Wednesday, December 19, 2018

In this festive season, visit Punjab Bistro's new outlet at Phoenix Market City at Whitefield for a delightful fine dining experience!





It is believed that we eat with our eyes first and traditional Indian khaana is difficult to plate or style for that visual appeal. Thanks to the Bistros which takes modern Indian cuisine to another level. One of my favorite restaurants, Punjab Bistro has opened their new outlet in Level 2, Phoenix Market City and I was here recently for a mid-week indulgence. This Bistro serves some amazing North West Frontier food which you would crave for more. The most important part of the lunch was a group of us got a chance to dine with Bangalore’s Gourmet king Mr. Suresh Hinduja. You ask anything about food, Suresh ji will have an answer for that. Thanks a bunch, dear Rupa, Suresh Ji and Sajjal for having me over. The dining experience even got better when Sakhi and Dr.Hema joined us for lunch.

My drink - Aam panna :)



Our conversations on food started with an amuse bouche which was Papdi Chaat. That was totally a burst of flavors which can make you patiently wait for the appetizers. As we were a group of vegetarians and non-vegetarians, we ordered Paneer Tikka Multani, Beetroot peanut Tikki, Amritsari Mutton Champa (served with radish chutney), Chicken Kalmi Kebab, Sikandari Raan, Palak Corn Quesadilla, Mutton Seekh Kebab, and Tikki Chole.







Other than Sikandari Raan which was a tad too dry, I loved all the other appetizers. A perfect 5/5 for such amazing appetizers and that colorful, brilliantly done radish chutney.





They served us Sorbet Chuski as a palate cleanser before the main course. As this is the perfect time for indulging in winter special dishes, we started with Sarson ka Saag and Makkai de roti (served with jaggery and white butter), along with their classic dishes – Laal maas, Murgh Makhani, Dal Moradabad, Nalli Nihari, and Paneer Makhani. These heavenly dishes with intense flavors were enjoyed with a basket full of assorted Indian bread.






For desserts, we had layered Malpua pudding and Moong Dal Halwa. I loved the Malpua pudding which was more like a traditional bread pudding. This was followed by a yummy Paan shot.




Punjab Bistro also does ‘Bespoke catering’ for events. Please contact the outlet for more information. I have always enjoyed spending time at Punjab Bistro and surely this is the fine-dining restaurant you would like to visit with friends or loved ones on those special days or after a tiring shopping day Phoenix Market City. A meal for two would be ₹1500/- (approximately).
Address:
Punjab Bistro
Level 2, Phoenix Market City
Mahadevpura, Bengaluru
For table reservation, contact - +91 8067266610


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Monday, December 10, 2018

This December, check out the Hunan Festival at Mainland China, Bengaluru!





Hunan province in China is famous for its spicy cuisine. In India most of the ‘Chinese restaurants’ serve Chindian food which is adapted for Indian palate. Let’s not talk about the authenticity or taste when it comes to Chinese flavors. Whatever it is, the fact is that we enjoy visiting our neighborhood Chinese restaurants. I happened to visit Mainland China at Church Street, Bengaluru recently for their ongoing ‘Hunan Festival’. The well-curated menu has interesting dishes for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The starters are so addictive.





My friend and I ordered Chongqing Mushroom, Shredded Chicken with fresh pepper and celery, and Chongqing Prawns. Though Mushroom and Prawns had the same flavors, the latter one didn’t match up to the flavors of Mushrooms they served us first. When we gave the feedback, a polite staff named Mr.Pradeep immediately replaced the Prawns starter and the second batch was really good. The shredded Chicken had mild flavors and fresh chilies made it taste better.




We also ordered a Chicken Dim sum which is not from the festive menu. At Mainland China, one should never miss their delectable dim sums. Sadly they don’t have included any dim sums or soups as part of this festive menu.




For the Main course, we ordered ‘Water Chestnuts, Broccoli, and Baby corn in mild Chilli vinegar’, Hunan Sichuan Chicken and Yangzhou Fried rice. The Hunan Sichuan Chicken name sounded so weird and out of curiosity I asked the staff about this dish and came to know that they use Sichuan chili in it. Anyhow this dish was not that great compared to the veg one. After having the main course we came to know that upon request they cater egg/chicken fried rice which was not mentioned on the menu.




I ordered two mocktails - ‘Ginger and Pineapple Frappe’ and ‘Mandarin Swirl’ and the second one was better. Throughout the lunch, they kept serving us Jasmine tea which we enjoyed very much.




There was no room for desserts by the end of the meal and while taking the pictures of their regular buffet, I spotted Caramel custard and I couldn’t resist having the same. It was soooo good. They have buffet starting from ₹445 + taxes. Please contact the restaurant for their Happy hour deals.




Overall I enjoyed a hearty meal at Mainland China. The staffs are very polite and attentive. I liked how they positively took each feedback we gave them and immediately rectified it, making sure that we left the restaurant with a happy face and tummy. This festive menu is on ‘a la carte’ and it’s on till 20th December 2018. So don’t miss it.

Address:
Mainland China
1st Floor, 14
Church Street, Bangalore
For reservations, contact - 080 49652124

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Wednesday, November 28, 2018

All about The Smoke Co's new menu and why this restaurant at Koramangala is a personal favorite of mine?




If you love Charcuterie (smoked or cured meat) style preparations, then The Smoke Co. at Koramangala 6th Block is the right place for you to indulge. They have come up with a fabulous new menu on the completion of 1 year and my words won’t do any justice on what I have experienced there recently. The quality of the products they use is just amazing. The Lang BBQ Smoker used at the restaurant is imported from the USA. This plays a major role in creating some brilliant smoked, grilled or barbecued dishes. As smoked flavor is an integral part of this process, even the woods they use for it is carefully chosen at The Smoke Co. We always use the word ‘foodgasm’ and to experience a carnivorous foodgasm one must definitely visit The Smoke Co.



The classy modern ambiance will set the perfect mood for a pleasant dining experience. The lively atmosphere and their open kitchen will help you know what’s happening around. The staffs are very polite and helpful. The Executive Chef Altaf Patel is one of the most humble Chefs I know who can cook up a storm. He is extremely talented when it comes to bringing the extraordinary flavors together. The Smoke Co. is from the same owners of one of the most popular burger joints in namma ooru – Café Thulp.




I love the Charcuterie platter which had salted and cured beef, smoked Mackerel with Char siu glaze, cured and aged jamón (6-9 months old dry-cured ham), mortadella with olives and Soppressata Pork Salami. I can’t tell which one was the best. Everything had so unique flavors and I absolutely loved it.


If you love your share of pork and beef, then must try two of their luscious dishes – the wood-fire finished Char Siu Pork fillet (served with buttered cauliflower puree, pickled baby radish, and char siu glaze) and the dark beer braised Corned beef served with creamed potato, roasted leeks, and sourdough toast. Chef Altaf, I can’t thank you enough for these super delectable dishes I tried.



There are lots of new additions for the vegetarian souls as well. Must try their ‘Cheddar and Zucchini cakes served with tartar and smoked tomato chili sauce’, and ‘Barley, Bean and Corn Salad with Mangalore Jaggery and Lime vinaigrette, arugula, pomegranate, and toasted pumpkin seeds’ for the perfect balance of refreshing flavors.




When I see Geist’s beer menu at any restaurant, I won’t see anything else after that (I know… this sounds like Nivin’s dialogue from Thattathin Marayathu – ‘Ente Saare’ :P). I love their Uncle Dunkel and Kamacitra which had 5.4 % and 6.0% Abv respectively.

Mango Chilli dip

The Smoke platter is surely one of my favorites which comes with sausages in different flavors like ‘Italian fennel and pepper’, Chicken and coriander, Beef chili & Cheese, pork apple and sage, Chicken kielbasa, and served with grilled corn, in-house baked bread, and sauerkraut. If you don’t believe in ‘storing for winter concept’ then the portion size will be good enough for a small group.

We also tried other interesting dishes like -


Schnitzel - Panko crusted butterflied and fried Pork fillet served with brown butter & sage spaetzle and mustard cream sauce.


Smoked Prawns – Brined and smoked Prawns with the shell on, served with mustard and chili cocktail sauce. This was Smoke Co.’s version of Prawn cocktail though I felt Prawns could have been a bit more flavorful and when you taste the entire combo, you will not miss any flavors much.


I am not a Tuna person, but still liked their ‘Tuna poke bowl’ with fresh Maguro Tuna, sticky rice, grilled pineapple, avocado, and mesclun. My friend ordered the tuna bowl and she literally forced me to try it and I am happy that I tasted it.


When it comes to food my third love is chicken after beef and seafood, and The Smoke Co.’s version of ‘Soy Honey Chicken’ was really good.


We had Churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with Chocolate & Chipotle dip for desserts and this is easily the best Churros and dip you can get in Bangalore.


Overall I had a great time and I would never get bored of having food at The Smoke Co. The food served here is a treat to all five senses. A meal for two would be 2000/- (approximately). Do visit and let me know the feedback.

Address:
The Smoke Co.
#501, 6th Cross Road
Koramangala 6th Block
Bengaluru
For more information/ table booking, contact - 080 46218500
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