Review: Hazzel Ice Cream Cafe

I have become an ice - cream person because I love chocolates. With my flat mate and her bro, I got a chance to visit Hazzel Ice Cream Cafe in HI-Tech city last month. It was late and we were returning from Heart Cup Cafe and wanted to have something sweet. 

The cafe is a decently done place like usual ice - cream parlous or cafes; however, the service was unusually bad and slow.

The menu had a good number of options and great variety in terms of ice - cream flavors, smoothies, hot sips, cold beverages and because it is also a cafe, they had some savories, tea and coffee too. 

Going with my favorite flavor Chocolate, I ordered Ferrero Indulgence and anticipated a good dessert. After a wait of 5-10 minutes, I had my order placed in front of me which did not look very appealing. However, since it was chocolate, I was still hopeful for a good taste. 

Ferror Indulgence is plated on a tiny sizzler plate with layers of chocolate brownie, butter scotch crunched and hazelnut all drenched in sizzling hot chocolate sauce topped with a Ferrero Rocher. Presentation of the dessert looks confusing with too many things happening and the taste is nothing great. By the end of it, it becomes a task to finish the portion. 

My experience was not great but I don't mind going again to try something new. 

Ratings:
Desserts: 1/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Service: 2/5
Value for Money: No

Review: Quiznos

Went to Quiznos last evening with my friends as part of Foodies Meet Hyderabad. After a long heavy brunch and no lunch day, I landed at this eatry hungry. I would not review or rate this place for service, as they run on self - service format.

The menu has good enough options that includes salads, soups, savories, pizzas, subs, beverages and desserts. 

Again since I was a part of a bigger group and we had a list of fixed options to choose from so I went with BBQ Chicken Pizza, their famous Chipotel Chicken Sub, Kababs and a Soft Drink. 

My 2 cents here: If you have ordered for a Pizza or a Sub, make sure you stand at the counter and ask for your favorite sauces and check the quantity they use. You can also make a choice of bread. Just this 2 minute of effort can make a big different to your pizza and sub. I actually observed this difference as many of my fellow foodies placed their respective orders and waited for their food to come. Most of them were disappointed with pizzas and some with subs. However, I savored my sub and the pizza both. 

The BBQ chicken pizza was nice and cheezy from the top and crunchy from the base as it was thin crust. I particularly liked the simplicity of presentation and taste of the pizza. Not spicy, not bland, just a perfect mix of tomato sauce, cheeze, BBQ chicken chunks, onions and capsicum. 

I loved my Chipotel Chicken Sub and would recommend this if you are a non-vegetarian. This one is their famous sub. For those who don't know about Chipotel, it is originated from the word 'Chilpotel' meaning Smoked Chilli Pepper which is usually Smoked Dried Jalapeno. To get a perfect sub of my liking, I ensured standing at the counter and choose my favorite combination of sauces and veggies. I opted for all the sauces, excluding tandoori sauce with some extra quantity of Chipotel, South West and Alfredo sauce. Finally what came on my table was a delicious sub that was perfectly toasted and crunchy on the top and 'yummiliciously' saucy, spicy and 'chicken-y' from inside. I loved it and will visit them more for this one. 

Kebabs were nothing unusual. Rather I found them to be usual seekh kababs that were dry from inside. However, they were served on a salad dressing of capsicum and onion with a tinge of mint sauce. Would not recommend this one. 

The menu also has options of value meals and combos. Over-all pricing is reasonable and it offers you decent place to grab a quick bite. For me Quiznos is a different category of subs and I would not compare it with Subway. Both have their good's and bad's and I for a reason have come to like both. 

Thumb's Up for Quiznos. I shall be attacking them soon for my chipotel sub :P

Rating:
Ambiance: 3/5
Service: I would not rate this place for service as they run on self - service format. 
Food: 3/5
Value for Money: Yes

Breakfast dish - Poha

A quick and common breakfast in Indian households is Poha or Flattened Rice. Usually prepared in 20-25 minutes, this dish is wholesome and light and serves as a good breakfast option. 

Below mentioned quantities are good to serve 2-3 people. 

Ingredients:

Poha - 2 medium bowls (washed)
Onion large - 1 (diced)
Tomato large - 1 (diced)
Potato medium - 1 (cut into thin small cubes)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tbspn
Red Chilli powder - 2/3 tbspn
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tbspn
Peanuts - a handful
Garam masala - a pinch
Sugar - a pinch or two
Salt to taste 
Coriander leaves for garnish  
Cooking oil
Lemon (optional)

Recipe:

• Take washed poha in a big bowl and add salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala to it and give it a good mix. Keep aside. 
• Into a pan, heat the cooking oil, throw in the potato cubes, cover the lid and let them cook. 
• Once the potatoes are done, add peanuts and saute until they turn fried red. Now add onions and saute until they turn pale pink. Add in the tomatoes and sugar at this point and again cover the lid for 2 mins and let the tomatoes become soft.
• Once the tomatoes are soft, add in the poha and fresh coriander and mix it well for 2-3 minutes. This will let the powdered spices cook and then put the flame off.  
• You can add some lemon to this in the end if you like it tangy. 

Your poha is ready to be served hot. Poha prepared following this recipe does not comes out sticky, looks colorful and can be prepared in less oil. 

Hope you will like it!!

Happy Eating :)

Mango Rice

So finally the mango season is here and people are enjoying the 'Kind of Fruits' in its various forms - aamras, panna and eating on sweet aromatic mangoes.

Raw mango is an equal delight and not just used in pickles but can also be used to prepare some interesting rice dishes. One of my quick favorites is 'Mango Rice'. It is a tasty, easy and quick recipe. 

Here you go.. 

Ingredients:

Raw mango large - 1 peeled and grated 
Plain rice - cooked and cooled (quantity enough for 2 -3 people)
Ghee- 3 tbspn
Salt to taste 
Mustard seeds - 1.5 tbspn
Whole dry red chilies - 2-3 broken into halves 
Chilli flakes - 1.5 tbspn
Onion large - 1 diced 
Peanuts - handful 
Turmeric powder - 1.5 tbspn
Red chilli powder (kashmiri laal mirch) - 1.5 tbspn
Fresh coriander leaves- chopped 
Sugar - a pinch or two 

Recipe:

• Steam boil the rice. Drain off excess water and keep them aside until cool. 
• Heat ghee in a pan and add peanuts to it. Saute until almost red and fried. 
• Throw in the mustard seeds and whole dry red chillies and cook until splutter and then add in diced onion to this. 
• Let the onions turn pale pink and add in turmetic powder, red chilli powder, salt to taste, chilli flakes and let the spices cook for a minute or two. 
• Now add in grated raw mango to this, give it a good mix and cover the lid and let this cook on a low flame for good 2-3 minutes. 
• Remove the lid and check if the smell of raw turmeric persists. In case if it is still there, cook it for another 2-3 minutes. Once the smell is gone, add the rice to this. Give it a nice mix and put the flame off. Taste the rice at this point. If it is too tangy for you, you may like to add in a pinch or two of sugar to it. This will give the dish an amazing balance.  
• Add in chopped coriander to your dish and it is ready to be served.    

Take more raw mangoes as you make rice in more quantity. 

This is one of my fav. quick rice recipes. Hope you will like it too!!

Happy Eating :)

Review- Biryani at Shadab Chaar Minar Hyderabad

I have been to Shadab Hotel during Ramzan and have been waiting to visit them again. My ratings and review for this place purely goes for its food and taste as this is one of those eat outs where you go only for taste not to enjoy a great ambiance. 

The menu has a variety of items listed with reasonable prices considering the portions they serve. In every visit, I have only had the opportunity to taste their chicken and mutton biryani. 

One portion comes in a big plate with big country chicken/ mutton pieces and this quantity is good enough for two. The biryani is absolutely aromatic and flavorful. The taste of ghee mixes all the flavors well and it leaves you mesmerized and wanting to have more. 

Fortunately I will be going there soon next weekend with my fellow foodie friends. I will always keep going back to Shadab for its biryani.

You guys are doing a great job!!

Cheers!!

Ratings-
Food:4/5
Service:4/5 (quick and prompt cannot expect hospitality at such places)
Ambiance: 1/5 (not a place for ambiance but a great place for some great food)
Value for Money: Absolutely yes

Review- Paradise Biryani Masab Tank

Paradise at Masab Tank has always been a delectable savior for my biryani cravings. This is one place where I can enjoy a vegetarian biryani as much as I relish the non - vegetarian version. One normal home delivery pack is good enough to serve 3 and comes with Raita, salad and a salan which is a yellow curry. 

Biryani from Paradise has always been fresh and I have had no complaints as far as the taste is concerned. With the number of customers pouring in throughout the day, they are surely never gonna save on any left overs by end of the day so that removes my doubt of being served stale food. 

The Biryani is a delight for those who have an old affair with this delicacy. Basmati rice cooked on low fame with aromatic spices topped with vegetables / chicken/ mutton gravy is a treat to your senses. One portion of chicken biryani comes for Rs. 140 + taxes. 

If you are travelling between cities, you may like to carry the biryani for your loved ones, they have a special packaging for those travelling by flight. The food stays safe and Hyderabadi flavors can be enjoyed even 1000 miles away from the city of Nawabs. 

Ratings-
Food:3/5
Service:3/5
Value for Money: yes

Review - Benjarong Ulsoor Road Bangalore

Thai cuisine has been one of my favorite international cuisine and I have had a wonderful opportunity of enjoying the great flavors of Thailand in Bangalore at 'Benjarong' located at Ulsoor Road Bangalore. 

What played in my favor was the 5 minute distance of this restaurant from my office. As obvious, this was the most visited restaurant during my lunch hours all the more because they served a 3-course set menu at Rs. 700/- per person which is reasonable once or twice a month.  

The restaurant has a great ambiance and the moment you enter, you would see a beautiful smiling lady stylishly sitting on a sofa right in front of the entrance, doing some interesting carving on watermelon, carrots, etc..

As you proceed, take up a comfortable corner and settle down, you are served a very interesting complementary dish called 'Miang Kham'. 

Miang Kham

Miang Kham means variety of things in a single bite. This dish comprises of a number of condiments like shallots, roasted sliced coconut, chopped bird's eye chili, chunks of ginger, roasted peanuts, Imli chutney, and chunks of lime along with lettuce leaves. All the condiments are to be placed on one lettuce leaf in appropriate quantity and is to be rolled up like a pan. One word of caution is about the bird's eye chillies and you might want to add just one to your bite. As you proceed making more for yourself, you will find that perfect quantity of everything to suit your taste. I can bet you won't go back without ordering another plate too :)

To save time and money and eat variety, we always ordered the set menu which comprised of the following:

Fresh ginger and lime ale - extremely fresh and cold. I always order 2-3 glasses of this 

Starters:

Hed Yang- This is a delicious marinated and grilled mushroom skewer starter which is served with raw papaya salad mixed with peanuts. I personally love the chunks and taste of peanuts in Thai food. 

Tom Yum Phak - this a typical clear Thai soup with a mix of Thai food basics i.e. Galangal, lemon grass and bird's eye chillies. The soup has a distinctive lemony flavor with a sour tanginess of galangal and bird's eye chillies. 

Main Course - 

Kaeng Ped Phak - This is a mild spicy Thai red curry with vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, baby corn etc. The curry too has a tinge of lemony aroma due to lemon grass but is not too spicy and has a creamy texture. 

Khao Phad Phak - This is my favorite fried rice - Thai fried rice with vegetables tossed in garlic and tomato sauce. 

Desserts:

Date Pan Cake with Vanilla Ice - cream - This is probably by far one of the best desserts I have had so far. A triangular date pancake stylishly topped with a scoop of ice cream is way too tasty and delicious and is beyond any admiration and recommendation. 

If you miss out on this, you have missed out on a great deal of heavenly-ness :) :)

Coming to Hyderabad, Benjarong is one place I have been craving for. Wish I could have more of it!!

Ratings- 

Food:4/5

Ambiance:3/5

Service: 4/5

Value for Money: Yes

Review - 100 FT @100 FT Indiranagar Bangalore

One of my all time favorite restaurant in Bangalore is 100FT at Indiranagar 100 FT. Two most important things that keep me coming back to this restaurant are its ambiance and the restaurant manager Mr. Om Prakash. 

Of-course food taste and quality holds equal significance while deciding on a place, and this one wins away the brownie points. I would specially like to mention and recommend having 'Paella' here. Paella is a Spanish delicacy and Spain's national dish. I have always had their Non-veg Paella but even the vegetarian version is good. 

Paella is a dish made of rice, aromatic herbs and mix of chicken, prawns, lamb and fish cooked on a low flame over hours before it titillates your taste buds. The dish by its looks seems Asian however, tastes absolutely different and delicious. 

You might also like to try Crostini and Bruschetta platter as starters. Both have always been extremely crunchy and fresh. I have personally liked to have fresh lime and ginger ale with this food. 

The above mentioned dishes have been my constant order at 100 FT; however, I have heard equally good reviews about the other vegetarian and non - vegetarian preparations of Pizzas and Pastas. 

If you like to enjoy a nice evening with your loved ones and friends in a good ambiance, great music and cold breeze, I would recommend taking a table on the roof top towards the road. I have had some great memories of evenings spent chit chatting and gorging on food at 100 FT.

Hope you will make some too!!

Ratings:
Food: 4/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Service:4/5
Value for Money: Hell YA!!

Sabudana Khichdi

From my hostel days in Delhi, I have relished one breakfast dish like none other - Sabudana  Khichdi. This is a recipe that I had learnt from my then hostel room mate and now a darling friend 'Somi'. 

It's a simple preparation with not much ingredients and takes very less preparation time. The ingredients mentioned below are good to serve 3. 

Ingredients:

Sabudana- 3 cups (soaked in water just enough to cover sabudana. Soak for an hour)
Potato large - 1 (peeled and cut into small pieces)
Peanuts - 2 cups (fried and crushed coarsely)
Green chillies- 2 chopped
Salt to taste
Cumin seeds - 1 tbspn
Ghee/ clarified butter - 3-4 tbspn

Recipe:

• Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds to it. 
• Once the seeds splutter, add chopped green chillies to it and saute for a minute.
• Now add finely chopped potatoes to this, add salt to taste, cover the lid and let the potatoes cook.
• Once the potatoes are done, add sabudana and coarsely ground peanuts and let it cook until sabudana turns transparent. Keep mixing it well so that sabudana does not stick to the pan. 

Your sabudna khichdi will be ready in no time. It is a delectable breakfast and is my favorite.

Hope you will like it too!! 

Review- Truffles

Having a personal liking for English breakfast, I finally made it to Truffles located at Jubilee Hills. Since I have had an opportunity to taste and explore some great English breakfast joints in Bangalore, I had a tough time swallowing down the breakfast at Truffles.

A typical English breakfast includes the following as a mandate - Eggs made to your choice, baked beans, hash browns, tossed tomatoes and mushrooms, bacon and sausages, toast, fresh juice/ tea or coffee.

However, at Truffles, an 'All English breakfast' offers eggs of your choice, hash brown, toast and tossed tomatoes and mushrooms. Rest of the items have to be ordered separately which I think is unreasonable considering 'All English Breakfast' format.

The Spanish omelette was a big disappointment as it was unbearably thick and consisted of a full layer of half boiled potatoes stuffing along with almost raw bacon. Sausages were another turn off as I did not like the flavor they served. In restaurants, it is always better to serve plain sausages considering different taste buds so I was surprised that they serve such sausages without even letting the customers know.

Another thing I would like to mention is the bread they serve. The slices seem to be extremely small and way too thick again and it becomes difficult to make it into a toast.

I did not like the English breakfast they serve but I would like to mention that I like the decor as it is simple and tastefully done. The artifacts and paintings go well with the theme. I hope they make the food go well with the theme too.

And yes, they shall be serving beer soon!!

Ratings-
Food: 2/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Service:3/5
Value for money: Nope

Review: Ruci & Idoni

After a long wait, I landed at Ruci & Idoni with my family and friends with great expectations. The ambiance looked promising even on a hot sunny afternoon. Ad mist some great friends and a family that enjoys food, we started on a good note. Since me and my family was a part of a bigger group, we had a pre-decided fixed menu with the restaurant and started with fresh lemonade to quench our thrust. Lemonade was not a great deal and we quickly moved on to the soup and starters. 

Both veg and non-veg soups had a spinach base with the difference of veggies and chicken chunks. For starters we had Spinach Ricotta Croquettes that was delectable and Chicken Bruchette which was a total turn off while the soup was light and good. 

We anticipated a great meal but we were in for a shock. While we were still savoring the soup and starters, they served our entire main course within seconds which included pastas and pizzas and within no time our table was full while we had just started. 

This had put me off completely and I had to ask them to take the entire order back as it would get cold (wonder the restaurant team do not have the capacity to think something as basic as that). So I gathered myself back from one horror only to get into another.

The next dish after the soup were Margarita and Smoked Chicken Pizzas. While Margarita was another usual thin crust pizza, Smoked Chicken Pizza left me confused. I wondered if this restaurant takes its customers to be less informed about food and thus can take them for a ride. Smoked chicken pizza looked famished with almost no chicken and 1 slice of sun dried tomato as dressing. One bite into it and I was about to throw up as there were more than 15-20 whole green pepper corns as filling. 

After pushing the pizza aside we moved to Spaghetti Alfredo and Fettuccini with Grilled Chicken. Having served with the dishes so far, I had noticed that the Chef needs to have an eye for what he is serving on the plates. Every dish that came out of the kitchen looked unattended and unappetizing and pastas were no exception. What was in front of us was a cold pasta settled in a bored sauce. Spaghetti Alfredo was a creamy base pasta which lacked flavor. Only taste was the cold creaminess and Grilled Chicken was again a turn off and tasted like pasta tossed in bad tomato sauce with some efforts put in by oregano and basil. 

After pushing the entire main course aside, I finally looked forward to having a good Mango Cheese Cake at least. I am a  great fan of Cheese Cakes and disaster to the recipe is a personal offence. What came in front of my eyes was a disaster shabbily served on a plate with some brown sugar sprinkled as a favor. By the looks of it I was sure of the unpleasant taste, but I went ahead to take the chance and I was right. The dish did not taste like a dessert at all. It lacked the texture, look and taste of a Cheese Cake. 

I would also like to mention the poor service that I witnessed at the restaurant with waiters  rushing across tables, serving wrong orders, flooding plates on the tables etc. 

I had a very bad experience at Ruci & Idoni. Neither I am going back to them ever again nor would I suggest this place to any of my friends.     

Ratings:
Food - 1/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Service - 1/5
Value for money - are you kidding me!!!!