VAISAKH......BLOOMS, EROS, NEHRU PLACE is celebrating the first month of Hindu Solar Calendar with delicacies from Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bengal

BLOOMS is blooming with the usher of VAISAKH, the first month of Hindu Solar Calendar, in Punjab it’s the crop harvesting time, in Kerala is called VISHU, start of the prosperous New Year, in Bengal it is BOISHAKH and in Tamil Nadu it is VAIKASI…..everywhere it is celebrated  as festival with great  enthusiasm and the carnival all around.

It’s always a pleasure to be at EROS, Nehru Place for the warm welcome from the team EROS, which is always keen to create some new event. This time they are celebrating VAISAKH from 13thApril to 23^rd April, 2016, where after thorough research and hard work , the delicacies from PUNJAB, BENGAL, TAMIL NADU and KERALA are being served. 

Started with the famous PUCHKA and JHAL MURI from Bengal …..unlike the North India , the filling is mashed and filled with sour taste and the JHAL MURI….with crisp puffed rice with the taste of raw mustard oil. DAREDEVIL EGG…boiled eggs with minced mutton and fried……mouthwatering.

KANE FISH ….the small silver fish from South, PANIYARAM the Chetinad delicacy made with rice better served with tomato chutney and UPPAM WITH CHICKEN STEW….. all were awesome.

TANDOORI CHICKEN….very well marinated with all the spices and mustard oil….was soft and moist…..superb and the AMRITSARI FISH…..was excellent.

KOSHA MANSHO….spicy Bengali Mutton gravy, where they use less of tomatoes and more of black pepper ALOO POTOLER DALNA….Bengali home style gravy of pointed gourd and alloo…perfect.

CHICKEN KOZHUMBU…..Tamil style spiced prawn gravy…was really spicy and tasty and the PULLYODHARAL….Iyenger style tamarind rice…perfectly done.

TANDOORI BUTTER CHICKEN, MATAR PANEER MASALA, PUNJABI ALOO PANEER KOFTA….form Punjabi delicacies…..not to be missed.

Desserts from all the four states…..MISHITI DOI, CHENA PAYESH, SONDESH, RASOGULLA , ADA PAYASAM, MOONG DAL HALWA, ATTE KI PINNI are there to relish

Only few days left to enjoy the delicious food with the décor to match the occasion !!

7th ANNUAL ADTOI CONVENTION CUM EXHIBITION at KHAJURAHO, MADHYA PRADESH

Feels privileged to be the part of the 7^th ANNUAL ADTOI CONVENTION, 2016 at KHAJURAHO from  April 8^th to April 11^th 2016. To attend this, started early morning on 8^th by Shatabdi and reached Jhansi after five hrs, then by Coach headed to midway for Lunch at NOWGOAN, HIGHWAY TREAT by M P Tourism, again travelled for three hrs to reach Khajuraho. Got the warm welcome at Taj Chandela where we stayed. The networking dinner at Hotel RAMADA,

refreshed for the next three days.

NEXT morning  on 9^th,the inauguration of convention was conducted followed by Addresses by Govt. Dignitaries and also inauguration of Exhibition, Presentations of M P State Tourism and the session on the Ethical Tourism Practices…which will benefit all industry partners, in turn will create harmony amongst Hotels, Tour Operators and Portals besides various other topics related to the trade. The idea of this is that everyone should grow without competing with each other. The day summed up by dinner at Taj Chandela.

On 10^thApril,The presentation on Desh Dekho Desh Khojo was well presented. So many places are there to explore not only in MP but all over India. Govt. and other authorities need to work together to make them travellers destinations which will be beneficial for all. With other presentations like VISTARA, MAHARASHTRA Tourism and Panel discussions, the day concluded with Gala Dinner at RAMADA.

Concluded on 11thApril with the sightseeing….., Khajuraho Temples, Safari Panna National Park, Raneh Falls, Sound and Light Show at Khajuraho Temples…..all worth visiting and all enjoyed throughout.

All in all a wonderful experience, very well organized and executed by ADTOI EXEC COUNCIL Commendable !!

THE VAPOUR GRILL in Sector 29, Gurgoan is just below the VAPOUR BAR EXCHANGE

VAPOUR chain of restaurants is growing leaps and bounds day by day while maintaining the quality of food at their outlets. A couple of months back they have come up with THE VAPOUR GRILL just below the VAPOUR BAR EXCHANGE on the first floor in Sector 29, Gurgoan, already a happening place. 

Lift just opens in front of the Mongolian Tawa Section. Lively place with around 100 plus covers with enough space to move around. Simply done up with bright lights with live music on weekends. We went on Saturday for dinner, the place was almost full, people were enjoying the food and some of them were dancing on the foot tapping songs.

BARBEQUE right on the table with extensive variety of Veg and Non Veg Grills, Soup, Salad, main course and desserts are there to relish and that too at a very competitive rates.

HARA MATAR KI TIKKI and CRISPY CORNS were real crispy and soft. From the Grills CORN & BABY POTATOES, SHABNAM KI MOTI the MUSHROOM, PANEER and from Non Veg, the MEDITERRANIAN CHICKEN, CHILLY GARLIC FISH, CHICKEN WINGS and SPICY PRAWNS…..all very well marinated. The spices were generally well balanced, so one doesn’t need dips along whereas variety of dips are served if one wants to have.

CHICKEN SEEKH IN OYESTER SAUCE….juicy, soft well done Chicken and well presented and HONEY PINEAPPLE GRILLED ….both were awesome.

Mongolian Counter where the stir fried dishes are cooked on large round solid iron griddle is right there when you enter the restaurant…. to name a few….BABY OCTOPUS, DUCK, PRAWN, FISH are there to relish , also some veges.

For the Beer lovers, freshly Brewed Beer is there as they are the pioneers in setting up Brewery in the restaurant.

Live PIZZA and PASTA stations are also there…..but not upto my liking, could have been better. Plenty of dishes are there for main course from both, Veg and Non Veg sections. Few which I tried are MULLI KA KOFTA, AJWAINI FISH, MUTTON DUM BIRYANI…all not to be missed.
Again a huge display of desserts and the LIVE STONE ICE CREAM Station is there for the ones who have sweet tooth.

The server Vasudev who served us was very attentive and ever smiling and the Chef Girish Prabhu is well versed with his culinary expertise. 

Way to go THE VAPOUR GRILL !

GAJ RETREAT ...A LUXURY ECO RESORT & SPA in midst of Kikar Forest in Hoshiyarpur, Punjab

Absolutely Royal treatment we got from the royal people Mr Yatinder Chand and Mr Naginder Singh who are already successfully running the Koti Resort in Shimla for almost two decades. Feel privileged to be the part of group invited for the inauguration of the GAJ RETREAT on 5th of March in Manaswal, Hoshiyarpur in midst of Kikar Forest.

We boarded the Shatabadi from Delhi for Chandigarh and then proceeded for Hoshiyarpur. It took two and half an hour to reach the GAJ RETREAT. It was mesmerizing to see at one glance only. This Eco friendly Resort & Spa has twenty six spacious rooms, some of them with private pools and six Luxury Tents . Bamboo, Stones and Ropes are used extensively to make these huts like rooms, surrounded by privy forest reserve in high octane exotic location.

We were greeted by the team of Gaj with Tikka ceremony followed by welcome drink, then we took a walk around . Had the refreshing cocktails with mouthwatering delicacies like Dal Tadka, Bhindi Kurkuri, Paneer Pasanda, Gobhi Gulistan Hara Moti, Mutton & Chicken gravy . Every dish was well balanced with spices and aroma. Had the White Sauce Pasta from the live Pasta Counter. Gaj Gurh Ka  Halwa and Doodhiya Ka Halwa were among the other desserts which I tried and personally liked Gurh Ka Halwa.

Some local villagers were there to entertain us with their daredevil stunts.  On the onset of dusk, it looked beautiful with Lantern lights around and then the Live Band from Chandigarh performed for us at night. Enjoyed to the fullest with the food and cocktails.

Thanks to the Team Gaj Retreat and Mr Rakesh Lamba form Omega Hospitality for organizing this wonderful trip, a memorable experience !!

TAMASHA....One of the best ventures not only to see as the name suggests....but to feel

The most promising place to unwind in CP or rather one amongst very few such in Delhi with open sit out. Decently and simply done up in the heart of Delhi, huge covered area , Indoors, Terrace, front and back open area. Ample space to move around with around three hundred and plus covers. Another plus point, easy to locate or to reach there with valet parking available.

It was mesmerizing sitting outdoor in sunny afternoon in front of the Bar which is made like a Truck.

Had very colourful and refreshing Vodka based cocktails with fresh Green Apple, Peach, Lemon, Watermelon. Quite soothing, I must say.

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SPICY CHICKEN DIMSUMS….the stuffing was okay but the covering was a bit thick. SPICY PISTACHIO LAMB…..spicy Seekh served with soft Pita and the perfect Hummus. BAIDA ROTI WITH ACHARI MUTTON….minced mutton stuffed roti served with mutton sauce. CHICKEN GYOZAS….steamed dumplings served with spicy roasted peanut dip.

ARANCINI…Dal khichdi arancines  were good to taste with crisp covering. NEW WAY CAPRESE….here baby bocooncini  with tomato puree reduction  were topped with honey balsamic caviar.

BRAISED BUTTER CHICKEN ….chicken was well done , curry was a bit sweet. MUTTON ROGAN JOSH….just perfect.

Teething problems are there as it is launched just a few days back, but it is going to be smooth sailing in another couple of days as I could see a very big team is there to cater to the guests. All the best to Priyank, Jaideep and their team !

BOOMBOX CAFE RELOADED ....recently launched in the happening Rajouri Garden on the main road itself

The passion for food has made the very young talented guys Tushar Gulati, Sohit Goyal , Lovish Goyal , Sahil Baweja to come up with BOOMBOX CAFÉ in the happening Rajouri Garden. All are very passionately involved in every detailing be it décor, food, drinks, staffing.

The Café has around 140 covers in two floors, the third floor and the open Terrace….. on the main road itself….. easy to locate. The Café on third floor is quite spacious with artistically done up walls, dim lights, apt music with comfortable seating including high chairs.

We sat on the Terrace , loved the sunny awesome weather with the green grassy carpeted floor. Very vibrant, colorful chairs and the railings uplifted the whole experience of dining. With the Mist Ducts, it’s going to be heavenly in summer evenings. 

They are serving Mexican, Chinese and Indian Cuisines with the apt pricing as prevalent in the market.

Mocktails FLYING BIRD and AVALANCHE…with crushed ice and mint were refreshing with nice Red and Green colours. Had FALLOUSH CRUNCHY PITA SALAD…… with fresh veges and crunchy Pita Croutons. MUTTON CHAPLI KEBAB …..were soft . CHICKEN TOSTADAS….was nice crispy Tortilla base and chicken topping

TANDOORI MUSHROOM and KURKURE MUSHROOM…. For Mushroom Tandoori , the Chef added the spices as per our taste and the Kurkure were real Kurkure although a bit oily then the first one but then it has to be like that. 
The new entrants….the Banta style ….The KALA KHATTA BANTA with Vodka was perfect and the AAM PANNA BANTA….a bit less on Aam Panna . 

DAHI KEBAB…..needed to be more crispy outside was soft inside with hung curd. MOROCCAN LAMB PIZZA and CHICKEN TIKKA PIZZA with thin crust and chunks of Lamb and Chicken with fresh onion, tomatoes and apt sauces …..not to be missed.

TIRAMISU……was awesome with perfect coffee flavour. CHEESE CAKE was again good with crisp base and finally CHOCO BROWNIE with ICE CRÈME …a must have !

I am sure the Passion and dedication of these young entrepreneurs will take them a long way…..this is just a beginning !!

BOOMBOX CAFE RELOADED ....recently launched in the happening Rajouri Garden on the main road itself

  

The passion for food has made the very young talented guys Tushar Gulati, Sohit Goyal , Lovish Goyal , Sahil Baweja to come up with BOOMBOX CAFÉ in the happening Rajouri Garden. All are very passionately involved in every detailing be it décor, food, drinks, staffing.

The Café has around 140 covers in two floors, the third floor and the open Terrace….. on the main road itself….. easy to locate. The Café on third floor is quite spacious with artistically done up walls, dim lights, apt music with comfortable seating including high chairs.

We sat on the Terrace , loved the sunny awesome weather with the green grassy carpeted floor. Very vibrant, colorful chairs and the railings uplifted the whole experience of dining. With the Mist Ducts, it’s going to be heavenly in summer evenings. 

They are serving Mexican, Chinese and Indian Cuisines with the apt pricing as prevalent in the market.

Mocktails FLYING BIRD and AVALANCHE…with crushed ice and mint were refreshing with nice Red and Green colours. Had FALLOUSH CRUNCHY PITA SALAD…… with fresh veges and crunchy Pita Croutons. MUTTON CHAPLI KEBAB …..were soft . CHICKEN TOSTADAS….was nice crispy Tortilla base and chicken topping

TANDOORI MUSHROOM and KURKURE MUSHROOM…. For Mushroom Tandoori , the Chef added the spices as per our taste and the Kurkure were real Kurkure although a bit oily then the first one but then it has to be like that. 
The new entrants….the Banta style ….The KALA KHATTA BANTA with Vodka was perfect and the AAM PANNA BANTA….a bit less on Aam Panna . 

DAHI KEBAB…..needed to be more crispy outside was soft inside with hung curd. MOROCCAN LAMB PIZZA and CHICKEN TIKKA PIZZA with thin crust and chunks of Lamb and Chicken with fresh onion, tomatoes and apt sauces …..not to be missed.

TIRAMISU……was awesome with perfect coffee flavour. CHEESE CAKE was again good with crisp base and finally CHOCO BROWNIE with ICE CRÈME …a must have !

I am sure the Passion and dedication of these young entrepreneurs will take them a long way…..this is just a begining !!