Usually people head out to their favourite eating place. Not that there is anything wrong in it. At least one knows what to expect. Also the staff knows you by face or even name and gives you a good table. The service is good and the food of course is excellent.
However, once in a while it is good to open one’s mind and try out a different restaurant. Not only does it give you a new experience, you might just end up adding the restaurant to your list of favourites.One such restaurant that one can add is the Mehfil at Sector 17. Though the restaurant has been there for about 29 years, what makes this place a worth visit is the food that has maintained the quality ever since it started.
From my vivid memories of this restaurant, this is one of the better and oldest restaurants in Sector 17. The food has a lot of variety and oriental touch. The restaurant is pricey compared to others in the area but the food is good and customer service is decent.
A conventional facade of a typical family joint
The Ambience
The decor is refreshingly fun, yet contemporary. Whilst crisp, it is also not cold - a warm ambience is achieved through wooden abstract images, and contrasting steel bars representing seaweed. I like to think the wicker bowls high on the ceiling are the bobbing boats on the horizon above. But perhaps that’s a glass too many on my part. The ambience are fantastic being surrounded by intriguing local artworks and oriental themed but not like the same old or boring traditional themes. If you have someone to impress on a lunch date, then this is the ideal bistro. The service is friendly, attentive, the ambience warm and unobtrusive. Mehfil is at hand to talk you thorough the menu. Most importantly of course, the food is fantastic for the price – a meal menu cost about 450 for a couple.
The Wine Bouquet
The pub, which is in the basement, is really hip and happening. The music is good, the ambience is just right, the decor is bright and cheery and the crowd…….. The Wine Bouquet, which is the first of its kind has a presence of 120 different types of wines to choose from.
The food
Our woes came with the snacks however, one in particular - the ‘Tandoori Chat‘, followed by a ‘Surmai and a Bethi Fish’. Not knowing what Bethi Fish was, I thought to give the dish a try . The dish was a combination of tandoori and fried. To me it was not a matter of "taste" , which is worth eating.
Each dish that is menu has been very carefully chosen after extensive research and keeping in mind the palate of well earned customers..From Indian to Chinese the food offers a fine dining experience. Though the entry to the restaurant and the décor might not be something to rave about, the food is sure is.One can start with the Murg Badami and Afgani Tangri. It is tender and moist. For the vegetarian, the Dal Makhani ( Speciality), Paneer Tikka Butter Masala and Chaana Amritsari is most cherished.
A perfect meal needs to be accompanied with a perfect drink. A cocktail combination of vodka, pulp of raw mango, salt and roasted cumin powder gives that punch to the meal.A real surprise on the new menu is the child section. Yes, a child section with has a multiplicity for your kids. With unique Smiles fries, Alpha Fries, Criss Cutz, Tafar, Marri, and a health drink, Yakult. Some of the other dishes that find a mention in the new menu are chicken Mutton Kashmiri and Tikka.
Of course no meal is complete without the dessert. Try the chocolate crunch or a brownie or even a tilli wali kulfi. It is absolutely delicious. If you are not a chocolate fan, try the Ice Creams from the house Baskin Robins. A must for those who love the pulpy sweets.So, here’s a toast to the menu at Mehfil…
Mukhraj Mendhiratta, owner who is into hotel industry since 1980s
Showing posts with label CITY EATERIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CITY EATERIES. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
PIK n MOVE
Recession has hit salaries, expenditure and also has affected the spending capacity of an individual or a family. Be it an Auto Industry or an Education Industry, recession has effected all. But one industry, which is least affected is the food industry.
As the average restaurant meal costs almost three times more than a home-cooked meal it was expected that in times of financial concern the public may shy away from restaurants. An economic slowdown or even a dreaded recession, however, is not usually as damaging to restaurants as one might think.
But the figures of restaurant visitors indicate that during a recession the number of restaurant visitors can still increase; indicating that convenience, the enjoyment of a good night out and higher quality food may override the hip-pocket-nerve.
Though, there has been a plethora of changes happening all around, but one thing which has proudly remained constant is the city’s quality of life and quality of food. The eating trends and habits among the people living in the tri city have always remained high, thus opening a wider option for the expansion of the food industry.
One such restaurant, which is not only a unique place but is also a junction that has gained a lot of popularity among its customers over the years. PIK-N-MOVE in Sector 8 was established in 1978 with a single minded objective of delivering the unsurpassed quality of exotic cuisine to its patrons.
31 years have gone since then and the quality not in piecemeal, but all across has remained stable, the way it was, when the restaurant began its services. Be it the fresh chicken or preparing its own home-grounded fresh spices, hygienic food and services are the top most priority of Mr.Sibia, the owner of Pik n Move.
They have the quality, the taste, which is second to none and truly belongs to the region; one does not need to wonder much as to why their customers have been coming to Pik n Move for over 30 years.
Though, the initial concept was to serve just the starters such as soups and snacks, but now Pik n Move has everything that one wish to choose from over 40 main dishes, starting from the so popular spicy Tandoori Chicken, to the soft and succulent Malai Chicken Tikka, the luscious Chicken Keema Nan and the quintessential Butter Chicken.
The mini meals are most preferred by the customers, which includes Butter Chicken/ Masala Chicken/ Chilli Chicken with naan for Rs 95. There is no particular speciality with the Pik n Move, as the customers are in habit so taste all that the restaurant has. The popular Chicken Keema Mushrooms (Rs-150), Chicken Seekh Kabab Gravy ( Rs 170), Chicken Kathi Kabab ( Rs 90), the chicken Tikka Tandoori ( Rs 150) and the Malai Chicken Tikka Tandoori ( Rs 150 ) are some of the hot picks of their customers.
Pik n Move is probably the only restaurant in the city that serves only chicken based non-vegetarian delights. “This is primarily to drive home the point of quality and when we say chicken, we mean chicken. Not like a lot others which take short cuts to profits at their patrons’ behest and serve mutton disguised as chicken”, says Sabia.
Be it the Amritsari naan or the favourite Chicken Naan with gravy, Pik n Move has a whole lot of exotic dishes to serve.
The Pik n Move has not only gathered the loyalty of their customers, but has maintained the standards. They have customers all over the tri city, which even includes Zirakpur, Kharar and surroundings.
“We, along with the city beautiful has come a long way together and the grace of our patrons’ the journey continues. It is the same trust and belief of giving the best, all the time, all year round”, adds Sibia.
So next time you are in town and wish to try some exotic non vegetarian dishes, pay a visit and your taste buds shall be treated to the finest culinary experience the city has to offer at Pik n Move.
As the average restaurant meal costs almost three times more than a home-cooked meal it was expected that in times of financial concern the public may shy away from restaurants. An economic slowdown or even a dreaded recession, however, is not usually as damaging to restaurants as one might think.
But the figures of restaurant visitors indicate that during a recession the number of restaurant visitors can still increase; indicating that convenience, the enjoyment of a good night out and higher quality food may override the hip-pocket-nerve.
Though, there has been a plethora of changes happening all around, but one thing which has proudly remained constant is the city’s quality of life and quality of food. The eating trends and habits among the people living in the tri city have always remained high, thus opening a wider option for the expansion of the food industry.
One such restaurant, which is not only a unique place but is also a junction that has gained a lot of popularity among its customers over the years. PIK-N-MOVE in Sector 8 was established in 1978 with a single minded objective of delivering the unsurpassed quality of exotic cuisine to its patrons.
31 years have gone since then and the quality not in piecemeal, but all across has remained stable, the way it was, when the restaurant began its services. Be it the fresh chicken or preparing its own home-grounded fresh spices, hygienic food and services are the top most priority of Mr.Sibia, the owner of Pik n Move.
They have the quality, the taste, which is second to none and truly belongs to the region; one does not need to wonder much as to why their customers have been coming to Pik n Move for over 30 years.
Though, the initial concept was to serve just the starters such as soups and snacks, but now Pik n Move has everything that one wish to choose from over 40 main dishes, starting from the so popular spicy Tandoori Chicken, to the soft and succulent Malai Chicken Tikka, the luscious Chicken Keema Nan and the quintessential Butter Chicken.
The mini meals are most preferred by the customers, which includes Butter Chicken/ Masala Chicken/ Chilli Chicken with naan for Rs 95. There is no particular speciality with the Pik n Move, as the customers are in habit so taste all that the restaurant has. The popular Chicken Keema Mushrooms (Rs-150), Chicken Seekh Kabab Gravy ( Rs 170), Chicken Kathi Kabab ( Rs 90), the chicken Tikka Tandoori ( Rs 150) and the Malai Chicken Tikka Tandoori ( Rs 150 ) are some of the hot picks of their customers.
Pik n Move is probably the only restaurant in the city that serves only chicken based non-vegetarian delights. “This is primarily to drive home the point of quality and when we say chicken, we mean chicken. Not like a lot others which take short cuts to profits at their patrons’ behest and serve mutton disguised as chicken”, says Sabia.
Be it the Amritsari naan or the favourite Chicken Naan with gravy, Pik n Move has a whole lot of exotic dishes to serve.
The Pik n Move has not only gathered the loyalty of their customers, but has maintained the standards. They have customers all over the tri city, which even includes Zirakpur, Kharar and surroundings.
“We, along with the city beautiful has come a long way together and the grace of our patrons’ the journey continues. It is the same trust and belief of giving the best, all the time, all year round”, adds Sibia.
So next time you are in town and wish to try some exotic non vegetarian dishes, pay a visit and your taste buds shall be treated to the finest culinary experience the city has to offer at Pik n Move.
SAGAR RATNA
'Sagar Ratna' is a well known Brand of Restaurant chain in Northern India serving vegetarian cuisine with a speciality in south Indian delicacies. Sagar Ratna has established its own identity in whole of Northern part of India for their high quality food, quick, homely and personalised service and utmost hygiene and upkeep of premises added with low and affordable price.
Sagar Ratna, a place where thousands of customers dine daily and feel that very good value for their money spent. The restaurant believes in simple décor, high quality marble/Granites flooring besides simple Furniture and wall ceiling.
The chain of restaurants has outlets in Sector 17, Sector 35 Chandigarh, Fun Republic, Mani Majra, Panchkula and also at the Mohali Kharar road. On an all-India level, there are about 40 branches.
Come, eat and go. That seems to be the mantra of the place. And this credo holds true especially during the dinner hours, with people waiting in queues for a table. This has been the scene since day one, when the branches were opened. The reasons are not hard to fathom. One, the craze for the “healthy, non-fattening, vegetarian and tasty” South Indian fare among residents of City Beautiful, cutting across age and race barriers.
Start your meal with a fresh fruit juice, a glass of chilled grape juice (Rs 60). It is soothing in its mild sweetness. Do remember though that only seasonal fruits are available here.
Ready to move on? Try a Rava idli (Rs 70). It’s delicious with the accompanying Kurma, a ginger-rich spicy chutney!
Do cast my vote in favour of the Dahi Vada (Rs 62). You can taste the finely ground lentils, and it melts in your mouth to let the yoghurt spurt through. A slight sweetened dahi vada with a dash of boondi, ginger, tomato and green chillies remains the common favourite. “Our special Dahi Vada is an all time favourite and loved by every customer”, said Santosh, the manager of Sagar Ratna, Sector 17.
The Badam Milk (Rs 60) is a hot favourite among Sagar Ratna’s regulars. Try it and you’ll know why!
A meal at the Sagar Ratna means a South Indian thali, all vegetarian. Though tangible but nearly untouched is the gleaming executive thali with soup , chapattis and rice, neatly set with enticing bowls of steaming rasam, sambar and other homely South Indian delights (2 vegetables, a dal, papad, pickle, rice, 2 rotis, curd, salad) and it costs Rs 115. Dosas, uthpams, vadas and idlis accompanied by mouth-watering sambar and chutneys are just as sumptuous as ever.
Next on their menu is the rajmah rice (Rs 75), chana bhatura ( Rs 60) and pav bhaji ( Rs 58). They also serve an impressive line-up of soft drinks and beverages. Most preferred are fresh lime soda, mango panna, milk shakes, jaljira, lemon tea, lassi, tea and of course, filter coffee.
After an exotic south Indian meal, the Sagar Ratna has special sweet for you. A unique ‘Pan’ , which is made from South Indian leaves and other south ingredients (Rs 7).
Price Tag: An average meal here is about a hundred rupee.
Sagar Ratna, a place where thousands of customers dine daily and feel that very good value for their money spent. The restaurant believes in simple décor, high quality marble/Granites flooring besides simple Furniture and wall ceiling.
The chain of restaurants has outlets in Sector 17, Sector 35 Chandigarh, Fun Republic, Mani Majra, Panchkula and also at the Mohali Kharar road. On an all-India level, there are about 40 branches.
Come, eat and go. That seems to be the mantra of the place. And this credo holds true especially during the dinner hours, with people waiting in queues for a table. This has been the scene since day one, when the branches were opened. The reasons are not hard to fathom. One, the craze for the “healthy, non-fattening, vegetarian and tasty” South Indian fare among residents of City Beautiful, cutting across age and race barriers.
Start your meal with a fresh fruit juice, a glass of chilled grape juice (Rs 60). It is soothing in its mild sweetness. Do remember though that only seasonal fruits are available here.
Ready to move on? Try a Rava idli (Rs 70). It’s delicious with the accompanying Kurma, a ginger-rich spicy chutney!
Do cast my vote in favour of the Dahi Vada (Rs 62). You can taste the finely ground lentils, and it melts in your mouth to let the yoghurt spurt through. A slight sweetened dahi vada with a dash of boondi, ginger, tomato and green chillies remains the common favourite. “Our special Dahi Vada is an all time favourite and loved by every customer”, said Santosh, the manager of Sagar Ratna, Sector 17.
The Badam Milk (Rs 60) is a hot favourite among Sagar Ratna’s regulars. Try it and you’ll know why!
A meal at the Sagar Ratna means a South Indian thali, all vegetarian. Though tangible but nearly untouched is the gleaming executive thali with soup , chapattis and rice, neatly set with enticing bowls of steaming rasam, sambar and other homely South Indian delights (2 vegetables, a dal, papad, pickle, rice, 2 rotis, curd, salad) and it costs Rs 115. Dosas, uthpams, vadas and idlis accompanied by mouth-watering sambar and chutneys are just as sumptuous as ever.
Next on their menu is the rajmah rice (Rs 75), chana bhatura ( Rs 60) and pav bhaji ( Rs 58). They also serve an impressive line-up of soft drinks and beverages. Most preferred are fresh lime soda, mango panna, milk shakes, jaljira, lemon tea, lassi, tea and of course, filter coffee.
After an exotic south Indian meal, the Sagar Ratna has special sweet for you. A unique ‘Pan’ , which is made from South Indian leaves and other south ingredients (Rs 7).
Price Tag: An average meal here is about a hundred rupee.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Degchi
Eating out in open is now a common affair, where in people are well comfortable standing in a group and taking a meal. People don’t really mind eating without a plush sofa so as to sit in an extremely chilly restaurant nor with a blaring music.
How about a bit of fresh air while you gorge on your favourite kathi kabaabs or stuffed naans?
Drive down to the market in Sector 8, Chandigarh, park yourself in front of Degchi, in case you are lucky you will actually get to park and be a witness to this trend.
It’s not just the lip-smacking food that is driving the youngsters crazy nowadays but the sheer comfort of having food right in your swanky car on cool evenings.
All you need to do is park your car right in front of the food joint, honk once or better yet not at all, for the serving staff knows exactly what you are there for and before you can bat your pretty mascara-lined eyelashes, a waiter in his chic uniform appears with the menu. Though, Degchi has for the customers a well equipped sitting arrangement but people prefer for a take away or having a meal in open.
What’s more, can one ask for when all one needs to shell out for a Chicken or Sekh Nann Roll is fulfilled in just Rs 80 and Rs 70 for a Paneer Naan Roll. There are a variety of tikaas and kabaabs, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, to be devoured and all of these delicacies without digging a hole in your pocket. It’s not just the ‘comfortable food’ that gets them here every evening but the idea is to unwind in the company of friends and savour some ‘eye-candy’.
Degchi is well managed and maintained with high standards of hardcore spicy Punjabi stuff along with other cuisines like Chinese and other fast food. Degchi Special Chicken is out of the world with heavy gravy with button mushrooms. The Madrasi Chicken, which is Degchi’s speciality is all time favourite and is loved by every customer. The Chilly Chicken is also lovely along perfectly along with drinks. Not to miss the Tandoori Chicken, apart from its Butter Chicken which gives a run for the money.
Degchi also offers some great Indian Breads like Naan, Paranthas that go really well with all the rich gravies.
When Degchi was started people had in mind that the restaurant wont run because of Goldie’s Roost and Pick ’n’ Move in the vicinity. But Degchi has proven everybody wrong as it has been doing great business and satisfying the palate of not only the Chandigarhians but also of people from outside.
Not exactly a fast food, the restaurant which serves exotic Punjabi food where you don’t have a waiter who comes to your table and ask you something you want. It’s essentially a self service joint where you take you food and come back to your car and enjoy. Degchi also have a seating arrangement with three small tables in a very small adjacent shop.
The vegetarian that includes the very special Paneer Latpata with Lacha Prantha goes well along with chopped salad.
Price Tag:
An average meal for non-vegetarian person is Ra 110, while for a vegetarian it is Rs 75.
How about a bit of fresh air while you gorge on your favourite kathi kabaabs or stuffed naans?
Drive down to the market in Sector 8, Chandigarh, park yourself in front of Degchi, in case you are lucky you will actually get to park and be a witness to this trend.
It’s not just the lip-smacking food that is driving the youngsters crazy nowadays but the sheer comfort of having food right in your swanky car on cool evenings.
All you need to do is park your car right in front of the food joint, honk once or better yet not at all, for the serving staff knows exactly what you are there for and before you can bat your pretty mascara-lined eyelashes, a waiter in his chic uniform appears with the menu. Though, Degchi has for the customers a well equipped sitting arrangement but people prefer for a take away or having a meal in open.
What’s more, can one ask for when all one needs to shell out for a Chicken or Sekh Nann Roll is fulfilled in just Rs 80 and Rs 70 for a Paneer Naan Roll. There are a variety of tikaas and kabaabs, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, to be devoured and all of these delicacies without digging a hole in your pocket. It’s not just the ‘comfortable food’ that gets them here every evening but the idea is to unwind in the company of friends and savour some ‘eye-candy’.
Degchi is well managed and maintained with high standards of hardcore spicy Punjabi stuff along with other cuisines like Chinese and other fast food. Degchi Special Chicken is out of the world with heavy gravy with button mushrooms. The Madrasi Chicken, which is Degchi’s speciality is all time favourite and is loved by every customer. The Chilly Chicken is also lovely along perfectly along with drinks. Not to miss the Tandoori Chicken, apart from its Butter Chicken which gives a run for the money.
Degchi also offers some great Indian Breads like Naan, Paranthas that go really well with all the rich gravies.
When Degchi was started people had in mind that the restaurant wont run because of Goldie’s Roost and Pick ’n’ Move in the vicinity. But Degchi has proven everybody wrong as it has been doing great business and satisfying the palate of not only the Chandigarhians but also of people from outside.
Not exactly a fast food, the restaurant which serves exotic Punjabi food where you don’t have a waiter who comes to your table and ask you something you want. It’s essentially a self service joint where you take you food and come back to your car and enjoy. Degchi also have a seating arrangement with three small tables in a very small adjacent shop.
The vegetarian that includes the very special Paneer Latpata with Lacha Prantha goes well along with chopped salad.
Price Tag:
An average meal for non-vegetarian person is Ra 110, while for a vegetarian it is Rs 75.
A modern backdrop, authentic Chinese and Thai cuisine: That’s Purple Rice for you
The vibrant décor proves to be is a bit too absorbing for one to get into mathematical complexities, with silver coloured wallpaper with a liberal amount of purple in the ceilings and also in form of paintings is well coordinated to sooth one’s aesthetic sense, is what you find as you step inside Purple Rice.
But why Purple Rice? “Purple is the colour of the youth, energetic and full of life. And our aim is to provide Chinese food in a modern ambience. Hence is the name and the décor,” explains Vipul Dua, city’s youngest hotelier. “I wanted to do something different .Though it was a big risk but I wanted and that’s I have brought traditional dinning into modern and causal dinning, with mascot that keep us alive everyday.
Though there are colours (red, Black and white) that represent Chinese, but Purple Rice is far away from those.
Vibrancy is the key word. For, it is not just the walls that radiate vibrancy but also ‘behind the counter scene’ which is full of it. The sound of chopping and sautéing fresh vegetables as the chefs, under the guidance of chef Bhaskar, prepare your dish in front of you adds to the set up. “You can have a dish of your own choice,” says Vipul. Vegetables are on display and one can pick and choose.
There are other frills too. Like a shelf full of books that include Linda Goodman’s love signs, books on Hollywood and Bollywood and Thai and Chinese cuisines.
“I am a youngster. So I know what youngsters want,” Vipul sounds confident. But then he has a reason to be. Armed with a diploma in hotel management, Vipul has gathered experiences from Radisson, London and Hyatt Regency in Delhi.
Though authentic Chinese and Thai food is the mantra here, Vipul has done his bes to appease the Punjabi taste buds. His chilly paneer comes with the terminology mast desi Chinjab, while his special chilly chicken is desi mast chataka. Besides the exotic names like vegetable gyoza, Pok Choy with black mushroom oyster sauce, sliced fish with black bean sauce, there are familiar names like chilly chicken. “But our chilly chicken or chilly paneer sans the Punjabi touch,” he is quick to add.
His Purple Rice noodle soup, a Thai specialty. “The soup we are serving here is what you get in Hong Kong.”
A meal here costs Rs 400 to Rs 500 per head, including beer or wine from Australia, South Africa, Spain, Italy, France, or India. “The idea was to create a wine culture in Chandigarh where people could develop a taste for wine. It is about creating a culture, developing it, and maintaining it.”
Well, that’s again a debatable matter, but one can say with authority that the clear shrimp soup with vegetable and garlic seasoning sure is tantalising!
Here’s what the menu boasts of. Leading way are soups like ‘Seafood Beijing Soup’, ‘Crab Meat Soup’ followed by starters such as ‘Indonesian promfret satay’, ‘Jumbo shrimp rolls’, ‘Crab salt and pepper’. “The main course brings in specialties like ‘Lobster Butter Chilli Garlic’, ‘Chinese Steamed Trout’,” lists out Dua, and which is available 24/7 and 365 days a year.
Incidentally, when I, the famished, first nibbled an exotic assortment from an Oriental wok (pan), with my left hands holding an alloy steel knife, my ears tuning into overhead neo-Western music and my right hand clanking the clattering white bone china cutlery with a fork, this subtle revelation had not yet dawned, even though it was high noon. All this came later; much after the soul had been satiated with a hodgepodge of fragile South Asian delights. Even personalities could change, by the way.
I debuted here with Purple Treasure Soup, said to be the creation of the chef (Bhasker, scooped from Taj Delhi, now wearing a purple bandana) with eight types of exotic vegetables available on your table for Rs 75 (veg) and Rs 105 (non-veg). Swooshed in, the crunchy-munchy pale liquid did do some good.
I followed up with lamb, with Paper Thin Lamb, with soft shredded meat stir fried with three types of bell-peppers and served, smoking; the itsy-bitsy creamy white bits trapped amid shreds of greenish foliage. The Paper Thin Lamb, which is said to be one of the specialties of Purple Rice, is on your table for Rs 195. Full in taste, the chewed lamb melted on contact and the taste-buds exhumed a lingering acknowledgment.
But barging into the lamb were mouthfuls of another crunchy-munchy—the very red and very brown Chicken Lettuce Wrap (boneless chicken breasts wrapped in lettuce leaves and tossed with some Thai sauce). The pieces would gently explode in the mouth’s gentle squeeze and fill the hot, dry tongue with instant fantasies.
The Zumbo prawns, as it turned out on eating were, prawn-like. They had a make-do name– Hot Chilli Prawns—and a nationality too—Indonesian. Really meaty, when guided, glided out of the stick and plucked golden brown.
On the black-brown round table swam in the promised Standing Pomfret, whole-fried with Malasian know-how and Xo sauce. Like fish eating fish, the sea/river fish, smeared with thick and tangy gravy, was dismembered, sideways, and eaten with my fumbling brown-wood chopsticks and eaten with the driest and the lightest chicken noodles of my recent memories. The Red Snapper ( 700 gm) , which goes under the heading make your own pomphret with any kind of sauce and same with fish is streamed and fried ( Rs 225 /395) , which will perfectly relish your dine.
Dessert has dates and I had honeyed Date Pancakes, the Chinese flour wrap popping out a chocolaty paste that the nice ice cream flowed into and made the mouth hot, cold, sweet and someway indescribable, the dripping honey apart.
The mouth is now buzzing with sting bees of smell. I swallow the saliva and silently, the jasmine tea arrives in a white porcelain kava, with remnants of some floating leaves. Sugarless, tasteless and also aroma-less, the warm brown water feels grudgingly good on my burning taste buds, like jasmine tea gliding over white porcelain
Be it the ambience, the décor or the food - eating out at Purple Rice is truly a different experience for the Punjabis.
BOX:
Concept of Live kitchen:
The restaurant boasts of live cooking with vegetables being chopped and sautéed in front of you, under the guidance of chef Bhaskar. The ambiance enhances visit while you indulge in to your food. Every detail from the food to the decor is something to look forward to.
The Seafood is available round the clock -24/7 and 365 days a year.
But why Purple Rice? “Purple is the colour of the youth, energetic and full of life. And our aim is to provide Chinese food in a modern ambience. Hence is the name and the décor,” explains Vipul Dua, city’s youngest hotelier. “I wanted to do something different .Though it was a big risk but I wanted and that’s I have brought traditional dinning into modern and causal dinning, with mascot that keep us alive everyday.
Though there are colours (red, Black and white) that represent Chinese, but Purple Rice is far away from those.
Vibrancy is the key word. For, it is not just the walls that radiate vibrancy but also ‘behind the counter scene’ which is full of it. The sound of chopping and sautéing fresh vegetables as the chefs, under the guidance of chef Bhaskar, prepare your dish in front of you adds to the set up. “You can have a dish of your own choice,” says Vipul. Vegetables are on display and one can pick and choose.
There are other frills too. Like a shelf full of books that include Linda Goodman’s love signs, books on Hollywood and Bollywood and Thai and Chinese cuisines.
“I am a youngster. So I know what youngsters want,” Vipul sounds confident. But then he has a reason to be. Armed with a diploma in hotel management, Vipul has gathered experiences from Radisson, London and Hyatt Regency in Delhi.
Though authentic Chinese and Thai food is the mantra here, Vipul has done his bes to appease the Punjabi taste buds. His chilly paneer comes with the terminology mast desi Chinjab, while his special chilly chicken is desi mast chataka. Besides the exotic names like vegetable gyoza, Pok Choy with black mushroom oyster sauce, sliced fish with black bean sauce, there are familiar names like chilly chicken. “But our chilly chicken or chilly paneer sans the Punjabi touch,” he is quick to add.
His Purple Rice noodle soup, a Thai specialty. “The soup we are serving here is what you get in Hong Kong.”
A meal here costs Rs 400 to Rs 500 per head, including beer or wine from Australia, South Africa, Spain, Italy, France, or India. “The idea was to create a wine culture in Chandigarh where people could develop a taste for wine. It is about creating a culture, developing it, and maintaining it.”
Well, that’s again a debatable matter, but one can say with authority that the clear shrimp soup with vegetable and garlic seasoning sure is tantalising!
Here’s what the menu boasts of. Leading way are soups like ‘Seafood Beijing Soup’, ‘Crab Meat Soup’ followed by starters such as ‘Indonesian promfret satay’, ‘Jumbo shrimp rolls’, ‘Crab salt and pepper’. “The main course brings in specialties like ‘Lobster Butter Chilli Garlic’, ‘Chinese Steamed Trout’,” lists out Dua, and which is available 24/7 and 365 days a year.
Incidentally, when I, the famished, first nibbled an exotic assortment from an Oriental wok (pan), with my left hands holding an alloy steel knife, my ears tuning into overhead neo-Western music and my right hand clanking the clattering white bone china cutlery with a fork, this subtle revelation had not yet dawned, even though it was high noon. All this came later; much after the soul had been satiated with a hodgepodge of fragile South Asian delights. Even personalities could change, by the way.
I debuted here with Purple Treasure Soup, said to be the creation of the chef (Bhasker, scooped from Taj Delhi, now wearing a purple bandana) with eight types of exotic vegetables available on your table for Rs 75 (veg) and Rs 105 (non-veg). Swooshed in, the crunchy-munchy pale liquid did do some good.
I followed up with lamb, with Paper Thin Lamb, with soft shredded meat stir fried with three types of bell-peppers and served, smoking; the itsy-bitsy creamy white bits trapped amid shreds of greenish foliage. The Paper Thin Lamb, which is said to be one of the specialties of Purple Rice, is on your table for Rs 195. Full in taste, the chewed lamb melted on contact and the taste-buds exhumed a lingering acknowledgment.
But barging into the lamb were mouthfuls of another crunchy-munchy—the very red and very brown Chicken Lettuce Wrap (boneless chicken breasts wrapped in lettuce leaves and tossed with some Thai sauce). The pieces would gently explode in the mouth’s gentle squeeze and fill the hot, dry tongue with instant fantasies.
The Zumbo prawns, as it turned out on eating were, prawn-like. They had a make-do name– Hot Chilli Prawns—and a nationality too—Indonesian. Really meaty, when guided, glided out of the stick and plucked golden brown.
On the black-brown round table swam in the promised Standing Pomfret, whole-fried with Malasian know-how and Xo sauce. Like fish eating fish, the sea/river fish, smeared with thick and tangy gravy, was dismembered, sideways, and eaten with my fumbling brown-wood chopsticks and eaten with the driest and the lightest chicken noodles of my recent memories. The Red Snapper ( 700 gm) , which goes under the heading make your own pomphret with any kind of sauce and same with fish is streamed and fried ( Rs 225 /395) , which will perfectly relish your dine.
Dessert has dates and I had honeyed Date Pancakes, the Chinese flour wrap popping out a chocolaty paste that the nice ice cream flowed into and made the mouth hot, cold, sweet and someway indescribable, the dripping honey apart.
The mouth is now buzzing with sting bees of smell. I swallow the saliva and silently, the jasmine tea arrives in a white porcelain kava, with remnants of some floating leaves. Sugarless, tasteless and also aroma-less, the warm brown water feels grudgingly good on my burning taste buds, like jasmine tea gliding over white porcelain
Be it the ambience, the décor or the food - eating out at Purple Rice is truly a different experience for the Punjabis.
BOX:
Concept of Live kitchen:
The restaurant boasts of live cooking with vegetables being chopped and sautéed in front of you, under the guidance of chef Bhaskar. The ambiance enhances visit while you indulge in to your food. Every detail from the food to the decor is something to look forward to.
The Seafood is available round the clock -24/7 and 365 days a year.
Chandigarh’s Night Food Street turns a favourite outing place
Few food outlets open in Chandigarh at night. The new food plaza, which opened about a quarter back, has given wider options for the city's university students, youngsters and the residents. Large number of residents and visitors are thronging the night street in Chandigarh to relish the delectable street food sold at the numerous outlets.
The 'Night Food Street', which has eight outlets that sell different cuisines from North Indian food and South Indian to Chinese, Continental, Italian and Oriental that can tickle one's palette and one can choose from an array of cuisines. The Tandoori food that includes Tandoori Chicken and Kababs are available, and so is the evergreen South Indian food like Dosas and Idlis. Besides these, the Night Food Street also offers the cuisines of states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including south Indian, Chinese and continental food.
The Night Food Street has been set up in the heart of the city for those who relish rich and spicy fare and if you wish to enjoy an assortment of cuisines in open the “Night Food Street” is the best ultimate option for you.
Besides these, the Night Food Street also offers the cuisines of states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including south Indian, Chinese and continental food.
The Night Food Street, which remain open from 7 p.m. to 7 am have eight stalls to offer the food lovers anything at a very affordable prices, with tables and chairs lined up right outside the shops.
As the area is located between Panjab University and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), students and patients’ attendants can benefit the most.
As the Food Street have now got up to a rocking start, not surprisingly one can doubt some of the city's biggest eateries and restaurant chains are wondering if it'll be a good idea to begin stalls there of their own. If some plans, ambitious as of now, see fruition residents starved of an interesting night-out experience may just have a platter full to choose from.
And why not, it’s a good idea. Food Street is a good concept for the people of Chandigarh and everyone will throng the place if they get quality stuff round-the-clock. It can be a brilliant concept and we would like to have mini meals, kathi rolls, etc, on the menu card.
The concept of a night food street began from Lahore and has come up to the city, which now has a Night Food Street of its own.
"This concept launched by the Chandigarh Government is really good and the planning is also good. For the paying guests, youngsters as well as the University students also, who study till late night, we provide facilities," said Roshan Lal Verma, owner, Tandoori Nights, Night Food Street. His main specialty is the Tandoori chicken ( Rs 150), Chicken kali mirch( Rs 90), Kashmiri Roganjosh ( Rs 80)and his favourite Chicken biryani (Rs 80)
According to the outlet owners, the response from the people is excellent. This concept is picking up at a fast pace in Chandigarh. Food Point-3 is specialised in veg thali (Rs 50) and non-veg thali (Rs 60), is a chain of Golconda, Sector 32.
The Sher-e-Punjab restaurant, Sector 32 too has a counter of its own at the Food Street. His main attraction is Mutton Keema naan, Rajmah rice ( Rs 50) and Karahi Paneer with parantha ( Rs 60)
While, Pasta Sizzlers offers mix pasta ( Rs 50 ) and veg sizzlers, the Dragon Chinese Flavoured has special Hakka noodles ( Rs 40 ) and a large variety of chinese stuff , which are most relish by his customers.
Once you done with the outdoor dine, you can special kulfis at a very reasonable price. From pista, chocolate, kesar, pineapple, mango, the kulfi counter has every flavour for you.
Although the idea of a night food street was proposed in 2007 by a former mayor of Chandigarh, it took almost two years for the municipal corporation here to put it into shape. The proposal of night food streets was mooted in last year's budget estimates of the corporation, Chandigarh, but somehow the proposal could not take off. This year, with the total budget of over Rs.1.5 million, the food street has been completed.
With this, the dreams of people of the city came true as now they can choose from Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies that the food street has to offer, said Eklavya Gupta, a food lover.
“It’s a government initiative, and a very good concept. Earlier, people were facing problems in getting food at night. We have people coming from PGIMER and students from Panjab University, who study till late in the night”, he added.
Eight food kiosks have been leased out, with monthly rentals varying from Rs 6,500 to Rs 31,000.
We have good facilities to offer. The tourists and visitors, coming to Chandigarh were also facing similar problem of not finding good food at night. We try our best to serve quality food to customers," said Rohit Gaba one outlet owner at Night Food Street.
With such an option around, the city dwellers and visitors can easily tickle the mouth watering tandoori delights including Tandoori chicken and kebabs, and evergreen south Indian food like Dosas and Idlis, as the food street has everything under one roof, which too at a reasonable rates.
The 'Night Food Street', which has eight outlets that sell different cuisines from North Indian food and South Indian to Chinese, Continental, Italian and Oriental that can tickle one's palette and one can choose from an array of cuisines. The Tandoori food that includes Tandoori Chicken and Kababs are available, and so is the evergreen South Indian food like Dosas and Idlis. Besides these, the Night Food Street also offers the cuisines of states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including south Indian, Chinese and continental food.
The Night Food Street has been set up in the heart of the city for those who relish rich and spicy fare and if you wish to enjoy an assortment of cuisines in open the “Night Food Street” is the best ultimate option for you.
Besides these, the Night Food Street also offers the cuisines of states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including south Indian, Chinese and continental food.
The Night Food Street, which remain open from 7 p.m. to 7 am have eight stalls to offer the food lovers anything at a very affordable prices, with tables and chairs lined up right outside the shops.
As the area is located between Panjab University and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), students and patients’ attendants can benefit the most.
As the Food Street have now got up to a rocking start, not surprisingly one can doubt some of the city's biggest eateries and restaurant chains are wondering if it'll be a good idea to begin stalls there of their own. If some plans, ambitious as of now, see fruition residents starved of an interesting night-out experience may just have a platter full to choose from.
And why not, it’s a good idea. Food Street is a good concept for the people of Chandigarh and everyone will throng the place if they get quality stuff round-the-clock. It can be a brilliant concept and we would like to have mini meals, kathi rolls, etc, on the menu card.
The concept of a night food street began from Lahore and has come up to the city, which now has a Night Food Street of its own.
"This concept launched by the Chandigarh Government is really good and the planning is also good. For the paying guests, youngsters as well as the University students also, who study till late night, we provide facilities," said Roshan Lal Verma, owner, Tandoori Nights, Night Food Street. His main specialty is the Tandoori chicken ( Rs 150), Chicken kali mirch( Rs 90), Kashmiri Roganjosh ( Rs 80)and his favourite Chicken biryani (Rs 80)
According to the outlet owners, the response from the people is excellent. This concept is picking up at a fast pace in Chandigarh. Food Point-3 is specialised in veg thali (Rs 50) and non-veg thali (Rs 60), is a chain of Golconda, Sector 32.
The Sher-e-Punjab restaurant, Sector 32 too has a counter of its own at the Food Street. His main attraction is Mutton Keema naan, Rajmah rice ( Rs 50) and Karahi Paneer with parantha ( Rs 60)
While, Pasta Sizzlers offers mix pasta ( Rs 50 ) and veg sizzlers, the Dragon Chinese Flavoured has special Hakka noodles ( Rs 40 ) and a large variety of chinese stuff , which are most relish by his customers.
Once you done with the outdoor dine, you can special kulfis at a very reasonable price. From pista, chocolate, kesar, pineapple, mango, the kulfi counter has every flavour for you.
Although the idea of a night food street was proposed in 2007 by a former mayor of Chandigarh, it took almost two years for the municipal corporation here to put it into shape. The proposal of night food streets was mooted in last year's budget estimates of the corporation, Chandigarh, but somehow the proposal could not take off. This year, with the total budget of over Rs.1.5 million, the food street has been completed.
With this, the dreams of people of the city came true as now they can choose from Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies that the food street has to offer, said Eklavya Gupta, a food lover.
“It’s a government initiative, and a very good concept. Earlier, people were facing problems in getting food at night. We have people coming from PGIMER and students from Panjab University, who study till late in the night”, he added.
Eight food kiosks have been leased out, with monthly rentals varying from Rs 6,500 to Rs 31,000.
We have good facilities to offer. The tourists and visitors, coming to Chandigarh were also facing similar problem of not finding good food at night. We try our best to serve quality food to customers," said Rohit Gaba one outlet owner at Night Food Street.
With such an option around, the city dwellers and visitors can easily tickle the mouth watering tandoori delights including Tandoori chicken and kebabs, and evergreen south Indian food like Dosas and Idlis, as the food street has everything under one roof, which too at a reasonable rates.
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