Tuesday 6 August 2019

Culinary Trail from 1857 to 1947 is the theme of the food fest organized at Cascades, The Grand Hotel, Vasant Kunj.....is on from 1st of August and will continue for twenty days or so....



Our Independence day is round the corner, every Indian citizen just gets nostalgic about it and plan to celebrate the day on their own way.Team, The Grand Hotel, Vasant Kunj has planned to celebrate it in a big way, with the Theme.... #CulinaryTrailfrom1857to1947, which is to bring delicacies from that era for the guests, starting from 1st August and will continue till 20th or so of this month.



From Lobby to the Restaurant Cascades, the all day dinning place, where it is been organized, has been adorned with Tri color or Tiranga you can say. Beautifully done up to match the theme. Every day the cuisine is going to be from different region, like Bangal, Kashmir, Pakistan, Rajasthan, Marwad, Punjab,....... From 10th onwards, some entertaining programs are lined up....Live Instrument Music, Live Music, Magic, Dance Troupe will perform, Kite Flying on 15th with Punjab Dhol......,so it's going to be the fun time, entertaining with exotic cuisine at Rs1947 inclusive of Taxes. Guests born before Independence Day will be served complimentary.



First day was day for Bangali Cuisine. The traditional Cuisine started with very famous, mouthwatering Puchka.....then Jhalmuri and Churmuri, the famous street food from the Live Counters, were awesome with perfect sweet, sour taste. 


Delicate Beetroot Kebab and Mix Veg Kebab, just melted in the mouth.



Chollar Dal with Luchi, Paneer HaraPayaza, Patta Gobhi Matar, Aloo Dum, Baingan Bhaja, Mutton Kosha, Fish Kaliya......relished all these delicacies, were mild on spices and less of oil. Gave the real taste of the lentil, Veges.


Not to miss the Biryani, Mutton, Chicken and Prawn. Flavourful n lip-smacking.


Desserts.... the famous Rasgulla with a twist, like done with Gur, Ras Bhari, the Gulab Jamun, Sandesh, Barfi, Bread Butter Pudding.....



Painstakingly, enthusiastically, team of The Grand, Vasnt Kunj has done a brilliant job.

Saturday 6 July 2019

Dakshin Delights the food fest is on for ten days till 13th July at Blooms, Eros Hotel, Nehru Place....



 Dakshin Delights......the food fest is on for ten days at #Blooms, Eros Nehru Place. Master Chef Alankar is here from Tamil Nadu to bring delicacies from that region, started yesterday with cultural program. Artists performed the dance forms from South India. Although it was hot in the evening outside at the venue, but by the time it started, it was quiet tolerable.



Started with Coffee, South Indian style which the Chef juggled in front of us, was perfect. Panakkam.....this drink made with Jaggery, Ginger and Cardmom was quiet intersting whereas Majiga....the Buttermilk was a bit disappointing.




Koli Porechettu.....fried Chicken in Kerala style, Steamed Fish in Nilgiri style and Venclina Mamsam.... Telangana style Mutton were the starters, we tried.



Appam .....the Coconut milk added to the Rice batter to make Appam,....soft, served with Veg and Chicken Stew, was good.




Nellor Chicken Biryani done in Andhra style, Malabar Koli Chicken Curry, had with Malabar Paratha. For Vegetarians, there are options with number of dishes like Bringal Bharta, Andhra style, Dal Palak...... The menu will change everyday during the fest.

 For the dessert, had Apple Halwa.




Had a wonderful time with team Eros for the courtesies extended.


Tuesday 25 June 2019

Every weekend there is going to be an exciting new theme dinner at CafeOn 3, Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar



 Every weekend there is going to be an exciting new theme dinner at Cafe On 3, Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar. This time the theme is Mediterranean Delight. Wonderful array of delicacies are there to relish and the best part is that every thing is made in house, from dishes to breads, to desserts.

Marvelous food we had here. Very light, non oily, non spicy, excellent food and the presentation was so beautiful, just loved it. Chef Sanjay Mishra  has done incredible job, along with Chef Rajender Chauhan and their team. The taste of the food was close to Indian taste, they also use many spices which we Indians use, mostly in powdered form. Chickpeas are used extensively here.


Wonderful display of Mediterranean Mezze.....Hummus, Mountable, Mohamara, Labneh, Tzatziki, Tabbouleh, Marinated Olives, Dolmas, Marinated Feta, Pickled Veges, Baba Ganoush.......





Crisp light starters we had..... Spinach & Feta Fatayer, Chicken Sambousek..... Chicken stuffed small crisp gujiya style. Cigare Boregi.... Turkish fried feta rolls, Shawarma..... awesome Chicken stuffed with yoghurt sauce. All excellent crisp, soft starters.
Harira Soup..... awesome filling soup made with Lamb, Chickpeas, Tomatoes Turmeric, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Ginger......


Koshari ....This is an Egyptian dish made with Rice, Lentil, Macaroni, Tomato Sauce, Vineger,.... garnished with Chickpeas and fried Onions. Wonderful, complete dish in itself. 
Labnese Okra Stew.....done with Okra and Tomatoes and spices, was awesome. Never had Okra like this.
Cous Cous and Moroccan Veg Stew...... again a complete meal and delicious.
Sayadiah..... Arabic Fish with Rice. Here the rice is done with fish stock. Beautiful presentation and tastes so good.
Saloonat Laham....This is an Arabic delicacy done with Lamb and Potato in Arabic spices.

Lip-smacking Arebic desserts..... Baklava, Umm Ali, Mahalabiya, Basbousa.....all made in house.



Had a wonderful experience. Keep up the good work team Holiday Inn.

The new revamped Radisson, Sohna Road, Gurugram is ready to welcome you all, which was Fourtune Select Excalibur



If you want to see and understand the real hospitality then Radisson, Sohna Road, Gurugram is the place which was earlier Fortune Select Excalibur. Very courteous staff to attend to, talented Master Chef Inder Dev, GM Aditya Oberoi and their team are there to welcome you all. Very cool environment to help the staff to do their best. It is like home away from home not only for us, but for the staff too.

As the brand changed, one can see the overall new look of hotel, from lobby to restaurants, rooms, corridors.....new look of lobby with vibrant and comfortable couches to relax and have some exotic snacks with brilliant Coffee offering at very economical price of just at RS 99/-.



Cafe Central at lobby level is got all new Menu now. Rooms have been renovated from one to all with new mattress, nice, soothing upholstery, added amenities,  upgraded toiletries. Enjoyed the stay here.



The Restaurant Brew House is doing great with again new menu, freshly brewed in-house Beer, live music in the evening. Had a great time listening to the Singer Yash along with Beer and some healthy, light starters created by Chef Love Kala.



For lunch , just to keep it light, we had awesome Chila stuffed with Dahi Bhalla, very innovative. Gol gappa stuffed with Cheese in Thai style. Thai style Salad. Delicious Bread dessert.

Again light breakfast we had in the morning.....some fruits, fruit and veggies juice, awesome Chicken Salad, a bit of Russian Salad....

Had a wonderful stay,..... just in case, the sixth floor rooms  are exclusively for single woman travellers. 



Friday 14 June 2019

#visitNepal2020 campaign was organised by #buzzTravelMarketing in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Deptt at Shangri-la Eros......Tag line is "garmi se behal chalo Nepal"



Nepal.. .decades ago, it used to be the very first tourist destination out of India, closest and easy to reach in short duration, no hassle of Visa, currency, as Indian Currency was accepted there. I remember our first visit to Kathmandu two decades ago, a memorable experience, we had travelled in small aircraft of Druk Air. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip and brought bags full with many things, infact saw the first Shopping Mall called Super Bazaar there and enjoyed shopping, Casino at Hotel. 

After some time, people started exploring other touist destinations out side India other then Nepal. 


Attended the  #VisitNepal2020 Campaign at #Shangri-la-Eros Delhi organized by #BuzzTravelMarketing in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Deptt with the idea of expecting two million tourists in year 2020 in Nepal. Some eminent speakers  Mr Suraj Vaidya, National Convenor and Mr Deepak Joshi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board from Nepal spoke about how the  developments taking shape, some more Five Star Hotels, new Airports, new destinations comming up in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal and also some other sports and recreational activities organized by the govt to attaract tourists, like..... Mountaineering, Paragliding, Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Trekking, Jungle Safari,.......Mr Sanjeet, Buzz Travel Marketing stated,  Indian market is already the most contributing visitors to Nepal and is again growing day by day




Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan are some of the popular destinations to visit Nepal. A very safe place even for a single female traveller, stated by Mr Deepak Joshi.

So "Garmi se Behal, Chalo Nepal"......

Wednesday 5 June 2019

Purple Greene the only veg restaurant with delicacies from seven continents with a modern twist is at Ambiance Mall, Vasant Kunj.....



One can never even imagine that only veg cusine can be so lip-smacking. Each and every dish is curated painstakingly. One of it's kind, the only restaurant with only Veg Cuisine from seven Continents, amazing menu, this #PURPLEGREENE the brainchild of Vikramaditya, is at #AmbianceMall, #VasantKunj on third floor. A passionate foodie himself, Vikramaditya has brought this wonderful concept with only veg extensive menu with modern twist to cater to all age group. Simple elegant decor with shades and Pictures from around the world. Logo of the restaurant is Turtle which symbolises the growth, prosperity.....faith by many religion across the world, so the idea is to grow along with the patrons.


Murgan Marry, Paan Blast, Tamarind Twister..... very refreshing Mocktails with perfect blend of sweet & sour, curry leaves, betal leaves, lemon, juices.


Roasted Beetroot, Goat Milk Cheese, Arugula leaves, Pine nuts....blanched and roasted Beetroot, wonderful plating, healthy, delicious.


Khumb Galauti..... again nice colorful plating, soft Khumb Galauti Kebab served with ulte tawa ka parantha.
Lantern Chili Tofu......Tofu done with hoisin sauce serverd with condiments. Never tasted Tofu so good.
Samosa Pinwheel...... wow so tasty Samosa presented in pinwheel style.
Spinach & Cheese Empanada..... awesome crisp Gujiya stuffed with Cheese and Spinach.


Cocktails....Rum Punch.....Dark Rum with Cranberry and Pineapple juice. Cucumber Bramble.......Gin, Cucumber and Lemon juice, balanced and apt for this sultry season.


Kathal Biryani ..... served with Garlic Raita, Baingan Salan.
Malaysian Coconut Curry....
served with rice.
Spaghetti Meatballs..... Spaghetti done with Mushroom Meatballs. All these delicacies were flavourful, lip-smacking.



Baked Cheesecake and Khajoor Purn Poli, we had for the dessert. Loved the Cheesecake,

We have already tried many dishes, yet many more mouthwatering delicacies are there to longed for. Saurabh Gupta, GM a dedicated and humble professional is managing this outlet with Chef Lalit Kardam and his team.