Shiv Sagar, Janpath : A Glimpse of Mumbai's Chaat in Delhi

Though most of the chaats have originated in the northern belt of UP - Bihar, the tasty Western Indian experimentation on them with pav, bhel and sev cannot be undermined. The arrival of Mumbai's Shiv Sagar in Delhi has brought the best of the both worlds to the Indian capital; a joyous news for the street food fanatics.

Started in 1982, by late Shankar Poojari in Vile Parle, Mumbai, the Shiv Sagar legacy has continued throughout with the quality of food served just getting better. Being a pure vegetarian restaurant, it is widely known across the country for giving amazing dishes using freshest ingredients.

Chinese Bhel

Now it has spread its wings and has come to our very own Delhi, in Janpath, which is within walking distance to the most happening place and home to a number of restaurants, Connaught Place.
A perfectly lit, two floored restaurant, it is a bit congested but that doesn't hamper your dining experience. The waiters are friendly and knowledgeable, and the service is quite fast.

We started off with the Sev Puri; mashed potatoes on a papri with three types of chutneys: mint, tamarind and garlic and garnished with sev. The dish on the whole is a riot of different flavors with the chutneys giving bursts of spicy, sweet and sour taste on each bite.

Sev Puri

Next on our table was Bhel Puri, made of puffed rice, papri, sev and potato pieces drenched in tamarind sauce and little bit of the mint chutney. It has the crunch and spice that every chaat lover demands of.

Bhel Puri

The next dish was kept as a surprise, one which looked like the traditional Chilli Paneer but was fried idli sauteed with onion in a chinese sauce with spring onion on top for garnishing. The sweet and spicy flavor combined with the idli’s texture is simply delicious.

Chilli Idli

Next, we were served the famous Mumbai Vada Paav, which is a staple street food of Mumbai. Shiv Sagar imports majority of the masalas and paav from Mumbai to maintain the taste. The Paav is heavenly and has a little sour taste compared to the sweet flavor we find here in Delhi. It was served with hot vada sandwiched in between and mint chutney and tamarind chutney on both sides of the paav. The dish came along with fried chili coated with garlic powder for those who like an extra kick on their vada paav.

Vada Paav

After the hot and sizzling vada paav, we had Paav Bhaaji, the paavs used here are the same paavs used in Vada Paav but this time they were soaked in butter. The bhaaji has a good texture and an overall satisfying taste. The manager asked us to take both the parts of the paav, top and bottom in a single bite, as they have their own distinguishing tastes and when consumed together they are a match made in heaven.

Paav Bhaaji

Now it was time for desserts,we had Paan flavored Kulfi which had a whole pan stuffed right in the core, and a rose flavored kulfi with pieces of rose petals coming in each spoon. Both these kulfis are flavorful and a good way of ending the gastronomic journey at Shiv Sagar.

Paan Kulfi

Rose Kulfi

The restaurant is a must visit for all chaat lovers, especially the ones who think that Delhi Chaat is better. The restaurant provides a different view point which will be appreciated by most foodies.

Cost for two: 700/-

Shiv Sagar
52, Janpath,
New Delhi

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Three new restaurants to try out in Hyderabad

In recent times a number of new restaurants have opened their doors in different parts of the twin cities. Some of these differentiate themselves on cuisine, some stress on the fact that they are really quick service, and some are banking on providing customers an informal atmosphere. Here is a look at some of these places which are quickly making their mark on the local food scene.

Fish Raechad 

Saffron Mantra

A brainchild of Rohan and Meghna, owners of the popular ice cream joint Oh So Stoned, this restaurant started operations at Karkhana in the second week of January. Serving both Indian and Pan Asian cuisine, it provides a good alternative for the residents of Secunderabad, who have not seen many restaurants opening in this part of the city.

Paneer Kairi Tikka

The menu has great choices both for vegetarians and non vegetarians. A must have is Paneer Kairi Tikka where spicy paneer combines well with thin slices of aam papad. Another paneer preparation Chatpata Paneer has a nice tangy taste.

Shrimp Tempura in Wasabi Mayo

The Shrimp Tempura in wasabi mayo uses soft and succulent seafood, though I would prefer a bit more of the revered wasabi in the mayo. The Dragon Mushrooms in a sweet and spicy sauce are crisp and leaves a very nice aftertaste. Fish Raechad is the spicy recipe from Goa.

Paneer Masala with Water Chestnuts

Among the main courses, their Butter Chicken is definitely one of the best in Hyderabad. The Paneer Singada combines the taste of water chestnut with paneer. It is a new preparation which is perhaps not available elsewhere. The place also serves a variant of biryani known as the Chicken 65 Biryani which may find favour with the local palate. For desserts try their Baked Cheesecake.

Obsessive Coffee Disorder

An odd name for a restaurant which replaces the erstwhile Blah Blah in Banjara Hills which shut its doors some time back. Spread over three floors, it has both outdoor and indoor seating. The menu offers hookah as well as select items from Asia as well as other parts of the globe.

Grilled Fish with Chimmichurri Sauce

Of the starters, the Peri Peri Chicken will appeal to a lot of Hyderabadis. Soft chicken pieces are cooked to perfection in the spicy peri peri sauce . The Mongolian Chicken has bigger chunks in an Asian sauce. For people who are fond of tangy stuff, Grilled Fish with Chimichurri Sauce is the one to be tried. The quality of fish used is very good – though I advocate using less jalapenos in the topping.

Peri Peri Chicken

Samurai Roast Chicken is another dish that can be tried – an Oriental dark sauce based preparation. The chefs dish out some tasty fillings in their Quesadillas too.

Oriental Red Cooked Chicken Gravy

For mains, the Oriental Red Cooked Chicken Gravy with a lot of vegetables is a sure winner. It goes brilliantly with the Chili Garlic Chicken Fried Rice.

A nice place to sit and relax. Enjoy the hookah with select starters and follow up with some niche preparations. The place is run by Mohit, who also owns the Blue Bottle Café at Madhapur.


Hello Curry

The brand Hello Curry is one of the most popular choices for home delivered food. Apart from the delicious preparations, they are also known for the attractive packaging of home delivered food. Enthused by the response to their spread, the management has now ventured into a dine-in opposite Cyber Pearl at Hitech City.

Paratha Pizza

The restaurant is in quick service format, where you need to go to the counter and order. Apart from most of the popular items from their home delivery menu, the restaurant offers a few new additions.

A notable new addition to the menu is the Paratha Pizza. Available in both veg and chicken versions, it is a stuffed paratha topped with veggies, cheese and (optionally) chicken.  They also have quite a spread in veg and non veg starters – my particular favorites being Crispy Babycorn and the Crunchy Veg Fingers in veg and the Crumb Fried Chicken and Masaladar Chicken among the non-veg.

Assorted Vegetarian Starters

For mains, try their All Andhra Veg Curry which is a nice dish prepared with an assortment of vegetables. Non vegetarians have a lot of good choices – from their Kashmiri Chicken to the spicy Karam Kodi as well as the Chettinad Chicken. They also have an assortment of biryanis and pulaos. Double Ka Meetha with whipped cream is a good dessert to try.

Kashmiri Chicken

I particularly liked the décor of this place – extremely informal with some wacky slogans on the wall.  An ideal place to grab a quick bite either at lunch or after office.


Also see: Restaurants in Hyderabad: A few new places to dine out.

Addresses:

Saffron Mantra
The Purple Leaf Hotel
Karkhana
Telephone 040 66006600
Meal for two: Rs 1500

Obsessive Coffee Disorder
Road No 5, Banjara Hills (Lane near Shadab takeaway and all Seasons restaurant)
Telephone: 040 60121121
Meal for two: Rs 800

Hello Curry
Ground Floor Huda Techno Enclave (Opposite Cyber Pearl)
Hitech City
Telephone 040 33165126
Meal for two: Rs 700


Disclaimer: Some of the items reviewed were part of tasting sessions organized by the restaurants. However the opinions expressed in the post are honest and unbiased.

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Harry's, Saket: Chef Vicky Ratnani's new menu

Harry’s, Singapore’s favourite bar, has made its name in Mumbai as well as in Delhi, and Chef Vicky Ratnani has made sure with his exquisite preparations that it remains in the top ranks in the list of every person, who wants to try something new in Asian, Mediterranean and American cuisine .

The place is well known for its cocktails, and as soon as you enter the Saket outlet, you will see the bar with two/three bartenders working hard to prepare your drinks. The place has a low light ambiance, which makes it a place where a tired you will want to go after a day of work.

Harry's Bar

We went there for tasting Chef Vicky Ratnani’s new menu, which came out to be quite flavorsome and delectable. First on the table was Wasabi Cottage Cheese, it was paneer marinated in chilis and wrapped with spinach and coated out with tempura batter and then fried. It was placed on a small circles of wasabi flavored mayo and garnished with mustard radish, and garlic leaves. It was a perfect dish for vegetarians, crispy on the outside with the soft and tender paneer just waiting for you to dig your teeth in it. This went very well with the Red Wine Sangria.

Wasabi Cottage Cheese

Red Wine Sangria 

Next we were served with Ratatouille Stuffed Mushroom Caps. On the first look the dish looked like a simple stuffed mushroom dish that we get in each and every restaurant, but after the first bite you are proved wrong. Ratatouille is basically a vegetable dish consisting of onions, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines etc, this was the stuffing of our mushroom caps and was topped with cheese and then grilled. It was evenly spiced dish to go well with your drinks. As Harry’s is famous for its cocktails, Chef Vicky Ratnani made sure that his starters go well with the drinks that are served at Harry’s.

Ratatouille Stuffed Mushroom Caps

After this simple yet flavorful dish, we were served with a gem of a cocktail, named Dirty Harry.
It is vodka poured on an ice mist, flavored and canned litchis for the presentation. The drink was brilliant and we ordered like 4 refills of the same.

Dirty Harry

Watermelon and Feta Salad, which was a good combination of cubed watermelons and chunks of feta cheese with vinaigrette dressing and olives that were soaked in brine. This dish was a battle between sweet and salty, on one hand the watermelon was trying to add the sweetness but on the other hand feta cheese and olives made sure that you don’t forget the saltiness.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

After this royal rumble of sweet and salty, came the Pataya Fish Goujons. The fish was fried and sautéed in a sweet chili sauce along with some onions, peppers etc. It was cooked perfectly and was breaking as soon as you put it in your mouth, a sign of a good fish and of a good preparation.

Pataya Fish Goujons

For the main course we were served with Thai Curry and Rice. Like any typical Green Thai Curry, this had the coconut cream base, with the green curry along with some vegetables. This went well with the steamed rice that were served with the curry, and thus marking the end of our great dinner.

Thai Curry and Rice

It is a place for people who are looking for a dimly lit and quiet place for a quite get-together with friends on a couple of beers or cocktails.


Price for 2: 1800/- (Including Liquor)

Harry's Bar + Cafe
S4, 2nd Floor,
Select Citywalk, Saket,
New Delhi

Also See: Harry's, Khan Market

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Quick Bytes: The new breakfast spread at Ci Gusta, Madhapur

Ci Gusta, Madhapur which opened it's doors last year became already well known especially for it's delicious frozen yoghurts. The restaurant recently unveiled a new breakfast menu and I was invited to sample a few items from there.

The breakfast menu had a platter named Signature Breakfast, which is a combo available for Rs 299. They have a number of a la carte items too, and there were a couple that I liked a lot.

Egg Royale: Poached Eggs with Salmon and Hash Brown

Egg Benedict has two poached eggs placed on a bed of muffins with a layer of chicken ham in between. Normally this dish has pork ham, but here chicken ham has been used. Covered with egg yolk based Hollandaise, the presentation of the dish looks very inviting even though a porkaholic like me would love the real thing.  The vegetarian version Egg Florentine has spinach in lieu of chicken ham, whereas the seafood Egg Royale had smoked salmon and hash brown (in lieu of the muffins). Prices for the variants range from Rs 135 to Rs 175 depending on the versions chosen.

Couscous Upma

The second item I particularly liked here was Couscous Upma – incorporating couscous, the healthy and nutritious carb from North Africa. The upma had peas, pomegranates, and carrots. It was garnished by fruit compote and fresh methi leaves on top. Priced at Rs 165 this can be a breakfast by itself.

The menu also offers many other interesting items including Apple and Banana Muesli, Spinach and Mushroom Fritata as well as Granola Parfait.

Address: Ci Gusta, Plot 66, Jyoti Celeste, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur
Telephone  040 64448866

Breakfast Timings: Tuesday-Sunday 7:30 am – 11:30 am

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Jonathan's Kitchen : Hyderabad's new destination for global cuisine

Jonathan’s Kitchen is the new restaurant which has opened at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Gachibowli. The place offers global cuisine ranging from American, Continental to Pan Asian and Indian. The restaurant had organized a tasting session for bloggers, where Chef Vijay Bhaskar served a cross section of different fares offered by them.

Volcano Crab Sushi

Upon entering the restaurant, the décor of the restaurant caught my eye. Colored bricks have been widely used in the interiors, and the furniture is mainly wooden. We sat at a separate enclosure which can accommodate around 25 people.

The dinner started with sushis. The vegetarian Cottage Cheese Sushi and Baby Corn Tempura were interesting, but the Volcano Crab Sushi was simply delightful. Exquisitely presented, the crab taste was strong but not overpowering. Ginger slices and wasabi accompanied it perfectly. A special mention of the wasabi flavored mayo dip which was served with the baby corn starter.

Garlic Baguettes with Marinated Olives

Garlic baguettes with olives marinated in a jar was the second dish which appealed to me. The taste of the soaked olives were so good, that they got lapped up in no time.

Grilled Prawns with Bok Choy

Grilled Prawn with sautéed Bok Choy was another starter which was widely appreciated. The prawns were succulent and of the best variety.

Chicken Satay with Peanut dip

The Chicken Satay was served with a spicy peanut based dip which tasted quite different from the usual ones. The other starters of note were the Oriental Chicken Drumsticks and the Achari Paneer Tikka.

Achari Paneer Tikka

Multigrain Healthy Mix Burger

The place serves some good burgers too. The Crispy Chicken Burger in Ciabatta bun tasted good. The vegetarian multigrain Healthy Mix burger will grilled veggies inside stood out for the quality of the bun as well as the taste of the fillings.

Cheddar Cheese on Foccaccia Bread

Cheddar Cheese melted on Focaccia bread was served with olives. One must appreciate the quality of bread served by the restaurant – it was outstanding in each preparation.

Involtini Di Pollo

The Italian offerings here did not measure up to the high standards they set. The Margarita Pizza was not special. Involtini Di Pollo were presented quite nicely, but low on taste. The sides (Cannellini beans) served with this dish tasted nice.

Spaghetti Carbonara with Bacon

A special mention should be made of the fried bacon strips served with Spaghetti Carbonara – it really lifted up the taste of the dish. The spaghetti though was a bit overdone in my opinion.

Olive Naan, Palak Paneer, Kadhai chicken, Daal tadka

The Indian main courses were the next to make a mark. Soft and buttery Olive Naan with Palak Paneer was delightful. The Kadhai Chicken was adequate, but I was blown away by the Dal Tadka – which recreated the home cuisine of North India.

Philadelphia Cheesecake

The dessert line up was formidable too – the Philadelphia Cheesecake was clearly a winner. Lemon Tart served with some saffron cream was another I liked, though the Tiramisu did not lag far behind.

Lemon Tart with Saffron Cream

This new place is definitely worth a look in. Most of the places serving global cuisine in Hyderabad has a bias towards non vegetarians. This place is one of the few with a rich choice for vegetarians too. The place has launched a lunch buffet also at Rs 750 (plus Taxes).

Address: Jonathan’s Kitchen
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
Near Wipro circle
Gachibowli Hyderabad

Telephone 040 31000127

Also read: Komatose: The Seven Deadly Sins

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