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!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
In search of authentic Thai in Pune
The search for authentic Thai/Malaysian food in Pune ends at "Spice Island", Le Meridian
"Whispering Bamboo" in Blue Diamond comes close but I would give thumbs up to "Spice Island".
It certainly is one of the most romantic ambience restaurants in Pune
Most recently I enjoyed Penang vegetable curry (Thai-Malaysian) which was so perfect...absolutely fresh coconut milk and the freshness of brocollis, beans and more.
I also had a classic braised eggplant in yellow bean sauce. The egglant was so delicately fried and it's texture was perfect.
The nice part of the meal was the option to go for half portions which effectively means you pay 50% of the price as compared to the normal portion and you can opt for 2 different varieties of vegetables.
It's a highly rated restaurant. They have a limited menu but whatever they have is high quality. The claypot menu is also very good and is a speciality of the restaurant.
The service is excellent. Even the chopsticks are perfect!. And they have a live band singing very romantic love songs.
All in all it's a wonderful experience. It should be reserved for very special occassions but for food enthusiasts, they have to go to this place for the perfect Thai food experience
"Whispering Bamboo" in Blue Diamond comes close but I would give thumbs up to "Spice Island".
It certainly is one of the most romantic ambience restaurants in Pune
Most recently I enjoyed Penang vegetable curry (Thai-Malaysian) which was so perfect...absolutely fresh coconut milk and the freshness of brocollis, beans and more.
I also had a classic braised eggplant in yellow bean sauce. The egglant was so delicately fried and it's texture was perfect.
The nice part of the meal was the option to go for half portions which effectively means you pay 50% of the price as compared to the normal portion and you can opt for 2 different varieties of vegetables.
It's a highly rated restaurant. They have a limited menu but whatever they have is high quality. The claypot menu is also very good and is a speciality of the restaurant.
The service is excellent. Even the chopsticks are perfect!. And they have a live band singing very romantic love songs.
All in all it's a wonderful experience. It should be reserved for very special occassions but for food enthusiasts, they have to go to this place for the perfect Thai food experience
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Peppinos on F.C road
Situated at Cafe Goodluck chowk at the starting of F.C road, 'Peppinos' brought in the trendy concept of serving healthy snacks (sandwiches, salads, pastas, juices & smoothies) to Puneites.
Their menu card is simple. Its split into 4 sections,
Option 1 caters exclusively to grilled sandwiches with a choice of brown/white bread. They have some nice options including one which serves a Mexican grilled sandwich with beans and sour cream
Another section is for Salads. They even have options of Greek salads and a German potato salad. (expect a generous dose of Mayo)
They have few Italian pasta options and even serve Nachos with refried beans (to bring in a Mexican flavour)
Among the smoothies and juices, they are large number of options. Guava is among the novel varities. They even have mix of pomegranate, watermelon juices
This small joint caters again to the F.C road cosmopoliton crowd.
It has limited seating arrangement but does brisk business. The restaurant is clean and well maintained and the staff works hard.
The crowd entering the place is the type who embrances the healthy sandwich + salad + juice options.
Many young 'couples' (boys & girls still in college) are seen frequenting this place
Go for it. It's a nice place and will not dissappoint. Among the very few places in Pune offering this type of food, it will also remind one of the small cafe/restaurant joints in the U.S & Europe
Their menu card is simple. Its split into 4 sections,
Option 1 caters exclusively to grilled sandwiches with a choice of brown/white bread. They have some nice options including one which serves a Mexican grilled sandwich with beans and sour cream
Another section is for Salads. They even have options of Greek salads and a German potato salad. (expect a generous dose of Mayo)
They have few Italian pasta options and even serve Nachos with refried beans (to bring in a Mexican flavour)
Among the smoothies and juices, they are large number of options. Guava is among the novel varities. They even have mix of pomegranate, watermelon juices
This small joint caters again to the F.C road cosmopoliton crowd.
It has limited seating arrangement but does brisk business. The restaurant is clean and well maintained and the staff works hard.
The crowd entering the place is the type who embrances the healthy sandwich + salad + juice options.
Many young 'couples' (boys & girls still in college) are seen frequenting this place
Go for it. It's a nice place and will not dissappoint. Among the very few places in Pune offering this type of food, it will also remind one of the small cafe/restaurant joints in the U.S & Europe
Cafe Goodluck
Situated at the Bhandarkar road & F.C road junction is the old Irani Cafe joint of "Cafe Goodluck". It's been there for years and years (since 1935) and the chowk is named after this cafe.
Many people call it a "Bachelors adda". It typifies the Irani cafe culture which spread across Mumbai, Pune in the late sixties.
Goodluck prices are very very reasonable and hence it is extremely popular among the college going crowd.
Here you can sit down and have a superb "Bun muska" or a luscious "Bun Omelette" with chai ofcourse. The bun is so fresh. You can smell the baked yeasty aroma of the bun and the muska (butter) is spread generously inside.
You can order some nice grilled sandwiches (cheese tomato grilled...sounds so very English) or you can dig into the many non vegeterian specialities (kheema pav, mutton curries, egg curries, chicken dishes etc)
I am Cafe Good luck's loyal customer. I happen to get something or eat something at 'Goodluck' virtually once every week. Although I have turned vegeterian, I eat eggs.
So 'Goodluck' continues to be on my list of places that I make it a point to visit.
You can have excellent lunch, breakfast, afternoon snack, or dinner. It's open whole day and it is packed. The waiters are warm, friendly and efficient
Goodluck in my opinion serves the best Jeera rice in town. The rice is perfectly cooked and dry, they spread friend onion on top of the rice with coriander. Have it with their simple dal fry
Sure it's not an upscale restaurant and rarely will you find families sitting there but it's a fantastic place to sit down and experience the real Pune. Young people move in & out. You can find the Irani owners sitting there. You will hardly hear marathi being spoken because its so popular among especially people staying in hostels...
Vegeterians do find it hard to sit in 'Goodluck' because most people order the famous non vegeterian dishes and to see meaty & greasy food moved around can be a difficult sight.
Many families opt to take parcels because they just find "Cafe Goodluck" food delicious but find it difficult to seat there (especially Maharashtrians:))
The other 2 nice Irani cafes in the Deccan area "Cafe Sunrise" and 'Lucky' have dissappeared and I sincerely wish "Cafe Good luck" stays there just like it has for many many years
Many loyal customers swear by the tastes of non veg food in 'Goodluck'. I did that too when I was eating non-veg. But as often, there are so many good vegeterian dishes that one can also enjoy... (or you can say 'eggaterian' dishes around)
To enter the Cafe and smell the fresh buns is a feeling that cannot be described.
To bite into a 2 egg omellete placed between the bun folds and then dig into the soft smooth bun cannot be described...It can only be experienced.
You don't need to be dressed well to go to Goodluck. You just gotta to be there, being yourself...
Pune is changing constantly and the new crowd who visits 'Goodluck' are young ladies from college. They come in groups and go away in Groups
It's a delightful place to experience the young cosmpolitan city
Many people call it a "Bachelors adda". It typifies the Irani cafe culture which spread across Mumbai, Pune in the late sixties.
Goodluck prices are very very reasonable and hence it is extremely popular among the college going crowd.
Here you can sit down and have a superb "Bun muska" or a luscious "Bun Omelette" with chai ofcourse. The bun is so fresh. You can smell the baked yeasty aroma of the bun and the muska (butter) is spread generously inside.
You can order some nice grilled sandwiches (cheese tomato grilled...sounds so very English) or you can dig into the many non vegeterian specialities (kheema pav, mutton curries, egg curries, chicken dishes etc)
I am Cafe Good luck's loyal customer. I happen to get something or eat something at 'Goodluck' virtually once every week. Although I have turned vegeterian, I eat eggs.
So 'Goodluck' continues to be on my list of places that I make it a point to visit.
You can have excellent lunch, breakfast, afternoon snack, or dinner. It's open whole day and it is packed. The waiters are warm, friendly and efficient
Goodluck in my opinion serves the best Jeera rice in town. The rice is perfectly cooked and dry, they spread friend onion on top of the rice with coriander. Have it with their simple dal fry
Sure it's not an upscale restaurant and rarely will you find families sitting there but it's a fantastic place to sit down and experience the real Pune. Young people move in & out. You can find the Irani owners sitting there. You will hardly hear marathi being spoken because its so popular among especially people staying in hostels...
Vegeterians do find it hard to sit in 'Goodluck' because most people order the famous non vegeterian dishes and to see meaty & greasy food moved around can be a difficult sight.
Many families opt to take parcels because they just find "Cafe Goodluck" food delicious but find it difficult to seat there (especially Maharashtrians:))
The other 2 nice Irani cafes in the Deccan area "Cafe Sunrise" and 'Lucky' have dissappeared and I sincerely wish "Cafe Good luck" stays there just like it has for many many years
Many loyal customers swear by the tastes of non veg food in 'Goodluck'. I did that too when I was eating non-veg. But as often, there are so many good vegeterian dishes that one can also enjoy... (or you can say 'eggaterian' dishes around)
To enter the Cafe and smell the fresh buns is a feeling that cannot be described.
To bite into a 2 egg omellete placed between the bun folds and then dig into the soft smooth bun cannot be described...It can only be experienced.
You don't need to be dressed well to go to Goodluck. You just gotta to be there, being yourself...
Pune is changing constantly and the new crowd who visits 'Goodluck' are young ladies from college. They come in groups and go away in Groups
It's a delightful place to experience the young cosmpolitan city
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sandwich times
Ever wondered why a sandwich is so popular and tastes so good anywhere in the world!
It can have literally any filling, any type of bread, one never gets bored of a sandwich (atleast I don't!)
The "Earl of Sandwich made it a popular snack dish in England and that's how the name sandwich got coined to anything eaten 'sandwiched' between 2 breads
I can go on and on describing various sandwiches I have had in different parts of the world.
But to begin somewhere, I would start off describing first the popular American sandwich chains. The Subways, Togos, Quiznos...
Subway-- Had subway sandwiches for 3 years day in, day out! A subway sandwich used to be a typical lunch for me
Parmesan oregano bread, roasted chicken breast/veggie delite...yum... I always went for all options (lots of veggies, cheese, mayo)
Togos-- The best egg salad sandwich I have ever had and still can't get that taste out of my mouth. The chewy bread made it extremely tasty.
Quiznos-- The toasted sandwich chain... and their mouth watering veggie sandwich with guacamole, olives, red onions, mushrooms and toasted to perfection. Sandwich to die for
Staying in Pune gives me access to a variety of sandwich places.
Subway on F.C road is an easy access and never dissappoints. Enter a Subway restaurant and you can smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread
I am still waiting for a restaurant to open in Pune serving just Gourmet Sandwiches
Grilled Sandwiches, cold sandwiches with a variety of fillings from meats to veggies
Still remember the "Italian Panini" I had in Carmel (California) which was served with fresh mozarella, tomatoes, olive oil and basil inside a Ciabata. Amazing..
Then there are the Vietnamese sandwiches which are served inside baguettes (French influence from French colonial days)
These days with the new generation of people caught in the dilemma of "white bread", they miss a simple piece of food eaten for hundreds of years by Europeans and now made popular all over the world.
Give me a good sandwich, a glass of lager and I am experiencing a piece of heaven anytime, anywhere.
I try to locate restaurants in Pune which specialize in Sandwiches. 'Pepinos' on F.C road serves interesting sandwiches
More on sandwiches in following blogs
But here is a nice Wikipedia link about the different types of sandwiches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwich
It can have literally any filling, any type of bread, one never gets bored of a sandwich (atleast I don't!)
The "Earl of Sandwich made it a popular snack dish in England and that's how the name sandwich got coined to anything eaten 'sandwiched' between 2 breads
I can go on and on describing various sandwiches I have had in different parts of the world.
But to begin somewhere, I would start off describing first the popular American sandwich chains. The Subways, Togos, Quiznos...
Subway-- Had subway sandwiches for 3 years day in, day out! A subway sandwich used to be a typical lunch for me
Parmesan oregano bread, roasted chicken breast/veggie delite...yum... I always went for all options (lots of veggies, cheese, mayo)
Togos-- The best egg salad sandwich I have ever had and still can't get that taste out of my mouth. The chewy bread made it extremely tasty.
Quiznos-- The toasted sandwich chain... and their mouth watering veggie sandwich with guacamole, olives, red onions, mushrooms and toasted to perfection. Sandwich to die for
Staying in Pune gives me access to a variety of sandwich places.
Subway on F.C road is an easy access and never dissappoints. Enter a Subway restaurant and you can smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread
I am still waiting for a restaurant to open in Pune serving just Gourmet Sandwiches
Grilled Sandwiches, cold sandwiches with a variety of fillings from meats to veggies
Still remember the "Italian Panini" I had in Carmel (California) which was served with fresh mozarella, tomatoes, olive oil and basil inside a Ciabata. Amazing..
Then there are the Vietnamese sandwiches which are served inside baguettes (French influence from French colonial days)
These days with the new generation of people caught in the dilemma of "white bread", they miss a simple piece of food eaten for hundreds of years by Europeans and now made popular all over the world.
Give me a good sandwich, a glass of lager and I am experiencing a piece of heaven anytime, anywhere.
I try to locate restaurants in Pune which specialize in Sandwiches. 'Pepinos' on F.C road serves interesting sandwiches
More on sandwiches in following blogs
But here is a nice Wikipedia link about the different types of sandwiches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwich
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tuborg beer from Denmark, now in India
The Danish invasion of the Indian beer market has started! First it was Carlsberg and now it's subsidiary Tuborg who has launched it's flagship beer product. "Tuborg green"
Both Carlsberg and Tuborg are incredible institutions of beer making.
Tuborg brewery was established in late 18th century (1880) in the town of Tuborg in Denmark close to Copenhagen. However the big moment came when Tuborg switched to the bottom fermented pilsener.
It probably is the first brewery in the world to offer bottled beer and its most famous pilsener product has been available in a Green bottle for many many years.
Carlsberg and Tuborg merged in 1970 and ever since that time Tuborg is operated as a subsidiary of Carlsberg. However Tuborg continues to be marketed and sold independently and has its presence in 70 countries
They came to India and advertised for a long time. Their advertising focusses again on the young party going crowd of India. Unfortunately that creates a poor reputation for their brand (in my opinion)
Tuborg is a very well known brand in Europe and it is for beer enthusiasts and not just for a party crowd. However internationally they are following the same advertising campaign
Its a great time in India as we all experience the constant changes in different markets. Everything's becoming available here.
I emptied the entire bottle of Tuborg yesterday. It has a lovely foamy head, a beautiful golden colour and it's more hoppy. It's fresh, light and a perfect drink for a summer evening. If you let the head settle and taste it, it gives a lemony taste.
The bottle has an easy to peel off cap. Dosen't require a separate bottle opener and that's such a fantastic thing.
I am really hoping the beer market continues to evolve and as more and more brands come in, someday it should lead to the microbrewery culture, the shift from lager to other types (e.g ale, stout etc)
Both Carlsberg and Tuborg are incredible institutions of beer making.
Tuborg brewery was established in late 18th century (1880) in the town of Tuborg in Denmark close to Copenhagen. However the big moment came when Tuborg switched to the bottom fermented pilsener.
It probably is the first brewery in the world to offer bottled beer and its most famous pilsener product has been available in a Green bottle for many many years.
Carlsberg and Tuborg merged in 1970 and ever since that time Tuborg is operated as a subsidiary of Carlsberg. However Tuborg continues to be marketed and sold independently and has its presence in 70 countries
They came to India and advertised for a long time. Their advertising focusses again on the young party going crowd of India. Unfortunately that creates a poor reputation for their brand (in my opinion)
Tuborg is a very well known brand in Europe and it is for beer enthusiasts and not just for a party crowd. However internationally they are following the same advertising campaign
Its a great time in India as we all experience the constant changes in different markets. Everything's becoming available here.
I emptied the entire bottle of Tuborg yesterday. It has a lovely foamy head, a beautiful golden colour and it's more hoppy. It's fresh, light and a perfect drink for a summer evening. If you let the head settle and taste it, it gives a lemony taste.
The bottle has an easy to peel off cap. Dosen't require a separate bottle opener and that's such a fantastic thing.
I am really hoping the beer market continues to evolve and as more and more brands come in, someday it should lead to the microbrewery culture, the shift from lager to other types (e.g ale, stout etc)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Curve, ABC farms, Koregoan park Wood oven Pizzas
Went out on last Saturday evening to Curve, located in ABC farms, Koregoan park
It is a lounge+restaurant+bar type of place for the young and trendy Pune-ites to hangout.
They serve some excellent wood oven fired pizzas. We ordered a 3 pasta salad, pannini and a classic pizza margherita
The salad was not bad, came with pastas with herbs, sundried tomato and lots of olive oil. Always love olive oil!
The service was generally nice. Since we sat on their upper floor deck, we were virtually having a dedicated person looking out for us and he was good and knowledgable. I tested him by asking more about Pizza Margherita and he knew exactly what I was talking about.
We ordered classic Martinis as aperitifs. The bartender also does jugglery with the cocktail glasses
I went for the most authentic and classic Martini.(Gin+Vermouth) and my friend went for the more contempary/trendy Vodka Martini. Oh and it was stirred not shaken (written on the Menu card). James Bond's preference!
Martin...extra dry...probably the most famous cocktail ever invented.
They even had 'Vespa' which is also considered Bond's favourite on the menu card.
The Pizza was obviously the main reason why went there in the first place
The wood oven crust was obvious. The crust was classically Italian. Very thin and it was hand tossed.
The mozarella was well spread and thin and importantly it was with lots of fresh basil leaves which really are the key ingredient of the Naples classic. Exactly how a Pizza Margherita is supposed to be!
All the mass production American pizza chains often forget what makes the authentic
Naples Pizza Margerita so special.
Not to say I don't enjoy American Pizzas! (thick base, cheese added for gluttons!...I do enjoy that also. Hard for me to not enjoy anything!).
But once someone gets hooked onto authentic stuff, then there is no looking back...
Pizza Margherita was invented in Naples, Southern Italy by a Naples chef as an afternoon snack to serve Queen Margherita who was visiting Naples.
The colours of the Pizza correspond to the Italian flag (red tomato base, green basil and white buffalo mozarella). This was the beginning on the Pizza revolution.
When American soldiers returned back from Italy after the end of World war 2, they craved for Pizzas and thats how Pizzas became an American favourite. And with typically American brand marketing, these days most people associate Pizzas with Pizza huts, Dominos etc...
Many of my American friends also told me that Italian Pizzas are bad! They have less cheese! Amazing joke because many of them have never developed more refined tastes...
People with refined tastes know exactly the difference between loads of mass produced cheese spread over a thick Pizza...and a thin layer of fresh Mozzarella cheese over a thin handtossed pizza base!
I am definitely for authentic stuff...and a thinner layer with fresh mozarella tastes... thats my taste
So I would never comment back but just smile because the truth is inside me!.
It's not different from many Indian friends who go out to claim that they get better Indian food in the U.S! It's a joke...but never mind... What's the point of proving to people who know nothing... and say things simply to prove themselves right
But I used to love Chicago style Pizzas in the U.S and there were also many many authentic Italian Pizza chains in the U.S...
Here's a nice article about Pizza
From the Wikipedia link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza
Neapolitan pizza (pizza napoletana): Authentic Neapolitan pizzas are made with local ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, which grow on the volcanic plains to the south of Mount Vesuvius, and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, made with the milk from water buffalo raised in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio in a semi-wild state (this mozzarella is protected with its own European protected designation of origin).[1] According to the rules proposed by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the genuine Neapolitan pizza dough consists of Italian wheat flour (type 0 or 00, or a mixture of both), natural Neapolitan yeast or brewer's yeast, salt and water. For proper results, strong flour with high protein content (as used for bread-making rather than cakes) must be used. The dough must be kneaded by hand or with a low-speed mixer. After the rising process, the dough must be formed by hand without the help of a rolling pin or other mechanical device, and may be no more than 3 mm (¹⁄₈ in) thick. The pizza must be baked for 60–90 seconds in a 485 °C (905 °F) stone oven with an oak-wood fire.[2] When cooked, it should be crispy, tender and fragrant. Neapolitan pizza has been given the status of a "guaranteed traditional specialty" in Italy.
This allows only three official variants: pizza marinara, which is made with tomato, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil (although most Neapolitan pizzerias also add basil to the marinara), pizza Margherita, made with tomato, sliced mozzarella, basil and extra-virgin olive oil, and pizza Margherita extra made with tomato, mozzarella from Campania in fillets, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
I remember my trip to Italy and especially the moment of going into one fine Pizza restaurant on one of the cold evenings and tasting heaven...The taste lingers in the mouth forever...
Anyway I like Curve and would go there again. I would go there for the atmosphere and for pizzas and some nice drinks. The restaurant is not cheap but none of the restaurants in ABC farms are cheap.
Without drinks, you are likely to spend Rs 250 to Rs 300. With drinks, its likely
to be in excess of Rs 500 per person.
But for a nice evening for especially young couples, it's a near perfect place
And what more, I was being given a treat that day.
It is a lounge+restaurant+bar type of place for the young and trendy Pune-ites to hangout.
They serve some excellent wood oven fired pizzas. We ordered a 3 pasta salad, pannini and a classic pizza margherita
The salad was not bad, came with pastas with herbs, sundried tomato and lots of olive oil. Always love olive oil!
The service was generally nice. Since we sat on their upper floor deck, we were virtually having a dedicated person looking out for us and he was good and knowledgable. I tested him by asking more about Pizza Margherita and he knew exactly what I was talking about.
We ordered classic Martinis as aperitifs. The bartender also does jugglery with the cocktail glasses
I went for the most authentic and classic Martini.(Gin+Vermouth) and my friend went for the more contempary/trendy Vodka Martini. Oh and it was stirred not shaken (written on the Menu card). James Bond's preference!
Martin...extra dry...probably the most famous cocktail ever invented.
They even had 'Vespa' which is also considered Bond's favourite on the menu card.
The Pizza was obviously the main reason why went there in the first place
The wood oven crust was obvious. The crust was classically Italian. Very thin and it was hand tossed.
The mozarella was well spread and thin and importantly it was with lots of fresh basil leaves which really are the key ingredient of the Naples classic. Exactly how a Pizza Margherita is supposed to be!
All the mass production American pizza chains often forget what makes the authentic
Naples Pizza Margerita so special.
Not to say I don't enjoy American Pizzas! (thick base, cheese added for gluttons!...I do enjoy that also. Hard for me to not enjoy anything!).
But once someone gets hooked onto authentic stuff, then there is no looking back...
Pizza Margherita was invented in Naples, Southern Italy by a Naples chef as an afternoon snack to serve Queen Margherita who was visiting Naples.
The colours of the Pizza correspond to the Italian flag (red tomato base, green basil and white buffalo mozarella). This was the beginning on the Pizza revolution.
When American soldiers returned back from Italy after the end of World war 2, they craved for Pizzas and thats how Pizzas became an American favourite. And with typically American brand marketing, these days most people associate Pizzas with Pizza huts, Dominos etc...
Many of my American friends also told me that Italian Pizzas are bad! They have less cheese! Amazing joke because many of them have never developed more refined tastes...
People with refined tastes know exactly the difference between loads of mass produced cheese spread over a thick Pizza...and a thin layer of fresh Mozzarella cheese over a thin handtossed pizza base!
I am definitely for authentic stuff...and a thinner layer with fresh mozarella tastes... thats my taste
So I would never comment back but just smile because the truth is inside me!.
It's not different from many Indian friends who go out to claim that they get better Indian food in the U.S! It's a joke...but never mind... What's the point of proving to people who know nothing... and say things simply to prove themselves right
But I used to love Chicago style Pizzas in the U.S and there were also many many authentic Italian Pizza chains in the U.S...
Here's a nice article about Pizza
From the Wikipedia link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza
Neapolitan pizza (pizza napoletana): Authentic Neapolitan pizzas are made with local ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, which grow on the volcanic plains to the south of Mount Vesuvius, and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, made with the milk from water buffalo raised in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio in a semi-wild state (this mozzarella is protected with its own European protected designation of origin).[1] According to the rules proposed by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the genuine Neapolitan pizza dough consists of Italian wheat flour (type 0 or 00, or a mixture of both), natural Neapolitan yeast or brewer's yeast, salt and water. For proper results, strong flour with high protein content (as used for bread-making rather than cakes) must be used. The dough must be kneaded by hand or with a low-speed mixer. After the rising process, the dough must be formed by hand without the help of a rolling pin or other mechanical device, and may be no more than 3 mm (¹⁄₈ in) thick. The pizza must be baked for 60–90 seconds in a 485 °C (905 °F) stone oven with an oak-wood fire.[2] When cooked, it should be crispy, tender and fragrant. Neapolitan pizza has been given the status of a "guaranteed traditional specialty" in Italy.
This allows only three official variants: pizza marinara, which is made with tomato, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil (although most Neapolitan pizzerias also add basil to the marinara), pizza Margherita, made with tomato, sliced mozzarella, basil and extra-virgin olive oil, and pizza Margherita extra made with tomato, mozzarella from Campania in fillets, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
I remember my trip to Italy and especially the moment of going into one fine Pizza restaurant on one of the cold evenings and tasting heaven...The taste lingers in the mouth forever...
Anyway I like Curve and would go there again. I would go there for the atmosphere and for pizzas and some nice drinks. The restaurant is not cheap but none of the restaurants in ABC farms are cheap.
Without drinks, you are likely to spend Rs 250 to Rs 300. With drinks, its likely
to be in excess of Rs 500 per person.
But for a nice evening for especially young couples, it's a near perfect place
And what more, I was being given a treat that day.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Bellevie, Chateau Haute Rozier red wine
Bordeaux...the famous region of France, most famous for it's red wines, which cost a fortune to buy and which brings images of famous Bordeaux Chateaus selling years and years of carefully matured wines. Bordeaux continues to be the mecca for old world wines for hundreds of years.
Interestingly Bordeaux continues to focus on grape variety blends. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being the most common type of grapes used in its blends.
Cabernet brings the structure, tannins and Merlot brings in the mellowness and fruitiness.
Chauteau D'ori is promoting a wine in India called 'Bellevie' from the house of Haute Rozier, which it imports from Bordeaux. It's a year 2004 wine.
Recently I opened the bottle which I have had for several months and have been gulping glasses of red wine for last few days. It's 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wonderful wine. Being Merlot dominant, naturally it's mellow and avoids the heavy tannins. But Cabernet Sauvignon does give it a nice structure and dosen't make it far too fruity
It's really a nice wine.
Someday I hope to experience the legendary Bordeux's which are always described by the words silk...As smooth and soft as silk.
From the Medoc wine region
Haut Medoc - Margaux - Saint Estephe - Pauillac - Saint Julien
From the graves wine region:
Graves - Sauternes - Barsac
Rivers wine region:
Bordeaux aoc/Bordeaux supérieur - Entre deux mers
From the Cotes wine region:
Saint Emilion , Pomerol
If any wine expert starts off with a fine wine discussion, he in-evitably turns to Bordeaux.
Historically the English popularized Bordeaux with the world 'claret'
Bordeaux and Burgundy...Two very famous regions of France along with Champagne and Cognac. All regions of France which have become such big brands that people often call the sparkling wine as Champagne, red wine as Bordeaux...
Interestingly Bordeaux continues to focus on grape variety blends. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being the most common type of grapes used in its blends.
Cabernet brings the structure, tannins and Merlot brings in the mellowness and fruitiness.
Chauteau D'ori is promoting a wine in India called 'Bellevie' from the house of Haute Rozier, which it imports from Bordeaux. It's a year 2004 wine.
Recently I opened the bottle which I have had for several months and have been gulping glasses of red wine for last few days. It's 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wonderful wine. Being Merlot dominant, naturally it's mellow and avoids the heavy tannins. But Cabernet Sauvignon does give it a nice structure and dosen't make it far too fruity
It's really a nice wine.
Someday I hope to experience the legendary Bordeux's which are always described by the words silk...As smooth and soft as silk.
From the Medoc wine region
Haut Medoc - Margaux - Saint Estephe - Pauillac - Saint Julien
From the graves wine region:
Graves - Sauternes - Barsac
Rivers wine region:
Bordeaux aoc/Bordeaux supérieur - Entre deux mers
From the Cotes wine region:
Saint Emilion , Pomerol
If any wine expert starts off with a fine wine discussion, he in-evitably turns to Bordeaux.
Historically the English popularized Bordeaux with the world 'claret'
Bordeaux and Burgundy...Two very famous regions of France along with Champagne and Cognac. All regions of France which have become such big brands that people often call the sparkling wine as Champagne, red wine as Bordeaux...
June 2006-Central Eastern Europe tour Prague, Czech Republic
Welcome to the fairy tale city of Prague in Czech Republic.
For most part of our Eastern Europe tour, we had a Czech driver, a nice guy with a mischievous smile. How happy he was when we crossed into Czech republic and entered Prague late evening.
The sun had gone down and the city had taken on a magical glow in the fading evening light. The spires of many cathedrals in Prague were a sight to behold. It's the city of a hundred spires on the River Vltava
Next morning we began our city tour of Prague. We had a lovely Czech girl as our guide and naturally all the members of the group were more than
enthusiastic to begin walking in the city of Prague:)
The walk was going to be 5 to 6 hours through different parts of the city...but every second of it was worth it.
We began our tour in the Prague Castle. We visited the old Town square with the famous Astronomical clock, St Vitus Cathedral and many other 15/16 century buildings
We walked over the famous 600 year old Charles Bridge which gives incredible views of Prague. Jazz musicians played on the sides of the bridge, there were painters sketching/painting on their canvases.
It was Prague at it's very best. Medieval, pretty, very European and really really hard to describe it's beauty. It was a fairy tale city.
Skoda cars everywhere and all sorts of models...The car from Czech republic, now owned by Volkswagen has become very popular in India as a luxury car.
Afternoon right close to the Town Square, we sat down to drink 'Gambrinus', a popular Czech beer. Czech republic is undoubtedly the beer mecca. On a per capita basis, Czech people drink more beer than anybody else in the world, even more than the Germans.
Prague offers a wide range of beers from many of the 430 breweries within the Czech Republic. A country where the first pilsner beers were brewed, Prague is a paradise to any beer enthusiast.
The famous German poet Goethe has labeled Prague "the most precious stone in the crown of towns,"
Next day we visited Brno, Czech Republic's second largest city. Our Guide, this time a different Czech girl..We strongly suspected she was drunk!.
The whole group was laughing...and it was the most hilarious moment of the entire trip. We stopped by a nice castle in the countryside on the way between Prague and Brno and then visited Brno.
It was Euro 2006 football time. Czech republic was considered the strongest team and it lost in the early rounds. So we all sat down with our Czech bus driver that evening and consoled him. He told us... When Czech team loses, people drink 6 to 7 pints of beer to forget the loss...So we asked him what happens when the team wins. He promptly replied, we drink 13 pints!
That evening he did drink 5 pints and talked about his adventures...adventures with women.
We started towards our last leg in the tour. Eastern part of Germany. As we neared the Czech border, we noticed prostitutes everywhere walking freely on the roads tempting rich Germans.
Germany...It wasn't the first time I was visiting Germany. On my tour of Western Europe I had seen the lovely parts of Germany...All the pretty, pretty and clinically German towns.
But the moment we crossed the border, Germany with it's very very neat roads, villages, very pretty houses, with crystal clear road signs, the most efficient transportation, burst onto the scene. This was Germany...Everyone wants to drive German cars (Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche...) Germany continues to stand for quality, efficieny and much much more
But we were entering Eastern Germany, the part which was Commumist earlier and which was getting transformed
More about Eastern part of Germany in the following blog posts
For most part of our Eastern Europe tour, we had a Czech driver, a nice guy with a mischievous smile. How happy he was when we crossed into Czech republic and entered Prague late evening.
The sun had gone down and the city had taken on a magical glow in the fading evening light. The spires of many cathedrals in Prague were a sight to behold. It's the city of a hundred spires on the River Vltava
Next morning we began our city tour of Prague. We had a lovely Czech girl as our guide and naturally all the members of the group were more than
enthusiastic to begin walking in the city of Prague:)
The walk was going to be 5 to 6 hours through different parts of the city...but every second of it was worth it.
We began our tour in the Prague Castle. We visited the old Town square with the famous Astronomical clock, St Vitus Cathedral and many other 15/16 century buildings
We walked over the famous 600 year old Charles Bridge which gives incredible views of Prague. Jazz musicians played on the sides of the bridge, there were painters sketching/painting on their canvases.
It was Prague at it's very best. Medieval, pretty, very European and really really hard to describe it's beauty. It was a fairy tale city.
Skoda cars everywhere and all sorts of models...The car from Czech republic, now owned by Volkswagen has become very popular in India as a luxury car.
Afternoon right close to the Town Square, we sat down to drink 'Gambrinus', a popular Czech beer. Czech republic is undoubtedly the beer mecca. On a per capita basis, Czech people drink more beer than anybody else in the world, even more than the Germans.
Prague offers a wide range of beers from many of the 430 breweries within the Czech Republic. A country where the first pilsner beers were brewed, Prague is a paradise to any beer enthusiast.
The famous German poet Goethe has labeled Prague "the most precious stone in the crown of towns,"
Next day we visited Brno, Czech Republic's second largest city. Our Guide, this time a different Czech girl..We strongly suspected she was drunk!.
The whole group was laughing...and it was the most hilarious moment of the entire trip. We stopped by a nice castle in the countryside on the way between Prague and Brno and then visited Brno.
It was Euro 2006 football time. Czech republic was considered the strongest team and it lost in the early rounds. So we all sat down with our Czech bus driver that evening and consoled him. He told us... When Czech team loses, people drink 6 to 7 pints of beer to forget the loss...So we asked him what happens when the team wins. He promptly replied, we drink 13 pints!
That evening he did drink 5 pints and talked about his adventures...adventures with women.
We started towards our last leg in the tour. Eastern part of Germany. As we neared the Czech border, we noticed prostitutes everywhere walking freely on the roads tempting rich Germans.
Germany...It wasn't the first time I was visiting Germany. On my tour of Western Europe I had seen the lovely parts of Germany...All the pretty, pretty and clinically German towns.
But the moment we crossed the border, Germany with it's very very neat roads, villages, very pretty houses, with crystal clear road signs, the most efficient transportation, burst onto the scene. This was Germany...Everyone wants to drive German cars (Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche...) Germany continues to stand for quality, efficieny and much much more
But we were entering Eastern Germany, the part which was Commumist earlier and which was getting transformed
More about Eastern part of Germany in the following blog posts
Sunday, March 29, 2009
June 2006 Central Europe tour (third stop Vienna, Austria)
Vienna, Austria...Just the name is enough to bring to mind everything that is stately, refined and culturally rich.
Viennese coffee houses (cafes), a tradition which has resulted into coffee shops all over the world... Vienna remains the absolute heart of Western Classic music (with many music festivals all round the year in celebration of all the famous artists who made Vienna their home.. The likes of Mozart...)
Vienna still retains it's imperial character and prides itself in displaying the its glorious architectural forms.
Horse drawn carriages carry you for visits of the Hofburg palace. The town hill is architecturally rich and so are the parliamentary houses
We had 2 doctors with us who wanted to visit the famous Sigmund Freud museum and they did.
The character of Vienna is very German. We had an Austrian guide who had a very German character, always precise about historical facts and not allowing even a second to get lost anywhere.
Hard for Indians who are not always a disciplined lot. He behaved like our master and we listened to him. In a way I felt that it was too much of discipline because we were tourists and tourists are bound to feel a need to take pictures, gaze at the lovely streets etc.
But his point was well taken. 5 mins extra at one place can start getting accumulated and at the end of the day, we would end up missing many good sights
Personally I like to spend time just walking on the streets instead of ensuring every moument, every cathedral needs to be covered...And so I did. I told the guide that I am around taking pictures of people, streets, trams and he was happy to allow me, provided I was clock precise when rejoining the group (which I am normally)
We stopped at an Indian restaurant for lunch and he even scolded the owners of the restaurant for bringing nans late!
But then he sat down to enjoy the Indian meal and described how much he loves India and how many times he has been too India...and all of us were stunned. He loved especially the Southern part of India.
Walking on the streets of Vienna was a lovely experience. Beautiful red and off white trams passed through the streets. The frequency of trams was high and talked a lot of about a very high quality public transportation system in Vienna.
We visited the Hofburg palace in the afternoon which is very massive. I ofcourse did souvenier shopping.
Vienna is famous for it's very very heavy and creamy desserts served with Veinnesse coffee. For viennese schnitzer (Wiener Schnitzel)
The trip from Hungary to Austria was filled with stunningly beautiful countryside
Vienna was beautiful even on a rainy day...
We had stayed overnight at the city of 'Linz'. Linz is a beautiful town.
Next day after doing the day tour of Vienna we had returned back to Linz
In the evening, we sat at a table in the middle of the street drinking beer and observing the snow capped mountains, the young and trendy people of Linz enjoying themselves the summer time in Europe. The waterfront was so pretty. Bright flowers kept at every corner, the snow capped mountains, the sun doing down amongst this beautiful evening weather... As evening faded into night, the lights came up and everything looked magical.
Next day we bid goodbye to Austria to go to Czech Republic. We were about to witness Europe's medieval treasure...The fairy tale city of Prague.
Viennese coffee houses (cafes), a tradition which has resulted into coffee shops all over the world... Vienna remains the absolute heart of Western Classic music (with many music festivals all round the year in celebration of all the famous artists who made Vienna their home.. The likes of Mozart...)
Vienna still retains it's imperial character and prides itself in displaying the its glorious architectural forms.
Horse drawn carriages carry you for visits of the Hofburg palace. The town hill is architecturally rich and so are the parliamentary houses
We had 2 doctors with us who wanted to visit the famous Sigmund Freud museum and they did.
The character of Vienna is very German. We had an Austrian guide who had a very German character, always precise about historical facts and not allowing even a second to get lost anywhere.
Hard for Indians who are not always a disciplined lot. He behaved like our master and we listened to him. In a way I felt that it was too much of discipline because we were tourists and tourists are bound to feel a need to take pictures, gaze at the lovely streets etc.
But his point was well taken. 5 mins extra at one place can start getting accumulated and at the end of the day, we would end up missing many good sights
Personally I like to spend time just walking on the streets instead of ensuring every moument, every cathedral needs to be covered...And so I did. I told the guide that I am around taking pictures of people, streets, trams and he was happy to allow me, provided I was clock precise when rejoining the group (which I am normally)
We stopped at an Indian restaurant for lunch and he even scolded the owners of the restaurant for bringing nans late!
But then he sat down to enjoy the Indian meal and described how much he loves India and how many times he has been too India...and all of us were stunned. He loved especially the Southern part of India.
Walking on the streets of Vienna was a lovely experience. Beautiful red and off white trams passed through the streets. The frequency of trams was high and talked a lot of about a very high quality public transportation system in Vienna.
We visited the Hofburg palace in the afternoon which is very massive. I ofcourse did souvenier shopping.
Vienna is famous for it's very very heavy and creamy desserts served with Veinnesse coffee. For viennese schnitzer (Wiener Schnitzel)
The trip from Hungary to Austria was filled with stunningly beautiful countryside
Vienna was beautiful even on a rainy day...
We had stayed overnight at the city of 'Linz'. Linz is a beautiful town.
Next day after doing the day tour of Vienna we had returned back to Linz
In the evening, we sat at a table in the middle of the street drinking beer and observing the snow capped mountains, the young and trendy people of Linz enjoying themselves the summer time in Europe. The waterfront was so pretty. Bright flowers kept at every corner, the snow capped mountains, the sun doing down amongst this beautiful evening weather... As evening faded into night, the lights came up and everything looked magical.
Next day we bid goodbye to Austria to go to Czech Republic. We were about to witness Europe's medieval treasure...The fairy tale city of Prague.
The music of James Last
Among light instrumentalists, another artist who has made light instrumental music consistently popular is James Last. He is a German composer and orchestra leader. Very popular for band music instrumentals of popular songs, medleys, catchy beats, James Last is a great composer for listening to music which has a fast catchy tempo
Here are some of the 'Youtube' video links to his music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Carnn8XWNCM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFT0vYMNiCg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHr6MLUnrs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQt95pfXP8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0g2MlaCAFQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqny26sFonQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SWuI9vlzfc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeoERIAjk2U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZjK0mR39U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goBCurNa7TM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHr6MLUnrs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2epsvd9EjzU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sOnOJuzE0Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQlUAhdvkXA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2gdLK2njQs&feature=related
Here are some of the 'Youtube' video links to his music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Carnn8XWNCM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFT0vYMNiCg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHr6MLUnrs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQt95pfXP8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0g2MlaCAFQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqny26sFonQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SWuI9vlzfc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeoERIAjk2U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZjK0mR39U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goBCurNa7TM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHr6MLUnrs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2epsvd9EjzU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sOnOJuzE0Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQlUAhdvkXA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2gdLK2njQs&feature=related
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Malaka Spice- South East Asian specialities
Went to "Malaka spice", the South East Asian restaurant in Koregaon park today.
The restaurant has moved it's location to Lane 5 in Koregoan park.
But the experience continues to be absolutely wonderful. The restaurant has become very spacious and comfortable
The menu card which is probably the best designed menu card I have come across ever in my entire "culinary odyssey", is still the same.
It's creativity, history, food and coziness, all packaged into one very special menu card.
The restaurant continues to display paintings of upcoming artists.
And the food...simply high quality Asian cuisine and in many cases very close to authentic.
We had skewered vegetables (tofu, mushrooms and green pepper etc) served with nice peanut sauce as a starter.
We ordered one glass of red wine (Ivy Malbec for me) and Rose Zinfandel for my lady friend.
After that we had herbed brown rice and egg plant preparation done with tamarind and chilli sauce. The preparations were exquiste...The taste still lingers in mouth. The perfume and aromas of basil in the brown herbed rice, the delicate texture of grilled tofu. Wonderful.
This surely is the best South east Asian restaurant featuring cuisines from Thailand, Vietnam,Burma, Malaysia, Laos, China & Japan.
And frankly after having been to many South East Asian restaurants in different parts of the world, I would put "Malaka Spice" among the best.
Here is the website link of the restaurant.
http://www.malakaspice.com/home.html
After the really nice lunch, watched the movie "The Reader". Liked it a lot. Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes in a post war German setting.
I always enjoy movies with European settings more... In this case, the movie was shot in Germany.
The music, the acting, the cultural background all contribute to the experience...
For e.g in one scene the young boy takes Kate Winslet on a cycle trip in the countryside and stops at a church to listen to a choir (similar to a Viennesse boy choir). The trams going past small European towns, the images of post war run down buildings...
This movie dosen't dissappoint at all. Both Kate Winslet and Ralph Fineness are fine British actors. With a small but intense storyline, the movie continues to hold the audience through very intense acting moments. Winslet went onto win an Oscar for her fine performance.
The movie is for an audience with a mature taste. The idea of a boy reading Homer's Odyssey or Anton Chekov's short story is unlikely to appeal or even make sense to a primarily teenage audience at E-Square.
The restaurant has moved it's location to Lane 5 in Koregoan park.
But the experience continues to be absolutely wonderful. The restaurant has become very spacious and comfortable
The menu card which is probably the best designed menu card I have come across ever in my entire "culinary odyssey", is still the same.
It's creativity, history, food and coziness, all packaged into one very special menu card.
The restaurant continues to display paintings of upcoming artists.
And the food...simply high quality Asian cuisine and in many cases very close to authentic.
We had skewered vegetables (tofu, mushrooms and green pepper etc) served with nice peanut sauce as a starter.
We ordered one glass of red wine (Ivy Malbec for me) and Rose Zinfandel for my lady friend.
After that we had herbed brown rice and egg plant preparation done with tamarind and chilli sauce. The preparations were exquiste...The taste still lingers in mouth. The perfume and aromas of basil in the brown herbed rice, the delicate texture of grilled tofu. Wonderful.
This surely is the best South east Asian restaurant featuring cuisines from Thailand, Vietnam,Burma, Malaysia, Laos, China & Japan.
And frankly after having been to many South East Asian restaurants in different parts of the world, I would put "Malaka Spice" among the best.
Here is the website link of the restaurant.
http://www.malakaspice.com/home.html
After the really nice lunch, watched the movie "The Reader". Liked it a lot. Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes in a post war German setting.
I always enjoy movies with European settings more... In this case, the movie was shot in Germany.
The music, the acting, the cultural background all contribute to the experience...
For e.g in one scene the young boy takes Kate Winslet on a cycle trip in the countryside and stops at a church to listen to a choir (similar to a Viennesse boy choir). The trams going past small European towns, the images of post war run down buildings...
This movie dosen't dissappoint at all. Both Kate Winslet and Ralph Fineness are fine British actors. With a small but intense storyline, the movie continues to hold the audience through very intense acting moments. Winslet went onto win an Oscar for her fine performance.
The movie is for an audience with a mature taste. The idea of a boy reading Homer's Odyssey or Anton Chekov's short story is unlikely to appeal or even make sense to a primarily teenage audience at E-Square.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gudi Padwa festival food
"Gudi Padwa" is celebrated all over Maharashtra today. It's the first day of the new calendar year for Maharashtrians and it begins the season of spring(Vasant)
The sun starts increasing its intensity. The harvested crops are ready for consumption, Mangoes start appearing in markets, flowers bloom...
The day marks the end of one harvest and beginning of another.
There are many legends associated with this day, but the most important one is about Brahma(the creator) creating life on this day.
We all begin the festivities by eating the bitter leaves of the neem tree. The neem tree is considered extremely good for purifying the body of all the bad elements.
It's the right way to begin the new year!
Ofcourse I eat it because I like it a lot:) The leaves themselves are bitter but when grounded and mixed with little jaggery & crushed dal (with entire mixture made into a paste), it's a lovely combination of bitter-sweet taste.
I feasted on 'pooris' (wheat/maida dough balls which are fried) and boiled potato vegetable. I had lots of neem chutney
And it dosent stop there.... The amrakhand (mango skhrikhand) was also there but I am going to have all that in the evening
All in all the new marathi calender year truly began in a nice relaxing way, with all the food goodies...
The sun starts increasing its intensity. The harvested crops are ready for consumption, Mangoes start appearing in markets, flowers bloom...
The day marks the end of one harvest and beginning of another.
There are many legends associated with this day, but the most important one is about Brahma(the creator) creating life on this day.
We all begin the festivities by eating the bitter leaves of the neem tree. The neem tree is considered extremely good for purifying the body of all the bad elements.
It's the right way to begin the new year!
Ofcourse I eat it because I like it a lot:) The leaves themselves are bitter but when grounded and mixed with little jaggery & crushed dal (with entire mixture made into a paste), it's a lovely combination of bitter-sweet taste.
I feasted on 'pooris' (wheat/maida dough balls which are fried) and boiled potato vegetable. I had lots of neem chutney
And it dosent stop there.... The amrakhand (mango skhrikhand) was also there but I am going to have all that in the evening
All in all the new marathi calender year truly began in a nice relaxing way, with all the food goodies...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
More light instrumental music for a weekend afternoon
Paul Mauriat's Penelope...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFaaQlMnnnA
As I am listening to another Paul Mauriat tune, but this time with vocal background by Danielle Licari. A perfect light instrumental about the beautiful city of Paris and a nice video too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crGVlhxz7d4&feature=related
Some more of Francis Lai's music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKGnw4LkZFE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfc4NPNMFro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-QbDnsmsx0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYO930drqCk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPGytQzcXY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90_KjzN3-Rw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTY-vvnO1AA&feature=related
Raymond Lefevre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-N0KLfwk4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuZhQWNMgU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltGgHbtCm70&feature=related
Danielle Licari version of Love Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzqLTSzA8XE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFaaQlMnnnA
As I am listening to another Paul Mauriat tune, but this time with vocal background by Danielle Licari. A perfect light instrumental about the beautiful city of Paris and a nice video too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crGVlhxz7d4&feature=related
Some more of Francis Lai's music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKGnw4LkZFE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfc4NPNMFro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-QbDnsmsx0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYO930drqCk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPGytQzcXY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90_KjzN3-Rw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTY-vvnO1AA&feature=related
Raymond Lefevre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-N0KLfwk4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuZhQWNMgU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltGgHbtCm70&feature=related
Danielle Licari version of Love Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzqLTSzA8XE&feature=related
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)