Category: Hotels and Restaurants

Let’s go for Coffee!

Coffee culture in India is not as old as that of tea. It is a westernized form of having a refreshing evening or asking someone for a date! Coffee shops in India are increasing from last decades and have gained popularity a lot, especially in young generation. The Coffee market is expanding at a very high rate every year. The market is facing tough competition with the new luxurious café brands joining the market and with this increasing competition and number of different coffee brand outlets, the economy of the country is elevated. Though this expanding outlets have given customers variety of choices to enjoy their cup of exotic coffees at the best of the prices with the awesomeness of taste. They are versatile options available ranging from espresso, latte, cappuccino, frappuccino and many more. These international coffee brands offer you with rich, luxurious coffees at perfect ambience with all the comfort. You just can’t resist visiting these café at least once in your lifetime.

As per the report by Technopak advisors, the Indian coffee market grew by 200 stores a year for the past 5 years. India has over 2100 cafes and the country has space for upto 2500 more in next five years. The upscale coffee shops that have sprung up throughout India in recent years are providing a chance for youth from middle-income groups to become more socially mobile and these prestigious coffee shops are also becoming a platform for jobs. Working in coffee chains like U.K’s Costa Coffee or CCD, which have set up shops in India in the last decade, pays well, provides respectability and chances for promotion too, and it is the fast becoming the preserve of educated but less well-off young Indians. With so many international chains and domestic café chains in India to have the uber-luxurious coffee and have a super talkative family time or to spend some quality time with your date, these lavish cafés are sure to please you and you will want to go there again and again.
STARBUCKS COFFEE:

Starbucks Corporation is an American coffee company and a coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington and has 23,187 stores in 64 countries. It is one of the most favored international coffee brand in India. The Starbucks has entered the Indian market through a joint venture with TATA global beverages and worked to create its business in India by opening its coffee stores in most prominent locations of country, thus attracting many customers. It offers a high quality coffee experience along with comfortable and spacious facility and good meet up place with friends and relatives. Starbucks has a wide variety of coffees and other eatables to offer its customers and they serve 100 percent Arabian coffee. They have espresso beverages (hot or iced), Frappucino blended beverages and Non-coffee beverages. Each product is offered to customers in 3 different sizes viz. Short, tall and grand having different prices and are served in designer cups and glasses. They also have different types of sugars; brown sugar, regular sugar, no sugar and there are also delicious food items ranging from muffins, cakes, rolls and sandwich. Starbucks doesn’t have any discount strategy to attract customers as they believe in providing best quality and service to its customers at high prices. If we talk about ambience of this café, it can be rated highest of all. They have different ambience in summer and in winter. Starbucks coffee café is perfectly set up to give you a unique experience. It really demands a must visit.
COSTA COFFEE:

It is a British multinational coffeehouse company headquartered in Dunstable, UK. It was founded in 1971 in the UK by two brothers. It has grown to over 1700 stores in 35 countries. They provide best quality hot coffee and they have a wide variety of coffees and snacks which provides customers with lots of choices. Costa coffee could be put in premium segment in terms of pricing as they even charge customers for sauces. The ambience of Costa coffee is quite nice and comfy and the walls are painted with bright different colours which give a very refreshing feel. Also, the staff of this coffeehouse is very warm and helpful and serve you with a smile on their face always. With so many quality servings, I think it can prove to be a great coffee visit.
BARISTA LAVAZZA:

It was established in 2000. The word ‘barista’ is an Italian word is a person usually a coffeehouse employee, who prepares espresso based coffee drinks. The ownership of barista has changed three times from Tata coffee to Sterling group to Lavazza. Barista has versatile drinks and snacks on their menu and also have different varieties of tea to attract Indian customers. They also have high price and low price items and serve tea and coffee in three different sizes. It is a good experience to visit Barista Lavazza.
CAFÉ COFFE DAY:

The most famous coffee shop in India CCD is like the first choice for youngsters and students. It is an Indian company established in 1996 and now they have around 1000+ cafes in different cities of India. Most of us have visited CCD and have loved the taste of its different coffees it offers and other food products. It also offers different combos which let its customers to have one product under one item. Unlike other coffee brands where one has to travel a lot to reach an outlet, the best thing about CCD stores is that they are easily accessible. CCD coffee shops are a perfect combination of comfort, lavishness, luxury and perfect prices to have a satisfying experience.
Who doesn’t love coffee? Everyone likes to have a talk over a cup of coffee and with these uber-luxurious options to enjoy that one cup of espresso or cappuccino or frappucino, all these outlets require a must visit at least once to give an exotic experience to our appetite.

So, let’s go for coffee this evening! What say?!!!

June 24, 2014
DU Darshan:the foodie trip in North campus

For a student at the Delhi University,especially as a person who belongs to the north campus,the variety of places to eat and hangout are well known.In the continuous debate between the north and south campus about what makes them so special,the eateries and restaurants,juice corners,snacks and momo walas add to the list of specialty at the north campus of DU.After every ten steps you shall find a momo wala or a van serving snacks .

The campus is humongous,and the variety is stunning.From make shift momo shops to proper eateries and restaurants,the foodie treat can never end.there is always something new to try.What is even more pleasing is the inexpensive price rate that the majority of such places offer.So easy on the pocket,every nook and corner of north campus has such foodie pockets and addas for students to fill their tummy and treat their taste buds. In fact its at times a crazy ride to decide which place is it that you wish to eat today.Amazing egg rolls,yummy milkshakes,savory and hot momos with their lip smacking sauce and mayonnaise,pastry and cakes,ice creams and a lot more,you name it and you will find it in north campus.Cuisines of all sorts from all possible origins,to the simple chaat ,pani puri and bhalla paapdi,the munch list here is almost never ending.
The two favorites that my group of friends and I have are the Rock and Wood cafe and Mr.Crust bakery.Starting with the Rock and Wood cafe,a humble cozy place to hangout,this place has the most inexpensive menu that I have ever come across with a very good set of dishes to offer.Famous for its wraps and noodles,worth Rs.60 or Rs.70,it is undoubtedly a treat to the palate,and the bill makes it all the convenient as an option.The egg and chicken wrap here are absolutely scrumptious,even the dough of the wrap is kneaded with egg to provide for the consistent flavor.The chicken is tender and juicy balanced well with the spicey and tangy zing.The paneer wrap is another such treat,with soft chunks of cottage cheese enveloped in savory mix of sauces.Whats more,you can order a tumbler full of Mojito here worth Rs.40 only,to accompany your meal.A cool refreshing glass of Mojito,with mint leaves and lemon garnish ,quenches the most severe of thirsts.

The chicken garlic noodle here is absolutely delicious!the subtle tinge of garlic and juicy slices of chicken with well seasoned Hakka noodles,served generously(the portion is really big) is the ultimate hunger buster.

The plain hakka noodles with honey chilli chicken is the most wondrous combination,and undoubtedly a must try.The honey chilli chicken,a crispy treat indeed with well marinated chicken pieces with a crunchy outer,an the best possible balance of the sweet and the spicey leaves you reeling for more.

The tandoori chicken here was one of my first dishes here,and well it is a really good dish for two,the chicken is well selected and the gravy is creamy and consistent.The egg fried rice is another bowl full of taste and flavor.Other than the above mentioned ,the combo meals here are also a good deal ,with absolute justice done to the taste.A friendly staff ,a comfortable ambiance and yes not to forget,a huge LED television to pamper the cricket fans on evenings,delicious food and inexpensive rates,the rock and wood cafe is a must visit.The next stop for dessert is Mr.Crust bakery,right across the road.Welcome to the mini Charlie’s chocolate factory,entering into the world of pastries,cakes and milkshakes galore.!Just in case ,the hunger pangs are still hitting inside your tummy,you have entered the right place to bust them.The menu here is so large and encompasses all possible varieties of confections and bakery products you could ask for.As I said,that it is indeed the mini Charlie’s chocolate factory,for those who have a sweet tooth,you will love this place.The Nutty chocolate is a must try pastry.The crunchy chocolate slab of wondrous balance between the crunchy roasted nuts and the right kind of bitter chocolate and sweet is absolute heaven on your tongue.

Choco walnut brownie,brownie with ice cream,brownie in hot chocolate sauce,these names itself makes one’s mouth water and the tummy crave,let alone the first bite itself mesmerizes efficiently.

Chocolate tart,is indeed a treat .Worth Rs. 15 only,the crunchy crust and a cool chocolate that becomes semi liquid as you eat your way inwards.The lemon tart,a tangy treat with a beautiful balance of sour and sweet.The pastas ,pretzels and sandwiches are yet another treat here.The cost at which all of these scrumptious treats are available is so easy on the pocket that a frequent venture to this place becomes a routine practice.The friendly staff and an extremely amicable manager who is always around for your feed back has added to the rapid progress and enhancement.These two places are my addition to must tries and have an instant likability to them.Scrumptious food,good portions and easy on the pocket,these places have definitely cracked the mantra for becoming favorites in a jiffy.BON APPETITE!

June 24, 2014
Kentucky Fried Chicken: finger lickin’ good

Kentucky Fried Chicken which is most commonly known as KFC is an international fast food restaurant which currently has presence in about 118 countries. This fast food chain is specialized in preparing and serving delicious fried chickens to their customers. Currently there are approximately 19,000 outlets of KFC in different parts of the world and this shows the enormous name and success this fast food chain has achieved since it opened its first outlet in the year 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah. After United States, KFC opened its first international food store in United Kingdom and then in various parts of the world. Today it is the second largest food chain in the whole world and is only behind the McDonalds.

The main product of this food chain is fried chickens which are prepared using 11 secret herbs and spices. The recipe is a secret which has not been disclosed till date. Today they also offer chicken burgers, French fries, salads, desserts, wraps and soft drinks. People are just crazy about their trade mark bucket fired chicken which is simply luscious in taste. If you have not visited KFC yet then this is one such place where you should surely visit and for sure you will feel like eating fried chicken sold here again and again. “finger lickin’ good” is the official slogan of KFC which can be seen with its logo. Yum Brands now owns this brand and has a clear cut motive to expand this internationally acclaimed food chain to each and every corner of the world. The total revenue of KFC is 23 billion US dollars for the year 2013.

One of the reasons why KFC fried chickens are so popular among the masses is that they are served fresh to the customers. If the prepared chicken is not sold within 90 minutes then according to the company’s policy, it is simply discarded. People love to eat here as the chickens sold here are exquisite and appetizing. You will simply love the crispy chicken legs, chicken nuggets, hot wings, zinger burgers and other dishes here as they taste succulent and luscious. KFC has simply redefined the way the chicken is prepared and eaten in different parts of the world.

Harland Sanders is the person who started this business. He is commonly called as Colonel Sanders by his lovers. Initially he used to sell fried chickens in his restaurants at Corbin, Kentucky. His restaurant was named as Sanders Court & Café. Harland Sanders used to cook the fired chickens with the help of his secret recipes which his mother taught him and people used to love his cooked chickens. His success story is simply amazing and we should learn from his life and struggles. Harland Sanders had a dream to expand his empire and sell his delicious chickens in different parts of the country. The struggle that he went through and still where this food chain stands today is unbelievable. It shows that if you are determined to work hard and chase our dream then nothing can stop you from attaining success. He was determined to use the franchising concept in his fried chicken business.

Before opening his first commercial outlet he had to travel to almost all the parts of the United States where he tried to convince the restaurant and business owners to use his recipe and start selling fried chickens. In return he asked for a small amount of share from the profits made. The restaurants and the business owners thought the Harland Sanders idea’s to be a flop one and he was rejected by almost everyone. It is said that he faced over 1000 rejections. Just imagine his will to taste success. His strong will power made him a known figure in the whole world. By the year 1963, Harland Sanders managed to open a whopping 600 franchise of KFC in the United States alone but his growing age forced him to stop indulging into business any further and so he sold the KFC Empire to the group of business enthusiastic people in the year 1964. The reigns of the empire has been many shifted a times since then but the picture of Colonel Sanders still lies in its logo. He is synonym to the brand KFC.

KFC entered into the Indian environment by opening its first outlet in Bangalore in the year 1995. The company had doubt that about its success in India as people living here as so much indulged into the religious work and so the success of the brand was under severe spotlight here. Today there are about 370 KFC outlets in India. In India where we eat so much of spices in our food, KFC chickens are wonderful options for those who want to try something different and a food with fewer spices and more nutrients. For the Indian public, KFC has also started the vegetarian products in their menu such as the vegetarian burger, paneer burger, paneer wraps and so on with a motive to pull the vegetarian crowds to its restaurant.

June 24, 2014
KARIM’S: A must visit restaurant for the non-vegetarians

Karim’s is one of the most famous non vegetarian destinations located in the Jama Masjid area of Old Delhi. The popularity of this restaurant can be described by the fact that today Karim’s is synonym to the area in which it is located. This place provides the best and most delicious Mughlai cuisine. None of the non-vegetarian food chain in India is more famous than Karim’s. This hotel has simply created its utmost position in providing the ultimate non vegetarian dishes. The reason behind its rise is the use of the secret exotic spices which they use in their dishes.

This hotel was started by the veteran cook Haji Karimuddin who served as the royal chef in the court of the Mughals. In the year 1857, when the Mughal Empire came to end after the last ruler Bhadur Shah Zafer was overthrown by the Britishers, Haji Karimuddin had no other options but to run away from the shackles of the Britishers. He spent the next few years in the small area near the Jama Masjid. Although Haji Karimuddin was in a condition which he never expected of, he never forgot the recipes of mouthwatering dishes that he used to cook for the Mughals. During this time of struggle he taught his son all the secret recipes that were used in these dishes. Finally in the year 1911, when people from different parts of India were coming to Delhi to join the coronation ceremony of the King George V, Haji Karimuddin opened a Dhaba to help the people by providing them with the tasty food during their stay. He started by selling only two dishes. With the overwhelming response that he received, he finally opened his own restaurant in the year 1913 with a view to serve people with the dishes that he used to cook in the Mughal’s kitchen. Since then this family has been serving the royal foods. At present it is the fourth generation of this family which is looking after this famous restaurant chain.

Karim’s has a wide range of the main course and starters in its menu that ranges from chicken to mutton. One can simply select the dish as per their choice and experience the taste they will cherish for a long time. One of the reasons why Karim’s food is famous is because of the fact that they are delicious in taste and quite spicy in flavor. After the mouthwatering meal, one can simply enjoy a variety of desserts which this place has. If you are planning to visit Delhi, then this city has lots to offer in terms of the tasty and delicious food options that will be available in front of you. But if you are one of the non-vegetarians then this is one such place which you must visit. You will surely have the pleasure of experiencing the cuisines that you have never had before.

This is not one of the very highly priced restaurants and so people from all section of the society visit this place to get the taste of the Mughlai foods. Every time you visit this place you will find it filled with people more than its capacity. From the time the restaurant opens and till it gets closed, you can find people all over it. This is the power of the delicious food that they serve. This restaurant is the recipient of the many prestigious awards such as the Golden Plate Best North Indian Restaurant Award for the year 2005. Recently when the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited India on the oath taking ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he expressed his desire to taste the food from this veteran restaurant. This shows that not only in India, people in various other countries are also aware of the finest food that this place provides and whenever they get a chance to visit India, they do take out time to visit Karim’s. Even the painter M. F. Hussain had words of praise after he visited this restaurant.

Almost all the magazines and shows based on the Indian food have mentions the delicious non-vegetarian food served at the Karim’s. Pioneer described Karim’s as a place which is served by a family which has a rich heritage and expertise in cooking the non-vegetarian food. Not a single hotel or restaurant can match the food being served at Karim’s. In one of its edition, the world famous Time magazine termed Karim’s as one of the best restaurants in Asia. Leading newspapers such as The Hindu, The Sunday Observer, The Asian Age, The Indian Express and everyone else have constantly reviewed this place for their readers and have mentioned it as one of the must visit non place serving restaurant. The world’s famous travel and food shows being telecasted by the National Geographic and the BBC World Guide have also praised this restaurant and have telecasted the story of a family which is so much dedicated in serving the best Mughlai dishes in India.

June 19, 2014
A walk in Satya Niketan, Delhi!

Delhi, being the capital of exceptionally cultured country, India, is a one place destination where you get to see all religions, festivals, cultures, cuisines of the diversified land. There are hundreds of places to sight in Delhi. Be it the old monuments, market places, Delhi Metro service or street food, Delhi has got all to please and entertain people of any age. One such attractive element is Food! Around every corner of Delhi you will definitely find one famous food item which a person should and must try.

One among many lively food hubs in Delhi is ‘Satya Niketan market’ located on Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi, opposite Tirupati Tirumala Devasthana’s Sri Venkateswara College. The place is always very much occupied by the college students of various universities and institutions nearby. With a good number of outlets covering the whole market, Satya Niketan offers great and innovative dishes, which is well popular among the youngsters.

Chowringhee Rolls is an outlet that serves tens of different rolls, vegetarian & Non-vegetarian, which is popular across Delhi. The hot rolls on plate leave the customer satisfied with its admirable taste and sound pocket.
Another is a recently opened yet high-famed fast food restaurant, ‘Big Yellow Door’. A funky styled inclosing, giving a very poppy atmosphere to sit in, is a big hit among youth. With its differently styled way of service, this café stands out. Cheese baked nachos, bomb burger, veg &non-veg pasta, grilled ‘Sand-witches’, etc are a few favorites on its menu.
Next on list is ‘Dude Food’. A restaurant which comes up with various creative ideas to play with. A few of its best offerings are pesto pasta, thin crust pizza, dude food special burger etc. The offers it place are enough for getting the youth attracted. Once, on International Women’s Day, they put up a special offer, asking ladies their age and then providing with same digit discount. Cool, right?

Next! Have you ever tried Pizza- the Desi style? May be yes, but majority wouldn’t have. What they have got on menu is thin crust pizzas, with exceptionally fun toppings to go with. Imagine a pizza with a topping of Shahi Paneer or may be Afghani curry. Strange, no? But that is the specialty ‘Desi Pizzas’ offers to its customers. It provides the customers with a wide range of toppings to choose from. Also, they give an option either to order a full pizza or just a slice or two of it. Not so heavy on pocket, it has nice and fine taste. The unique selling proposition of it is the fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine, which makes it worth going atleast once.

Excited to know, what is next? Next on list is ‘Café 101’. With a good ambience provided, it is a fine sitting place with a good list of food items on its menu. A fast food restaurant is famous for its sound range of pasta to offer. A good place to visit at.

Next is a special outlet only for Burger biggies. It’s ‘High on Burgers’. It’s a small shop sort of a thing providing a few benches to sit, with a nice range of burgers to serve. With new tastes, like Manchurian, aloo tikki, soya, spinach, paneer tikka etc, vegetarians are always left with a happy mouth. For non-vegetarians, too, it has got special chicken, meat, kebab etc fillings to go with.

Since, Satya Niketan is just on the opposite lane of SVC, ‘Idli King’ restaurant is a big hit among students. A restaurant with a South Indian menu serves wonderful dishes in wide range. Paper dosa, uthapam, rawa masala, idli special, vada sambhar are a few items on list.

There is one other café which is very much admired for its ambience. It is ‘Falcon Riders Café’. A café great in interiors complementing well with its name. Dim lit and black-reddish walls adds to the spooky cool look. The café have also arranged for a guitar and drum set to come and play, if anyone wishes to. Everything is well taken care of, to match the theme. Thus, making it a ‘should be’ visited place.
Not just the restaurants are successful, even the bakeries are a talk of the place. ‘Chocolate Square’ is one such bakery in Satya Niketan. Any birthday cake which is to be arranged quickly, is easily available here. Fruit, truffle, chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, black current, mango, pineapple, name any flavor and you will be sight-freezed with the prepared ones in the display. Not only mastered in baking cakes, it also sells a good variety of candies and chocolates, all home-made. Thus, adding to its uniqueness. The rum balls so tempting, the pastries so delighting, the chocolate mousse so yummy, Chocolate Square is just awesome.
And last but definitely big, is ‘QD’s. It is a restaurant which also deals with fast food but one dish which makes it outstanding is its ‘tandoori momos’, something which you don’t get to see on every other menu. And it is actually a great treat to have it. Any group which goes in there orders this one pop, which nobody drops!

So, here we come to an end. With a lot more cafes and restaurants Satya Niketan will always be on the list of ‘places to visit’ of a foodie. And if not, then surely after this you won’t mind visiting it and trying out a few of these

June 15, 2014
The Connaught Place: Foodie Voyage

Connaught Place,New Delhi.

With people jostling about with shopping bags,women tick tacking their way in their heels or in simple flats,vendors who sell books,deal in Rajasthani cushion covers and bags,imitation jewellery being sold to a bunch full of girls and women who eagerly skin through the ‘collection’,posters of famous bands,celebrities and quotes , cold drinks and ice creams being sold under the burning sun to soothe that sweaty brow,nothing seems to stop or dwindle their activity.The beautiful white buildings stretching far and wide ,block after block.Continuous bargaining,the opening and closing of store doors with that gust of refreshing air conditioned breeze,a bottle of water to hydrate your spirits and quench your thirst ,makes you come on one on one terms with your persistence to roam or shop,or even just have a good time.People seated on the benches enjoying some snack or a packet of chips accompanied with cold drinks, is a common scene in Connaught Place .The energy here is absolutely undying .The hub of shopping and of restaurants and eateries galore,the Connaught Place thrives with enthusiasm.It is but obvious that after walking the entire length and breadth of C.P ,you need to attend that growling stomach of your’s,so here are two of the must try places that you can go to to replenish your dwindling energy.Behold dear readers,I suggest you with the king of Kathi rolls,the Khan Chaacha.You may have to walk a lot to reach this particular place depending on the block from where you commence walking,though it is totally worth it,after all its Khan Chaacha.Proceeding towards Khan Market,going to the Khan Chaacha is a must.

Khan Chaacha,named after the founder of amazing kathi rolls,serves you with the most scrumptious of all treats you’ll ever taste.They literally serve sheer and pure happiness in a roll.Out of the variety of delicious rolls that Khan Chaacha offers,the chicken tikka roll and seekh roll top my list and it is so hard to choose between the two.

The well marinated, tangy, juicy ,seasoned to perfection chicken tikka with that subtle smokey aroma versus the crunchy on the outside and a soft core on the inside,grilled and expertly flavored seekh ,this is a dilemma nobody can disperse on the basis of taste,both are equally savory.The only criteria to segregate being one’s preference for chicken or mutton.Each bite that you take, mesmerizes you and by the time you are smacking your lips and licking your fingers,feeling full and absolutely satiated,you become an unspoken patron of Khan Chaacha.

With creamy Paneer rolls that does a pretty good job as well, juicy fish rolls to please the palate of fish lovers,the Khan Chaacha has a way of stealing away your heart.Thought the dining space is not very big,yet the taste and quality are absolutely worth it.Not to forget their spellbinding cream dip,now that is some magic in the play of flavors.It has this unique way of elevating the taste even more.In fact there has never been a time when I actually wasted the dip,scraping the last drops of the creamy wonder as much as humanly possible. An instant patron,and a lover of Khan Chaacha rolls,that is how you walk out of that place,with an extremely happy tummy,all at a price of about Rs.150(approx) and on wards.Now comes the time to sugarcoat your palate,but guess what,its not just what your taste buds are going to feel but what your stomach shall engulf as well.For seeking refreshment a cool milkshake is what you need.It does just the right thing to bust that heat,sweat and fatigue from your body.

Adjacent to the Wenger’s bakery shop is the much renowned milkshake wala.Chocolate,coffee,butterscotch,vanilla or strawberry,you name it and viola! they serve you with this 750 ml(or more,approximately) of pure bliss .Priced for Rs.50 only,this huge bottle of milkshake shall fill you right up!Sweet to the tongue and highly filling to the tummy,a complete steal as a deal,this milkshake is a must have .The flavors are well assembled and are very refreshing.For those who have a major sweet tooth I would recommend you the butterscotch milkshake.It is without a doubt a favorite.The coffee milkshake brings forth the subtle zing of the caffeine energy with the cool milk.A perfect energy booster.Pamper yourself with these milkshakes and rejuvenate your spirits!Just in case you are out on a date (and yes have the pocket to afford a good expense) Starbucks is a good way to relax and enjoy their perfectly brewed coffee and soft ,melt in your mouth croissant along with great music .The Pirates of the grill is another option for a tummy filling and taste bud tingling experience.With an all you can eat menu inclusive of all sorts of perfectly grilled meat and veggies,it is an actual yum factor. Having done much to silence that growling stomach and overcome those pangs of hunger,you can now take the shopping world by storm!BON APPETITE!

June 15, 2014
The Indian Dhabas

In simple terms Dhabas is the title given to roadside restaurants in India. These restaurants are found in highways and other remote regions. The main idea for the opening of these restaurants was to feed travelers and truckers who travel from one region to another to transport goods. In olden days Dhabas were a source of refreshment as they provided a home like ambience combined with tasty food and drinks. It became a spot where social relations were established as most of the consumers were truckers who spoke and discussed about their daily routine and life with each other.The concept of the ‘dhaba’ is not new. Infact, this trend of feeding the travellers enroute has been there for a very long time. It is said, that back in the times, in a village, there was a family who believed in sharing their meals with people around them. They would always prepare extra food and feed this to the passerby’s and the travellers passing through their village. This offered respite to the hungry and tired travellers and many a times, they would offer money as a token of their appreciation. It is from here that the idea spread and grew to the vast scale it is in today.

Open 24 hours a day, Dhabas are small structures usually run by a family or a group of men who work together putting in their knowledge of species and masalas and creating mouthwatering dishes which help the consumers who come there with a hope to kill their hunger. Since the investment put into the working of this center is low, the prices they charge are also reasonable. The best part about a dhaba is that there is no rules and regulation out here. Moreover there is no distinction shown between high class people and low class people. Everybody is welcome to dine here and so it’s not surprising to find people from different sections of the society together in one spot. Unlike other hotels and restaurants, these centers do not spent much on infrastructure and other facilities. There is one structure which is the kitchen where the food is made. The seating arrangement is done outside this structure with the open sky acting as the roof. In regions which are characterized with sunny or rainy conditions most of the time of the year, arrangements are made for sitting both outside and inside the structure. Earlier we had cots where people used to sit and eat and later could have a nap as well however today only some Dhabas follow the same tradition. The newly opened ones have plastic chairs and tables which have substituted the wooden cots.

The concept of Dhabas is not something new and it has over the years only seen improvement and growth. The food is believed to be mainly based on the Punjabi cuisine because the truck drivers mostly belonged to the state of Punjab and secondly Punjabi food is very famous in the northern part of India but over the years there are been a shift in the menu where dishes of different cuisines have joined the list. I had my own dhaba experience when I was young. On the way to agar we had stopped for lunch in a dhaba which was very famous in that area according to our driver. Surprisingly they had no menu cards and all the people working out there knew what was being cooked that day. Tandoori rotis, hot chicken curry with mix vegetables sabzi; I should say I had the best outdoor food ever. The Punjab government is so impressed that it lists Dhabas as an attraction worth a try by the tourists.

The term dhaba originated in the state of Punjab in India. Since Punjab has Pakistan and Kashmir as its neighbors, the traditional Dhabas had the mixture of specialties from all the three regions. A major part of the cooking is done in a tandoor which is an oven made of mud and heated from below. Tandoors are used to cook rotis or Indian breads as well as non vegetarian items like chicken which is spiced nicely and arranged in a skewer and then placed inside the tandoor. According to a recent study done on the dishes ordered by customers in different Dhabas reveals that chicken tikka or lamb korma in the non vegetarian category and rice dishes with panner curry and spinach in the vegetarian category are the most demanded. Even though there are many other vegetarian dishes on the list, but when it comes to non vegetarian we find mostly chicken, fish or lamb. Other meant options such as pork and beef are very rare to find. Since dhaba is not a star restaurant or hotel, cleanliness is something which is hard to find. Although the same cannot be said for all the Dhabas but mostly it’s found that less weightage is put on cleanliness rather than the quantity and the taste of food served. However seeing the crowd and speed in which food is cooked to feed the hungry eaters, it acts as stamp which verifies that cleanliness is something which can be compromised here.

India which is characterized with large scale poverty and unemployment with a major portion of the population lies below the poverty line; Dhabas till today provide both employment to many and remains a source of comfort for the hungry.

Georgie Rajan

June 13, 2014
JUICY LUCY:The King of Burgers.

Delhi Heights.
The size of a quarter plate,the width of about two and half inch,this giant burger called the juicy Lucy, stuffed with chicken,lettuce,fresh tomatoes and with an excess amount of cheese is probably the most loaded of all burgers available in India.The serving portions at the Cafe Delhi Heights are absolutely colossal and the taste and quality undoubtedly do take every possible measure to match the stature.A must eat on any visit to Cafe Delhi heights,the juicy Lucy comes across the most mind blowing of all things on its menu .

SUGGESTION:if you do not have much of an appetite ,go empty stomach,because finishing this Goliath of a burger is not David’s play{at least not with a full stomach,one may conquer this humongous portion with an empty tummy}. For those with a really healthy appetite,you shall definitely find yourself satiated (and stuffed). Putting aside the unputdownable matter of size and huge portions,and coming to the taste,the crispy double layered chicken patty with a molten center of cheese,crispy fresh lettuce and tomatoes,doused with mayonnaise and mustard sauce(optional) and cheese slices,soft burger buns that envelopes this entire wonder served with extra veggies on the side( to tone down the cheese effect).Bursts of flavor ,oozing cheese ,crispy patty and veggies in each bite,fill your mouth and surround your tongue in a scrumptious dance of taste.Bite after bite ,it satiates your appetite and as t dissolves on your tongue it keeps on swaying you back and forth on its savory swing.They have undoubtedly named this burger in the most apt fashion, “The Juicy Lucy” .

To add to the experience here comes the Banta soda ‘bottled’ up in a vessel that actually looks like a medium sized pickle jar ,a cool and refreshing drink with lemon slices and mint leaves floating in it,providing all the more for the thirst quenching factor.Depending on whether you opt for sweet,salted or mix soda,the taste varies yet they all are equivalently refreshing and quenching.A personal favorite ,the mix Banta Soda gives you the best of both worlds,and is an ideal beverage to accompany your food.Alert!cheese lovers ,here comes the open chicken burger,the ‘cheesiest’ of all burgers you may ever see,the specialty of this burger is that the buns are inverted and the stuffing is actually the topping.The most generous and extravagant amount of cheese and chicken in the most overwhelming of all preparations is set to stuff your stomach right up .The word huge itself finds a new meaning in the open chicken and cheese burger.It is the DEVIL of all cheese burgers,and after having this,eating even a single speck of food seems to be a task,an ordeal you shall find comparable to putting back the toothpaste you squeezed back inside the tube.a competitor of Juicy Lucy,the open chicken and cheese burger gives it a tough run in matters of quantity,though the taste of Juicy Lucy is any day more preferred than such an excessive dose of cheese and butter.

A statuary warning to people with cholesterol issues,and those trying to watch their calories,DO NOT even think of having a single bite from the open chicken and cheese burger!It can severely and majorly jeopardize your calorie,fat and cholesterol intake!For those looking for a good way to pamper their tastebuds,you have chosen rightly to eat at the cafe Delhi heights.and by ordering the Juicy Lucy with the banta soda,you have opted excellently.For the cheese lovers,the open chicken and cheeseburger is the ultimate form of spoiling yourself and pampering that knack of having cheese,ideal for those who can afford it health wise.With an appreciable set up and decor,this place is indeed one of the most sought after places by many and especially by youngsters for its energetic vibe,food and booze

As far as my experience goes,I have been only to the outlet in Gurgaon,though about one thing I am really sure about is that,people do have to line up to gain entry in this trendy place.With a friendly staff and a good service this place indeed is the hub of the feel good factor with the most pampering of all dishes.They offer the most simple of all dishes easily available on the streets with a very interesting makeover that is set to please your palate.Other than that,the pastas,the Lebanese dishes and other choices from the food variants are much appreciable.

Though in the list of must haves the Juicy Lucy tops the list.The show-stopper is absolutely worth every penny that you spend.And just in case you are worried about your capacity,here is the good news,you can always share it with a friend or your better half,it shall always provide for filling both your’s and the other person’s stomach without fail.Standing true to the big heart India possesses,to the larger than life motto that drives every Dilli wala and wali,Cafe Delhi Heights puts forth the humongous portions,be it food ,be it drinks ,offering amazing quality,service and the time of our lives on a plate.BON APPETITE!

June 13, 2014
Assam House Delicacy:Home away from Home

In the Fast Food lane we all have our certain set of experiments,hit and trials,favorites and the ‘do not order’ list,but somewhere down the line we have always longed for food that reminds us of home,if not exactly like our much loved ‘ghar ka khana’.In search of such food ,my friend and I set out towards our destination at Race Course,Assam House Delicacy.The Assam Bhavan harbors this really humble eatery that offers you with special Assamese cuisines.Though I ain’t an Assamese,but where there is food,its worth a try!Having heard much about this eatery depending on the testimony of a friend who recommended us the potato chicken dish,we arrived at around 12 noon(around that time is when they serve the lunch) after a five minute auto rickshaw ride from the race course metro station(yellow line) that costed us Rs.40.
Entering the premises of the Assam Bhavan,a guard had us enter and sign our names in a register and entering further through the doors of the eatery one could see bamboo furniture, table mats that looked like banana leaves and neat and clean tables topped with glasses and paper napkins.

Not very crowded, we saw a couple of people having the traditional Assamese dishes,one could see that they liked it,it was really close to what home’s food tasted like to them.As we sat , a man in a uniform came with two menus in his hands and a writing pad ,with a soft hospitable smile.Ordering the much praised chicken and potato with chapatis and rice we awaited the arrival of our food .The waiter returned back with two medium sized bowls of some herbal appetizer cum soup before our actual order arrived.Warm with a tinge of ginger ,this herbal concoction was really soothing despite the blistering heat,and it really worked up our appetite as well.

After a bowl full of goodness there came our simmering bowl of chicken and potato accompanied with hot chapatis , rice,chutney and salad.
A beatific bowl full of soft juicy pieces of well seasoned and flavored chicken with hand smashed chunks of potatoes and peas.The chapatis,crispy yet soft made it evident that the dough was well kneaded.Basmati rice with a subtle aroma peeped up inside its bowl.
With a civilized start,as we served our portions and began eating,bite after bite our speed of eating quickened as if it was the last time we’d ever eat this dish again,hogging ,overeating and devouring .Though not as uncivilized as it sounds,the chicken definitely had us eating like famished souls.the tingly taste of lemon,the refreshing turmeric’s taste,fresh salad,the spicey and minty chutney grinded freshly for consumption and chapatis conjured the most nostalgic of all effects.We had the Ego moment from the movie Ratatouille the instant we had popped in the first bite.

You can(maybe)fathom the depth of emotions and memories,this one dish triggered. Each bite that lingered on your tongue urged you to keep on eating.After six chapatis(three each) and a bowlful of rice down in the pit of our tummies,we sat there satiated,relishing the typical ‘halwai’effect on the way our stomachs felt.The entire meal for two was worth about Rs.350 was indeed the best ever experience one could have.By stating this,I do not intend to demean the scrumptious treats that so many restaurants and eateries line up,though as a person away from home who has to deal with fast food and depends on the canteen food each day,this was certainly our bowl of happiness.Other dishes like dal and mix vegetables,fish curries and prawns are worth a mention.They too add to the homely perfection.The way the food tastes,simple undiluted and untouched by the need to serve ‘as much as you can’,the Assam house Delicacy prepares each dish on order.Nothing and by which I mean absolutely nothing is prepared before hand or served stale.Fresh ,hot and served with a smile,even the waiter seems to relish his customer’s satisfaction.

Occasionally indulging into foodie treats that are closer to one’s root seems a necessary act one must perform.It is when one is away from home that one learns to appreciate what they had.The idea itself varies from person to person,yet whatever a person deems as his or her haven,a place where the heart finds peace,would undoubtedly be identical to what this neat and clean eatery served you with.Its nothing extravagant,neither flamboyant,it is simplicity at its best.I would not call the taste mind blowing,but rather its what lulls your mind to the most peaceful of states with a tinge childlike excitement at having your favorite dish. The taste definitely reminds you of how your mother prepared things,how her curries and gravies were never too thick and sweet,nor layered with market bought cream,but plain ,savory,a little imperfect in the restaurant sense but the best when it came to the impeccable balance of flavors that created absolute magic on your taste buds.For once eating at the Assam house Delicacy,we found ourselves happier than at any other place we have ever visited.An instant favorite,I recommend this to anyone who craves for ‘ghar ka khana’.BON APPETITE!

June 13, 2014
McDonalds – I’m Lovin’ It
McDonald’s

Can you imagine without Happy Meals,Chicken McNuggets?No!!That much popular is McDonald’s lately.It created a sensation in food chain and got popularity and now spread across world.A man named Ray Kroc started from a small burger restaurant restaurant in California city and his journey started until it reached world’s leading fast food chain spreading across 118 countries having more than 35,000 restaurants and serving more than 70 million people a day.

The Story behind McDonald’s:

Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc,in 1954 was a small food salesperson and begun franchising his business which now became an international business.Ray Kroc,started his career from a small burger restaurant in California and he was once giving milkshakes to McDonald brothers,Richard and Maurice and these two began regular customers and best ones as they purchased his machines when his business was dying.Kroc was confused as they were purchasing and he suggested them the brothers to expand their visibility and he gave his services as their agents and the journey of their restaurants started with big yellow arches and spread across the United States.

Even Kroc was not the one behind the development of the chain restaurants,he initiated it and developed the plan and transformed his small hamburger restaurant consisting of burgers,fries,shakes into a vast empire.He was the chairman of McDonald’s until 1984,the year he passed away.Also,he sticked his morals and kept it consistent with cleanliness and also he made it available for the people of low class to afford their meals.

McDonalds’ Logo:

McDonald’s logo is familiar and very famous as the fast food.This logo has become a cultural icon with globalism,capitalism of Americans and it is one of the top brand on the earth.

In 1948,the McDonald’s brothers started fast food known as Speede Service System where they designed a winking character of chef.This served burgers and fries.

McDonald’s

In 1952,Stanley Meston designed their first franchised outlet with golden arches added to both sides of the building forming a letter M.It was officially corporated at 1961 by Ray Kroc.

McDonald’s

In 2003,the most successful logo has been evolved by Heye & Partner with a caption-I’m Lovin’ It introduced to Uk,Australia,US.It has become more popular and also many advertising campaigns were conducted which elevated its popularity.

Attractions of McDonalds:

happy meals

toys of happy meals

McDonalds attracts the customers by gaining their belief.They give many offers regarding which draws the attention of the customers.Happy Meals is the one which has been increasing its popularity now-a-days.The sales of Happy Meals is 10% there.As kids are interested in fast food centers,they brought out a special package known as Happy Meals.To draw a kids attention,we need to connect them emotionally.So,with every Happy Meal,a toy comes with them which is making a great influence on children and they love to buy them so that they can collect toys.

food items of mcdonald’s

McDonalds is also offering such as McCafe for coffees and beverages.It offers some coupons and vouchers.Also,for a time period,it offered free coffee to its customers.These simple techniques makes the customers attract towards McDonalds.It is a smart and largest fast food chain.

Some facts about McDonalds:
- The 100th McDonalds opened in Chicago.
- McDonald’s was the first restaurant of UK which introduced nutritional information throughout the country for the sake of customer’s benefits.
- The world’s first fast food ski in Lindvallen resort of Sweden was opened by McDonald’s.
- McDonald’s is the largest distributor of toys in the world and is favorite restaurant for most of the American Kids including 20% of its sales.
- America alone consumes five and a half million head of cattle(beef) in an year.
- It is said that the McDonald’s daily customer count of 62 million is more than the population of Great Britain.
- It has unique items in every country.
- The golden arches of McDonald’s are recognized by many people more than the cross.
- McDonald’s revenue is the 90th world’s largest economy in the world.
- The Queen of England owns drive-thru to McDonald’s.
- 1 out of 8 Americans are employed by McDonald’s.
- It serves more than 75 burgers per second.
mcdonald’s

Even though,McDonald’s has been one of the popular restaurant in the world.It is famous for their attractive offers,some special attractions like Ronald and proposing new marketing strategies which is the sole development of this franchise..At the time of the recession,it is said that the food is very unhealthy and lacked in nutritions as most of the food is refrigerated for a long time which is leading to obesity which made the sales to decline.After realizing the mistake,now the McDonald’s have been improving towards healthy food. The past McDonald’s which only served fast food such as hamburgers,cheese burgers,chicken,french fries,milk shakes,desserts,BigMacs now also came to healthier foods like salads,fruit mix,wraps,smoothies,seasoned fries and improving their venture.
June 12, 2014