Viva Hyderabad - The Biryani Chain of Outlets

Hyderabadi cusine, known for its rich Mughlai fare, the delectable biryanis, the succulent kebabs, the royal spread- its a culinary world which is hugely popular -thanks in part to the aura & partly to the mystique & confusiion which surround sthis cusine - whether its done to death comparison with the lucknowi cusine or the purists debating to differentiate it from the mughlai or awadhi cusine ---Also the classic debate - over the Biryani - Which is the better one Lucknowi Biryani or Hyderabadi Biryani ..... However One thing is clear, Biryani is one of the most classic meals of the exqusite Hyderabadi cusine --- Its also famous for its Pathar ke kebabs, The Classic Haleem, The shahi tukda & the works.

Viva Hyderabad is one such chain of eateries that is doing its bit to bring the ever popular Hyderabadi Cusine & take it to the Delhities like never before & that too in an QSR, affordable format - Well, being someone on the go, even when stationary, I have a special affinity for QSRs - A) They are quick to serve & quick to eat - quick to eat, is a given with yours truly -- but the impatient foodie needs his meals quickly served as well , B) Thanks to the memories of Student days, when exploring so many food options -(Only for the readers of the Blog), QSRs are also easy on the pocket --  For the uninitiated - QSR - refers to Quick service restaurants, which serve your typical take away food


Viva Hyderabad have close to 10 outlets in Delhi / NCR & growing rapidly thanks to a simple, yet effective business model - They take small shops, not more than 100 sq feet kiosks, where they serve some limited Hyderabadi Fare , which is basically precooked - Its is just heated over at the counter & you are ready to have a real quick bite .....

 

 

 Take a Look at the Biryan ---The Long multi colored grains of rice, each grain is so similar to the other yet so different - The pristine saffron yellow -The serene white of the grain, the vibrant red from the chillies, the occasional black (Clove thrown in), The tanned green cardomom --- a Color extravaganza & add to it the rich aromatic flavors.....hmmmmm. I am ready to fly ....to gourmet land.....

 I tried their Combo meal - The Shikhampuri kebab was something which i tried for the 1st time- this is made basically with a mix of yellow grams & hung curd--- The meat is from the leg of the Goat ...... it was just right spiced for me, subtle & not too over pervasive flavoring

All in all , a good experience, a quick bite in a qucik time & not too heavy on the wallet - Meal for 2 (Like yours truly) could be well under 500/ -- Inflation, are you listening ????

Jama Masjid-Al Jawahar or Kareems ? which is better ?

The Holy month of Ramzaan, simply put for a foodie is a time for fasting & feasting, and most roads in delhi lead to Jama masjid during this beautiful period, After a day long intense fast, muslims step out to break the fast in the wee morning hours – beginning typically with dry fruits- especially dates, to the mouth watering savouries, the mammoth main course & of course the simply blissful desserts . Sometime during the festival, I along with my younger brothers friend, decided to visit the Jama masjid for a big bite – While eating is always welcome, but eating during festivals, out in the streets, under the bright lights adds a certain depth , flavour & whole new meaning to the entire experience , making it memorable

Look at the majestic Jama masjid coming to a glory undescribed - this can only be felt, can only be experienced

Al Jawahar - It is said that, Our First prime minister, Jawahar lal Nehru, was a great patron of this restaurant & used to eat from this place often - hence in his honour - thats what the hearsay is --Al jawahar along with Kareems - make up 2 of the most oldest food establishments in Jama masjid -- I personally feel, kareems is a bit overrated & so is Al-Jawahar- I am not too comfortable with the hygiene as well -- but as they say, when in rome do as romans do, so when you are on the street- Just dig into it

The mutton burra kebab - was not quite to my liking -- was quite crisp & dry & the mutton was not your melt in mouth type

The saving grace for the evening was the Mutton Seekh kababs- Juicy, soft, succulent, mildly spiced - These were as good as you get them at the best Muslim seekh kebab joints

The splendor of Jama masjid, the vibes of history, the lessons in life, in hardship, the almost industry made our of serving street food, just about average food- but soaking in the festive fervor, quite an enriching experience ...

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