Food

Hilton Jaipur – A Complete Guide

May 31, 2022

Of the many cities that I have had the opportunity to travel to and explore, the one that always seems to be calling to me is truly the Pink City of Rajasthan, i.e. Jaipur! A lot of Deja Vu takes place when I am here as I have grown to become so familiar with this wonderful city. And yet, every time, it seems that I also end up discovering something new altogether. This time on, I was lucky enough to witness Hilton’s brilliant hospitality in this beautiful and quaint city in the state of Rajasthan. The Property: This wonderful estate is situated in one of the best locations one can ask for in this city. A mere 20-minute drive from the international airport, I was honestly surprised at how fast I ended up reaching the hotel post landing. I am also extremely proud and humbled at the same time about the fact that the Hilton Jaipur has been given the title of “One of the 100 best business hotels in India” by CondeNast Traveller India itself, in the year 2017. The property is also near some major landmarks and monuments of the city like the Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, City Palace and the likes. It is also near the railway station which is only 5 minutes from the property during non-traffic hours. The Aura: The first thing you notice upon entering the hotel is the wide-open lobby. Done up in pastels and lit up beautifully, the lobby is like a breath of fresh air. The high ceiling and long windows and huge glass doors add to the brilliant illusion of openness. The lobby also has various seating arrangements that can easily accommodate many people at one time without making it feel congested. The rooms too are designed in a similar …

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TGIFridays Introduces Super Food Menu

May 17, 2017

Eating healthy has become more of a culture rather than being a simple trend to adapt healthier ways of eating. Restaurants, parlours and cafeterias are adapting the culture, evolving their menus to be more low-carb than being smitten with a layer of grease to make it look yummier and taste absolutely impeccable. TGIFridays has been a name in the the restaurant industry for decades. A franchise adaption of the American food giant, TGIFridays has always been associated with beer & bites kind of an invention that dates back to the year of 1965. Carrying forward the journey of decades, TGIFridays have times and now introduced food items on the menu depending on the liking of their loyal customers and also keeping the current food trends in the frame to deliver what the world is eating currently. Connecting these two dots, TGIFridays have just launched their healthy menu that caters to the cravings of food lovers, with balanced intake of carbs and details about the dietician approved ingredients used in the making of these unique dishes. The menu is called ‘Super Food Menu’ and is currently on its limited timeline, inviting food lovers to try out from their array of meat cut platters, salad and a lip-smacking yet healthy dessert option. “Instead of regular boring salad to stay healthy, our Super Food menu is packed with delicious items like Wasabi Miso Glazed Chicken, Salmon with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, Cranberry and Blueberry Couscous and kale. The concept of Super Foods is that each ingredient is packed with an abnormal amount of vitamins, nutrients and minerals which put you in best shape of your life!” says Rohan Jetley, CEO and Owner, TGI Fridays India. I visited TGIFridays Noida to try out the ‘Healthy Foods’ menu along with their signature JD dressed meats and …

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Jom Jom Malay Delhi

April 19, 2017

Saturated your taste buds trying the same Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean cuisines in Delhi? How about trying out the flavours of Malaysia now?! Yep, Delhi now has its very own authentic Malaysian restaurant, serving the finest Southern Asia platters. Set amidst the re-launched Ansal Plaza, the restaurant has been done with beautiful Malaysian style decors and artefacts. So while you dine overlooking the space, the vibrant decor scheme keeps the ambience happy and entertaining for everyone alike. Jom Jom Malay means ‘come on let’s (try) this Malay’, which as per me is a very intriguingly articulated name for a one of its kind dining experience! Speaking about the food, the menu is exhaustive with detailed Malaysian dishes that have been well researched on. The ingredients being put to use are sourced from the best resources and the preparation is done from scratch to preserve the authenticity of flavours. So no imported canned pastes and other shallow ingredients at all, which definitely reflects on the finished product as what they serve is absolutely fresh in terms of quality. Satay lovers can rejoice over a generous serving of Chicken, Mutton and Fish satay that is garnished with grounded peanut and is served with Malay sauce and curry. The satays are grilled to perfection, preserving the juices of the meat while offering a crunchy outer layer for added texture. I absolutely loved having the Chicken satay with the peanut paste. Definitely a great way to start your Malaysian journey at Jom Jom Malay. One definite dish that everyone looks forward to trying from the menu is the ‘Murtabak’. They cater to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian style of this stuffed pancake dish which comes with the Malay Curry for added juicy flavours. It’s quite a filling dish in itself, so you can share …

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Nowruz Celebrations at Zarin by Fairmont Jaipur

March 21, 2017

It’s always a pleasure being back at Fairmont Jaipur. That ‘Royalty State Of Mind’ experience is something I always look forward to on my travel times. The month of March is the time for celebrations as Gulf countries and Parsi community celebrates ‘Nowruz’, the Persian New Year. Celebrating the occasion in an Indo-Persian-Parsi style, Fairmont Jaipur recently invited me and a couple of other food influences to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Zarin, India’s only Indo-Persian restaurant. Candlelit restaurant, intricately painted ceilings, chandeliers, rainy winds gushing through the corridors and a set menu offering the finest of the Persian dishes being prepared by Chef Deepak Gurung & Chef Rehman was what we witnessed on the eve of Nowruz. The ‘Forgotten Recipes of Persia’ food festival will go on till 1st of April, offering finest of the fine Persian and Parsi recipes at Zarin. Also, in accordance is the celebration of Zarin’s 2nd anniversary since its launch in March 2015. Considering the feedbacks that they’ve received from their elite customers over the course of time, Chefs have introduced a menu for Zarin that consists of an array of Vegetarian dishes in the fresh carte du jour. The amalgamation between Indo-Persion style of cooking, techniques and usage of herbs is what resonates throughout the menu of Zarin. Let me take you on a pictorial journey of what I tried at Zarin from their newly launched menu. Table condiments Ajika, Hummus, Parsi coconut green chutney, Parsi tomato chutney with House Salad (Romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, carrots and olives served with house dressing) & Persian breads. Soup Soup – E – Joe – Slowly cooked barley soup with Persian spices. The soup was quite refreshing, light and mildly infused with herbs keeping the freshness of the vegetables intact. For non-vegetarian counterpart, the menu also had Harira …

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Ibis Mumbai Airport Hotel – Review

March 1, 2017

Travelling to Mumbai is one thing and travelling in Mumbai is another. Given the congested traffic chaos that the city meets every hour, it becomes a challenge for business travellers to travel in and around the city, being on time for their commitments, yet defeating the road jams. And to top it all, staying put at a hotel which is stretched out in the busy lanes of the city makes it a nightmare to travel to & from the airport. Keeping the situation in hand, many hotels have been established over time around the airport premises. Ibis Mumbai Airport Hotel is one such hotel, situated right next to the international airport, which offers world class hospitality on economical rates. In the first week of February, I travelled to Bombay and had the privilege of staying at this compact and contemporary hotel that meets the international standards of AccorHotels. Although, you can very much take a local cab/auto to reach Ibis Mumbai Airport Hotel on your own, the hotel also offers shuttle service to & fro the international airport upon prior reservations. As I arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, I was warmly greeted by two gentlemen representing Ibis Mumbai. My ride was comfortable, with a platter of assorted fruits and cold mineral water by the side of my seat so that I could unwind from all the travelling. Upon arrival, Mr. Ridul Deka, General Manager of Ibis Mumbai Airport Hotel and Mr. Rayan Aranha welcomed me to the hotel, sharing an insight on what Ibis Mumbai Airport is all about. I was also greeted to a refreshing glass of coconut water which adds on a small gesture that makes Ibis Mumbai Airport’s hospitality stand out amongst the rest. The check-in was absolutely hassle-free, the reservations and reception staff courteous enough and the …

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Amitabh Bachchan’s Favourite Sampan Restaurant

February 20, 2017

Mumbai might have many Chinese restaurants serving authentic platters, but Sampan stands out ahead of the crowd being a Bollywood favourite for decades. While Amitabh Bachchan’s favourite pick from the menu is Mushroom on Toast, Quantico lady Priyanka always opts for Chicken Pepper Chili while dining at this pool & Juhu beach front facing restaurant. So what is it about Sampan that really ticks with these world-trotting celebrities? I had the honour of finding that out when Novotel Juhu hosted me for a lunch break at this iconic restaurant. Head Chef Penpa Tseri had designed a special menu, presenting some of his finest works and I will not deny the fact that each dish stood out impeccably!   Beautifully designed interiors, reflecting the culture of China, a simple walk-in at Samapan Novotel Juhu ensures that you’ll be served nothing but authentic Chinese food. The restaurant has a whooping 10 page menu, but I was to dine on Chef’s special spread. To start with, I picked up Novotel’s Signature drink – NOVOTEL PUNCH, which was a concoction of Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Mango juice, Grenadine and fresh cream. The drink was quite refreshing for a lazy warm Mumbai afternoon. Based on my preference of meats, Chef Penpa created 4 starter menu which was a blend of seafood and chicken. Before my starters arrived, I was offered a cup of searing hot Jasmine Tea which acts as a palette cleanser to prepare you for your journey of Chinese flavours. The first on the starters menu was Mandarin Chicken which was sliced chicken in soya sauce, tossed with bell peppers and with a zing of crushed black pepper for course flavours. The chicken was succulent, soya sauce in harmony and the salty-spicy combination of black pepper anted up the taste manifolds. Next up on the …

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The Picnic Table By The Gateway Resort Damdama Lake

February 1, 2017

I have been saying this since a while now and finally someone heard the cry. It’s time that we move over gastro-pub experience and embrace the old school style of dining experiences. And what a fun way to bring the change by introducing the ‘The Picnic Table’ by The Gateway Resort Damdama Lake. Situated right next to the adventure zone of The Gateway Resort, near Gurgaon, The Picnic Table is a concept offering set menu of drinks and quick bites to bring about the ambience of enjoying a picnic. One can sit at their outdoorsy seating arrangements, or simply take their food over to the park and enjoy hot lip-smacking bites overlooking the green and serene vegetation of the property. Taking inspiration from the sanctuary style layout of The Gateaway Resort Damdama Lake, The Picnic Table too adapts the beauty of scenic landscapes and brings it to the food that it serves. Mexican style wraps tossed with fresh organic vegetables, an array of burgers, add ons and beverages; The Picnic Table surely embarks in the authenticity of the Picnic Concept. Speaking about the drinks, if you are a fan of Oreo Cookies or like chocolate-milky concoctions, then do give the Oreo Milkshake a try. They also offer Iced Teas, Hot teas and Coffee mixes to please everyone’s preferences. The Sandwhich section consists of in total 5 style of sandwiches with Chicken Seekh English Masala, Cheesy Grilled Panini and Aloo Patty signature style on the menu. The patty is soft, with the meat or the main ingredient embedded in a mix of raw cut veggies. The overall vibe is crunchy, fresh, juicy and very much a picnic food for any given season or gathering. For the younger crowd who absolutely can’t do without a layered dose of heaven called Burgers, The …

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Taksim, Ansal Plaza

January 27, 2017

You’ve got to visit Taksim at the re-launched Ansal Plaza (Khel Gaon, Delhi) to believe that this recently opened restaurant is going by reservations due to its excessive demand. Be it a cosy weekend hangout or an ice-cold weekday evening meetup, Taksim is getting sold out on table reservations as we speak. The credit goes to the restaurant’s location, impeccable menu plan and the earthy-meets-eclectic ambience with live music & dj nights to keep the spirits high. Taking orders left, right and centre, the staff of Taksim is doing a tremendous job in keeping up with the demands of its customers, serving 2 floors,a mezzanine and a sprawling open-air patio setup; on a daily basis. Speaking about the ambience, the 4200 sq ft. place is well-lit, with wooden infrastructure, cutlery inspired modernistic art decor and comfortable seating arrangements. With a fully equipped live bar, Taksim offers an array of imported and domestic hard drinks, along with some signature cocktails on demand. My favourite has to be the Summer Cyclist which has an interesting combination of Orange and Litchi juice. If you like spice, then opt for Amrud Masala which has a base of Guava juice and a concoction of green chillies and Tabasco blend. No bar experience is complete if not for a dense list of nibblers and starters to munch on. Be it Lebanese platters, Mexican Salsa spread, American Diner Chips or Desi Fries; Taksim offers world cuisines on its menu. We tried Thai Grilled Chili Basil, Bombay Chicken which is basically mince chicken cutlet served Bombay Pav style, Feta Stuffed Sweet Potato Patty, Palak Patta Ki Milly Filly Chat, Dahi Ke Sholey which was thick spiced yogurt wrapped in crispy fried bread, Cottage Cheese Shawarma Quesadilla and many other sliders to try out. What is worth appreciating is the well …

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Mosaic Hotels Christmas Delicacies At M-LOUNGE

December 14, 2016

This article needs no introduction, because it’s the spirit of this festivity that brings out the best in any hospitality group and other brands alike. Mosaic Hotels too, getting into the festive mood, has introduced an array of Christmas Delicacies that are now available for the entire month for purchase! And to give us food lovers a personal experience of what they have in store for their Delhi and NCR foodies, they invited us over a tête-à-tête to introduce their Holiday Season specialities. M Lounge Patisserie, which comes under the Mosaic Hotels banner excels in breads, cakes and other assortments like chocolates and breakfast spreads. Keeping in mind the utility of products for a month long holiday season, M lounge has introduced a variety of breads, cakes and edible decors to meet the requirement of their clients. As simple as a bread loaf has been done 3 ways to bring in more flavours and a sense of being merry to everyone’s breakfast table. I personally loved their marble and jam flavoured bread loafs. Priced between INR 125-150 for 500 gms, these bread loafs will last 2-3 weeks and can be micro-heated to retain freshness at the time of serving. For chocolate lovers they have Leopard Bread and Marble Bread as well. For those who love the jam-bread traditional combination, the chef has introduced the Swiss Breakfast Bread and for the health conscious lot they have an array of Mutli-Grain breads too. Their festive star is the Chimney Cake which is basically an edible chimney made of croissant dough stuffed with battery-operated candles and an option of assorted chocolates, cookies and choco-cookies. These chimneys have been designed as a table decoration which can be savoured past it’s decorative show. The chimneys are priced between INR 274-475 and can last for up to …

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PepsiCo Lays – Making Of The Golden Chip

December 9, 2016

Saving every penny to buy a pack of Lays and pray to get a TAZO different from my over-flooding collection of these 286 colourful plastic disks – That’s how I spent my childhood! Growing up on Magic Masala and switching to the American Style Cheese & Onion, the transition has been quite a wonderful journey. Not just myself, but I have seen my elders switching from the regular ‘Namkeens’ to offering & gifting packs of Kurkure as the ultimate snacking option with friends and family. We have all cherished munching on an array of Lays and Kurkure flavors throughout our lives, with Saif Ali Khan and other Bollywood sirens sharing our love for PepsiCo all the while; nothing has ever deterred our love for these bites. And to experience the true value of PepsiCo’s dedication towards producing the best quality snacks and motive behind maintaining a production environment that balances all spheres of lifestyle, I was invited over to visit their biggest Lays & Kurkure production plant in Dhulagarh, Kolkata. I can write an entire article on how I felt; taking a tour of this plant, but let me summarize it to this, that while I was taken through the entire production process, all I could think of were 2 things – 1. Can I just stretch my hand, pick a crisp chip and munch on it already? 2. Why do people say that Kurkure has plastic in it, when not even a plastic vessel is used in the production?  Lay’s- Making Of The Golden Chip PepsiCo not only takes extra precautions in the production of Lays, but the brand takes active participation with thousands of farmers, providing them resources and regular interactive technical knowledge to produce the right quality of potato in India. Their major part of potato sourcing …

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