This Durga Pujo check out 'The Calcutta Connection' at Asia Alive - DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Bengaluru!

Time for some serious food hogging! Luchi, Shukto, Kasha Mangsha, Chops, Rosgolla, Mishti Doi and much more as it’s Durga Pujo time; a celebration of victory over evil. While making plans to visit Pandals and other community celebrations, I got an invite for the preview of ‘The Calcutta Connection’ from DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Bengaluru. The team from Hilton has abstracted the essence of East India’s popular festival to celebrate this Pujo with their upcoming 4 days celebrations starting from 27^th Sep to 30^th Sep 2017. Since it was a special dinner with the Hilton team and renowned food aficionados, I happened to hear more about this festival which added a bit more of an excitement to my festive spirit. I was literally transported to the streets of Calcutta (Kolkata) with alluring aromas of Bengali street food hitting my nose.
 

The Pujo special celebrations at Asia Alive - DoubleTree Suites by Hilton will have -

Day 1 – RajBarir Ranna (Saptami Special)

Inspired by the Rajbaris of Bengal, Asia Alive restaurant has created a wonderful menu with traditional family recipes which include Niramish (Veg) and Amish (Non-veg) dishes.

Day 2 – Bagbazar Ba Maddox? (Ashtami Special)

North and South Kolkata face off with a variety of favorites from the famous cafes and snack joints ensuring a one of a kind experience for the food lovers.

Day 3 – Calcutta -700016 (Nabami Special)

Kolkata’s Park Street is famous for its street food and if you want to experience a bit of the same then head to Asia Alive during this Pujo time.

Day 4 – Experience Opar Bangla (Dashami Special)

Experience a culinary reminiscent of a bygone era and of a land that once stood proudly as the eastern part of undivided Bengal.

 

My evening started with a peep into Calcutta’s street food like Phuchka, Shingara,  Ghugni, Nimkeen and few other snacks.

Most part of India, people celebrate Puja with a vegetarian feast. But Bengalis can’t avoid their non-vegetarian spread when the occasion is very special. For the main course - Bengali Thala, we had a variety of dishes and to name few I love the Shukto, Cholar Dal, Mitro Café Mangsher Chop (Tele Bhaja/Cutlet with minced meat and mashed potato filling), Luchi, Chaka Aloo Bhaja, Fish Orly, Ucche Bhaja, Peter Cat (a popular food joint in Kolkata) Chelo Kabab, Shiraz Mutton Biryani, Golborir Kosha Mangsho with Mishti Pulao, and Maccher Paturi <3

While the debate on Rosgolla’s origin happens very often, I don’t care much about the history as long as I get a foodgasm from my favorite Bengali desserts. This time the Chef just surprised us with his creative take on Kolkata’s favorite tea and sutta (smoke) inspired dessert – an amazing Darjeeling Tea Panna Cotta with Goldflake smoke. While smokers enjoyed their share of dessert, my favorite was the Bhapa Mishti Doi with Apricot and Rosemary Compote. A perfect end to the perfect meal was with a Kolkatta Meetha Cheesy Paan.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Bengali Thala experience and this Pujo, people who would like to spend time with their families and friends must visit Asia Alive for this feast. The Calcutta Connection Buffet is available for lunch (12.30 – 3.30 PM) and dinner (07.00 – 11.30 PM) and it’s priced at ₹999/- (inclusive of taxes). For Children below age 6 dine for free and children between 6-12 years dine at half the price when accompanied by parents. I’m sure this home away from home experience, could be the best Pujo for people who love Bengali cuisine.

 

Address:

Asia Alive by DoubleTree Suites by Hilton

Iblur gate, ORR Sarjapur Junction

Bangalore

For reservations, contact - +91 8861306613 / 8861301378

To know more check out, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Bengaluru

 

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Have you checked the Sizzlers bite at District 6, Malleshwaram yet?

One cannot miss this famous brewery in Bangalore when you’re around Malleshwaram area- District 6 Pub Brewery & Kitchen. District 6 was on my bucket list since very long time and one fine Sunday a couple of us visited this Brewery to check out their ongoing ‘Sizzler Bites’ festival (until Sep 30^th).

Sizzling Veg Dumpling

Hand Model: Anita :)

This is the very first time I visited District 6. District 6 provides the traditional beer crafting and German-style brew experience with the assistance of CFB (their Microbrewery consultants), Kasper Schulz; 350 years old brew House manufacturers from Germany and Weyermann malts. If I have to travel from this side of town to another side, first I will ensure whether the place is worth enough my travel and time. My conscience approved and gave a big tick mark for District 6. This brewery is located right next to Orion mall and it has a beautiful and spacious ambiance which gives its customers a vibrant feeling along with good food and brews. I love visiting microbreweries and try all kind of beers. I prefer Lager/ Stout over Wheat or IPA.

We started with beer samples and the taste of Radler beer with citrus notes remained on my taste buds for a while. I ordered a tall glass of Radler Beer during the course of lunch. This went well with the sizzler bites.

Chili Basil Chicken

Roasted Chili Hoisin Chicken

Coorg Pepper Pandi (Pork)

Dahi Kebab with Walnut & Mint

Beef Sukka

Jerk Marinated Cottage Cheese & Pineapple Skewers

Assorted Wok Tossed Vegetables

Potato & Corn Donuts with Curried Lime Sauce

Andhra Spiced Mushroom

5 Spiced Baked Fish

Sizzling Spicy Chicken Dumpling

I was very curious to know what’s the Sizzler bites festival all about as I always had Sizzlers for the main course. The idea was very simple and well executed – sizzler styled starters. We tried an array of appetizers and everything was perfectly done. They have included flavors from all popular regions. Some of my favorites were Chili Basil Chicken, Sizzling Veg dumpling with Spinach and Corn stuffing, Coorg Pepper Pandi, Beef Sukka, Chinese 5 spiced baked fish, Cheese and Vegetables stuffed Tandoori Aloo and much more. I love the Sizzlers bite concept and the way they presented each and every dish. The rainy weather was perfect for some piping hot food and chit-chat.

The German Malt Bread Basket (bread made of beer) was something which amazed me. It came with three dips - beer butter, mustard and pesto.

Our lunch ended with a sweet note by savoring New York style Cheesecake with Raspberry compote and Sizzling brownie with hot Chocolate sauce. According to my baker friend, this was the best Cheesecake ever had in Bengaluru and I couldn’t agree more. Though I didn’t earn any Brownie points, I had the same opinion for Brownie too.

Visit District 6 on or before Sep 30^th and enjoy a lovely meal with your favorite brew. A fun afternoon with friends, perfect food, and brilliant beer; what else I could wish on a Sunday afternoon. This place has been added to my favorite restaurants/breweries list.

Address:

District 6 Pub Brewery & Kitchen

G-3,4,5, Ground Floor

Brigade Gateway Campus

26/1 Dr. Rajkumar Road

Malleshwaram

For reservations, contact - +91 7259906666

'Aromas of Andhra'- Andhra food festival at Jamavar at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru!

The award-winning restaurant Jamavar at The Leela Palace brings the flavors of Andhra to namma ooru with 'Aromas of Andhra' food festival. I went for a preview two days back and savored some lip-smacking Andhra food which I never experienced in any other restaurants in Bengaluru.

One for insta :P

I love dining at restaurants in ‘The Leela Palace Hotel’ and this time’s visit was to Jamavar – a restaurant with a perfect blend of food and culture. Jamavar is a synonym for a classy restaurant with pretty and elegant décor which makes you feel like you are in a palace chamber.

 

At times I enjoy the extreme spice levels and only a few cuisines can give this. That’s the reason I love Andhra food, the cuisine which is close to my heart after Kerala cuisine. We started with few appetizers like royyala miriyalu veppudu (stir-fried prawns with onion, green chillies and curry leaves), Amaravathi Kodi roast (tender chicken supreme cooked on a griddle with green chillies and curry leaves), mirapakaya bajji (stuffed Bavanagiri chilli bajji), Alasandhula Vada (Crispy fried black eye beans patties with served with fresh coconut chutney), and Venchina mamsam (stir-fried lamb in spicy masala). The appetizers were simply superb.

After having some brilliantly done appetizers it was time for some real deal – the main course. For the main course, I had Gongura mamsam (I love Gongura leaves), Konaseema royyala koora (shrimp in onion, cashew nut, and spicy gravy), Sorakaya Tomato Pappu, Assorted Indian bread, Amaravathi Pulao. It was belly nirvana time for me relishing this Andhra special food. I hope they will include some of the items on their regular menu.

The most surprising part of my lunch was when I received pootha rekulu (my fav) and Kakinada Kaja for desserts.

It was an honor to meet the team behind this fest and some of the Senior Chefs from The Leela Palace - Chef Bhaskar Rao, Chef Farman Ali and Chef Giri Manni. We missed meeting the man behind this fest- Chef Purushotham Jayarama Naidu.

Apart from the Andhra food festival dishes we also tried their recently introduced Herbal tea. A cup of Herbal tea after a meal has got a lot of health benefits. They have options like Sri Lankan Cinnamon, Fennel seeds, Carom seeds, Mint, Rose petal etc and I opted for Cinnamon tea.

If you like spicy food, then don't miss this fest and you’ll enjoy the way I did. It's 'a la carte' menu and available for lunch and dinner only at Jamavar. The fest is from 11th - 20th September 2017.

Address:

Jamavar -The Leela Palace

Old Airport Road,

Bangalore

For reservations, contact - 080 30571520

Check out their website - The Leela Palace, Bengaluru

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