito. Meal for two-Rs. 300.
Shake Square– So you are exhausted after a series of lectures and need a quick break. Shake Square is your solace. With an array of shakes and desserts, this is bound to become your best friend. Their Oreo shake and Mocha shake are absolutely delicious. You won’t need to shell out more than 300 bucks for a quick meal of shakes and sandwiches or stuffed kulchas.
Café Youngistan– Theme restaurants are always cool. And this one promises you a pocket friendly meal as well. With jungle themed interiors, this place has gradually become a campus favourite. It could be a fancy pick for birthday treats as well. Meal for two- Rs. 1000.

GTB NAGAR

Kori’s– This one is for those who like to experiment with their plate and palate. Kori’s serves Korean cuisine and is widely known amongst the student crowd. Feast on regional delicacies like Kimbab and their much loved burgers which are quite huge. All this comes in combo meals as well. Cost for two- Rs. 500.
The Vintage Avenue– Go for a trip down the memory lane with this place. The interiors remind you of the simplicity of a bygone era. The food is absolutely delicious ranging from Italian to Indian cuisine. Their pizzas, pastas, Chicken Tikka and shakes are quite famous. Must try their Oreo shake and Kitkat shake. Meal for two-Rs. 750.
QD’s– One of the most famous student food joints. It has branches near both the campuses of Delhi University. One just can’t ignore their huge Tandoori Momos with the delicious green chutney. They also have economical Chinese combos. Again a good place for birthday treats with its funky decor! Meal for two- Rs.600.
Ricos– Walls covered with graffiti and one whole wall dedicated to a bookshelf. Interesting isn’t it? This café offers a wide variety of cuisines like American, Lebanese, Italian, Mexican and what not. Their pitchers, Chicken Stroganoff, pastas and desserts are a must try. Cost for two- Rs. 900.
Wood Box Café– In the lane adjacent to Axis Bank you will find a cottage like café with rooftop seating as well. With colorful and offbeat interiors it gives a very cozy feeling. Their shakes are just awesome, served in neatly cut bottles of Heineken. Also try their Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Chicken Lasagna, Caesar Salad, and Mushroom Sandwiches. Munch away! Cost for two- Rs. 650.
Big Yellow Door– With a cute little tedha medha yellow door as its entrance, this place sure grabs a lot of eyeballs. Warning: there is always a long waiting queue outside so try to book your table in advance. The interiors are quite good and the rates will bring a smile to your face. It’s a nice place for group hangouts. Try their Paninis, cheese bomb burger, cheesy nachos and beverages. Cost for two- Rs. 500
Cent Percent Bakery– One of the most popular bakeries in the area, this place comes to your rescue for ordering birthday cakes. With a mélange of cakes, pastries and homemade chocolates, this bakery is quite a hit amongst the North Campus crowd. Cost for two- Rs. 250.
For God’s Cake– The newest bakery in town, the place is doing quite well. It’s a bakery café so it serves food like pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and pastas, etc. Try their oval shaped pizzas, shakes, red velvet cake, cake jars and cupcakes. Also, it has charming interiors. Meal for two- Rs. 500.

CIVIL LINES

Moets– Located near the Civil Lines metro station this place serves some tasty Chinese food. Prices are a bit on the higher side but it makes for a nice option for occasional splurges. Go for their Manchurian, spring rolls and soups. Cost for two- Rs. 900.
Momos stall outside metro station– The man selling momos has been around for a long time. Joking around with the customers he always has a smile on his face. A large hearted vendor is he who gives extra chutney without creating a fuss. He is one such man! Within 40- 50 bucks you can have a sumptuous plate of momos.
Roll Club– Situated near the petrol pump, this place whips up some of the most appetizing rolls. Paneer roll, Chicken roll, Chicken egg roll, Double egg roll, Chicken keema roll are some of the best here. Meal for two- Rs. 250.
Gulab Singh Tea Stall– This modest tea stall serves the simplest snacks in a humble and loving manner. There is just one long iron bench and table. Enjoy a quiet cup of tea with bun maska or bread. Cost for two- Rs. 50-60

D SCHOOL’S CANTEEN– Perhaps one of the most sought after canteens in North Campus, D School has a lot of options to calm your hungry tummy. Some of their best dishes include Plain Dosa, Mutton Dosa, Chowmein, etc. However, the main adda at D school is JP Tea Stall which is frequently thronged by students to relish Raju Bhaiya’s hot aloo patties, muffins and their famous masala coke.

MAJNU KA TILA

Coffee House– One of the best and cheapest cafes you will come across. With doughnuts priced at Rs. 20, you are going to fall in love with their cakes, coffees and ambience. You just HAVE TO try their Mud Cake and Iced Mocha. Also check out their breakfast options. They have free wifi too! Meal for two- Rs. 150.
Ama Café– With comfortable couches and Tibetian décor, it’s a peaceful refuge from grueling schedules. Regulars swear by their Tiramisu and Cappuccino. Check out the beautiful Latte art on their hot coffees. Cost for two- Rs. 450
Tee Dee’s– If you want to try out authentic Tibetian cuisine, this is the place you should go to. It is quite pocket friendly and supposedly serves the best thukpa in Majnu Ka Tila. Other mouth watering dishes include chilly potatoes, chilly pork and Singapore noodles. Meal for two- Rs. 900

Have a flavorsome life at DU!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on July 28, 2015

KFC

Kitchen Tour of KFC

By Prakriti Bhat

What began as a small roadside stand in Kentucky is now one of the world’s largest food chains. KFC has been running strong in India with its delectable menu which caters to the Indian palate too. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, KFC always fits in. However, a lot of care and hard work goes into the delight that you have while munching on their burgers and crispy chicken. KFC believes in complete transparency and thus comes the idea of a kitchen tour. One of the most important parameters for a successful food chain is maintaining hygienic conditions. And one can check this by asking for a kitchen tour from the manager.

Recently, the outlet near Sector-9 Dwarka metro station organized a kitchen tour for food bloggers. I was excited to see how they whip up those fingerlickin’ good dishes. The management is quite particular about hygiene. All KFC staff members are required to wash their hands with an antimicrobial hand wash for 20 seconds following which they have to use a hand sanitizer. The taps are hands free which further prevents any contamination. We went through the same procedyre and after this we were given kitchen caps before entering the main cooking area.

Fresh chicken, 100% farm bred, is used for all the dishes. There were several gigantic fryers, all in the process of frying chicken at a temperature as high as 170°C. They give special attention to veg and non veg segregation with different areas for both and different colour aprons for both cooks. Vegetarian cooks wear a green apron while non vegetarian chefs wear a red apron. Even the walk-in freezer has colour coded handles for this purpose. In the freezer vegetarian ingredients are kept separately and quite far from the non vegetarian ingredients.

For the non veg burgers, chicken is fried on the spot but for vegetarian burgers they use frozen patties which are stored separately. Every batch of chicken has an expiry time. This is specified on a strip of paper attached to the trays. After this specific time, the remaining chicken pieces are disposed off. No two batches are mixed together. We were then taken to the Krushers station. Mr. Amit, who was our tour guide, showed that KFC prepares its own ice and utmost care is taken to prevent contamination. Ice can be withdrawn only after using a sanitizer and wearing gloves. The ice is scooped out using a sanitized scooper.

After the kitchen tour we feasted on dishes from their menu. KFC India has taken care to meet the demands of our ever growing need for change and thus, the inclusion of dishes like Fiery grill chicken, egg wrap and egg burger which are specific to Indian tastes. Fiery grill satiates our craving for spicy food while the egg dishes are in keeping with the large number of eggetarians in our country. Chicken Zinger had a huge piece of chicken sitting lazily between the burger buns. In fact all their burgers and wraps are made keeping in mind a single principle- to use of a large piece of chicken as the filling and not just thin fillets or tiny nuggets. The popcorn chicken is quite popular among the kids for its flavoursome little chunks while the hot and crispy chicken is their signature dish. Cool it all with their Krushers like Mojito and feel blessed!

You can ask the store manager for a kitchen tour anytime.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com