Fidahh - Epicurea Food Court, Nehru Place

Vow !!! I will be the 2nd Person to write a review on Zomato about this new kid on the block, Fidahh - & the 1st reviewer being the Zomato Delhi Connoisseur, Desmond john & I agree , its a pity that no one has either explored it so far, or written about it

Located in the Now ever becoming popular, Nehru place Metro station Food Court, Fidahh, is a Lebanese food joint, that sticks to its basics & is doing a good job out of it .. The Outlet has a decent range of Lebanese food dishes - I am sure people have heard about the ever so popular Shawarmas -- There is a decent range of Hummus, Falafels, as well - The Babbaganoush, The tzaatki dips, which are ever so popular - We ordered the Chelo Kebabs, which seemed an all time hit at the restaurant, along with the Grilled Chicken (Rosemerire herbs ) The Chelo kebabs & the grilled chicken were served on the fresh & warm, pita breads ---- I loved the Pita breads, they were thinner than the usual fat dough one gets fed in most restaurants

The Dips were ok --didn't set my taste buds rolling - I have had better tzaatki dips in other shawarma outlets - actually most Lebanese outlets I have eaten at seem to have a great variation in the taste of this particular dip

The Grilled chicken was quite nice - although it was very mildly spices - but I could enjoy the real flavour of the soft & succulent chicken - induced by grilling along with the skin --- The Chelo kebabs were better spiced & did pack a punch & was refreshing to eat, inspite of being right spiced

The staff courtesy was exemplary & the service as expected to be in a food court, pretty fast .All in all , a good experience in Fidaah - I am going there again, for a bigger fill of the Grilled Chicken

 

Zomatos foodie meet- Smoke House Delhi, Hauz Khas

Having been Invited for a Zomatos foodie meet, is probably one of the baby steps in the direction of creating a name in the Foodie circle of Delhi - Critics, Bloggers, Restaurant reviewers & critics, Chefs, Bakers & the ever growing community of Zomans , as they call them -- Zomans refers to the Zomatian community - employees, customers, reviewers - Not wanting to miss this opportunity to interact with the foodie community, I was well set to go , the venue helped seal the decision faster

The Venue - Smoke House Delhi, Hauz Khas Village - An Upmarket, Restaurant specialising in the Grills & Continental fare, Oh so European - The location, adding greatly to the overall experience - Situated opposite the Hauz Khas, Lake - yes there is a lake, which runs across Hauz Khas - many of us in delhi, may not even have heard about it, not to mention seeing & experiencing it at all --- Our Hostess, Prerita Chugh, a bright, young lady, who later it turned out, was quite an impressive foodie, herself - tackling the meats, & cuts, quite much like pro --- With the formal introduction & meeting up with the other foodies, we took our seats, in a specially reserved enclosure, for us, the Zoman foodies

The Start off with a Bread Basket, with Butter & Pepper Cheese - dashed with Mustard oil- was a good start for the conversations to begin --- Breads, Butter, some conversation & more ---We had the youngest foodie & reviewer, I have known in a long time, Ulhas- all of 20 years old, and a forcibly converted vegetarian (for reasons bets known to him)

Then we had the First course of Appetisers, comprised of the following :
"Balsamic Beetroot + Feta Salad with Guava Emulsions" -
 Not a great Veggie salad lover, this was all lettuce, plain cheese & the guava, added to sweetness - which didn't go too well with me -- an extra dash of sauces,  would have added the zing to this sweety of a salad - Not my personal favourite

Chicken Satay+ Green Bean Salad --- A better upgrade of the Veggie salad, with one satay - I always believe, that Non Vegetarian Salads, should have bite sized chunks of the meat thrown in evenly, rather than having single pieces - which need to be torn, broken or shared - as once the Satay is over, all you are left with is lots of Lettuce, again with mild spices - The Satay, however was quite nicely done, tender, nicely smoked & chewy

Smoked Chicken + Goat Cheese Tart - This one took the Cake for me - The best starters for the evening ..  Perfectly, thin, crisp & crusted tarts, loaded with a nice filling of smoked chicken, melted cheese & infused with Herbs, spices & baked to glory --- The perfect starter for me--- & Like Lays, No One can have Just One


We then headed to the Bar for a drinks session - Basically this, helped couple up as a smoke break as well -- The Conversations were in full flow by this time, with another Zoman reviewer, Vigya, mentioning about her foodie experiences - She seemed, quite a foodie, of a different genre, than yours truly --- more of High end & fine dining restaurant reviews, while yours truly is more of a street food, QSRs, light on your wallet , food exploration - I ordered the Green Apple, Martini, which was too sweet for my tastes & having recovered from the sweet punch, I ordered for the Orange Capriojka, which turned out to be a better Cocktail ---- fresh chunks of Orange, placed in the base

There was another dish - which was Chicken steaks, dipped & loaded with Green sauces -- The Satays, were soft, juicy, tender, perfectly spiced & chewy - Great appetiser

Now was time for a Main Course ---- While we had a variety of options to chose from in both Veg & Non Veg --- I ordered for the "PeriPeri rubbed smoked chicken + Smoked Pimento Redux with Saffron Potatoes" - For Godsake don't ask me, what a Pimento Redux means, as I was a bit high to ask the waiter myself for that --- However, the PeriPeri chicken, was just right for me ---- I like my meat to be a bit chewy - too soft is quite a put off for me - The Chicken bites, had the perfect juice, spice & moisture, in each of the bites --- The Potato served as a good condiment for the spicy boneless chicken


I also tried, the Marinated Roast chicken with Sour cream potatoes -- While the Chicken again scored in terms of being tender & juicy - The sauces , added somewhat of a fusion taste -- the sauce tasted more like a strong Garam masala flavour

Overall, a great experience at Smoke House Delhi. To sum it up, a motley group of strangers, from different walks of life, different paths, different destinies, but one Common passion - Love of Food & taking the pain to write about that food ---

Thanks team Zomato for this Opportunity --- Let the Zomans rock

 

Binge - Bakery in Gurgaon

My Bakery & Sandwich fascination continues --yet another Bakery, this time in Gurgaon, which has tickled my taste buds for some time now ..Located in the Sec 44,Market, Binge is a Cool Upmarket Bakery shop, being promoted by 2 young Sikh guys -- The thing that strikes you about Binge, is its neatly & smartly done Interiors - An amazing & wide range of Pastries, cakes, savouries, Tarts, Cupcakes, Pastries, Sandwiches, Rolls, Pattice, Salads - Fresh Breads & lots & lots of Cookies

There is a small seating for about 5-6 people in the bakery - My favourite is the chicken cold sandwiches as usual - may be the European in me, is it ???? People find it strange, But Cold sandwiches, is something I can have for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner - Not a fussy eater, at all .... The Chicken Tikka Sandwiches & Chicken Coleslaw sandwiches are a staple for me -- On your way back home from Office - this is a very good option for a quick bite to satiate the hunger demons for a while

The Cakes here are quite popular, going by the no of Orders for Cakes which one sees getting packed every day in the Evening

Nice ambience, chilled out place, great sandwiches, delicious desserts, Breads to take home & not to forget the free sampling of the various cookies , which is there for the Guests, every evening - if that's motivation enough - Do visit - If you are a sandwich & bakery lover

 

Defence Bakery - Fresh,Cold & Soft Sandwiches

Gourmet affairs continues its exploration of some of the best Bakeries in town . I don't know what thing I have for bakeries --- A weekend evening, would probably find me at any of the numerous bakeries thronging, Greater Kailash , Kalkaji --- Give me nice soft & cold sandwiches for lunch, Grilled spicy sandwiches along with some veggies for Dinner, and I am sorted --- Just love the Sandwiches - especially the Cold & soft ones --- May be its the European touch is it ---- Don't know, but I am a huge sandwich fan ---- and this love for bakeries, invariably draws me to " Defence Bakery" - Aptly named after, the prestigious South Delhi, Plush Colony -This is a small bakery which has been serving some of the best breads, Cakes, Cookies, Sandwiches, Patties, Burgers & all delicious baked goodies for donkeys years now

 

Let me get straight to the basics - The Outlet offers a very nice, cosy ambience - Wooden flooring, bright lightings - and a wide variety to chose from . My all time favourite here is the "DB Chicken Roll" - Lightly herbed, dressed in maynoaise, cream & mustard, the DB Roll, is my take on the Classic English Chicken Roll - Soft, Cold, Lightly herbed, with a dash of Mayonaise, & a brilliantly fresh, tasty & soft bread --- The bread in itself is a great treat --- Being a Cold sandwich , has a risk for the bread going a bit moist or soggy, when kept for long in a refrigerated base --- But these breads are just perfectly soft & fresh - I was told, that the Buns are baked in house --- The Chicken Tikka Sandwiches are also quite nice ---- The stuffing of Chicken inside the sandwiches are also quite generous - The actual test for which is very simple - Once you bite your sandwiches - the soft stuffing should ooze out slightly from the bread - That's the test - The Butter Chicken Hotdog is also quite amazing & offers a tangy twist without being too sour or spicy

The Tiramisu Pastry, The Banoufee Pie are both absolutely amazing & at par with some of the best pastries, I Have ever eaten ----

                                    The Show Stopper - The "DB" Roll

The Amazing Range of Cakes & Pastries - The best part about the Defence Bakery is that, all the stuff, is amazingly fresh & makes use of the best quality ingredients only - The buns, the maynaise, the chicken quality, the cream, great emphasis is given on use of best in class ingredients & the freshness ..... Highly recommended, if in mood for a Light lunch of sandwiches - which I can truly have every single day of my life -- However, its great for a quick bite & that late evening grub ---- Must Visit  & don't try to forget their Special Home made Bar Chocolates

 

Dunkin Donuts & More- Revisited

In my previous post, I had mentioned about Dunkin Donuts, when the same had been launched, in my favourite market in Delhi - The M block, Greater Kailash- 1. A lot of things have changed since then, including my perception. From being just another Cool Coffee & Donut serving place, Dunkins has come a lot way - it especially reflects in their new rechristening - Dunkin Donuts & More

(My previous Blog Post on Dunkin Launch ::::::http://gourmetaffairs.blogspot.in/2012/05/dunkin-donuts.html)

Today Dunkin has evolved itself into The Coffee Shop for the Gen X, who unlike the older generations, love their Coffee, with some quick eats & quick eats, is what Dunkins has made their forte, so to speak - They offer some of the most amazing Subs & for the fill they provide to starved tummies, they are pretty value for money too - 7-8 Different Sandwiches, for Veg & Non Veg both ---- I find these best suited for Indian Palettes - with the right Masalas, & bite to tickle the taste buds. In offer with the Combos, they are a sure reasonable meal for the young Urban Indian - I have many a times picked up the combos whilst back from a late night office slogging

Their Cupwiches are to die for - an interesting take on the ever popular , Cup Cakes - The CupWiches - are soft dough, stuffed with Cheese, Mushroom, Tomatoes, Chicken depending on what you prefer (Veg / Non Veg) - Baking these results in a shot of melted cheese & stuffing in your mouth - Priced at Rs 60/- these are a big hit here

The Bagels, being great, should come as no surprise, as being the All American chain, Bagels is the standard stuff, which these guys can dole out even in sleep - The Classic Cream & Cheese Bagel, The Egg & Cheese breakfast Bagel are quite extraordinary - Fresh & soft bread, right flavouring of herbs & grains, leave an interesting concoction of tastes in your mouth

In the beverages, while they have the standard fare, Their Dunkachinnos, seem to have been a big hit already -

The Latest addition to their ever growing Food repertoire, is the Burgers - The flagship being the "Heavnens can wait" Burger or something, which seems to be doing well - Not had the Opportunity to try one - would update once mission accomplished