TIAN ASIAN CUISINE STUDIO

Tian Asian Cuisine Studio, Delhi, the latest hotspot at ITC Maurya, is well worth a visit, offering ambitious Asian cuisine, made using top quality ingredients. The truly unusual, elegant decor provides the perfect foil to the slightly exotic food. The charming front of the house team completes the picture with its professional and attentive service.

A JOURNEY INTO A NEW DIMENSION OF TASTES

In a wonderful setting at the rooftop, overlooking the terrace garden, the new Asian studio at the ITC Maurya gives free rein to gourmet reverie; and the contemporary and sophisticated décor exudes a peaceful atmosphere.

Chef Vikramjit Roy who helms the restaurant offers a sumptuous and sensual Asian cuisine enhanced by excellent quality produce and stylish presentation. His creations flatter the taste buds and this journey into a new dimension of tastes, is present now, looks at the future but cares about the past.Tian overwhelmed me with dishes of amazing taste, texture, and presentation. The menu on offer is the way to go, offering a gastronomic road trip through the best of Asian cuisine.

Don’t come expecting comfort food: the flavours here may be Asian, but their preparation and presentation are brazenly modern, yet all the flavours have been preserved and enhanced to the utmost. First came one of the most ethereal food experiences I have ever had. This dish was there one minute and gone the next but the flavours lingered and the sheer perfection of the dish will stay with me for a long time. …this was the Amuse Bouche - the ‘Domestic duck liver with truffle candy floss with Cointreau compressed watermelon’! The flavours in the ‘Californian apple salad with betel leaves roasted pine nuts and puffed rice on Chinkiang vinegar reduction’ were amazing. The whole dish was a study in lightness and flavour - it captured exactly what we crave in food; restraint, technical excellence, flavour, lightness and above all deliciousness. Technical wizardry is for nought if the end result doesn’t taste wonderful - this did! Next came the Mushroom soup served as a broth accompanied by a variety of mushrooms and truffle powder. On Chef’s advice I mixed it together and got one of the most amazing renditions of the dish I have ever experienced. The signature Red Duck curry is rich and deeply satisfying, comes with Californian grapes and thread-like slivers of kaffir lime appear alongside as garnishes. Prepare for a standout dessert, which the chef actually creates o your table just like an artist and finish off with aromatic jasmine tea….Aah Bliss!! I would like to add that Tian is reflective of the strong focus ITC Hotels lays on its cuisine Research & Development...a clear enough reason for success of most of its restaurants ( Bukhara & Dumpukht being my favorites).

My job really spoils me and I eat far more amazing food than my waistline can handle, but for me Tian easily gets a top ten spot in my favourite Delhi restaurants list. I will be talking about the food for weeks to come and taking my favourite people here when they visit.

MY FAVOURITES

Soft shell crab infused with peanut glaze

Sichuan style prawns on a bed of guacamole, spiced pineapple, olive miso and smoky Sichuan sauce

Chilean pork spare ribs two ways – barbecued and kochujang glazed

FAST FACTS

Tian Asian Cuisine Studio

Rooftop, ITC Maurya, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi

Timings- 7pm until 11: 30 pm

For Reservations: 011 26112233

The 'Bomba Bomba Paella Paella' Song, by the musical group ' Peligro'

Home style Filipino in a fine dining setting.

PHILLIPINES

La Cocina da Tita Moning,

315 San Rafael St., San Miguel, Manila, Luzon, Philippines.

Tel. +632.734.2146/+632.734.2141

www.lacocinadetitamoning.com

Cuisine: Home style Filipino in a fine dining setting.

Cost: A meal for two would cost approx. 6,000 INR excluding alcohol.

Reservations: Strongly advised.

Not a restaurant you are easily going to stumble across, it was fortunate that a local recommended it to me. We virtually drove into someone’s driveway and parked our car in their back garden as this incredibly unique eatery is set up in the heritage house of a Filipino Doctor and his wife.

Their granddaughter Suzette Montinola runs the place now. I fell in love with the format, a sit-down welcome alongside a refreshing lemongrass tea to have the menu explained, followed by a tour of the ancestral house built in 1936, with well-preserved original structures, furniture and fixtures and even the lifestyle and hobbies of the doctor during the American and Spanish era. It was interesting to see old cameras, a quaint library, an old clinic replete with a human skeleton and an old X-ray machine. The radio room was used by the owner to communicate with his relatives abroad was my favourite.

Coming to the food, the table setting is regal and elegant. Being an exclusive place, it’s popular for private business meetings and family gatherings. The background music is very relaxing, playing the oldies…a total package of the Bygone era. And no surprise, the place offers sumptuous Neo-Filipino, Spanish dishes. The warm and creamy potato-leek soup is incredible. Followed by their traditional Filipino dishes of chicken relleno, braised lamb shank, lengua cooked in white wine and whole baked lapu-lapu.The paella is to die for. The polvorones with fresh mango and ice cream is a decadent concoction of two beloved Filipino dessert favourites while their quezo de bola cheesecake is one of the best I have ever eaten. The servers wear the traditional Filipina patadyong and kimono. Dining here is truly an experience not to be missed.

published in India Today Travel Plus

THE PERFECT WEDDING GIFT….THE VERSATILE KITCHENAID STAND MIXER….

Though the traditional bridal registry has been around for years, the needs of modern brides have evolved beyond just the standard formal, fine china….the iconic KitchenAid stand mixer that comes with attachments for every imaginable task including  pasta making, cheese shredding, sausage stuffing etc. it is the ultimate kitchen tool available in eight exciting colours in India and is the hottest new wedding gift as one wants to fill one’s home with pieces that are an expression of their own style, just like building one’s own wardrobe…..

DID YOU KNOW?

The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is expertly hand assembled in Greenville, Ohio, home of KitchenAid since 1919.

A NOSTALGIC CONNECT

Brides to be lust after and look forward to get past the wedding so they can spend more time with the love of their life: a shiny, colour of their choice KitchenAid stand mixer. Like many brides of generations past and present, most brides put the iconic mixer atop their gift registry abroad.

For girls who grew up watching their grandmothers or mothers make homemade meringue and bread, the KitchenAid mixer is just as much a symbol of nostalgia as it is a kitchen tool to be passed down through the generations. These brides say the best thing about getting married; besides falling in love is finally being able to satisfy their thirst for nostalgia and adorn their countertops with this wedding present. Sample this, the mixer enthusiast’s devotion runs so much so from naming the appliance and working it into divorce agreements, to getting a tattoo and taking it with her to the grave. Today, many to be married couples are mixing different styles; incorporating both casual and formal elements to create an environment that they love to come home to and Wedding registry gifts a timeless trend is catching up in India as well as what could be a better way  for your loved ones to honour a milestone in their life. Simply put, this is the greatest indispensable appliance of all time and it will last forever like a good marriage one hopes for!

TIP

For a more creative and personal touch a good idea is to include some family recipes with the stand mixer gift.

  

WHAT MAKES IT TICK?

The mixer has had a long time following and continues to be a coveted wedding gift, according to wedding industry experts. Owing to the fact that not only is it a very useful tool to have, but it comes in fun colours. Even people who don’t cook all that much want the KitchenAid to stand proudly on their counter and accessorize their kitchen. In India KitchenAid offers the mixer in colours such as Tangerine, Raspberry Ice, Candy Apple, Onyx Black etc. The most popular colour for newly married couples, however, is the Empire Red. One of the newest improvements to the KitchenAid stand mixer is their sturdiest wire whip yet. Unlike the dough hook and paddle attachments, the whip have several different parts affixed together, making it the part that takes the most abuse literally. When the couple already has the mixer, the pasta roller attachment is phenomenal for making fresh pasta a regular event rather than a special chore. Other attachments include the ice cream maker, a meat grinder, and a citrus juicer. Known as the workhorse and the ‘John Deere of the kitchen’, the appliance is valued by most users because it makes cooking easy and fun. It saves the hands so much time to continue prepping other ingredients as one need not stand and watch as things mix together. Basically this decadently versatile stand mixer is a smaller version of commercial-size models; and is designed with enough power and capacity to prepare large batches of cake batter or cookie dough without compromising one the kitchen counter space. ‘Food should be fun’ as Thomas Keller once said and the KitchenAid Stand mixer just does that…. as the KitchenAid mixer can turn any novice to a bonafide chef. Happy Cooking on that note!

FUN FACT

The KitchenAid mixer company got its name when the founder of KitchenAid Herbert Johnson gave the wives of the executives at his company a prototype model and one of the exclaimed, ‘I don’t care what you call it, but I know it’s the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had!’

THE CHEMISTRY

Retro styled and easy to use, the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is the perfect kitchen companion. Employing a unique tilting head to facilitate bowl and content removal, this mixer is undeniably handy

THE BIOLOGY

The Planetary action allows attachments to spin independently while making continual rotations around the bowl for thorough mixing. Ten speeds range from very slow stirring to very high beating. Head tilts for easy removal of work bowl and beaters. Has a Power hub for use with optional attachments. 5-qt. stainless-steel bowl locks to base and Includes flat beater, dough hook, wire whip and pouring shield.

  

A BRAND NEW MAGICAL & MUSICAL FANTASY FOR LITTLE CHILDREN AT KINGDOM OF DREAMS

Adapted for stage from a story by Roald Dahl the magical musical set in a mad wonderland is completely bewitching for little children ..

This magical musical fantasy ‘Wizwits’ is the third and latest production from the House of Kingdom of Dreams and marked their 4th anniversary last Tuesday. Scripted and directed by well-known theatre personality Lushin Dubey and Bubbles Sabharwal an ample dose of song and dance in this musical drama comes with the social message –‘victory of good over evil’.

ROUGH AN EDGE OF THE SEAT ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Staged at their newly opened venue, ‘ShowShaa’, a 250-space auditorium, the audience transports into a wonderland as fantasy is recreated. So replete with LED backdrop walls, side wings, LED framed walls that transform the entire ambience into different settings the show begins. At the Poo Poo Hotel, a strange place where each object springs to life at just one touch is where the story begins. Characters are as interesting as the ‘piano man’ who plays by itself, the 'lady vase’ whose arms are always in motion and affable receptionists ‘Mr. Kake and his wife Sunita’. Under the very same roof, the scary Wizards and Witches (the Wizwits) are holding their annual convention. And it is the same time when a mother arrives at the hotel with a group of children. These bat winged creatures hatch a bizarre plan to destroy children all over the world by feeding them poisoned chocolates and turning them into mice! But a few children with the help of the hotel owners overpower these witches and kill them. And they also change the mice into children again by pouring a magic potion they had snatched from the witches into a drum, along with the mice. In the end Good wins over Evil! What I loved most about the show is the juxtaposed western elements with everyday Indian sentiments, for example the peppy number ‘Who Let the Dog's Out’ for the witches on one hand and the mother of the children in the play dons the garb of a Delhi woman - loud and stylish on the other and all through fun & frolic, song and dance, keeps the little children glued to their seats!

FAST FACTS

Wizwits will be played at ‘ShowShaa Theatre’ at the Kingdom of Dreams from Tuesday to Friday at 6:00pm and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm and 6:00pm each on weekends.

If you are an adult you may prefer the ‘Zangoora’ or ‘Jhumroo’ but if you are a parent of a 5 to 6 year old child, you would enjoy the show too as it would bring out the child in you when you see yours totally involved.

AABAR KHABO (meaning it's so good that you would eat it again)

The Bengali’s love for food is legendary and at Amaranta, the new address for quintessential Bengali cuisine from the 5^th Until the 21^st September is all set to offer the ‘true taste of Bengal’, right here in the Capital

A beautiful panoramic view of a serene water body is bound to making dining here an experience of a lifetime. Amaranta means ‘Unfading’ or ‘a flower that never fades’ in Greek, and truly lives up to its name by following its culinary philosophy of everlasting freshness. On offer is a celebration of India’s varied coastal cuisine. For epicureans this is a restaurant not to be missed and for those new to Coastal cuisine, there is no better introduction with superb service and ambience to match. Staying true to its coastal roots this time round Amaranta is showcasing a special menu of authentic delicacies inspired by the subtle flavours from the courts of the Nawabs of Bengal to its riotous counterparts found on Park Street. The menu has been curated by Chef Gopal, the Bengali Master Chef at Amaranta & Chef Sirajul, a specialist in Bengali Muslim food with a cooking experience of over 19 years from Kolkata.

An enticing invitation to indulgence where one is spoilt for choice with the aroma of nostalgia wafting through the menu. The various Bengali dishes on the menu, synonymous with the varied and rich food-culture are an attempt to diversify typical, mouth-watering Bengali delicacies. Tickle your taste buds with the delicious appetizer, ‘Chingri Kabiraji’ jumbo prawn cutlets with an egg drop batter, or the delicious ‘Fish cutlet’ an age-old Bengali delicacy of fish pauppietes stuffed with shrimps and fried. Start your meal with ‘Kolkata street box’, a mixed bong bento box of street food delicacies like ghugni, phucka and more.

Try the prawns especially the eternal favourite ‘Dab Chingri’ prawns tempered with mustard and cooked inside a tender coconut. Contrary to popular belief Bengali cuisine also has much to offer to vegetarians, and especially so at this promotion. There are ambrosial dishes out of the often times rejected peels, stalks and leaves of vegetables! The ‘Mochar Ghonto’ stir fry of banana flower, coconut and new potato, and ‘Jhinga aloo posto’ Ridge gourd in a khus khus gravy are a must try. The Bengali Mishthi has carved a valuable niche among the sweet-lovers across the globe…so a piece on Bengali, food and eating wouldn’t be complete without a mention of a couple of the fabulous Bengali sweets on offer here like the ‘Sandesh Platter’, ‘ Rosogulla’,  ‘Cham cham’ to name a few… I would say share your desserts as all are gratifying!

FAST FACTS

Amaranta is at The Oberoi, Gurgaon

Timings: It serves lunch from 1230 hours to 1500 hours and dinner from 1930 hours to 0000 hours. The restaurant serves an A La carte menu for both lunch & dinner.

For Reservations: 0124 2451234

Restaurant of Joy festival is on from the 5th to 21st September 2014.

BLEND A CONFIT...PADDLE A CAKE MIX

ORANGE ALMOND CAKE

Recipe by Chef Lokesh Swami, Pastry Chef Double Tree By Hilton, Gurgaon

INGREDIENTS

Fresh orange: 800gms; Butter: 400gms; Flour: 300gms; Almond powder: 200gms; Corn flour: 80gms; Heavy cream: 150ml; Baking powder: 10gms; Baking soda: 5gm; Eggs: 5nos; Grain sugar: 500gms; Castor sugar: 200gms; Brown sugar: 100 gms; Honey: 80ml; Whole almonds for garnish on top

METHOD

Boil English oranges with skin in 1 liter of water for 10min. Drain the oranges and again boil them for 30min on slow flame with 500gms grain sugar and 1 liter of water. Drain out the water and roughly chop oranges with skin and remove all the seeds.

Using the KitchenAid cordless hand blender make a smooth paste of the cooked orange confit.

In the KitchenAid stand mixer cream butter and castor sugar using the paddle attachment till it’s light and fluffy. Add the above orange confit and cream again.

Whip eggs with brown sugar and add to the above mixture followed by warm honey and heavy cream. Fold in all the remaining dry ingredients and pour the mix in a cake mould.

Garnish it with chop or sliced almonds and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180® for 45 – 60 min. Poke the cake from center with a knife and if it comes out clean means the cake is done. Demould and let it cool for an hour then glaze it with little warm honey.

ITALIAN CHOW @ TUSCANA PIZZERIA, CHENNAI

The prime vision behind Tuscana tucked away in the popular Khader Nawaz Khan is a very homely, informal setting like someone’s kitchen or dining area where family & friends share a sumptuous meal, good beverages & each other’s company. Food for Italians represents their focal lives & their traditions – family togetherness being one of the important ones. Keeping this in mind the décor has been done in a very soft manner, as home is not only about a personal bond but warmth, familiarity and comfort. The interiors are designed with an old rustic theme, wooden chairs & simple lighting. As director of food and beverages at The Park Hotel in Chennai, Chef Willi Wilson was known for his pizzas and it did not take him too long to take the plunge and start Tuscana, where he is currently the COO. His mantra is simple: ‘you offer good quality products and people will come back for more.’

Coming to the food, the vibe is homey, comfort Italian chow like ‘Minestrone’ and ‘frito misto’ and offers an exquisite range of antipasti to charge up your appetite with the likes of Baguette all’ Aglio, Castellena Di peperoni and more. The health aficionados can dig into a variety of salads to satiate their craving. Italian tradition calls for your pasta cooked ‘al dente’ and Chef Willi strongly believes in retaining the authenticity and flavour of your pasta. Some delicious pasta dishes served at the restaurant include Polpette di pollo translating into my favourite comprising of a rich combination of savoury chicken balls in a tangy marinara sauce, Spaghetti with a mix of prawns, mussels, fish and calamari for seafood lovers and much more. The towering wood –fire oven churns out rather amazing pizzas with a thin crust base and you could choose from Classic refined wheat, Whole wheat, Multigrain and Gluten free, presented in rustic wooden platter which adds originality to a flavourful experience. Try the ‘Pizza al pomodoro fresco’, Tomato puree, mozzarella cheese, slices of fresh tomatoes, basil, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and red chilly (if you like!). The ‘tiramisu’ is the Pride and joy of the restaurant so I recommend a must try. Chef Willi saw great potential in Chennai and dreamt to share his love for flavours & spread the essence of an Italian relationship . . . so, here it is!

Address: 19, Wallace Garden 3rd Street, Thousand Lights West, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006

For Reservations: 044 4503 8008

Timings:  12:00–11:30 pm

CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH @ SEN5ES

THE PERFECT GETAWAY

What sets this brunch apart is a kid’s knee high buffet, as well as their corner with entertainment options tailor-made for the children, while you sit back and enjoy! 

LOWDOWN

Sen5es brings 5 International show kitchens to the lobby level of the Hotel, with a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere that extends onto a skylight section overlooking luscious greenery. Digital art and colourful hand blown glass art installations by Reshmi Dey adorn the pristine walls. What caught my fancy was a dominant and striking large size table that can accommodate up to 10 people. Each of the seating arrangement has been styled individually and with a uniqueness of its own, allowing individual guests to share meals and enjoy diverse company.

THE ENTICING BRUNCH

The idea of a Sunday Brunch or Picnic is truly enticing. A red letter day, get up late, laze around a bit, get ready , give mummy a break too! And a good Sunday Brunch in which no one has to bother at all my vote goes all out to the Champagne Brunch at SEN5ES which makes for the perfect getaway for pure indulgence and innovative engagement for the entire family.

On offer is a menu created by the very talented Executive Chef Tanveer Kwatra featuring global flavours with local appeal that takes one on a culinary journey for the senses, it sure is one to return for. On offer is scrumptious food across live stations, try any of the pizzas with a topping of your choice; it will surely transport you to Italy. The Indian section is no less spectacular and the Burrah kebab here is hands down the best in India! There are a number of dishes in each section that allow you to sample widely. On offer are also the best of eclectic sandwiches, burgers, salads, pastas, steaks and the final flourishes come in the form of freshly brewed coffees and sweet temptations from the in-house bakery. From sparkling and artisanal wines and innovative cocktails to the Pullman Pamper Program for the kids, this restaurant ensures you have the perfect Sunday. What sets this brunch apart is a kid’s knee high buffet, as well as their corner with entertainment options tailor-made for the children, while you sit back and enjoy! All in all, it was a treat for my senses that I shall never forget. Truly a celebration of the Global essence of interactive and friendly cooking, where food is not just what you eat but also what you see and what you sense!

FAST FACTS

Where? : Sen5es is at Pullman Gurgaon Central Park Hotel, Sector 26, MG Road, Delhi Gurgaon Border.

For Reservations: +91 (0) 124 4992000

Sunday Brunch Timings: 12:00 pm to 04:00 pm on Sundays

With a selection of non-alcoholic beverages                              1,999 (Rs. 2478 AI)

With a selection of alcoholic beverages & sparkling                 2,599 (Rs. 3221 AI)

With a selection of alcoholic beverages & Champagne            2,999 (Rs. 3717 AI)

IT'S A CULTURE THING!

These cities offer you the promise of a deeper and more engaging experience beyond a usual holiday; through experiential and shared learning and cultural activities, and you get drawn to an emotional connection between you and the destination.

COMMUNAL DINING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Though the Middle East is very modern in nature, meals are not served in courses like in the West. There is a splendid array of appetizers to be enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean, famed as ‘Mezze’ which are the inexhaustible and highly flavoured range of irresistible nibbles served as either appetizers or as a meal itself.

Hummus, rice and meat wrapped in vine leaves, mashed beans, hot and cold salads, grilled seafood and meats and pickled vegetables being the most popular. The other accompaniments like the Kebabs and Bread are usually brought together with the Mezze on the table from which you can help yourself with your hands, sort of a community style eating, (of course you can ask for cutlery if you wish to). Later of course you can wash your fingers in orange flower oil warm water. In a few places Islamic laws also make it unimaginable to have alcohol with the meals so the locals enjoy water, light teas, a lemon mint refresher or a yummy sweet and sour drink called ‘Carcade’ made from tangy flowers. Baklava or a fresh bowl of fruits will make for a sweet dessert.

MELBOURNE’S COFFEE CULTURE

There is more to coffee than a 43-bean blend and I discovered this in Melbourne, which is home to a thriving cafe culture.

Interestingly unlike the Italians who consume their coffee while standing at the bar for people in Melbourne it’s more like enjoying their cuppa, in a social setting, immersed in a crowded environment, preferring to take a seat at a table and savour the taste of their coffee. To get a peek take a guided tour for stories of the coffee revolution, from the large coffee palaces in the 1950s to today’s hip boutique coffee bars, and you will discover why the cafe has become an important part of Melbourne culture and daily life. The tour includes a tram ride to quaint lanes which are supposed to be the coffee junkie’s paradise. As you walk you get an awesome whiff of the rich aroma of coffee roasting and can also smell exotic herbs and spices from the cafes all around. Each café is different from the other. The tour comes to an end with a light and delicious cafe-style lunch and a cup of coffee, and yes all included in the price.

TAIPEI’S RICH CULTURE

A large, modern Asian city yet rich with Chinese culture Taipei is an enchanting and charming place to visit. Your first port of call should be The National museum at Shilin which houses the biggest number of Chinese artefacts in the world that they need to rotate displaying the 655,707 items every 3 months. According to research each set averaging fifteen thousand items means that one needs to come back at least every quarter for almost 12 years to see every item in the museum. Your visit to Taipei would be incomplete without going to the famed 101, a construction wonder (also the tallest building in the world before Dubai came along). The ground floor of the building is a mall and a nirvana for shoppers. The mall is spacious and filled with designer stores.

TEA CULTURE IN HONGKONG

Trying out dim sum should definitely be on your Hong Kong checklist so does stop by at a ‘yum Cha’ joint for Breakfast. Hong Kong indeed boasts of the best dim sum chefs, who prepare these mouth-watering delicacies ranging from buns to dumplings and rice rolls that contain a variety of ingredients, including pork, chicken, shrimps, prawns and a selection of vegetables served steamed, deep fried, baked or grilled.

Most famous traditional tea house in Hong Kong is Luk Yu which is an authentic vestige of a lost era. Interestingly the restaurant staff will walk around pushing a cart or carrying a tray stung around the neck to offer their goods. The prawn dumplings are a staple to any yum cha meal, and are probably the best dish of the day. The portions are usually served 4 pieces to a plate, so you can share if you wish to.   Besides the dim sum items listed on the checklist menu where one places one’s order, on offer are several fragrant teas to wash it down. The ‘bo la’, (a fermented black tea) compliments the food extremely well. The tea house is raucous most of the time as it is well patronized.

ROMANCE CULTURE IN FIJI ISLANDS

Time is of no importance in Fiji Islands, from the second you arrive in the laid back terminal and breathe the frangipani scented tropical air; you find yourself to be even more romantic. The tropical island of Fiji, is one of the favoured honeymoon destinations for wedding couples, is now fast emerging as a venue of choice for dream weddings too. The island offers diverse options in locales, wedding themes and cultures to match. Most couples for the convenience experience and beautiful locations opt to have their marriage at the hotel resort they are staying. As such, the hotels in the Fiji Islands now offer customized weddings that offer complete packages including travel, accommodation, gourmet spread, decoration, themes and even chapels. Moreover the islands prove to be attractive as it provides a readymade perfect setting for an exclusive and idyllic honeymoon with all the principal ingredients. Among the three hundred plus South pacific Islands, one can capture simple pleasures of a less complicated world along with friendly Fijians everywhere. In one word Fiji is freedom – freedom that comes with lush tropical gardens with far reaching waterways and secluded nooks to ensure the tranquillity of the environment. Whether you choose to relax soaking up the South Pacific sun, drop anchor at one of Fiji’s islands, scuba dive at world famous dive locations, surf the reef breaks or bush walk through the abundantly lush tropical rainforests, there is a myriad of ways to enjoy Fiji.

published in tlf

The Capital gets its hippy groove with a spunk at Cafe Torque

Indeed the Capital gets its hippy groove with a pinch of spunk with this new space. Café Torque has been designed to encapsulate the nostalgia of riders by including various elements along the lines of grungy garage interiors, with super-bikes for sale on display, a World map made of nuts & bolts adorning a prominent wall, bannisters propped with chains, guitars made of heavy metal etc.

A hot spot for the young generation and a favourite place for fun without spending too much ‘moolah’, the décor suggests just chill out.

TIPPLE AND THE FOOD

The bartender is every ready to whip up mocktails or pour you a glass of whatever you fancy (liquor license is awaited). An inventive beverage list means you won’t be let down. I loved my ‘Go Green’ a refreshing mix of Cucumber, Green Apple, Parsley and lime as well as the 'Paan Asian Mojito'.

 For starters along with your tipple.

I would recommend quirky, satisfying snacks to nibble which includes ‘Jerk spiced chicken wings’, ‘Peri Peri fish skewers, ‘Turkish Roast chicken’ , ‘or a ‘Mezze platter’ which is an assortment of goodies for the vegetarians.  For those in the mood for something more substantial I would suggest the ‘4 Stroke Mezze’ is the sort of monster dish that’s good enough for two. There are even pastas, sandwiches and Burgers on the menu. When all’s done and accounted for, there are the desserts crafted for the truly indulgent. To end on a sweet note, go for the ‘Apple rings’ with vanilla ice-cream. I must add that consultant Chef Arun Chanda has surely done a great job!

ALL IN ALL

The experience at the cafe is a combination of its bold interiors and refreshing themes along with all the unique interactivity built in. The restaurant scores tops on its unique concept and is a joy to discover for jaded young crowd and is definitely value for money.

Meal for two: Rs. 2000/-++

Timings: 11:00 am to 1:00 am

Address: 4 Basant Lok Priya PVR complex in Vasant Vihar

Must Do: Torque Sunday Breakfast for Riders, Torque Live Evenings.

SINGAPORE STREET FOOD ANYONE? HEAD TO JW MARRIOTT AEROCITY'S K3

Singapore is the best place for street food owing to the Hawker centres being clean, cheap, and offering diverse and delectable food. Interestingly even Anthony Bourdain’s No reservations …a well-loved foodie show features Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice shop which by the way also has the longest queue At the Maxwell Hawker centre (read leading all the way around the corner) in Singapore. It is a wonderfully buzzing, multi-cultural society... Chinese, Indians, Malays and assorted expats all live alongside one another in this city-state. And needless to say, with such a mix of cultures, it is a foodie’s heaven. The variety on offer is mouth-watering. Certainly the Island republic’s reputation as a culinary paradise is well earned and merits more than one reflection of what makes good eating! So when I heard that K 3 at the JW Marriott has flown in Chef John Chye, all the way from Singapore Marriott Hotel, the husband and I simply had to go as we have some very fond memories of our many foodie trips to Singapore.

So in we went, looking like fish out of water and the first thing we ordered were two Traditional ‘slings’ as though this is something we do every day.  It was a good start and trust me it was as authentic as it can be! Later we even tried the French and the Italian take on it which were equally decadent. Coming to the food, the Kitchen dished up perennial Singapore favourites such as the famed Singapore Chilli Crab, 

which almost Singapore’s national dish, so I had to try some of these tasty crustaceans, fortunately it lived up to my expectations. The exact sauce recipe is a closely guarded secret, but I guess it consisted of garlic, ginger, fresh red chili, honey added to a rich tomato sauce, finished with chicken eggs. The Hainanese Chicken Rice is a winner out here the rice is flavourful and the slow steamed chicken along with chilli sauce complimented it rather well.

The Satay consists of chicken and lamb grilled over a charcoal fire. I relished the delectable and succulent meat with a tasty peanut dip; along with some fresh slices of cucumber and onion…I was in heaven for sure. All in all, I thought my meal was a magic experience for the senses, a moment of true happiness with dishes like the  Seafood Laksa, Ma Po Tofu, Soya Braised Duck with Tofu Skin, Ayam Masak Kicap (Chicken in Spicy Soy), Ikan Masak Assam (Fish with spiced tamarind gravy) among others.

BEST BAK KUT TEH I HAVE EVER TASTED....DECADENT

FAST FACTS

Chef John is the guest Chef at JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity during the Singapore Street Food Festival from 22nd August, 2014 – 31st August, 2014.

Guests who enroll for the Kris Flyer membership during the food festival will receive bonus 1000 Kris Flyer miles.

The Singapore Street Food Festival is available as part of the daily Lunch/Dinner and Sunday Brunch buffet at K3, priced at:

Lunch Buffet (Price- INR 1800++)

Dinner Buffet (Price- INR 2250++)

Sunday Brunch (Price- INR 2500++ | INR 3000++ | INR 4200++)

Timings: 12:30pm to 3:00 pm (lunch), 7:30pm to 11:00pm (dinner) and 12:00pm to 3:30pm (Sunday brunch)

For reservations call: +91 11 4521 2120