tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188258852024-03-23T23:48:22.937+05:30DilettanteDilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-70665442517054029962007-07-21T23:28:00.000+05:302007-07-21T23:39:29.298+05:30The Deathly Hallows: Spoiler Alert!Will make quite a big-budget movie. In a good way. If they decide to make it four and a half hours long - which I do hope they do.<br /><br />It has everything - flashbacks, redemption, conversations in netherwordly places like King's Cross Station, <em>loads</em> of heroism and valiant deaths.<br /><br />I guess this is the feeling Star Wars fans experienced when they watched Return Of The Jedi back in the say.<br /><br />Ok, so there were no <em>real</em> spoilers in this post. I'm considerate like that.Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-75914572844807856442007-07-10T13:54:00.000+05:302007-07-10T14:03:24.195+05:30So I'm reading all of them Harry Potters again before the release of <em>The Deathly Hallows </em>and all that and I come across this funny line in <em>The Prisoner Of Azkaban </em>that I missed earlier.<br /><blockquote>...was still extremely nervous, and had only agreed to return to her job on condition that she was given extra protection. A bunch of surly security trolls had been hired to guard her. They paced the corridor in a menacing group, talking in grunts and comparing the size of their clubs.</blockquote>Didn't expect JK Rowling to drop in a cool Freud symbolism just like that. heh.Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-36110378514720749072007-05-21T23:21:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:22.491+05:30More Airport<div><div><div><div></div><div>So your intrepid blogger brings you an update on the construction of the Bangalore International Airport, previously blogged about <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/06/bangalore-international-airport.html">here</a> and <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/03/competition-they-said.html">here</a>.</div><div></div><br /><div>It took me about 20 minutes to drive from the highway to the site offices and actually stopped to ask for directions three times. Interesting drive, mostly barren land where one gets excited to see the first signs of construction (which is a compound wall) in about half a kilometre from the highway.</div><div></div><br /><div>The construction of the ATC Tower.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067076195536828274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaetucbVe5RpwpykjXejnHCWBreZSLPI0I_scBAUtroUwDYfLbAu1VQwHwkPE69IIh4D0rowELjZ8NDzP8KWlVQDcQztQB43WAdujG8ZWkG-FznRJvgAFuvk_NowoP5KI2I-j1kg/s320/Image073.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067074958586246962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgushTBk64JI6KdzaPcr-J8LHebs-80gGDpmR-vZ_XFiHGT3v0gtsraLgTISTBE1ESfHzBwK0szt1WrPEzw8278GTp4ELevNSzn03pv32Q0XMNrGH3AKtQ6QBgLxHg6YvTDNbrpoQ/s320/Image075.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>The sections of the roof at the pre-cast yard, which are this cool wave-shaped profile. Check out the construction and then the artist's impression of the roof, below. </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067075186219513666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfTAHnDtUbDCZMRn8m2GkPkpczkSKbEGD1FailiyL38FDgnQwWkNEVHHwgeW4akrh8A5W4wZz8hM6AxBFToL3ZKGsbyjL7uhhDI26KKmzlnJH_zWshdETwxsvzrZp2zvTLHRmnQ/s320/Image069.jpg" border="0" /> <p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067075753155196770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4piSi9HscyrKKUvgNSFsw0h-5B38cXdU4-luKnHoN5sravoqmSjlz4Fr7iYwf62Eu_jgYLutkFYFii5ILIrNyXhPzTtWbtHb07lh3RPWqooDTUXnYNjgCQhlXrbrLWGdLg1GHg/s320/Image072.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067076753882576770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8DGjCtPzPjYihBND6y8mkziJ9-UROhQyNjo-MxzF4OkJmKLsflEi_jYfKgm24dqAyvJ1SOBpl77oPjNuh0-EV-iliXSrGQX9Tpeu_wMsZ1DP8ihT9Sh3UY997P043gWipxD9EA/s320/BIAL%2520rnav_project_img_01_big.0" border="0" /></div></div><p>And in case you were wondering, here's the compound wall.</p><p></p><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067079167654197138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv42nD0CcRXfvR4I-7tLo_fNe9TxT8iQPVPoQUlRA02j7DVzfYThGoTM1d30FK5vtLthHn5M7qr5yDb8u5HVRNEFDDnM2294BfdMt58VMkf_3Uj9AXrkrJbErAZiS2G_uAK0dGIw/s320/Image066.jpg" border="0" />Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-46569676556281813742007-03-31T18:01:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:22.603+05:30Good Things From Hyderabad<div>I think there are a total of 2 things.</div><div></div><br /><div>Biryani from The Nizam Club and biscuits from Karachi Bakery.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048065940165229266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtj8QO5OhWvnia1ZVHFu0ZH6ihf0dYdqc1GL8d0o-XEVHen4z0LWbl10crl059MGs4uK0D4Eyn6gLsOmuJTzbN-gqGgy_fusuuqA5rYrYaZ7xZigs5GCH_SI2CamS5l-RfCvFsQ/s320/Image004.jpg" border="0" />from the Jobless Pictures Archive. Items brought back when my sister did a "parcel" of the biryani from dinner and came to Bangalore the next day.<br /><div></div>Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-53590076272312742072007-02-13T20:48:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:22.751+05:30How Do You Smile In Kannada?<div><div>Now that I've found the bluetooth dongle that was hiding behind the ATX cabinet, here are a few pictures from many moons ago. Many more to come in later posts.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031038790489341138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BnyFnScfqhOpeuglgiAlxVnGnF2NTSA_FG1xXRLAo1Kw7jaTPDyHFy9JRFTnCD0uvHdrnEoA__0lfBZjBk6Mx_sxF6U_4pDNfgKAQXcRl1zdfaKCWVo66KA_kV0ivNtjiacrYA/s320/Image001.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031038953698098402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW88tDkaWrCY0PezjCzL2-Qri09wtunwE9YCz5xixYnTgq6TGPzks9XrPwbTurXpiiYO5T7G4YYIgfvhaljZjnW4M0q967050qI7uBaZ325XQOJgdRem34MW4cPZHiN5LfDGvTOA/s320/Image002.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div> </div></div>Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-88506701590684786882007-02-03T10:34:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:22.968+05:30Art's SakeAmaya (as in <em>without </em>maya/illusion) Art is a new "art house" promoting Indian art and all that. Check out their <a href="http://www.amaya-art.com">website</a>. <a href="http://gsanks.blogspot.com/">Recluse </a>sent it to me to pimp it, it has just the right number of adjectives important to selling art even.<br /><br />Now I don't know the first thing about art (I do know the right adjectives and verbs, though) but the stuff they are holding is pretty good. And looks reasonably priced. The gallery on the website isn't up and running yet but you can view the pictures <a href="http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=12wzh4pe.l6inzz2&x=0&y=k2rqvc">here</a>.<br /><br />Do check it out, they <em>are </em>nice paintings.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027171354101053250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofzOWvLOJ2ZUNjG9mbtnd4InbW_-leb3FHfT4xf6jgiDp_yoPGI1_1xfqkUWn_eJmGLZyrjkv6-uzTPojLUY_xYahI9OBB6DIZwFQ2I2-oYw51FTx9PALo7UzGe_2wQCA7-Lt4Q/s320/608041300110_0_BG.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027171216662099762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXXJFkKTK4jfvfZ5dbaSc7pt0EOBgUN7CkGRshFAy9XZhF0rFt3We_6IWIsAw4U1DXJBS0z_-dm_BvAze06HFROHjBNqTXUlGEGZhNvE6IYaeZpzseuFsBj_teQdv4E1SMriLHw/s320/26106578910_0_ALB.jpg" border="0" /></p>Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-9203705088310844392007-01-22T10:04:00.000+05:302007-01-22T12:11:22.182+05:30All The EpithetsYesterday, my peeps and I narrowly escaped the insanity that was the riot. After driving near Ulsoor Lake trying to avoid the traffic jams, we headed back on St. John's Church Road going the roundabout way to Old Madras Road. When we reached Coles Park, stopping because of a blockade at Haines Road, outside Siddique, a Matador Van filled with people doing rounds/going to the VHP-sponsored <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec07/s1.asp">Virat</a> <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/11/stories/2007011109930400.htm">Hindu</a> <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/329029.cms">Samajotsava</a>.<br /><br />Some dudes just pop out of the woodwork i.e., Siddique Chicken Centre, handkerchiefs covering their face and attack the van (and people inside, I guess) with metal pipes. We saw them break the windshield and climbing into it while we quickly drove away.<br />Now these dudes with the orange flags were not heading in the direction of the rally but driving into the "sensitive area", possibly with the same mentality that Ganapati-processions in Bombay are loudest near the mosques.<br /><br /><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/">Blr Bytes</a> was on Assaye Road (near the Bengalee Association) when he was stopped by more of the protestors and got roughed up, when he was in his car, through the window.<br /><br />A few nothing-to-with-this Korean tourists were pulled out of their bus and watched it being torched. They were escorted (possibly by a quick-thinking policeman) to the State Fire HQ and stayed there. A lot of foreigners are in the city to attend <a href="http://www.imtex.in/">IMTEX</a>, so the statistical chances of a foreigner getting caught in this would be higher. It's extra trouble we don't need.<br /><br />Apparently, this started a couple of days ago, when a Jaffer Sharief-organised procession to protest the hanging of Saddam Hussein (20 days after the hanging, albeit) went wrong with some RSS-types attacked that rally (possibly because they were good friends of the Kurds that got gassed). Yesterday's trouble, was therefore a retaliatory attack.<br /><br />Never a good idea to have people like Praveen Togadia in your city. Someone should take Mr. Togadia, Mr. Sharief and while we're at it Mr. Modi and the Imam of Delhi's Juma Masjid, place them in a single cell in the already housefull Parappana Agrahara Jail. And place them under CCTV surveillance. Should make for interesting viewing.<br /><br />Granted, we're no longer the Pensioner's Paradise or even Garden City or a "progressive, cosmopolitan city" that romantically reminds us of the quiet, worry-less days. Alongwith the success of a large number of people, it also brings a serious discontentment to a large number of no-so succesful people.<br /><br />It doesn't help that politicans and "community leaders" foment fear and insecurity along religious lines for more power and more personal gain.<br /><br />It's an indication of failure of our society and nationhood when <em>politician </em>is a four-letter word.Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-26550563214427288942007-01-20T13:50:00.000+05:302007-01-20T14:15:29.370+05:30Blogged OutSo my man, Blr Bytes decides he's <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-time-to-say-goodbye.html">done being a blogger</a>. Which is such a pity because, you know, he was pretty good at it. The reasons he has done so, he has articulated well enough. It's a pity but we move on.<br /><br />Now, what can You, Dear Reader expect out of this blog? The <em>flavour </em>of this blog might change just a little bit (especially with the regularity of new posts). And youm who come back here looking for especially for restaurant and food reviews, do keep coming back - I think BB can be persuaded to cameo the odd review. In the meanwhile, visit <a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/">My Link List</a> with which he still posts, but no witty social commentary a la <a href="http://indiauncut.blogspot.com/">India Uncut</a>. Yet. When he does, Amit Varma better watch out. hehe.<br /><br />It's been a good ride.Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-82594704504182184552007-01-18T07:27:00.000+05:302007-01-18T09:48:38.567+05:30It's Time To Say Goodbye...<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1896/1856/1600/lifesucks378.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1896/1856/320/lifesucks378.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I've been blogging a little over a year now and as my college T-shirt says, it's been a long strange trip. And I'm happy I did because I made some great new friends and one very special friend. But in the end, it's become far too difficult to give this blog the attention that I once did and it rightly deserves.<br /><br />The <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/search/label/55%20words">55-word rallies</a> have been what I enjoyed most. It's only fit, even if it's not Friday yet, to sign off with one.<br /><br /><blockquote>It enters in soft whispers and undying declarations, where words mean more than actions.<br /><br />In time, the words fade to black as the actions speak for themselves; screaming for sweet release.<br /><br />And it leaves in broken promises, a city unbuilt and the ruins for the world to see, of what could have been only if...</blockquote>Like <a href="http://chamique.blogspot.com/">Chamique</a>, I'm all blogged out. </div><div align="justify"> </div>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-34715178531132465502007-01-10T17:58:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:23.217+05:30ParkingI'm not entirely sure how I came across this <a href="http://www.youparklikeanasshole.com/">website</a> but I hope everyone in Bangalore reads it. It's just what our city needs. Some good old fashioned vigilante justice.<br /><p><a href="http://www.youparklikeanasshole.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018380121537543698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCkvSbj-1m2gRPTvcmdD1kTcxP73afVa_ywhISB_BMMGoHqSWtETXBF-4XZqSZlre_5aWLwdehNYU20zy7cyqRGh-pIKLTVhyphenhyphenSyqCIPW-Tke72hTDp2GbyQtZRCYmFYfWy5YoDQ/s320/1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>And is appropriately warned. A sample notice is below. You can download 'em from their site. Print. Plaster. Repeat. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65RQXxKcF10MoYaRTz4IBVAgQePiy8LMGxSej5HhOhyphenhyphen5_NKTHf0TlfyaNFcdFm-Ar7nuz8c5rPYCBS-VWT4nQJkLTsK-ERJsTKIce5h2O3tdPUyxJxbBo4FDZPKyxxBmGPbviIg/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018380121537543714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65RQXxKcF10MoYaRTz4IBVAgQePiy8LMGxSej5HhOhyphenhyphen5_NKTHf0TlfyaNFcdFm-Ar7nuz8c5rPYCBS-VWT4nQJkLTsK-ERJsTKIce5h2O3tdPUyxJxbBo4FDZPKyxxBmGPbviIg/s320/2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>It's a pity that they do "not support making the notices provided into stickers in the intent to adhere said notices onto offending assholes."</p>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-44542465379803976792007-01-06T07:50:00.000+05:302007-01-06T10:37:37.475+05:30Tasting Menu @ ShiokIf you have ever dined at <a href="http://shiokfood.com/">Shiok</a> you should not miss this and if you haven't dined at Shiok you couldn't ask for a better introduction to their food!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.madmanweb.com/">Madhu</a> is organizing a Mixer Event, on the 14th of January, with a fabulous looking tasting menu.<br /><br />The non-vegtarian menu is priced at Rs. 500 per person and includes such wonders as:<br /><br />* Tea-smoked chicken and celery with sweet soy sauce and sichuan pepper-salt<br />* King prawn with essence of shrimp and brandy cream, mix mushroom stir-fry and green salad<br /><br />The vegtarian menu is priced at Rs. 400 a head and you can expect:<br /><br />* Dumplings of vegetables with two sauces - brown butter and chilli ginger<br />* Sesame Eggplant and Rice wine Zucchini with toasted almonds and Asian "pesto"<br /><br />... and much much more.<br /><br />For details and RSVP <a href="http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=795066&confid=1800">please look here</a>.<br /><br />I'm going. Are you?blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-18648027133176700082007-01-06T06:41:00.000+05:302007-01-06T10:39:45.112+05:30More X'mas Food<a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/09/provo.html">Provo</a> writes in with his Christmas Menu. Hang tight, it's a long one!<br /><br /><strong>◊ Christmas Day Specials ◊<br /></strong><br /><em>Soup </em><br /><br />Calabasa Pumpkin Soup<br />with Maple Crème Fraiche<br /><br /><em>Appetizer<br /></em><br />Chilled Orange Pekoe Poached Caicos Lobster<br />with Stolichnaya Spiked Apricot Essence, Won Ton Crisps<br />and Radish-Carrot Slaw<br /><br /><em>Entrée (Carving Station)<br /></em><br />Traditional Roasted Turkey and Ham<br />with Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Giblet Gravy,<br />Sage and Walnut Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce<br /><br /><br /><strong>◊ A∙p∙p∙e∙t∙i∙z∙e∙r∙s ◊ </strong><br /><br />Tasting Assortment of Providenciales Lobster<br />blackened lobster with tomato marmalade<br />lobster salad with creole salsa<br />lobster tempura with bok choy salad<br /><br />Trio of Conch<br />conch tacos with tomato and ginger chutney<br />conch tempura with sashimi sauce<br />conch creole<br /><br />Degustation of Duck, Shrimp, and Vegetable Spring Roll<br />with sweet & sour sauce, beetroot and ginger dressing<br /><br />Providenciales Conch Chowder<br />with mild cherry pepper and aged rum<br /><br />Sushi Crab Roll of Smoked Salmon<br />with asian salad drizzled with wasabi and a ginger dressing<br /><br />Tartar of Ahi Tuna<br />with a tower of cucumber and tomato<br />served with flour tortillas topped with lime & lemon yogurt<br /><br />Goat Cheese and Shitake Mushrooms<br />wrapped in carpaccio of beef on toast,<br />blueberry vinaigrette scented with rice vinegar<br /><br />Spinach Salad<br />with brie cheese, walnuts, raisin and herb vinaigrette<br /><br />Chilled Consommé of Tomato<br />with crab and baby corn<br /><br /><strong>◊ S∙a∙l∙a∙d∙s ◊<br /></strong><br />Mixed Green Lettuce in a Plantain Ring<br />with herbs and honey vinaigrette<br /><br />Romaine Lettuce Hearts<br />with garlic croutons, bacon, a light caesar dressing<br />sprinkled with aged parmesan cheese<br /><br /><strong>◊ E∙n∙t∙r∙é∙e∙s ◊<br /></strong><br />Seared Filet of Red Snapper<br />with shaved fennel and beignet of sweet potato, served with tapenade sauce<br /><br />Rare Cooked Ahi Tuna<br />marinated in sweet chili sauce served with sautéed bok choy<br />and pickled carrot, sour cream and horseradish<br /><br />Sautéed Sea Bass<br />served with bok choy, blackened parisienne potatoes<br />and tomato salsa dressing<br /><br />Mahi Mahi in Papillotte<br />with julienne of leek and celery, served with sticky rice and stir fry sauce<br /><br />Grilled Providenciales Rock Lobster Tail<br />complimented with carrot mousseline, plantain chips<br />and draw lobster butter<br /><br />Ravioli of Lobster<br />oven baked shitake mushrooms and freshly sautéed bok choy,<br />served with ginger reduction<br /><br />Roasted Magret of Duck<br />with crispy skin, duo of potato and asparagus with warm honey dressing<br /><br />Broiled Rack of Lamb<br />garnished with couscous scented with mint, tian of eggplant,<br />lime and lemon infusion<br /><br />Oven Baked Free Range Chicken Breast<br />filled with conch, fried sweet potatoes and risotto of christophine,<br />served with sweet and sour mango sauce<br /><br />Seared Veal Tenderloin<br />served with mushrooms and homemade potato gnocchi<br />drizzled with marsala reduction<br /><br />Grilled Filet of Beef Tenderloin<br />served with fondant potato and oven baked tomato, infusion of cardamom<br /><br />I told you it was some menu!blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-40461467522745507122007-01-02T09:55:00.000+05:302007-01-02T11:07:42.370+05:30New Year's EveWhat did you eat on New Year's Eve?<br /><br />As I was going out, I made a potato, leek and bacon soup served with mustard toast for the parents. The main course was leftover turkey, ham and Russian salad and dessert was fresh strawberries marinated in champagne and served with cream.<br /><br />I, on the other hand, had a far simpler meal. Eggs, toast, baked beans, sausages and fries. Yes. For real. My dining partner had grilled fish in a nameless brown sauce and we both had an iced tea spiked with a large vodka. Where, you ask? Koshys, of course.<br /><br />Provo had to send his menu and it kind of eclipses all else.<br /><br />GBC Seafood Cocktail<br />fresh chilled Lobster, Stone Crabs, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail<br />and Cracked conch with mustard and cocktail sauce<br /><br />Pan Seared Scallops<br />wild mushroom ragout and truffled mash potatoes<br /><br />Foie Gras Tasting<br />green apple tart, pan seared with French toast blueberry compote truffle pate<br /><br />Mixed Greens<br />candied walnuts, raspberry vinaigrette and anjou pears<br />with pecan goat cheese frittes<br /><br />Romaine Heart<br />drizzled with lemon anchovy dressing and Focaccia Croutons<br /><br />Herbed Seared Sea Bass<br />sun-dried tomato risotto cake, white and green asparagus tips, and saffron beurre blanc<br /><br />Brioche Crusted Lamb Chops<br />double cut chops, wilted chard with pine nuts and seedless grapes<br />with goat cheese mash and mint jelly<br /><br />Filet and Foie Gras<br />petite baby vegetables, white truffle Potato Grating and port natural sauce<br /><br />Asian Stuffed Lobster<br />fresh local lobster stuffed with Maryland lump crabmeat served with<br />Asian stir fried vegetables and crispy potato sticks<br /><br />Champagne Toast at Midnight<br /><br />The kicker is the price. The "experience" was $ 400.00 per person!<br /><br />Whatever you ate and drank and wherever you were, I hope you rang in the New Year with someone you love.<br /><br />Happy New Year everyone!blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-70694752768179975372007-01-01T11:33:00.000+05:302007-01-06T13:07:34.137+05:30Small Town FoodThis weeks issue of the <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/archivecontents.asp?fnt=20070115">Outlook</a> is a special devoted to <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=AINTRO&sid=1">food from small town India</a> and it's most certainly worth a read.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=BPankajMishra&sid=1">Pankaj Mishra writes</a> on looking for vegetarian food and his reminisces about the best idlis and anda bujiya he's ever eaten.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=CSurat+%28F%29&sid=1">There's things </a>you didn't know about Surat and the magic of Undhiyo.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;fname=DAlmora+%28F%29&sid=1">And about fudge</a> that's been localized in Almora. Or has it been?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=EBikaner+%28F%29&sid=1">Who knew</a> that Bikaner produced close to 40 tons of bhujia a day?!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=FVaranasi+%28F%29&sid=1">That a paan</a> shop in Varnasi is the equivalent of the local tea shop in the South.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=GGuntur+%28F%29&sid=1">Guntur is a riot of red</a> when chillies are harvested and the local economy runs of chilly power.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=HMapusa+%28F%29&sid=1">Of port and sausages </a>and feni and pao in Mapusa.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=IAllahabad+%28F%29&sid=1">Potato-less samosas</a> in Allahabad, <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=MBurdwan+%28F%29&sid=1">sitabhog</a> in Burdwan, <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=KKolahpur+%28F%29&sid=1">the original Kholapuri </a>mutton and <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=LTamu+%28F%29&sid=1">fun things to eat</a> in Tamu and their local disdain for "local" liquor.<br /><br />I<a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=JRampur+%28F%29&sid=1">'ve been to Rampur</a> but didn't know of it's regal heritage when it came to food. So much to try.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=NKarwar+%28F%29&sid=1">Konkani food in Karwar</a> is besieged by alien cuisines. I'll vote for the former, how can a ghee roast chicken lose to an anonymous butter chicken?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=OKohima+%28F%29&sid=1">Frogs and worms</a> and all things crawly in Kohima are on the menu.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=PKaraikudi+%28F%29&sid=1">Chettinad food must</a> be had in Karaikudi. Everything else is a bastardized version. Can't say I disagree.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&amp;amp;amp;amp;fname=QMalerkotla+%28F%29&sid=1">Of a Sufi food tradition</a> in the heart of Punjab. With bhatti da murg, degh ka gosht and communal harmony in Malerkotla.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=RThalasserry+%28F%29&sid=1">Missing spices and Telicherry</a>, now Thalasserry, Black Pepper and superlative, yet light biryani.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=SClosing+Essay+%28F%29&sid=1">Laila Tyabji extols</a> the virtue in the uniqueness of Indian food.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=TFoodTowns&sid=1">And the Editors moan</a> the virtues of those that couldn't make the issue.<br /><br />As an aside, this is one good reason why the processed food industry is still so nascent. We have no pan-Indian flavours and it's too damn hard to cater to every regional fancy. Well, it's too difficult for large companies which is why smaller food companies prosper. It's also why the most popular processed foods in this country are essentially alien to us, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggi_noodles">Maggi Noodles</a>, <a href="http://www.topramenindia.com/products.html">Top Ramen</a> <a href="http://www.junkfoodblog.com/2006/02/indian-top-ramen.html">Smoodles</a>, <a href="http://www.unilever.com/ourbrands/foods/Knorr.asp">Knorr</a> <a href="http://www.agencyfaqs.com/tvc/sboard/knorr_soups_2311.html">Soups</a> and <a href="http://www.itcportal.com/foods/foods_sunfeast.html">Sunfeast Pasta</a> even if they are "localized" in some generic fashion.<br /><br />I'm sure there are exceptions, like bhujiya, but not too many.<br /><br />I'd love to hear from you, on small town food and processed food in India.<br /><br /><strong>Update:</strong> <a href="http://dhoomk2.blogspot.com/2007/01/small-towns-masterjee-momo.html">Dhoomk2 shares his take</a> on the Outlook story.<br /><br /><blockquote>"... like anyone will actually turn up in Surat or Almora for a bite. I have had some of these impostors preening off as cuisine..."</blockquote>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-31450560329812097062006-12-31T18:59:00.000+05:302006-12-31T19:00:12.133+05:30Happy New Year!Happy New Year everyone!<br /><br />Back in 2007 with more....blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-4420461198223783662006-12-26T10:42:00.000+05:302006-12-27T11:21:41.945+05:30Christmas Food.I love Christmas even if I do tend to get maudlin. And the food is always excellent. Over the years, I’ve fallen into routine and been in Madras for Christmas as my Grandparents, from both sides, live there but I wasn’t able to make it this year and hence will have to eat vicariously.<br /><br />When my Grandfather was alive I have recollections of large Christmas parties with hundreds of people, two bars and a mahogany dining table that fair protested under the sheer weight of food. And what a spread it was.<br /><br />Post-Church breakfast, on Christmas day, was always appam and chicken stew, with a side of egg roast. And dinner, that followed the massive lunch (detailed below), is almost always from <a href="http://chennai.metblogs.com/archives/2006/11/buhari_and_eating_at_midnight.phtml">Buharis</a> or <a href="http://www.chennaionline.com/food/potsnpans/jewelbox.asp">Blue Diamond</a>. Buharis, being past its prime (even if it did create the original Chicken 65, chicken kebab was item number 65 on their menu and no other explanation is valid.) has more or less given way to the fabulous Sri Lankan Muslim food from Blue Diamond, egg and kheema parathas, ghee parathas, mutton kurma, kotthu paratahas…oh, so good.<br /><br />Yes, so on with lunch. Us being Mallu, there’d have to be some food from “Our Land”, usually a chicken curry, beef fry, fish fry, red fish curry, two vegetables, papad and some pickle, and the ‘Continental’ side would feature roast turkey, roast chicken, duck if we were lucky, glazed leg of ham, sausages, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing, Russian salad, bread rolls and crumb fried fish. The menu almost never changed, and still remains the same, except for one year when the Grandmother decided that a roast pig would be a good addition. Minor variations are allowed, some years we have smoked salmon and the Mallu food is prone to change. But the basic nature of the buffet remains unchanged, to this day. Dessert is always a steamed Christmas pudding (with a silver coin in it, for one lucky soul to wish upon.), served with brandy butter, lemon juice and Bosoto Brother’s cream (cream so thick you could invert the tub and it wouldn’t fall.)<br /><br />This year, being in Bangalore and not having access to my traditional meal, I dined at Sunny’s. They had a set menu, which featured a French onion soup or a pumpkin and apple soup (both were good. Thought the latter could have used more spice to hide the overbearingly sweet base.), starters of smoked salmon rolls, fried nori shrimp, Vietnamese rolls and grilled Shitake mushrooms (all of them, barring the rolls were very good.), a salad of warm goats cheese, green apples and romaine (a fabulous paring but rocket would have worked even better.), a pomegranate sorbet (excellent. But obviously made from juice and hence maybe a little too sweet.) and a main course of turkey served with a sweet potato puree, stuffing and cranberry jelly. (I'm betting that it was a Butterball turkey. Not bad, but I like mine more flavorful, leg meat and all. Good gravy, I can't stand the cranberry jelly, and the whole thing was too nouveau with the sweet potato crap. I wanted roast potatoes. Stuffing was okay, but politically correct as it had chicken sausage and no organ meat) Unfortunately, there was no glazed leg of ham. And the X'mas pudding was more a cake. And no cream and piddlingly little brandy butter.<br /><br />But for the company, I’d rather have been in Madras.<br /><br />So, what did you eat for Christmas?blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-87301281439795686612006-12-25T07:42:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:23.382+05:30Merry Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAajEHnJnHyDpe8mgavRMVIbzdDqgHNGxyvkosUXxeelGFAn7ic9gacPIlN3DNNxumGaOChqZ_oWqbrsJ2bj5SzcKh4zj2c1HuCyKpdi0lBujsKhFz0gDTa2s9Sstw0wpRcPVFQ/s1600-h/24122006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAajEHnJnHyDpe8mgavRMVIbzdDqgHNGxyvkosUXxeelGFAn7ic9gacPIlN3DNNxumGaOChqZ_oWqbrsJ2bj5SzcKh4zj2c1HuCyKpdi0lBujsKhFz0gDTa2s9Sstw0wpRcPVFQ/s320/24122006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5012343762287740274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5DT02HI3X7IQy6Ndpeqxn2jTQAKcl-4_3skeLcs7h73drkUzFNhbKswzLcyLuC4hNEhXF7AL8CirIGj1gbJZn0qIEhnH0VUFF2jhJWqIzLrLOR9y0hlcXpjrN5w-0QTb2PuQPQ/s1600-h/24122006(003).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5DT02HI3X7IQy6Ndpeqxn2jTQAKcl-4_3skeLcs7h73drkUzFNhbKswzLcyLuC4hNEhXF7AL8CirIGj1gbJZn0qIEhnH0VUFF2jhJWqIzLrLOR9y0hlcXpjrN5w-0QTb2PuQPQ/s320/24122006(003).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5012343766582707586" border="0" /></a>The cops had closed Brigade Road to vehicular traffic on X'mas eve. I wish they'd do it more often...<br /></div><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=903889991490149940&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br /><br />Merry Christmas ya'll, have a good one and drive safe.blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-62211694127708126942006-12-22T09:46:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:23.624+05:30Opus. Christmas Special.Last night a bunch of us went to Opus for the <a href="http://opusbangalore.blogspot.com/2006/12/8-days-of-christmas.html">Christmas edition</a> of their weekly Booze & Brains quiz. Didn't eat much apart from some all too fishy fish fingers and potato wedges.<br /><br />Mark Rego managed to get atleast one question wrong, or so I firmly believe. Where is Tabasco sauce made? His answer was Mexico. Mine was the USA. He claims it's made only in Mexico and bottled in many countries, India included. I'm pretty sure <a href="http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco_history/faqs.cfm">he's wrong</a>. On <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabasco_sauce">both counts</a>.<br /><br />A few pictures below of the special Christmas food counter Opus has set up with grilled chicken, turkey, duck and quail; roast leg of lamb and pork; baked pork rolls and glazed legs of ham, prawns and live crabs. All looks very good and maybe someone who's tried it can let me know if it's any good?<br /><br />And for the record, we came third.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharrXu_paDpT4lQIttyvsjV3htKz3LtpSo0Vg5mqd58hOp0gaYkT32hg5MWpMK3ZwxFwvvyz3nM0G1dT6DZRDxtt80EOc8ul88aBFysPFUxnJzBbykyZK-Nmt-gl75T3DCswOdCg/s1600-h/21122006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011200596612367682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharrXu_paDpT4lQIttyvsjV3htKz3LtpSo0Vg5mqd58hOp0gaYkT32hg5MWpMK3ZwxFwvvyz3nM0G1dT6DZRDxtt80EOc8ul88aBFysPFUxnJzBbykyZK-Nmt-gl75T3DCswOdCg/s320/21122006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc0zjm1MoHCcu052xoCyR2lAFmGAXAAYZRsAjMAzbv_EjTLyRTL9sYBXEKKYG1BWzxsFGv4qJzS9_U4QrEo3iTouFDZEM-u-PNdgccf10sq9MKlme0iuGOKSEGUxJc9ffYrWZcw/s1600-h/21122006(001).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011200600907334994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc0zjm1MoHCcu052xoCyR2lAFmGAXAAYZRsAjMAzbv_EjTLyRTL9sYBXEKKYG1BWzxsFGv4qJzS9_U4QrEo3iTouFDZEM-u-PNdgccf10sq9MKlme0iuGOKSEGUxJc9ffYrWZcw/s320/21122006(001).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBStPp2S5GwlYWLvunwgI8tZq3Mz8Ws4WvOAyFwVfj2v6fYNoIUBcXV0LtQl6o16cpqqVeQUMlO3IR-UmxEA75bIdIJMWMKaOrYVKRVB5xMcqWVWBc6v4_Sb5_Hcdg5qjeu2_fNQ/s1600-h/21122006(002).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011200600907335010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBStPp2S5GwlYWLvunwgI8tZq3Mz8Ws4WvOAyFwVfj2v6fYNoIUBcXV0LtQl6o16cpqqVeQUMlO3IR-UmxEA75bIdIJMWMKaOrYVKRVB5xMcqWVWBc6v4_Sb5_Hcdg5qjeu2_fNQ/s320/21122006(002).jpg" border="0" /></a>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-15765757873487844042006-12-21T16:38:00.000+05:302006-12-21T16:52:23.893+05:30Pricey Dining<div align="justify">Forbes has a story on <a href="http://www.forbes.com/wineandfood/2006/12/18/india-restaurants-wealth-forbeslife-food-cz_sc_1218indiaeatery.html">India's Most Expensive Restaurants</a>. Take a look at the slideshow and pick your jaw up off the floor.<br /><br />Bangalore features twice, once with this gem from "gourmet writer Ajit Saldanha" who remarks on the rise of these expensive dining haunts thus: </div><blockquote><p align="justify">"I call it trophy dining. If you've got it and don't flaunt it, well, what's the point?"</p></blockquote><div align="justify">Is he the best they could do when they claim to have based their list on "...recommendations from the country's top food critics, who insist the pricy menus are worth every rupee"? Which brings me to my second sore point, their sole choice for Bangalore is <a href="http://www.theleela.com/bangalore/b_zen.htm">Zen at the Leela</a>, which was recently <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/11/zen-275500.html">visited and trashed</a>. Resoundlingly so. So much for the food actually mattering.<br /></div>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-24094881345893528012006-12-20T15:58:00.000+05:302006-12-20T16:09:13.842+05:30My Link List<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Hey! You! Yes, you dear reader!</strong></span><br /><br />Now that I've got your attention can I ask you to direct it to our <a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/">Link Blog</a>? Go on, take a look at it and you'll find the most interesting reads such as:<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/2006/12/google-maps-bangalore.html">Google road maps for Bangalore and other Indian cities.</a> </p><p><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/2006/12/history-of-religion.html">A History Of Religion in 90 Seconds</a>.</p><p><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/2006/12/winnie-cooper-wonder-years.html">Ever Wonder what became of Winnie Copper from the Wonder Years? Wonder no more...</a></p><p><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/2006/12/coke-drinker.html">Know what Drinking a Coke does to you?</a></p><p><a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/2006/12/nobel-food.html">Banquet Menus from the Nobel Prize Ceremonies</a></p><br />Heck, and that's just for this week! Go on, <a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/">read it</a>, or better yet, <a href="http://linkyslove.blogspot.com/atom.xml">subscribe to it</a>.<br /><br />You know you want to...blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-81322461753402966242006-12-19T09:52:00.000+05:302006-12-19T09:59:08.194+05:30OverheardMy colleague two tables away speaks into his phone<br /><br />"Ah, Arun, where are you? Chinna veedu? Periya veedu?"<br /><br />hahaha. Somehow that shit is just plain wrong.Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424375994961648754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-91335151073223331372006-12-17T20:04:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:23.782+05:30Jobless Pics.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrVh21L6fxYhNM7ufzvXn0xd1jWuguBcTvnD4DVLCgGYS9CQxrdyZxmse9xNnnumfEdw5_91n1lH4uUfPdDrwjFmMmcBSwecI1DtQ4rcMst538Aw_SVmXgFwD1S_JIaEbHMB7Jw/s1600-h/17122006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrVh21L6fxYhNM7ufzvXn0xd1jWuguBcTvnD4DVLCgGYS9CQxrdyZxmse9xNnnumfEdw5_91n1lH4uUfPdDrwjFmMmcBSwecI1DtQ4rcMst538Aw_SVmXgFwD1S_JIaEbHMB7Jw/s320/17122006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009504999358481714" border="0" /></a><br />Would you trust them? I think not...blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-45670440280072228142006-12-17T09:54:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:23.870+05:30Empire. 3.50/5.00<div style="text-align: justify;">Given the furore that the Imperial vs. Empire debate has caused on this blog and given that the <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/12/imperial-or-empire.html">kebab question has now been answered</a> (49% prefer Imperial chicken kebabs to the Empire ones. I can't disgaree!) I was finally able to visit Empire. This review is of the Central Street branch. My quick take: Empire has enough, kebabs apart, to want to dine there.<br /><br />Our evening began at <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/12/weekend-food-windsor-pub-tai-tai.html">Windsor Pub</a> where the beer was accompanied by the usual 'snackes' followed by a short detour to, ummm, build appetite as it were.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For six of us, we ordered a lot. And I mean a lot. One grilled leg of mutton (raan), one grilled chicken, one and a half kebabs, one ginger chicken, two brain fry, 12 coin parotas, 2 kerala parotas, 2 ghee rice and sulemani to round it all of. I do believe it's the first time I've ever paid a bill of over Rs. 1000 at either Empire or Imperial. And yes, we finished it all.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cmdF3PGpH86q0MmD3Jp5fQWdoBueH1Cw0J0lqB8Xk56tuV80PsyF9z8u0hQbQhxwud3kj6UlrggZmN_sG9w4bGMR_BOUwkqn1r5E7eggQ3LbKcwyyqmYxm3-cD9fiVCX32_RAA/s1600-h/17122006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cmdF3PGpH86q0MmD3Jp5fQWdoBueH1Cw0J0lqB8Xk56tuV80PsyF9z8u0hQbQhxwud3kj6UlrggZmN_sG9w4bGMR_BOUwkqn1r5E7eggQ3LbKcwyyqmYxm3-cD9fiVCX32_RAA/s320/17122006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009347898044728562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyEieCwehAtI5tiSADNkz1M22INyMY669XfMkf8sFjpRFPsY-Dsol8KR5yoYTP3TvAX-pRaW2zu-Oq3OOHvHZliyEfjciLF5935YA4nYEqPbHpwOHos-oGjN3wjs4TiD5Wz8Rjw/s1600-h/17122006(001).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyEieCwehAtI5tiSADNkz1M22INyMY669XfMkf8sFjpRFPsY-Dsol8KR5yoYTP3TvAX-pRaW2zu-Oq3OOHvHZliyEfjciLF5935YA4nYEqPbHpwOHos-oGjN3wjs4TiD5Wz8Rjw/s320/17122006(001).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009347898044728578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Honestly, I can see myself going back soon. Not for the kebabs, they weren't a patch on the ones at <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/01/imperial-and-corner-house-combo-meal.html">Imperial</a>. Not by a long shot. But, the grilled chicken was superb. Far better than the stuff you get at Imperial or Siddiques. The raan is also excellent, I'd be happier if the crisped the outside a bit, and such good value for money but it does have far less meat than you'd expert. Oh, the grilled chicken and the raan are best with roomalis not the KP/CP stuff. The brain was very different from the pepper fry at Imperial and it wasn't necessarily worse and is worth trying. The ginger chicken, as Chinese as it sounds, seems to be a burial ground for leftover tandoori chicken which isn't necessarily as bad as it sounds. In fact, I liked it. Enough to want to go back and try it again. Personally, I prefer the parotas at Imperial but hey, don't let that cloud your judgment. There's not much between the two. However, the ghee rice/gravy and the sulemani, are far better at Imperial.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18ZtIo9DX4PxlNiUCV4bGGooL3yVDEehx9NPSXV0YKnHcbCfUqUk4-8NHHHEvvmkbdGkGimN4dzkRnEOYkXc6iw0ydFAIBNXftl5rmYTbZhW6fcloibeZ6m8X1er9haGBuK276g/s1600-h/17122006(002).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18ZtIo9DX4PxlNiUCV4bGGooL3yVDEehx9NPSXV0YKnHcbCfUqUk4-8NHHHEvvmkbdGkGimN4dzkRnEOYkXc6iw0ydFAIBNXftl5rmYTbZhW6fcloibeZ6m8X1er9haGBuK276g/s320/17122006(002).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009347898044728594" border="0" /></a>So there, my review. Finally. Feel free to disagree/agree/comment below. I'd love to hear from you. As an aside, what's with the bombastic names? Imperial? Empire? Paramount?blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-34163141397727087762006-12-16T14:41:00.000+05:302006-12-16T14:43:15.659+05:30More Food ReviewsCame by a new <a href="http://web.mac.com/worldrompers/iWeb/Indian%20Adventure/Restaurant%20Blog/Restaurant%20Blog.html">Restaurant Blog</a> that has some good reviews on <a href="http://web.mac.com/worldrompers/iWeb/Indian%20Adventure/Restaurant%20Blog/4174C74F-1EEC-4085-AC90-21969234D38F.html">Tai Tai</a>, <a href="http://web.mac.com/worldrompers/iWeb/Indian%20Adventure/Restaurant%20Blog/03972E71-BCB8-4FD6-9C66-83AB0D86BBCF.html">Shiok</a> and such places.<br /><br />If you do come across blogs that review food in Bangalore, send me a mail won't you?blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18825885.post-77148909198242093522006-12-15T22:12:00.000+05:302008-12-09T11:53:24.025+05:30Richies. 3.75/5.00<div style="text-align: justify;">It's tough rating a place like Richies. It really is. Not because the food isn't good, it is. But mainly because that's all that's good about it. The food. You really wouldn't go there for the ambiance, it's all fake wood, dim lighting from gaudy chandeliers and a, well ummm, an assorted crowd of diners. Much like other <a href="http://doesthisthat.blogspot.com/2006/07/drive-by-eating.html">restaurants in the area</a>.<br /><br />But then, it's only about the food. And good God, it's incredible with one disclaimer, you need to be a carnivore, failing which, a poultry-vore.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_OkJwtAowIs99eo6XLj55Pw8b7ZDh3cDcGLLY4mTrehNSNfDeFZpNnKqpgwdk8NgGe1tHF3UQW_luziwulKjkTDyGgrneNvaO3WL9rRgdyyJN5tsluPHFgdHixkpSv_sXlEYjQ/s1600-h/15122006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_OkJwtAowIs99eo6XLj55Pw8b7ZDh3cDcGLLY4mTrehNSNfDeFZpNnKqpgwdk8NgGe1tHF3UQW_luziwulKjkTDyGgrneNvaO3WL9rRgdyyJN5tsluPHFgdHixkpSv_sXlEYjQ/s320/15122006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008796424530048818" border="0" /></a>There are only so many things one orders. Their mutton and chicken biryani cannot be beat. Not in this town anyway. And the stand-out feature is that the two are different, they don't take the easy way out. Their dal fry needs to be tried to be believed. It's good enough to make me order it, along with hot tandoori rotis. (Tip: Squeeze the oil out of the sauteed round red chilly that they add. Delicious!) The lamb in the biryani is tender, so very flavourful and never over cooked. It's brilliant. So too are their sheekh kebabs. On good days, you'll get deep fried teethar, which is similarly excellent. I like the fact that their raitha doesn't have cucumber and that you get a little portion of some very good kheer along with each order of biryani.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQPxPTV-DWyduYqStClFXtV2ChUlv5KszeXdxLN6fujDiGrUc7Uly-LgSJ1SnCwhAPuZkrH34LgzM8OKuiwSmdyCs2Ed-lAugzqzmFwEuRqAcehxAB9ypEEEUUV1gpwbsy64cTw/s1600-h/15122006(001).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQPxPTV-DWyduYqStClFXtV2ChUlv5KszeXdxLN6fujDiGrUc7Uly-LgSJ1SnCwhAPuZkrH34LgzM8OKuiwSmdyCs2Ed-lAugzqzmFwEuRqAcehxAB9ypEEEUUV1gpwbsy64cTw/s320/15122006(001).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008796428825016130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyKt0lji5yLms8-G81PoBH0dnmRIY2OZjHWDTiDbjBD06YpVDUE9oQQEzHtRsgT_c7jOZCVUOHYHHAwFdDDurAHSrTQWPaTLyPIcBffcgsEaExxTV6YO5foVK0Nk_eVv32BPS5Q/s1600-h/15122006(002).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyKt0lji5yLms8-G81PoBH0dnmRIY2OZjHWDTiDbjBD06YpVDUE9oQQEzHtRsgT_c7jOZCVUOHYHHAwFdDDurAHSrTQWPaTLyPIcBffcgsEaExxTV6YO5foVK0Nk_eVv32BPS5Q/s320/15122006(002).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008796433119983442" border="0" /></a>Their other food, the usual suspects of chicken and mutton hyderabadi/kholapuri/do pyaza etc., are also worth a shot but not in the same league as their biryani/roti/dal and sheekh kebab. Oh, and they'll also sell you the biryani, on order, by the kilogram. It's such a hit at parties.<br /><br />Richies is on MM Road, about half way down. Hard to miss. But do go.<br /></div>blr byteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05137468416049037669noreply@blogger.com3