Street Foods of Saket

Saket - has been a Haven for Shoppers for quite soem time. Right from the resurgence of the almost dead - Anupam Cinemas - which was a Forlorn Single Screen theater in Saket, where one would only Visit with Friends & not their families (if you understand what i mean), to its sudden rise , as the Hottest Cinema Destination of the Country - with the Launch of the Priya Village RoadShow Cinemas, more Popularly known as the PVR - The Concept of Multi Screen Theaters was first Introduced by PVR Anupam - Great Media Frenzy, Visits by BollyWood Celebrities to Open their Movies from this Happening MultiPlex . Saket , was suddnly the I.T. place in town

 

 

 

 

While in my Previous Blog, i mentioned about how the PVR Saket Complex has turned into a Foodie Hub, with various eateries thronging this place & one can have a Good Meal for 2 People Under 500/ - and that too under the Heavenly Skies - Perfect place to eat in the Delhi Winters - with the Food ranging from Pizza Chains, Coffee QSRs, Lebanese, McDonalds, Ruby Tuesdays, Indian & Mughlai Foods...There is also a slew of Restaurants which line up the Road from Anupam Saket to the Malls of Saket, which have been dishing out amazing Street Food & Snacks for a Long time now.

 

 

 There is a Famous South Indian Cart, which has been serving Dosas, Idlis, Vadas , Uttapams for almost 15 years now.  Locasted just outside the Womens Hostel in Saket - Its a good place for treating your eyes to some Female Candy as well ....

 

 

 Move a Bit ahead from that South Indian Cart towards Nehru Place, you will find another South Indian Cart serving Crisp Dosas & Vadas . Also One can find, a recently Put up Cart, serving Mughlai Food - albeit a Limited Range - Biryanis , Qormas with Roomali Rotis

 Winters is the Best time to Enjoy the Street Food of Delhi - Great Chill, Hot steamy Food , Cold breeze blowing across - If there is Heaven any where - This is it - This is it - This is it ....

Bagels Cafe-Hauz Khas Village

Located at the Corner of one of the numerous bylanes of the Hauz Khas Village, Bagels Cafe offers a relaxed, scenic view on a lazy Sunday Morning. With a Variety of Bagels & Breakfast options to chose from, this Cafe is your ideal choice to start a lazy holiday, soaking in all the flavour, moods & ambience of the Art filled Hauz Khas Village

Walking down the Hauz Khas Village, one is sure to witness an amazingly high number of Designer Boutiques, Designer Shops, ranging from Whos Who of the Fashion World, to the Avant Garde new entrants as well . One is also sure to witness the interesting array of Eateries spread across the Locations . While there are few eateries, which are the Franchised Ones Like Pind Balluchi, or the South Indian Navedyam, a Lot many of the Eateries are the Single Shop Joints, which have a lot of the Arty Flavor of Hauz Khas Village

The Cafe makes maximum use of the Natural Morning Sunlight and offers a very bright natutral light ambience, making it a perfect setting for good discussions, Chats & thoughtful conversations, and a pretty good place for Bird Watching ( Checking out Beautiful Foreigner Girls) The Menu Cards are in keeping with the Eco Drive, which an Arty Cafe should be associated with, and are made from Cardboard Paper

The Nice and almost serene setting outside on a Bright & Lazy Sunday

Very Nicely Lit Interiors making maximum use of the Natural Lighting, a well laid out space, neat packaging add to the mood of the Cafe

The Cheese & Vegetable Bagel served with a side order for Chips, and a Strong Assam Team

Take a Closer Look at the Cheese oozing out of the Bagel.. Melted Fresh Goat Milk Cheese, leaves a thick Consistent flavour on the Tongue . add to it the Freshness of the Bagels, the slight tinge of the sesame seeds, leave a delectable taste on your tongue, which lingers on long after you have had your first bite of the Bagel

The View Outside the Cafe, straight out of a Movie Scene which depicts a quiet place near a Forest, with Rocks, Trees, a good view to have after a Good breakfast

Saoji Cusine of Nagpur,

I was on Official Visit to Nagpur sometime last Month. Have to admit was really Impressed by the way the City has shaped up . Actually shouldn't  have been so surprising, had i checked my facts, Nagpur being the 3rd largest city in the Maharshtra state. From a Tourist perspective, it has all the trappings of a Potenttial Metro - Heavy Traffic - burstimg traffic rather, Huige number of HighStreets, Amazing kinds of Malls & the right mix of small local markets . Nagpur also enjoys the distinction of being the 3rd largest city in Maharashtra, after Mumbai & Pune

Nagpur is also famous for its legendary Food, and the Saoji Cusine scores highly amongst all its Cusines . Saoji is a Typically Nagpur speciality & is known for its "Spicy" Flavor . In fact the Locals devour this place so much, that you have probably Hundreds of Small restaurants in the City serving Saoji Cusine More Popular being the Pinto Shaoji ..

 

 

The Cusine is famous for the Non Vegetarian Preparations of Chicken & Mutton. Also the use of Khadda or semi blended Spices is what adds that Pungency, Bite & extra spiciness to the flavors . The Good thing about this Cusine is that, Inspite of being so hot, it doesnt upset ones stomach & the preparations are done in an absolute home Like manner & even the set up of the Saoji Restaurants is quite simple & a good no frills dining for the entire Family. So its like Home Food served in a Simple Restaurant Like ambience, allowing the Family an outing to enjoy

 The Price list sits firmly fixed to the wall & the Maximum, One has to shell out for the best dish is 130/= The also serve their local delicay "the Gawaarni Chicken" -which basically means a "Desi Chicken" the one which is bred & reared in normal environment, unlike the farm bred & raised organic variety of Broilers, that we are used to -

 

 

And Here is the Show Stopper - The Mutton Dish can be seen floating in a "Spicy - BOLD RED" curry with a good amount of grease . To be had with Home made, Fresh & Crisp , Wheat Rotis - One meal you cant miss
 

Pizza Hut- From QSR to Casual Fine Dining

My Previous Blog Post in January regarding the Stupendous Growth Rates of the Food & Beverage Industry in India, mentioned about how many of the International Food Chains are vyeing the Indian Market & looking at Franchising as a means to establish their presence in the Market . The F&B industry is being Driven by 4 Major formats, Cafes, QSR, Carts or Kiosks & Fine Dining. QSRs & Carts / Kiosks are the driving force fuelling the trend for a very fast growth in the Industry


http://gourmetaffairs.blogspot.in/2012/01/pizza-hut-special-offer-3-course-meal.html - had mentioned about the Good work which these Food Chains are doing especially building up of a Franchise network & Improving Consumer eating out experiences . One thing to observe is the way, Pizza Hut has quickly repositione itself from just a QSR (quick service restaurant) to ACDR (Affordable Casual Dining Restuarant), a change cleverly bought about by operating 2 successful but different formats, (The Pizza Express) & the Pizza Hut . Smart tweeking & Introduction of Innovative Dishes in the Menu. Toda Pizza hut offers the most complete range in Pastas, Pizzas, Soups & a whole host of exciting Appetisers . I had an Opportunity to have a relaxed lunch at the Outlet after a Long time . A weekday Lunch at a Restaurant, is always a luxury never to be missed, and its always relaxing to Visit the Piza hut,@ Great India place, Noida - Quite spacious & an always courteous staff - I ordered the Grilled Chicken Pasta & the Very Interesting "Jamaican Jerk Herb Spiced Chicken" -

The Chicken Pasta was quite Fresh, absolutely perfectly spiced, a touch of Basil leaves to add that extra aroma to the Dish.  The Penne, was nice, soft very Fresh & the Garlic bread, after a long time, I had just plain Garlic bread, No Garlic Bread exotica or bread loaded with Butter - This one was a Crisp Bread with a dash of Butter & a stromg Garlic Flavor

The Jamaican jerk Herb Spiced Chicken was served with a Very Light, Fresh Mint & Cucumber Curd Dip , served on Skewers, Priced at Rs 130 for 6 Pieces, with such an ambience, to me was pretty reasonably priced . The Chicken had the perfect spicing, although it seemed to be done on a bar be cue, but the Marinate was much lighter, much fresher than the Tandoori Chicken Tikkas, which people might believe once you look at the Chicken Skewers

Enjoyed my Lunch, Hope you enjoy the Pics

Pakoure

Pakaoure - There is something about this Humble snack, which we Delhites, even with all our Haught cant resist . Come to think of it, Simple modest looking Vegetable, Potatos, Onions, Some Spinach, Cauliflower, Big Green Chillies, Brinjal, Cottage Cheese or Paneer, mix them in a batter of Basin (another Humble mix made out of Gram Pulses), deep fry them to a Cholestrol raising Golden brown color, and serve on a plate . Now this is where the Delhites may differ in their approach

While the Delhite from the Chic parts of the City, South Delhi Types, whose diet conscious and has a belly obnoxious, would prefer to laden his plate with a protective covering of the Tissue papers, to drain out the extra Oil, where as the Property Dealer in Rajouri Garden, who probably treats his entire staff to a Lunch of Cholle Bhatture & evening snacks of Samosa & Bread Pakore, will save the tissue for wiping his fingers & not his Pakoures , after all we have paid for the oil as well , paaji, why to squeeze it ... Pehle hi sarkaar Saada khun chus rahi hai, te assi bhi tel no chus le ve

Look at that Plate of Fried Goodies... A mood enhancer & a Local Anti Depressant of Sorts . The kind of Comfort food, one would like to eat on a Cold Winter Evening in Delhi, with a strong Ginger tea . Balle Balle !!!!!!

 

The Plate here is from a Bread Pakoure wala in Punjabi Bagh and has got quite a plateful.  There is the Localied French Fries with lots of spices sprinkled, Gobhi Pakaure, Aloo, Pyaaz, Paalak, & the King of Evening Snacks, the Paneer stuffed Bread Pakoura . Served with a Variety of Dips,
Green Chutney - Dhania, Pudina, Green Chillies,
Red Chutmey - Imli & Saunf ki Chutney

I have seen so many Elderly Punjabi Gentlemen relishing this snack in the evenings, That It just gives great pleasure watching them polish off this, and especailly the SardaarJis in Patel Nagar - I have never seen anyone eat a Pakaoure with so much elan & style, First you break a small bite of the Big Piece, Dip it in a Hari or Saunf ki Chutney, put it in the Mouth, Bite it, Devour it for few seconds & then the best part, wiping the grease of their fingers on the moustache & the beard.....This is called a Multi Utilitarian eating . Proud of Delhi

 

 

Keventers Milk@ Connaught Place

Long Before The Baristas & the Cafe Coffee Days of the World, came knocking to the Food Capital of India, Our Delhi, and started offering their exotic version of  highly processed Cold Coffeees, Mojitos, Ice based drinks, Chillers, Slushes & what not,  Delhi was  quite well equipped to beat the heat & with its Desi Beverages ruling the roost . Right from the Bante walaa Soda, to the Lassi as Big Halwais, Delhi had an answer to the thirst of its people. Serving Chilled Flavored Milk for deades together, Keventers Flavore milk, is a Popular landmark in the Connaught Place Market of Delhi

As Kids, I would come here Often with Parents for a Bottle of the Chilled Flavored Milk at Kaventers.I remember, many a stories from My Dad, and how their Outings at Connaught Place would never be Complete without a Visit to Kaventers. It probably was alsto wash down, the Umpteen Fillings of Sambhar & Chutney, which they had at the Indian Coffee House. A Princley lunch of Authentic Masala Dosas, Sambhar, Chutneys, lots of Bird watching in the Evenings & cooling down with the Chilled Kaventers Flavored Milk

Even Today, you can see hordes of People standing outside the humble shop located in the Corner and having their fill of this amazing drink .The Flavored Milk bottle is a true indicative of the large heartedness which Delhites have come to known for .. The bottles come in half a Litre serving and not for the ones with a small appetite. There is decent variety to Chose from ,Strawberry, Cold Coffee, Badaam, Butter Scotch, Chocolate Kesar.. The Milk is just rightly cold, its not too chilled so as to rattle your teeth, a perfect cold temperature, good enough to take a Big Gulp and not being able to remove the straw.. In Summers as you keep sipping the flavored mil you can feel the Chill going down your chest to your stomach and that is quite a Divine feeling

Wengers Pastry Shop- Connaught Place

Wengers - The Capitals Oldest Bakery & Confectionery Shop, Located in the heart of the City, the Majestic Connaught Place. Wengers has truly stood the test of time, been witness to the Complete transformation of the ethos of the Capital City of Delhi.. Established in the year 1926 by a Swiss Couple named Wengers. Designed by British Architect, Sir Robert Rusell, Wengers largey catered to the taste of the Brtishers and staisfying their cravings for their favorite bakery foods - French Breads, Swiss Choclolates, Pastries, a largely  British food affair..Indians were too alien to this food ,and hence Wengers came to be associated, with the aura befitting for a British favorite Hang Out Place

Much has changed Since then ...In 1945 Wengers sold their Restaurant to an Employee, Mr
 Tandon, who has been running the restaurant since then. In fact the 3rd Generation of the Tandon Family is at the helm of affairs, currently. While Wengers , may not continue to hold the Mighty position it once enjoyed in the Capital but in the annals of history, this place is still a winner & favorite amongst many old timers

Kids who've heard fond memories about Wengers from their parents keep coming back , probably just to recapture the prized moments of youth which their parents would have spend

The food variety is quite extraordinary as well, with a range of delicious chocolates on display in different enticing color wraps. Fascinating repertoire of Pastries, Cakes, Cookies to make any Kid screach out in excitement & joy of laying their hands on them. Fresh Pattice with stuffings of Chicken Mushrooms, Paneer - Quiches, Pizzas, Long Breads, Garliec Breads, FootLongs, Cheese Twisters, Macaroons, Eclairs, Loads full of Bread Loafs - French, Garlic, Mushroom, Whole wheat, Brown & the likes .... Not to Forget the Sandwiches -- wholesome, home made mayonaise, fresh ingredients - quite a hit with Kids...Add to it the Huge Space to ensure the Customers are not jostling away even on a packed day ... Do Visit for a Bit of Cakes, Cookies, Pastries, Pattice, Sandwiches , but More than anything else, Do visit for a Bit of History ....

Local Chinese Manchurian

Hindi -Cheeni Bhai Bhai, is an age old phrase , which gained immense popularity post the waves of Friendship that were gaining moemntum, post a disastrous Indo-Chinese war 1962, More disastrous & damaging from Indias Point of view, But a War is a war, nonetheless .....Realisin the Futileness of war & the Humongous trade Potential, which these 2 Future Power houses could have betwwen them (who would know, that these 2 countries would be home to 33% of the worlds Population approximately) and form the Biggest Consumer Markets

Food being one of the Biggest beneficiaries of this ..Chinese is Today the Most Popular Foreign Cusine in India, and has completely been Indianised, localised, adapted & now as much a Part of our menu as Punjabi, South Indian, Mughlai etc etc ....

 Small Local Vans inside Colonies have been serving Localised variants of Chines Menu for ages....Chinese would be surprised to know of what all Spices their food can accomodate ......To the Spirit of Hindi Cheeni Bhai Bhai  & the hordes of Small Enterprenaurs who are making a living out of selling Chinese form their Vans (Chowmein, fried Rice, Momos, Soups, Chowpsey and the Likes)

MidNight Hunger Pangs-InterContinental Hotel

Hunger Pangs, can strike you at the most unusual times, especially late in the nights, or very early mornings .. Most of these Tmes, there isnt enough ammunition left in your kitchens or Fridges, to manage those Hunger Pangs .... Many a Times, they may also arise out of an unsatisfied Dinner, a Light meal or a not as per your taste kind of food ..People have their different ways of dealing with these

During Student days, I would often move out to explore the places where one can get something to eat at these odd hours... Railway Stations, Bus Stands, RickShaw Stands,and see a different world & side of the city, especially at such odd hours... Last week, to satiate my craving, post an unsatisfying meal, I went to the Coffee Shop, Hotel InterContinental..... Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Onion Rings ,,,,,,,

Indias Frozen Yogurt Market----Ready to Hotten Up

Thats Right...Indias Frozen Yogurt Market is hotting Up, Literally with Lots of International Brands Vyeing for a Pie for the Premium Health Food Category....Knocking on a Largely Untapped, Premium Health Conscious, Low Fat Yogurt Market, CocoBerry has managed to have a Clear Dominant Leadership POsition

Launched in 2009, The Gurgaon Based, CocoBerry, has taken the Indian Premium Health Food Segment by a storm....Started from 2 Outlets, they enjoy a presence of 32 Outlets in the Country.... Taking a Cue from the Huge Response, many of the International Brands, have announced Intentions to enter & take the war in the Frozen Yogurt Market to the next level...

PinkBerry the Worlds leading Brand in the Premium Frozen Yogurt Market, has announced its plan to enter the Indian Market in a Big way .... Being Present in 17 Countries & 180+ stores worldwide, it will be Interestig to watch this segment

 

Yogurberry another South Korea Based Frozen Yogurt Chain is all set to enter the Indian Market . With Plans to expans to 100 stores in the Country over the next 5 years, the Frozen Yogurt Retail Market is set for Explosive Growth ... Consumers will be spoiled for Choice, it seems !!!!!

US Based Red Mango, plan to open 12-15 Outlets in the next 2 years... Canadian based Kiwi Swiss, already has Outlets in Bangalore & Chennai.....The frozen Dessert Market

 in India is $500 mn, out of which the Frozen Yogurt Market is expected to be $50 mn , and is a premium High End , Price point , with a 45 ml Cup of Yogurt @ Rs 60 + , with Toppings at an additional Price of 20-25/

SUBWAY - India Expansion -1000 stores by 2017

SubWay - The Worlds Largest Restaurant Chain & makers of the SubMarine Sanwiches, are looking to ramp up their presence in the Indian Market. The Connecticut Headquartered, Restaurant Chain, has targetted to grow to 1000 stores in India by end of 2017

SubWay has done well to customise its menu to the Local Flavors --- Its Paneer Tikka, Aloo Tikki Patties, and Other Vegetarian fillins for the Subs, have evoked a Great response .. Also its promotions have been Bang on- whether Communication their USP of 99.9% Fat Free Sandwiches or the Sub of the Day Concept, where one flavor for the day of the week would be at a Lower Price than the Standard Flavors ... a Huge Hit as a Concept

SubWay Currently has 253 Outlets via the highly successful franchise model, and Covers 50 cities in India .. Part of its Expansion strategy would be to focus on the Tier 2 & Tier 3 Markets .. These are the places, where the High Disposable Income, along with the Propensity to follow the health & fashion trends are most readily acceptable ....Currently Subway has presence in almost 100 countries with 36,000 stores through the franchise model ..

Quiznos - SUBS SOUPS SALADS

Quiznos  is now in India --- Eyeing the Very Rapidly growing Quick Service Restaurant Category in the Indian Market, American Brand, Quiznos, has made its entry into the market, with their very 1st Outlet in the GK-1, N block Market... Considered one of the Steep Rivals of the Legendary SubWay Brand of Sandwiches, Quiznos will be using the Franchising Model to expand its base in Indian Market

Known for its "Subs Soups Salads", making use of the best Ingredients to make their healthy & delicious Subs... They plan to Open more than 150 Outlets in the North & West of India... The have presence in 35 Countries & 4000 Outlets already ....

So be ready to bite into the Healthy Subs, Salads & Soups from Quiznos ..I went there couple of weeks back,,,Have a Look !!!!

Dunkin Donuts- The New Happening Donut Place

Just Visited Dunkin Donuts, newly Opened Outlet in the bustling, Hip, Happening, mecca of Consumerism - The Famous M- Block, GK-1 Market,of South Delhi  last week. Dunkin Donuts, are one of the leading Chains of the US, who pioneered & leveraged the Franchise Concept, perfected by McDonalds, and used it to Build this Global Brand in the Food Business ... Personally I am not too big a Fan of Donuts & dont have any such fascination for Donuts ..... But as they say, "All Foodies may always not be the same" so for the special ones who have a Sweet Tooth - Donuts offer something exciting to Us ...

Different Reasons for People to Love this ... Variety of Colors, Beautiful Round Shape , quite bit like the World ... The Donuts are round like the world, and Like Life, they too have many many different Colors ....Enough of Philosophy, do check the Photographs of the Donuts .......A Visual Treat ......

"You can get Donut in any shape, as long as they are Round"

Colorful world of Donuts !!!!!!!

Just like the world ...Round but many Colors & faces....



The Menu !!!!!

Some Lighter Colors...strawberry, Mango

Mango & Chocolate Donuts

Rainbow on My PLate !!!!!

My Order ..... Enjoy

Arza Bibi Kebabs - Khan Market

Arza Biwi Kebabs, Khan Market, is the new Hip Hop Destination for having your Favorite Tandoori Snacks, in an almost Pub Like Ambience sans the drinks .... Newly Opened Joint, having a Limited seating capacity of about 5-6 Tables, 10-12 Persons at the most. Almost like a Quick Service Restaurant, with a Dine in Option... The Ambience is quite nice, with a Pub Like feel, Nice Fast paced western music, taastefully done decor, with Bright Lights, and a Classic Wood work, with some ethnic design work being done on the frames

This will Buzz when your Order is ready

They have some Interesting Concept which i quite liked . You will get a small pad for your table once you place your Orders .. This small pad, will buzz when your Order is ready.... Never knew Mughlai & Tandoori food could be Presented in this techno fashion

Brightly Lit Ambience & decoration

The Menu is quite limited & reasonable . They have Tikkas, Seekh Kababs, Kakori & Galouti (Only Mutton), a couple of Gravy Items in the Non Veg Main Course .. Not too much experiment ... Same with Vegetarian, Couple of Gravy items & variety of options - Soya, Veg, Paneer, Mushroom, to chose from

Hmmmmmm.... Eating Time

Loved the Mutton Tikkas...just right

I ordered the Mutton Tikkas & realy enjoyed it. Generally avoid ordering Mutton Tikkas, as mutton being less tender than a Chicken, takes time to Cook up, and may take even more time in the Tandoor.. But here i was in for a pleasent surprise .. Mutton was well done... I like my meat to have bit of bite & not the too soft & chewy types...so for me,the tikka was just right

 

a good experience in all ..do visit, when in khan market next, to see how the good old tikka, goes pop & hip hop at arza bibi kebabs