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 ..