I have heard my favourite India winery Chateau D'Ori has shutdown/shutting down.
This is really sad news because their wines were cut above the rest
I just bought a Savuignan Blanc and got Cabernet Savuignan free in Dorabjee store. It's a 2008 collection. The bottle costs Rs 600 but with another wine bottle free, its an incredibly good offer
The wine is absolutely fantastic. It really is & I feel sad that this wine will no longer be available. Infact it has run out of most stores.
Till then rush to Dorabjee and grab the bottles.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Scheider Weisse, The Great Punjab
Availability of speciality beers in Pune continues to amaze me.
The famous German wheat beer Schneider Weisse is now available and so is English ale brand Fuller's pride. I also spotted Asahi (Japanese beer brand). And all this at Pune Central, Ganeshkhind road liquid hut
Scneider Weisse is delicious, filling, full bodied and beautiful amber colored wheat beer.
On the food scene, considered one of the most authentic Punjabi restaurants in Pune, the Great Punjab in Koreagoan park (Lane 5) is a treat.
http://www.thegreatpunjab.com/
Sarsoon ka saag is as good as it gets. Dal Makhani is great but it was on the hotter side. Seekh Kababs were soft & tender but slightly on the drier side. The menu is extensive. Makaii roti, I always feel they should be softer. So Missi roti is the one that I normally have.
They have an amazing drinks menu and keep the most expensive brands of the world including bottles of Moet Champagne.
The service is fast. Infact very fast for a pricey restaurant. Average bill per head will be around Rs 500
Experience will be very very good.
The famous German wheat beer Schneider Weisse is now available and so is English ale brand Fuller's pride. I also spotted Asahi (Japanese beer brand). And all this at Pune Central, Ganeshkhind road liquid hut
Scneider Weisse is delicious, filling, full bodied and beautiful amber colored wheat beer.
On the food scene, considered one of the most authentic Punjabi restaurants in Pune, the Great Punjab in Koreagoan park (Lane 5) is a treat.
http://www.thegreatpunjab.com/
Sarsoon ka saag is as good as it gets. Dal Makhani is great but it was on the hotter side. Seekh Kababs were soft & tender but slightly on the drier side. The menu is extensive. Makaii roti, I always feel they should be softer. So Missi roti is the one that I normally have.
They have an amazing drinks menu and keep the most expensive brands of the world including bottles of Moet Champagne.
The service is fast. Infact very fast for a pricey restaurant. Average bill per head will be around Rs 500
Experience will be very very good.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
In search of someone precious
I am trying very very hard to contact the only lady who happens to know that I actually maitain a blog.
I don't know where she is. She is not reachable on her mobile, not accessing her gmail account. I have sent couple of emails but have had no response.
Wherever she is I really hope she is keeping well. I wish I can just talk to her once. All I want to know is whether she is keeping well, feeling happy and hopefully found her match.
We were getting along very well...till I had to forcefully stop the communication because it was heading on a dangerous path. Her mother was worried that we were meeting too often
I had to say wrong things intentionally to completely shut down the communication between us. And it did the trick but not without making me feel miserable.
I hope she sees this message and writes back to me.
Awaiting your response 'Mei' (i.e if you remember the sweet girl from my favourite Japanese Animator Miyazaki...)
I don't know where she is. She is not reachable on her mobile, not accessing her gmail account. I have sent couple of emails but have had no response.
Wherever she is I really hope she is keeping well. I wish I can just talk to her once. All I want to know is whether she is keeping well, feeling happy and hopefully found her match.
We were getting along very well...till I had to forcefully stop the communication because it was heading on a dangerous path. Her mother was worried that we were meeting too often
I had to say wrong things intentionally to completely shut down the communication between us. And it did the trick but not without making me feel miserable.
I hope she sees this message and writes back to me.
Awaiting your response 'Mei' (i.e if you remember the sweet girl from my favourite Japanese Animator Miyazaki...)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hooegarden Belgian beer in Pune!
It's unbelievable... I went to the shop where I generally buy drinks from.
Was picking up a bottle of Budweiser and just happened to ask the shopkeeper if he has got anything new. He mentioned the word 'Stella'
I asked him again ..."Are you sure it's Stella Artois"? He said yes. I was amazed. This is a famous lager beer from Belgium.
Then I asked him what else does he have. He mentioned that he has got 'Hoegarden'. That stunned me! I asked him to get it out immediately!
Hoegarden is a very famous Belgium beer and it's primary content is wheat unlike typical barley beers. It is spiced with coriander and orange peel. It is kept unfiltered and therefore cloudy in appearance. So its a very unique beer and it comes from the village of Hoegaarden. It has a rich history and has undergone a lot of transitions. Most recently its production was moved out of Hoegarden amidst loud protests, national coverage...After few years, it returned back to the town of Hoegarden with many public cheers
An entire Wikipedia link is devoted to it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoegaarden_(beer)
It was the surprise of Year 2009! I have enjoyed Hoegarden but never ever could get access to it in India! And now it's in Pune
The small pint bottle costs Rs 160 because it was imported (as compared to Rs 55 to Rs 60 for standard beers manufactured in India). But inspite of 3 times the cost, I had no second thoughts in buying the pint bottle and enjoying it on Saturday evening
So the day ended so sweetly!
India has truly arrived and there is no looking back... Pune rocks...It always has and will continue to be the city that evolves constantly. Now I have my own Belgium beer corner in Pune!
Was picking up a bottle of Budweiser and just happened to ask the shopkeeper if he has got anything new. He mentioned the word 'Stella'
I asked him again ..."Are you sure it's Stella Artois"? He said yes. I was amazed. This is a famous lager beer from Belgium.
Then I asked him what else does he have. He mentioned that he has got 'Hoegarden'. That stunned me! I asked him to get it out immediately!
Hoegarden is a very famous Belgium beer and it's primary content is wheat unlike typical barley beers. It is spiced with coriander and orange peel. It is kept unfiltered and therefore cloudy in appearance. So its a very unique beer and it comes from the village of Hoegaarden. It has a rich history and has undergone a lot of transitions. Most recently its production was moved out of Hoegarden amidst loud protests, national coverage...After few years, it returned back to the town of Hoegarden with many public cheers
An entire Wikipedia link is devoted to it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoegaarden_(beer)
It was the surprise of Year 2009! I have enjoyed Hoegarden but never ever could get access to it in India! And now it's in Pune
The small pint bottle costs Rs 160 because it was imported (as compared to Rs 55 to Rs 60 for standard beers manufactured in India). But inspite of 3 times the cost, I had no second thoughts in buying the pint bottle and enjoying it on Saturday evening
So the day ended so sweetly!
India has truly arrived and there is no looking back... Pune rocks...It always has and will continue to be the city that evolves constantly. Now I have my own Belgium beer corner in Pune!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
A relaxing trip to Bali, Indonesia
Just returned back from a short but very relaxing trip to the island of Bali in Indonesia. With my earlier trip tour getting cancelled, I badly wanted to atleast go on a short break and finally managed to get that.
The island of Bali is very famous among Australians and Europeans. The tourism in Bali got badly hit because of the Bali terrorist bombings. But it is slowly recovering.
I stayed at a luxury resort in front of one of the most famous beaches in Bali at Kuta (where the bombings happened and were targetted at the Western tourists).
So all the evenings were reserved for walks on the beach watching the sun go down or just sitting on the beach.
Hard to do that because you are surrounded by bikini clad European women and beer drinking men with hunky bodies and all sorts of things happening on the beach among men and women. But neverthless it was very very relaxing. It's hard being single in such places and walking around as you get approached by prostitutes, pimps, women wanting to give you massages...
Lot of amateur surfers trying their hands at surfing. The tidal wave was not very strong and hence even amateurs were comfortable surfing.
Bali is strongly Hindu. It follows all the customs of Hindu culture. So there are lots of old temples spread in every corner of Bali dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
I saw statues of Ganesh, stories from Mahabharat and more
Visited some of the famous temples including Tanah lot. My Indonesian guide was explaining all about Bali culture, the belief in Trimurti, Ramayana, Mahabharat. Hindus went to the island around 7th century and Hindu culture spread rapidly
Bali continues to be a romantic place. My guide kept on reminding me that I need to get myself a girlfriend again and bring her to Bali next year OR Marry someone and take her to Bali....
I enjoyed the hotel where I stayed. It was the Hard Rock hotel with plenty of facilities for relaxing(spas, bars, many fine restaurants, largest swimming pool in Bali, sports facilities) and more importantly bang in front of the most popular beach in Bali called Kuta beach. The town of Kuta was commericial with the famous fashion brand shops around, restaurants, bars and more. It was safe...and great to walk around. Out of nowhere suddenly I would bump into an old temple.
So my impressions of Bali (beach, sunsets, beer, honeymooners, bikinis, a lot of sex, Hindu temples, rice fields, culture and simple local people)
Since I have turned vegeterian, there is very little choice. Pork is a stable diet along with rice. So naturally ended up eating mostly continental vegeterian stuff. Ofcourse the popular Indonesian fried rice (Nasi goreng) was enjoyed
Had a lot of beer. Just a lovely time with a glass of Bintang (Indonesia beer) pilsener.
Best moments in Bali...Probably when I was sitting in the Starbucks coffee house in the open air, enjoying coffee and watching women...who were out there to show their bodies and those many moments when I just watched the vast ocean especially when the sun went down creating beautiful coloured sunsets in Bali.
The island of Bali is very famous among Australians and Europeans. The tourism in Bali got badly hit because of the Bali terrorist bombings. But it is slowly recovering.
I stayed at a luxury resort in front of one of the most famous beaches in Bali at Kuta (where the bombings happened and were targetted at the Western tourists).
So all the evenings were reserved for walks on the beach watching the sun go down or just sitting on the beach.
Hard to do that because you are surrounded by bikini clad European women and beer drinking men with hunky bodies and all sorts of things happening on the beach among men and women. But neverthless it was very very relaxing. It's hard being single in such places and walking around as you get approached by prostitutes, pimps, women wanting to give you massages...
Lot of amateur surfers trying their hands at surfing. The tidal wave was not very strong and hence even amateurs were comfortable surfing.
Bali is strongly Hindu. It follows all the customs of Hindu culture. So there are lots of old temples spread in every corner of Bali dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
I saw statues of Ganesh, stories from Mahabharat and more
Visited some of the famous temples including Tanah lot. My Indonesian guide was explaining all about Bali culture, the belief in Trimurti, Ramayana, Mahabharat. Hindus went to the island around 7th century and Hindu culture spread rapidly
Bali continues to be a romantic place. My guide kept on reminding me that I need to get myself a girlfriend again and bring her to Bali next year OR Marry someone and take her to Bali....
I enjoyed the hotel where I stayed. It was the Hard Rock hotel with plenty of facilities for relaxing(spas, bars, many fine restaurants, largest swimming pool in Bali, sports facilities) and more importantly bang in front of the most popular beach in Bali called Kuta beach. The town of Kuta was commericial with the famous fashion brand shops around, restaurants, bars and more. It was safe...and great to walk around. Out of nowhere suddenly I would bump into an old temple.
So my impressions of Bali (beach, sunsets, beer, honeymooners, bikinis, a lot of sex, Hindu temples, rice fields, culture and simple local people)
Since I have turned vegeterian, there is very little choice. Pork is a stable diet along with rice. So naturally ended up eating mostly continental vegeterian stuff. Ofcourse the popular Indonesian fried rice (Nasi goreng) was enjoyed
Had a lot of beer. Just a lovely time with a glass of Bintang (Indonesia beer) pilsener.
Best moments in Bali...Probably when I was sitting in the Starbucks coffee house in the open air, enjoying coffee and watching women...who were out there to show their bodies and those many moments when I just watched the vast ocean especially when the sun went down creating beautiful coloured sunsets in Bali.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Darshan restaurant at end of Prabhat road
Darshan is a nice cozy restaurant at the end of Prabhat road (near the Police Chowki). It's been around for many many years (atleast 30 years I think)
It's probably among the first restaurants in Pune to start the multi-cuisine culture.
It serves a delightful combination of continental, snacks, Mexican & some typical Indian popular snacks
Darshan is not authentic. You can't expect an authentic Italian pasta or pizza here. But whatever Darshan serves tastes very good, is reasonably priced and it remains unique to Darshan
Their menu revolves around sandwiches, burgers, augratins, pizzas, pastas, Mexican favourites (like tacos), & really nice milk shakes
Their popular starter is baked beans on toast prepared in a sweet & tangy way. It's very unique to Darshan and this dish is very very popular. Don't expect the very British baked beans on toast, but eat without any bias and enjoy the dish
You can order their Darshan special snack dish which has sandwiches, cutlets, chips etc.
Darshan sandwiches are delightful. They have unique fillings (e.g moong & french beans)
Veg Augratin will not dissappoint. Their grilled sandwiches are nice too. Don't forget the variety of milkshakes (dry Anjir, Sitaphal (seasonal) & more)
Darshan Chana Bhatura is also extremely popular
Go there anytime (for lunch, afternoon snacks or evening dinner). Believe me you will not get dissappointed.
It's probably among the first restaurants in Pune to start the multi-cuisine culture.
It serves a delightful combination of continental, snacks, Mexican & some typical Indian popular snacks
Darshan is not authentic. You can't expect an authentic Italian pasta or pizza here. But whatever Darshan serves tastes very good, is reasonably priced and it remains unique to Darshan
Their menu revolves around sandwiches, burgers, augratins, pizzas, pastas, Mexican favourites (like tacos), & really nice milk shakes
Their popular starter is baked beans on toast prepared in a sweet & tangy way. It's very unique to Darshan and this dish is very very popular. Don't expect the very British baked beans on toast, but eat without any bias and enjoy the dish
You can order their Darshan special snack dish which has sandwiches, cutlets, chips etc.
Darshan sandwiches are delightful. They have unique fillings (e.g moong & french beans)
Veg Augratin will not dissappoint. Their grilled sandwiches are nice too. Don't forget the variety of milkshakes (dry Anjir, Sitaphal (seasonal) & more)
Darshan Chana Bhatura is also extremely popular
Go there anytime (for lunch, afternoon snacks or evening dinner). Believe me you will not get dissappointed.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Speciality beers have arrived in India!
Finally the real beers have arrived in India!. Currently one distributor in Delhi seems to import the famous Belgium & German Beers and distribute it to beer enthusiasts across the country (if ordered).
I recently came across their advertisement in "Sommelier India", India's only wine magazine (which I always buy). In that advertisment were shown photos of the most exquisite Belgian trappist beers (Beers brewed by Monks for centuries involving wild yeast fermentation)
They have launched a website http://www.craftbeer.in/ but it's incomplete
It shows photos of "Schneider Weisse" (German Wheat beer). But there is nothing more apart from the photos on the website. They have also provided a contact number.
I need to check with my regular beer shop if they can order these beers from this distributor.
But this is the beginning of something very special! I have waited for such a long time for this to happen.
The wine scene in India and especially Maharashtra is fantastic (because of the Nashik winery revolution) but when it comes to beer most people don't even know anything beyond standard lager and neither do beer shops.
But this announcement is just the beginning of the beer revolution.
Ofcourse I am probably one of the very few who regularly buys the Indian wine magazine and must be one of the very few in the country to even have spotted the advertisment. But its a 'spark', fire will follow!
I recently came across their advertisement in "Sommelier India", India's only wine magazine (which I always buy). In that advertisment were shown photos of the most exquisite Belgian trappist beers (Beers brewed by Monks for centuries involving wild yeast fermentation)
They have launched a website http://www.craftbeer.in/ but it's incomplete
It shows photos of "Schneider Weisse" (German Wheat beer). But there is nothing more apart from the photos on the website. They have also provided a contact number.
I need to check with my regular beer shop if they can order these beers from this distributor.
But this is the beginning of something very special! I have waited for such a long time for this to happen.
The wine scene in India and especially Maharashtra is fantastic (because of the Nashik winery revolution) but when it comes to beer most people don't even know anything beyond standard lager and neither do beer shops.
But this announcement is just the beginning of the beer revolution.
Ofcourse I am probably one of the very few who regularly buys the Indian wine magazine and must be one of the very few in the country to even have spotted the advertisment. But its a 'spark', fire will follow!
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