Food for Thought!

Coming Back to the Blog after a Big Hiatus!

Food & Beverage for an Foodie is always eternal, despite whatever happens in life one keeps the passion burning! Its been almost 5 yrs since any post has happened on this website #imbevda. 

Those who have known me have seen me active on social media especially Twitter with the food & beverage post, threads etc. Even during the lockdown and covid something or other was being done.

Coming back here feels so good. Started out as a page to post my experiences..Will keep posting whenever possible here!

To all those who kept supporting & kept reading / commenting. Thank you for all the love & support!

Beer the perfect drink!

To all do keep enjoying your food & keep enjoying your beverages (albiet in limits!) & stay blessed & happy!

Cars.com a Perfect destination!

Cars.com a Perfect Destination! (Sponsored Post)

When usually you are looking for cars ..You usually visit a lot of Shops, ask friends & family and may be a few online sites. But hey you don't get the feel or the experience of the Car (We Indians do want to check every..I mean every minute details right from Looks to Mileage and Maintenance needed). Now we get this at one stop shop on www.cars.com

One Stop Shop - cars.com

Being so finicky about our shopping we need to know all the details of the product (Even the cars) hence it becomes vital for us to know what a brand offers before we select it. Here the site offers such filtering that life becomes easier for us.

Getting the right choice becomes easier

Such filtering helps us to understand and get the right product within my budget. I wanted to check electric car so i searched for it among new cars

I got whooping 6412 options with various specification mentioned next to it. Right from the cost, brand of car, to its colour, type of transmission, make of the car and mileage too. Isnt that awesome!!

I could compare my favourite car with other brands cars

I could compare 4 best cars which i wanted with the details i wanted to see. Making life easier for me! It also showed seller details so i could contact them directly.

I could then take a call and contact the seller directly either via email or phone call and check availability of the car. Neat isn't it.

Videos & Images of car i liked always help!

So its just 6 steps for a common man like me to access www.cars.com search, filter, compare, select and contact! Easy Peasy if you ask me. But knowing how my family is about mileage they can check the same here For Mileage on Cars 2018

I would be suggesting my family & friends to check www.cars.com for sure!

Palden Norbu - Zen like Experience

Palden Norbu - The Rooftop Experience

The most classiest lounge on Borivali to be launched last to last weekend has Tibetan name which originates from the entire experience at Eskay resorts of Zen like presence.. Located on the other side of link road facing the sea it does offer one Zen like calmness. A rooftop lounge that too in Borivali yes you heard it right..now Borivali folks don't have to venture till Malad or further down town to a drinking place which is of super calibre as they have one in their own neighborhood. one of the first lounges (only) of this stature in Borivali is located on what I would term as Resto strip in Borivali (Link road from Busy Don Bosco signal to IC colony one has a lot of new fancy restaurants, drinking holes coming in). As the target clientele of around Borivali is mostly Gujarati & Jain's the food served here is Vegetarian (Yes a drinking place with veg food..but then when the theme is Zen like presence then the place ought to be without meat).

Pyramid at Eskay Resorts

The place has 360° degree view of the Borivali skyrise and link on one end and Eskay resort's calmness to other and the sea to the third. Located at the really swanky E-Hotel in Eskay resort premises (Not a lot is known of the hotel since it's just a year old..it has 5 restaurants overall in its property..Fab for Borivali..Now one wouldn't have to travel up till Malad Goregaon to stay in the fancy hotels.) 

Show of Flairing and Daredevilry shown!!

Its located on the top of the property with a huge bar on one end, seating in the areas surrounding it, Dj console to the other. A fountain in midst of the lounge offers that Zen like calmness one needs after an hectic day while having a drink or two. Although Zomato is bit slow (Yes it still shows Yet too open to public..Sadly folks at Zomato don't really care to check on a place).

The Fountains Add a Calmness to the Lounge!

The place just serves finger food (Veg) to go with the drinks but its enough for the ambience which is perfect for the place.

Cheesy Paratha - a unique creation

Cheesy Parathas: Wheat flatbreads with cheese and chutney to go with it. This was something different for me at a lounge.

Dum Aloo Starter

Dum Aloo: Baby Potatoes spiced with Masala's and served with Stir fried veggies (A basic potato dish with a Chinese twist).

Concoction created at the Bar!

Crispy Paneer: Deep fried paneer tossed with tangy, sweet sauces and assorted veggies.

Paneer in White Sauce

Paneer with White Sauce was a crowd favourite with its creamy and nutty flavour. It went well with the drinks served.

Bar of the Lounge - Fantastic Place!

Drinks:
Cosmopolitan : - A Refreshing drink to start the evening. Just made perfectly with cranberry juice and orange flavoured vodka.

Cosmopolitan

 A Range of Refreshing drinks are on the menu. And with the spacious arrangement one wouldn't feel its too crowded.

Fifty Shades of Grey

 Fifty shades of Grey: It is a vodka based drink with cream (Icecream is used with Pomogranates) and something you wouldn't take a liking too.

Pineapple Cucumber Drink

Pineapple Cucumber Drink: A Vodka based drink with pineapple and cucumber juice which may be a hit or miss.

Smoke Infused Rum

Smoke Infused Rum: A Drink which Rum fans would definitely like with smoke infused in it. Something really good. The place had used a part of its place as a dance floor (We had wild time then) i am sure patrons will love it too, more for that check Facebook (*Hides*).

The Drink Menu is elaborate and i had a very little sample of the things to be served on regular basis. Considering the place has just opened it had a offer for Beer untill you go to washroom (Innovative Offer for those who love their beer!) and the Drinks menu will be a hit among locals as it offers a wide range of concoctions and drinks.

I had visited the place on the opening Night with #FBAISoiree #LetsDrinkFbai arranged by Food Bloggers Association of India and the E-Hotel. The place excudes a warmth which you get when you have friends with you and definitely will hit the cord with Borivali people who have been EAGERLY waiting for a classy lounge with ambience like this. I would love to see the reaction as the area is very very close to me personally. And it finally gets the Lounge for locals to chill out.

You can visit this location:

Palden Norbu - The Rooftop Lounge

E-Hotel Inside Eskay Resorts, Off Link Road, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091

Phone no: 022 6155 7000

Time: 5 pm to 1 am

Location: https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Palden+Norbu+-+The+Rooftop+Lounge/@19.2404309,72.8392591,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x715146335c98ccfc!8m2!3d19.2404309!4d72.8392591

Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/mumbai/palden-norbu-borivali-west (Still shows Opening soon..Have complained like thrice to give up :p)

Website (E-hotel): http://pmt.techencephalon.com/services/the-palden-norbu/ 

More pics of the fun night (Wild Night) here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155346693008722&id=558743721

Awadhi Food Festival (Royal) @ Baluchi - The Lalit, Mumbai

 Nawabi Experience

Awadh a region that has seen a lot of rich history and has a legacy that dates back really longtime. Awadh is a part of multiple areas which include Lucknow, faizabad till Kanpur every part of town and city has a really rich history and Adab / Lehja. A lot can be known about a place an its history through its food (As food makes the people and culture of an place to what it is and lot can happen over food).

Array of Spices on Display

Having said and done this Awadh region has had a royal influence owing to its strategic location at the crucial juncture of Indian subcontinent (Easily accessible along the mighty Ganges and position of power). Owing to this the region has seen lot of upheavals along the millennia with each empire influencing the lifestyle and culture here.. Food has also been influenced a lot.. Awadhi cuisine has a fab touch of royalty and finesse (Royal Mughal and then the nawabi influence)..You do find the traces of Persian cuisine and a lot of innovations happening due to Food tastes of the Nawabs. Having said about such a rich food history experiencing it on Friday evening meant it had to have the class and finesse to keep our tired taste buds on the move.

Baluchi

The Lalit Mumbai offered the Awadhi food festival (Priced at 2500/- for a veg experience and 2800/- for the non veg one + taxes) at Baluchi (a restaurant with Baluchistan & Iranian themed Indian restaurant).
#Letseatfbai Meal started with the entire experience of entering a maykhana of a Nawab fb(the sights, smell and the soft Indian music) called for a tired soul (moi) to be refreshed and entertained nawabi style. I could feel the Adab the Lehja right from the greetings of the service staff to the songs sung by the classical singers at the restaurant. Entirely transporting me to Lucknow nawab ki haveli (Aao haveli pe seems so apt here ;)).

Aptly Dressed Staff

Table Served Royally - Copper Plate & Glass

Next the smells of the rose kevda enthralled my senses making them alert (refreshed). The tables were having copper vessels (another traditional touch) with copper glass (wish my granny had seen this..she always preached and use of copper ware for staying healthy). Service staff knew I was quenched after coming from the maddening traffic just outside near airport and voila I was served this maddeningly pick me up and off ur refreshed drink (Can go on record and say I preferred this over Alcohol on such a day to just make my tired ass stay awake and even a little high) Rose shot as they say (Made with Rose extract + Sprite) what more can one want (except I had couple err maybe more..till I got a sugar rush).

Menu on Display

Rose drink did tell me that Royalty was to be served.. So before my fellow foodies joined me I decided to check the kitchen for myself (now those who know I haven't stepped in a professional kitchen since a year and in Indian section almost 10yrs considering my love was in Indian kitchens cooking) nostalgia set in when Vishal the Marketing manager and Chef Parimal allowed me in their kitchen to view how the authentic meal is made (I almost yelped with joy). 

Meat in its cooking glory

Hot Coals ready to cook food!

Tandoori Murg

Seekh Getting ready for me ;)

They do have live tandoor kitchen for the display for the restaurant patrons (Knowing me I had to talk to commi chefs at back to see how the good stuff is made).. After a few mins of talking to chefs and rekindling my memories of kitchen I did happen to enter the live tandoor section to see seekh kababs and marinated chicken being cooked to perfection). The heat in the section reminded me of the good old times and also that its not easy to work let alone cook a great meal at such temperatures (kudos to chefs and thanks to chef for allowing me reexperience it all Nawabi style).

Rose Shot

I was all set for a royal meal.. And I was Served Mezban (starters):

 A mention about the home made chutneys.. Raw papaya, Mirchi chutney, Garlic Chutney and green chilly coriander chutney are so yummy (They are fresh and totally appetizing)

Traditional Chutneys

Pristine Lighting

Gosht zaffrani seekh kabab: A seekh kebab with saffron minced meat a melting in the mouth kebab. (Ek se kam nahi chalega)

Gosht Zaffrani Seekh Kabab

Mawa aur Mawey ki seekh: a creative veggie seekh that's yummy sweetness with dry fruits. Perfect for veggie lovers.

Mawa ki Seekh - An Yummy innovation

Murg Parchay: a tender chicken breast flavoured with cardamom cream, cheese roasted to perfection.

Murgh Pachay

Masgool dastarkhan (Main course)

Bhuney pyaaz aur pyaaz ka murgh: Royal stuff truly with chicken well cooked, Marinated in spices and cooked in a rich onion tomato gravy. Succulent chicken a lovely experience on the palate.

Bhuney Pyaaz aur pyaaz ka Murg

Sahi Nihari: a truly traditional Nihari with lamb cooked to perfection. Royal Nihari with meat cooked to tender perfection and full of taste flavoured with kevda (although I felt it overpowering the dish).

Sahi Nihari

Begum Hajrat mahal subz korma
Fresh seasonal. Vegetables cooked in Royal velvety tomato gravy with mawa and cream makes it a total royal dish for veggie lovers

Begum Hajrat Mahal Subz Korma

Dal Baluchi
A signature dish of the restaurant black lentils cooked overnight with ginger garlic and topped with cream making it the best dal you would want to eat (I loved it)

House Speciality - Dal Baluchi

Rotiyon ki tokri
Assorted breads including Gilafi Kulcha (Herb covered Kulcha), Sheermal, Varqi Paratha (A meal in itself a Multilayered Paratha), Khameeri Roti (Sour Dough bread of India),  Roomali Roti and Ijaat Ki Roti (Multigrain bread sprinkled with seasoning). All of them went perfectly with the main courses served.

Khameeri Roti

Zauk e sahi

Desserts fit for a king!!

Gulkand firnee
Indian souflee or as I call it heavenly dessert flavoured with gulkand decorated with rose petals (something which royals wouldn't have missed)

Gulkand Firnee

Shahi Tukra
A royal dish and something I highly recommend.. I almost had a foodgasm(if it was a feeling) bread fried and dipped in milk and cream..made to sheer perfection that the bread almost was like a kingly sweet sponge which had soaked all the Goodness.

Shahi Tukra (Royal Orgasmic Dessert) perfectly made!

We were also served their Pan shot after our kingly meal (deconstructed pan made into a beverage with gulkand cherry et all) just perfect to end the meal. 

Pan Shot (Brilliant as always)

There is also a pan counter with 2 humongous pan served for those who love their nawabi pan ( I tried their sweet pan and man it refreshed my palate.. Not to mention keeping it in mouth was a trick considering its size).

Mouth Freshners

Pan Mixings

 

Nonetheless the meal and experience at Baluchi was worth it and at price of 2500 + taxes for veg experience and 2800+ taxes for non veg one it is truly worth it. 

The food festival is on till 30th of this month. If you haven't had Awadhi cuisine which is authentic and you want to try it all I highly recommend it for the experience food and a perfect experience located at centre of the city.

Location: The Lalit Mumbai.
Restaurant: Baluchi
Website: http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-mumbai/eat-and-drink/baluchi/
Map: https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/The+LaLiT+Mumbai/@19.1053238,72.8736905,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3be7c86a85f28959:0x2b1e48b3c1675b87!8m2!3d19.1053238!4d72.8758792
Time: 

Lunch 12:30:pm to 03:00:pm

Dinner 07:00:pm to 11:45:pm 

To book Kindly call: +91 22 66992222 - Extension - 3142 or walk-in or book online.