MY JAPANESE CULINARY JOURNEY

What can be a better way to experience Japan than a dedicated culinary tour to savour its tapestry of tastes, colours and smells? My food trail leads you into Japan’s popular streets to relish the Land of the Rising Sun’s delicacies and good news is that eating out in the country is not expensive at all!!!

OKONOMIYAKI IN HIROSHIMA

Sample this, a combination of noodles, cabbage, Japanese mayonnaise, meat and seafood of your choice, cheese, udon or soba noodles and eggs all grilled into a pizza size pancake of perfection - then topped with the decadence known as Okonomiyaki sauce! While the noodles are warming on the grill, the chef creates a thin circle of batter, which looks very similar to our humble ‘Dosa’ and then places the ingredients you chose on top of it. He scrambles an egg and places it on a circle as well on the griddle. The noodles and the egg are then placed on top of the ‘Dosa’. With their spatulas, the chefs dramatically and carefully flip over the okonomiyaki to cook it through and the result is a tight, perfectly-shaped, consistent circle….decadent to the core!

INTERESTING FACT- Also known as Hiroshima’s ‘soul food’ okonomiyaki seems to have evolved from a pre-war children’s snack called issen-youshoku, which consisted of a folded crepe topped with onions and Worchester sauce.

OCTOPUS IN OSAKA

While shopping in Osaka’s market I had this craving to eat some snack. Ramen was easily available but it would stuff me up I knew. Then I noticed these Takoyaki (octopus treats) stalls all over the place and seemed to be Osaka’s quintessential street food which has been popular in Osaka and the surrounding Kansai area since the early 1930’s. Basically round octopus fritters – crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and anchored by the firm bite of octopus. It took a couple years for them to settle on what exactly to put inside the gooey dough, with using beef and egg before they eventually hit upon the idea of octopus. Toppings can vary from seaweed; bonito fish flakes, Okonomi-yaki sauce and mayonnaise! It takes great agility and a steady hand to twist the dumplings with chopsticks while they cook on a special pan. I ordered half-dozen, which costed me about INR300 for that quantity and yes…it did satiate my palate.

INTERESTING FACT- There is a museum dedicated to Takoyaki in Osaka, located in the Universal Studios City Walk shops and restaurants centre on the 4th floor.

TOFU GALORE IN KYOTO

Kyoto’s streets spew historical elements and culture. There are a lot of souvenir shops, some of them with the cutest goods. It’s like going back in time. People always say if you like Japanese culture then Kyoto is a place you must visit and a visit to Kyoto is incomplete without a tofu meal. Fresh tofu in Japan is far better than it is anywhere else, and Kyoto is deemed the place in the country to eat quality tofu. This is perhaps attributed to the skill, refined court and temple-influenced culture and the quality of the local water. Whatever the reason, to most Japanese people Kyoto means tofu! One can experience soy’s platonic ideal, at any one of a handful of Kyoto’s excellent tofu restaurants. Serving fresh tofu in a variety of forms—creamy as pudding, light and airy, dense and chewy—The yudofu set meal, which changes slightly with the seasons, includes a pot of tofu boiled at your table, fried tofu on a stick, vegetable tempura, yam soup, and pickled vegetables. I would highly recommend it all.

INTERESTING FACT-Authentic, handcrafted tofu relies on high-quality soy beans, good water in which to soak and boil them, and of course the expertise of the tofu maker.

GO CHINESE IN YOKAHAMA

Located at Motomachi Chukagai station, it was a forty-minute ride by express train from central Tokyo. What separates Yokohama from other Japanese cities is Chinatown, the largest Chinese neighbourhood not only in Japan but the world too, and attracts over 18 million visitors per year, and is also the biggest tourist draw in town. For a foodie like me the best reason to stop in Chinatown is the food. Popular favourites include steamed pork buns, sweet chestnut, ramen noodles and a wide array of other Chinese dishes. As I strolled along I discovered authentic Chinese ingredients, like fried shallots, fiery-hot chili paste, and dried scallops and the steamed pork bun stalls were at almost every corner and looked fat and succulent. At the small by lanes, one can spot lively shops promising delicious dishes with the aroma of garlic and oyster sauce wafting out. I went in for an all-you-can-eat dim sum spread which was delicious. The only Japanese elements here were the spinach dumplings. They used sticky mochi as the skin but it tasted awesome.

INTERESTING FACT -The district has over 160 restaurants serving every regional style of Chinese food imaginable, a fact that led Fodor’s to label it “the best place for lunch in Yokohama”.

IZAKAYA FUN IN TOKYO

For a local night out in Tokyo an Izakaya, a traditional type of Japanese bar something on the lines of a tapas bar makes a great choice. Literally translates into ‘a place where there is Sake’.  I found many Izakaya in Tokyo ranging from a stand up bar with room for around 15 people, to a huge brightly lit place seating a 100 people. Some specialize in a particular type of food such as yakitori or tofu while others have a varied menu for one to choose from. Metro stations make an excellent hunting ground for these fast food lively, tasty and pocket-friendly Izakaya. My friend and I ordered some beer, along with some gyoza, fried small fish, Edamame, sushi and barbecued pork belly. This is a perfect place to go with a big group so one can try lots of different things.

INTERESTING FACT- The history of izakaya started when sake shops opened their shops for drinking to customers. Today it serves foods to accompany the drinks.

published in fnl

Lohri – The Bonfire festival

Northern January is immensely cold, there’s fog and everything seems rather at a standstill but one thing brilliant about nature is that the fields look promising and is a good enough reason to celebrate as it is also the resting period before the cutting of crops. It is also customary to celebrate this festival with pomp and joy for newly weds; houses blessed with a newborn baby or infact any happy event in the family. For agriculturists it is also the beginning of a new financial year. It sure is enticing to find an apparent wave of activity going on amongst People for Lohri celebrations- the long-awaited bonfire festival, which is celebrated on the 13^th of January every year. Interestingly at the same time “Pongal” is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, “Bihu” in Assam, “Bhogi” in Andhra Pradesh “Sankranti” in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and “Utraan” in Gujrat.

RITUALS

 “ De Mai Lodi, Jeeve teri Jodi”, “ Sundar munderiya ho. tera kaun vichara ho. Dulha bhatti waal aho…”etc can be heard in the morning on Lohri day as it’s a ritual for children to demand “Lohri” from elders in the form of money, sweets, peanuts, Gajak, Sesame seed Rewadi, popcorn, jaggery etc. Interestingly “ Dulha Bhatti Waala” was the Punjabi Robin Hood and that is the reason children sing his praises as a custom on Lohri as he was also known to have saved the life of a girl and giving her in marriage as his own sister”. The main event in the evening is making of a huge bonfire, which is symbolic of the homage to the Sun God for bringing in warmth around which people sing and dance and throw puffed rice, Lohri related sweets etc in the fire that sanctifies one’s endeavor for a good life on the one hand and destroys evil spirits on the other.

TO SUM IT UP

The celebrations generate a lot of bonhomie as family and friends sit around the bonfire, singing, dancing and praying for prosperity, while making offerings of peanuts, jaggery, popcorn, beaten rice and Sesame seed gajak to the rising flames.

EXPLORING TWO OF JAPAN’S EXOTIC CITIES- YOKOHAMA & TOKYO!

VIBRANT JAPAN

EXPLORING TWO OF JAPAN’S EXOTIC CITIES- YOKOHAMA & TOKYO!

Landing at Tokyo’s Narita airport, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I breezed through customs and how I found my luggage already waiting for me. This was my first but certainly not the last taste of Japanese efficiency.

SCENIC SANKEIEN GARDENS

My first two days were spent in Yokohama and obviously the first stop had to be the famed Sankeien Gardens which was one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to, spectacular and stunning with an enormous koi pond, a few old structures scattered here and there, and an awe-inspiring bamboo grove. I followed a trail that lead up to a large hill with a lot of steps and ended up at a gorgeous three story pagoda, but it is well worth it, as is the observatory overlooking the sea at the highest point in the garden. I can just imagine how incredible it must be later in the spring or during the summer. I also wondered how crowded it might get during those times.

A WOK IN CHINATOWN

The Chinese started settling in Yokohama in the mid 1800’s when Japan opened its doors to international trade. Since then Yokohama’s Chinatown has blossomed into Japan’s largest Chinese community. The area houses a major street with dozens of cross streets and alleys, and is home to many restaurants, serving Cantonese cuisine and there are many street side snacks too. The Japanese consider it impolite to walk and eat at the same time, fortunately that rule does not extend to Yokohama’s Chinatown. So I grabbed a portion of ‘sheng jian bao’, which seemed to be a hot seller and I had to literally stand in a queue for about 15 minutes to get it. This juicy, dumpling whose underside is browned on a griddle is absolutely delightful and one has to be careful while biting into the crust as it causes an eruption of liquid which may fall on your clothes and not on the tray. Strolling along I checked out the other colourful and exotic shops overflowing with Chinese goods, books, souvenirs and even Chinese medicines.

CUP NOODLES MUSEUM

I recollect many instances when cup noodles saved me from instant hunger when I was in the hostel and ran out of money or after working till late when there weren’t any options left to eat out! A museum dedicated to Cup Noodles? I simply had to go! I entered a hall called Instant Noodles History Cube that exhibited all the cup noodles sold in the world market from the very beginning up to present. For those who do not know the first cup noodles was invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958.  Up on the second to top floor was a street like display with little window shops with all kinds of noodle vendors. The creator must have surely travelled the world trying different kinds of noodles for such amazing ideas! The exhibits were interesting as well as educative. Finally I went to the Cup Noodles factory to make my own instant cup noodles. I took a cup from the vending machine and sanitized my hands. I designed my cup and personalized it with colourful markers. After choosing the flavour and seasonings, I sealed the noodles. It was really good fun! The room next door, which is a little more expensive one, can actually make ramen noodles from scratch!

SHINJUKU, TOKYO BY NIGHT

The sheer size is overwhelming. As I looked at the subway map, I thought I would spend hours getting lost around the city. I walked around Shinjuku station, the biggest metro station in the world, only to realise Tokyo is big. When I finally exited the subway I stood awe -struck. The view of Shinjuku at night is one of the most captivating and stunning urban experiences in the world. Tokyo is absolutely high on the fashion quotient, as I witnessed passer-by’s dressed in the latest fashion crossing the busiest crossroad in the world. There were sky-high glass buildings all around and Neon lights as far as my eye could see. All in all, Shinjuku makes even New York and London look rural. Tokyo is futuristic!

OF MASKS & DRAMA- KABUKI

Truly cultural emissaries from the land of the rising sun continue to capture the global imagination which I understood once as I was at the Kabukiza theatre in Ginza. With the English language headphone translation it was easy and fun to watch the show. The heavily made up faces of its actors and the musical instruments, including the shamisen, accompanied the performance. I loved the atmosphere created by sounds and images. The stage revolved and was set with trapdoors from which actors appeared on and left the stage. The story was quite like a Hindi film and I just didn’t how the three long hours passed away! Highly recommend this for those visiting Tokyo!

IZAKAYA- EAT LIKE A LOCAL

Tokyo’s fast food Izakaya’s are buzzy, yummy and pocket friendly! Basically they are bars that serve food and follow a formula of an open counter where the chefs’ work, a selection of sake, cocktails, wine, beer etc. and menus that include sharing dishes of Sushi, yakitori, Edamame, spring rolls, tempuras and other small eats! I visited one with a Japanese friend of mine and she took me to the best kind of neighbourhood place, and trust me if this neighbourhood wasn’t a long flight away, I’d probably be there every evening!

My very dear friend Ayako...we went together to cooking school in paris

BID ADIEU!

People here are exceedingly friendly and the hospitality is better than any other place I have ever seen (considering I travel one International destination every month) yet people are not tipped and do not expect either! So after drinking a lot of green tea, eating Sushi galore and shopping at all the possible malls and Uni Qlo for jackets (I left my last day just for that), my trip came to an end which I would say had been rather amazing and one I would definitely repeat again! At times it was challenging due to the cultural differences. But that is exactly why I travel, I love the differences of the cultures and the similarities that bring us closer together as human beings. My first trip to Japan had been rather fruitful!

published in TLF

SMOKE ON THE WATER @ VIVANTA BY TAJ, COIMBATORE

The Lowdown –One can choose from a selection of a pre-set menu from the International or North- Indian section. The uniqueness comes with the fact that all the menu items are served to your table in a pre-decided sequential chronological order. The open kitchen includes interactive grill stations, and is a focal point of the restaurant.

Ambience- Inspired by the elements, this restaurant is a landscape which has been carefully coaxed into a Fine dining. To add to the table experience one can dine by a sparkling pool of water at the private dining tables or by the Hotel’s edge in the fine dine area under the shimmering and calming sky. 

Lip-smacking- ‘Peri Peri chicken’, ‘fresh catch of the day grilled to perfection’, ‘chimichurri Tenderloin steak’, ‘Mushroom Risotto’,  ‘Lakhnavi Murg Biryani’, ‘Paneer Naintara’, ‘Lasooni kheer’, ‘Litchi Baked yoghurt’.

Don't even go there – if you are looking for some interesting South-Indian grills, which could be such a crowd puller.

'Man’ Speak – Dining here is special-the impeccable service, the sense of culinary comfort in knowing you won’t get surprises-just first rate food with no nouveau frills.

How to get there –Vivanta by Taj – Surya, Coimbatore, 105, Race Course Road

Coimbatore- 641018. Nestled in the heart of the city on Race Course road, a landmark which everyone in the city is aware of.

Tel-91 422 668 1000

Timings- Open only for dinner 7:30 Pm to 11pm.

Cost – A meal for two would cost around 3,000 INR without Alcohol.

published in The Man

KOLKATA CHROMOSOME

The name Kolkata invokes the image of a city which is rich in culture and tradition. Of the many things I saw while growing up, I had a special fondness for my mother’s beautiful ‘Victoria’ curio. Its intricate design and soothing colors fascinated me and every time I touched it, I was asked to be careful and one day the inevitable happened, the curio broke and I got a spanking of a lifetime. Recently when I visited Kolkata after a long gap, I decided to first check out the beautiful Victoria memorial again and ride on the ‘Victoria’ and lots more.

MAJESTIC BEAUTY

I made my first stop here at the “Victoria Memorial Hall” (1921) and I thought it was a strange blend of Taj Mahal at Agra and St.Paul’s cathedral in London. I enjoyed strolling in the manicured gardens and browsing though the museum –which included a treasure trove of paintings, armor, swords, guns and other memorabilia of the time. Truly it stands majestically in its symmetrical construction of white marble. It’s open daily from 10 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays and gazetted holidays.

Also Visit: The nearby ‘Birla Planetarium’ –the first of its kind and also the largest in South East Asia. The landmark is a building with a shallow dome and a digital clock. 

BEAUTY IN STEEL

Drove over the Vidyasagar Setu Bridge on the river Hooghly; it was good fun more so because it was raining  so we drove back and forth admiring this technological marvel. The Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) is visible from this one and it is also a miracle of engineering skill, a huge cantilever bridge supported by two piers 270 ft height from the road level. On the way crossed the National Library, built in Italian renaissance style; interestingly the Belvedere was official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. The national Library is now housed here and is open from 8 am to 8pm. Also stopped by at the Zoological gardens, the Alipore Zoo opened to the public in 1876 by Edward VII, has one of the finest collections of birds, animals and reptiles. The Aquarium in front of the zoo contains sea-fish of rare varieties. Open from 8 am to 5pm on all days except Thursdays.

LEGENDARY TEA ROOM

Between touristing had to stop by at Flury’s as like any other person settled in other cities and on other continents come back for a taste of Flurys whenever they are passing through. Such is the level of nostalgia and attachment that this old – world tea room, the only one of its kind in the city, invokes. In fact Flury’s is a name synonymous since time immemorial with popular Swiss confectionery and mouthwatering goodies is a prime example of the same. Situated at 18, Park Street was founded in the year 1927 by Mr and Mrs. J Flury. Within no time, it gained immense popularity to become the favorite tea – room of the prosperous Britisher and the affluent Indian alike. This was largely due to its exotic cakes, creamy pastries, rich puddings and perhaps the best Swiss chocolates outside the European continent, and in no small measure to the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere that it provided. With the passage of time, it became a part of the culture of Kolkata and no morning walker’s daily routine was complete without a visit to this legendary eatery.  As it stands today, is an institution in the city and evokes strong emotions among generations. Memories mingle with meals as members of the Flurys ‘family’ keep dropping in for decades. A place where one can slowly sip a cup of tea or eat the famous rum balls or meringues with cream and watch the world go by. Flurys offers an old world atmosphere and a glimpse of the Kolkata of another era.

FACT FILE

GETTING THERE-All major airlines fly to Kolkata daily.

BEST TIME TO GO- the Bengali New Year, though all the year round is fine.

WHERE TO STAY- Kolkata has many hotels for all budgets. I would pick out Hotel Hindustan International and The Park as they are in the heart of the city.

SHOPPING- Do visit ‘New market’ a 140 year old bazaar that is soaked in the old world charm of colonial Kolkata. You’d find here curios, ethnic silver and accessory shops, yards of colorful fabric etc. For the fashionistas ’85 Lansdowne’ is the place. It houses works of over 24 of India’s best designers including Bengali babu ‘Sabyasachi Mukherjee’ of the ‘Rani’ fame.

FOOD FACTS- The people of Kolkata are known for their love for good cuisine and as a result a large number of eating-places in the city have also become a part of the rich heritage of the city. For street food it is definitely “Russell Street”, Pappu’s puchkas, 

Shatrughan’s Bhelpuri and Sadhu’s chana top the list. It’s hard to miss “Flury’s” while You walk past the buzzing park street. For “Bengali Mithai” try K.C Das or “Girish Chandra Dey” and “Nakur Chandra Nandy”. The locals swear by their ‘Sandesh’ (made from cottage cheese). For Chinese food ‘Tangra’ is a must visit, ‘Beijing’ is highly recommended. For an authentic Bengali meal go to “Kewpies” or “6 Ballygunge Place”. Do not leave without having “Aloor Dum”, “Loochie” and “Bhekti”.

Published in Ht city

13 places to visit in 2013

DRESDEN, GERMANY

With a stunning location and a beautiful climate on the Elbe close to the Czech border, coupled with Baroque style architecture, art collections and museums galore, Dresden has been nick named ‘Elbflorenz’ aka Florence of the Elbe. Since the German reunification in 1990, Dresden has re-emerged as a cultural, educational, political and economic centre of Germany. Though the city still bears many wounds from the bombing raids of 1945, today you can see a fairly well rebuilt old city with its famous opera house, palace (it used to be the royal residence of Saxony), castle and church and a thriving new city on the northern bank. 

VALAIS, SWITZERLAND

The finest views of Europe’s longest glacier can be had via a spectacular walk from the top of cable cars off the Goms valley, and a boat tour of Europe's largest underground lake is one of the more unusual journeys in a canton full of pleasant surprises.  The Valais is a well-kept secret, totally undisturbed, and a paradise for walkers. One can hardly see another soul, just great herds of chamois and ibex, or shepherds in their ancient transhumance chalets, still producing fresh milk and cheeses from their cows. One can walk through fragrant, gentle pastures that sway with dozens of rare wild flowers including alp roses, hairy daphnes and white asphodel, as well as numerous unusual butterflies that inhabit the valley.

LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON REGION, FRANCE

Situated just three hours from Paris by TGV (high speed train), with services to Montpellier International Airport, the region boasts a wealth of different landscapes, traditions and talents waiting to be discovered. It is filled with breath-taking coastline, some of France’s best cuisine, rich medieval history and amazing architecture like chateaux (castles) and cathedrals. Bordering Provence, the Languedoc Roussillon is just as charming and beautiful, also touches the Mediterranean, but is less tourist-ridden and less expensive. France’s most up and coming wines are from this region. It is also a far cry from the Provence or the Cote d’Azur vacation spots many tourists flock to.

LAMU, KENYA

Hidden behind the plains of the Masai Mara, the beaches of Mombasa, and the peak of Mt. Kenya , Lamu does not appear on package tours or safaris, hence seems to have remained under the radar of most mainstream tourism. One would arrive on this tropical island in sunshine, and witness the white sand beaches and turquoise sea and will be mesmerised at once. The town has earned itself UNESCO world heritage site status owing to its mysterious narrow pathways and beautifully carved wood and traditional houses. It feels like being in another world, in fact more like Islam than Africa.

BERRIMA, AUSTRALIA

Autumn it’s arguably the best time to visit the region and feel the crunch of leaves underfoot while one walks and in spring one can enjoy the famous Tulip time festival. After a browse in the treasure cove of specialty shops, cafes and galleries in beautiful historic Berrima one can stop by at “Whitehorse Inn” for some English Tea and scones accompanied with blueberry and raspberry jam and fresh cream. To stay, the “peppers Manor House” commands one of the prime positions and all rooms reflect the ambience and character of an intimate country retreat.

SIGIRIYA, SRILANKA

A world heritage site in Sri Lanka, it is Asia’s best preserved city of the first millennium. Showing complex urban planning around the base of a rock and sheer bravado in the palace perched on the summit. The summit of this rock is 180 m (600ft) above the surrounding jungle and was the location for a courtly paradise of pavilions, gardens and pools. It’s a good approx. 1500 steps climb to the top of the rock.  Sigirya Village is a beautiful concept hotel situated against the backdrop of the Sigiriya Rock. Vast gardens and lotus pools are everywhere – a natural antidote to an exhausting day spent sight-seeing.

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM

With 56 number 1 singles hits, the first being 1953’s, Lita Roza’s, ‘How Much is that Doggy in the Window’, Liverpool is also the Pop Capital of the World. It was an extremely wealthy centre of shipping during the 19th century, and the buildings downtown are magnificent. Down the main street there is some classic architecture around such as St George Hall. The cathedral is massive, as are the civic buildings and museums. They’re mostly built in neo-classical styles so you have gigantic columns, grand entranceways and ornate exteriors. The museums are world-class and the admission is, in most cases, free. And of course there are all the Beatles sites and attractions.

KYOTO, JAPAN

Beautiful, tranquil, mesmerizing with its historical flair and traditional sensibilities Kyoto’s status as the cultural capital of Japan is well deserved. Grab a 500 yen all day bus pass which gives access to all the major historical sites and areas. ‘Kinkakuji’, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion is a must see where each floor represents a different style of architecture. The gilded pagoda is itself beautiful, and one would enjoy walking the path as the garden utilises the sight of a local mountain with selected rocks placed in the pond coupled with a lookout area along it. A visit here is incomplete without a tofu meal. Fresh tofu in Japan is far better than it is anywhere else, and Kyoto is deemed the place in the country to eat quality tofu, so don’t miss that either.

CORK,IRELAND

Most of the shops are around little waterways and greenery is all around, it wasn’t a wonder why Cork has an ‘Irish’ feel to it. It’s a city with some character that’s for sure, and a much more recent history and greatly rewards the visitor who grabs a map-not that you can ever really get lost in the ordered grid of roads. A small entrance housed in a large, brick-and-cast-iron Victorian building, is huge and a mecca for foodies. The official name being Princes Street Market, though locally known as the English Market is a must visit and yes there’s lot more to explore like the ‘Blarney Castle’ and history of the famed ‘Claddah Ring’

BANDUNG, INDONESIA

Take a walk through the quaint town surrounded by misty mountain landscape and lush green tea plantations to familiarize you with the layout. Interestingly this capital of West Java province, in ancient times was known as Parijs van Java (Dutch) or “Paris of Java”, needless to add you can spend the entire day browsing the different Factory Outlets of expensive brands (read Louis Vuitton, Burberry etc.) starting off with Cascade and moving on to the best one in the evening which is Rumah Moda, for the best designs and prices. Do not forget to down thirty kilometres north to the fabled crater of Mt. Tangkuban Perahu (translates into upturned boat in Sundanese), which happens to be the only ‘drive-up’ volcano on the island.

BUTCHART GARDENS, CANADA

Spread over an area of 50 acres, near Victoria on Vancouver Island, the Butchart Gardens Keep it vibrating all throughout the year from the summers to the chilly winters. It is hard to put into words just how beautiful the gardens are and the brochure doesn’t exaggerate when it says, ‘ravishing floral splendour greets you at every turn.’ If you happen to visit Vancouver Island I would highly recommend this especially if you appreciate a lazy afternoon strolling the paths, enjoying the scenery, and simply relaxing! The Butchart Gardens has been recognized by The Gardens being named as a National Historic Site of Canada on the occasion of its Centennial Year in 2004.

UNIQUELY SINGAPORE- THE HOLIDAY YOU TAKE HOME WITH YOU

I have realized that Singapore is an ideal destination if you enjoy bonding with your family with all the cultural diversity and impressive bigness you would expect, and there is something new to do in each visit. The country offers the promise of a deeper and more engaging experience beyond a usual holiday; through experiential and shared learning activities, which can get one drawn to an emotional connection between you and the destination. You would return home enriched, as you get to explore an ‘experiential touch-do-and-engage holiday’ instead of the mere ‘checklist holiday’.

FORTWORTH, U.S.A

Howdy! If you're planning a holiday to Dallas & Fort Worth area I highly suggest you go to the Stockyards in Fort Worth to get a real Texas (aka Tejas) experience. The Stockyards which is about 125 acres was of one of the biggest sale yards in America at one time. Now it’s a small town with businesses, houses and in the centre of it all they have kept the heart of the old time alive.  I would say that while so many destinations let you play cowboy for a few days, a visit to Fort Worth gives you a chance to see the “Cowboy Way of Life” up close and personal.

 published in fnl

A PENGUIN PARADE AND HOW THE KANGAROO GOT ITS NAME

If you happen to be in Melbourne a day trip to see the fairy penguin parade is a must. It is amazing to huddle up on the windy beach as the sun goes down waiting for the first brave penguins to emerge from the waves to make their way up the shore to their burrows.

Magical twilight, pristine beaches and pastoral fields combined together make the Phillip Islands but the main draw for me here was a foot high flightless bird.

Animals usually associated with Australia certainly do not include the fairy penguin, but on a daily basis, scores of these adorable birds waddle from the sea onto the beach, up some tracks and into their homes. So off me set driving along from the South East of Melbourne passing through St Kilda Beach and vineyards, our first stop was the animal sanctuary. While it was the usual array of koalas, kangaroos, wombats and emus, it was worth the trip because our guide told us the story of when Captain Cook first saw the bouncing animal we now know as the Kangaroo. He asked a native aboriginal what the creature was, and got the reply, “Kangaroo”. It was only later discovered that “kangaroo”, in the aboriginal language, means “I don’t know”.

A pit stop at a nearby koala conservation centre, a patch of bush land where the island’s koala population lives, uncovered several of the cuddly creatures sleeping in the forks of trees. Interestingly the koalas are only 38 in number, and this centre has been successful in breeding a genetically diverse population to help preserve the species while providing excellent viewing opportunities for the tourists alongside students and for research.

I also shared a very intimate moment with a joey, a baby koala, who was napping at arm’s length away on a gum tree. Lunch was a quick sandwich and coffee as we were running late for a cruise out to seal rocks, where one can find thousands of seals living in a colony. And when I say thousands, I mean we saw an estimated eleven thousand seals that day. The colony can hold up to 20,000.

Finally it was time for the much-awaited penguin parade. Just after sunset, having sat outside on a freezing concrete viewing platform for about half an hour, I caught my first glimpse of a penguin. At first I could just spot a few white flecks in the breaking waves, and then suddenly a group of about 100 flecks appeared in the same area. Slowly the flecks grew larger as the penguins emerged from the water and made their way up the beach. Together, they edged closer to the lit area of beach, huddling into a small group, totally oblivious to the gathered audience. Suddenly, one penguin began to scurry away, as if he had gathered up all his courage and decided to make a break for it. They are very unsure of things and dive in and out of the water as if deciding on whether or not to start walking up the beach to their homes. No sooner did this one go than the rest raced off towards the foliage in the hilly distance, a hilarious site as the jacketed waddlers scurried away, as if to some unseen treasure. They get into little groups and make the journey (at surprising speeds) up the beach and walk right past where you sit and look absolutely adorable waddling up the beach as fast as they can and stumbling over at times. After the parade, we watched them from the boardwalk as they made their way up across the sandy dunes to their burrows, an amazing, heart-warming sight. It really is a bizarre sight and the penguins seem oblivious to the hundreds of gawking spectators.

   

FAST FACTS

* Best Way to Reach

Fly Qantas till Melbourne and rent a car to drive to the Phillip Islands or take a tour bus. It’s just a two hour drive.

* Visa and Currency- Indians need an Australian visa to enter Phillip Islands. The currency used is the AUD. 1 AUD equals to approximately 45 INR.

* Best Place to stay- Waves Apartments, The Esplanade, 1 Cowes VIC 3922 Tel: (03) 5952 1351.  www.thewaves.com.au

TRES, DELHI

CHILL ZONE

 

The Lowdown – True to its name it’s a three star vision of three people , Ms Fatima Lobo, Chef Julia Carmen Desa and , Chef Jatin  Mallick  aiming for the best of 3 worlds aka delicious food, exceptional ambience and impeccable service. Menu is revised ever so often, but rest assured that practically anything you order will yield ambrosial results under the skilled supervision of the chefs. The appetizer dishes are priced from 319 to 549 rupees and most of the mains from 399 to 629, excellent value considering the quality.

Ambience- Set in elegant and relaxing surroundings with lush landscape and easy access, it is conceptualized with a fusion of stylish minimalism, chic elegance and sophistication by the legendary restaurant designer, Bob Puccini of the 'The Puccini Group’ based out of San Francisco.

chicken breast with oyster mushrom salad with ice berg, soft boiled egg and herb dressing

Lip-smacking- ‘Sun dried Tomatoes and goat cheese bruschetta with caramelized onion and pickled artichokes’, ‘slow cooked leg of lamb nicoise style’, ‘ Duet of reef cod and sea bass with greens, roasted pepper, kalamata olives and balsamic’, ‘pasta with chorizo, smoked sausages, braised onions, plum tomato’, ‘Steak’, ‘Pork belly’, Duet of crème brulee’ and ‘chocolate trance with hazelnut and pistachio’.

Chef Jatin and Chef Julia surprise and delight with their superb creations!

Don't even go there –If you like a wide spread at one go as the tables are too tiny to accommodate much food.
'Man’ Speak – The crowds that pack the brand new restaurant every day testifies to the food served here.
How to get there – Shop No. 17, Main Market, Lodhi Colony, Delhi, 110003
Near Bharat Ghar, Main Jor Bagh Market, opposite vir Sarvarkar Park. Nearest metro station is Jor Bagh.
Tel- +91-011- 24625520/ 24625519
Timings- 12 Noon to 12 midnight.
Cost – A meal for two would be approx. 2,000 without alcohol.

-RUPALI DEAN

 published in The Man

 

 

 

 

CHEZ NINI, DELHI

CHEZ NINI, DELHI

The Lowdown – The restaurant celebrates India’s local farmers and spice markets like never before. In the grand tradition of French cuisine, Nini serves innovative, modest and artisan flavours put to a dramatic effect. The kitchen delivers creative dishes using only the freshest ingredients while retaining the natural flavour. The Bakery products are to die for!

Ambience- Chic French without the snobbery, the tables are rustic polished tree trunk slabs. The star of the show is the scrap-metal tree illuminated with bulbs, especially the way it weaves a metal ‘bird nest’ near the ceiling. Chef owner Nira aka Nini is ever ready to explain every dish on the menu with great gusto and yes all this in between cooking!

The Duck Confit is brilliant

Lip-smacking- ‘New Delhi French Onion soup’, ‘Poutine’, ‘Organic Duck Burger’, ‘Four day crispy pork belly’, ‘Fresh market fish’, ‘Dough less vegetable pasta’, ‘Herb crusted lamb chops’, ‘cup cakes’, ‘Daily breads’, ‘Fruit Gazpacho’, Carrot cake’.

Don't even go there –Some of the fried dishes like croquettes can be really greasy and if the restaurant is very busy the service can take longer than usual.

'Man’ Speak – A showcase of culinary talent, taking the offerings to renewed perfection.

How to get there – 79 & 80 Meher Chand Market (near habitat centre), New Delhi-11003. Nearest metro station is Jor Bagh.
Tel-011 4905 0666
Timings- Open Tuesday – Sunday
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (last order)
Cost – A meal for two would cost around 2,000 INR without Alcohol.


With the chief Chef and owner Nira Singh

-RUPALI DEAN

 published in The Man