Street Food of the world @ Raj Pavilion, ITC Windsor, Bangalore

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Street food is possibly one of the most loved and comforting form of food. Be it India, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Spain, Morocco, London, NYC or any city or country of the world; street food is the most dynamic, democratic, soul satisfying and an exciting expression of the food culture.

To experience it in a five star setting may not sound as interesting if you consider the spread to be only Indian. However, it gets totally worthwhile when you have hot selling items from various parts of the globe. To give you an idea - how about Spanish Paella, Malaysian Ice Kachang, Nasi Goreng of Indonesia, Roti Jala with chicken and prawn curry and a lot more that comes up on the buffet menu on a rotation basis!

The evening I dined, the street food section of the expansive buffet spread comprised of Mexican and Malaysian delicacies. We started with live Mexican station from where was dished out nachos with the lovely multi-layer dip which comprised of lamb, chicken, beans, salsa, sour cream, guacamole and cheese. For the vegetarians, the dip came layered excluding any meats. From the Mexican koisk, the vendor also dished out other classics like tacos and burrito which were hearty and filling. To be able to experience more, we sampled some of these and moved on to the other side of Greenwich Meridian.

On the other side of Greenwich Meridian was a Malaysian street vendor who served up the famous Roti Jala with Malaysian chicken curry and a tangy and spicy sambal prawn dish. I could have easily made a complete meal of this combination in itself. I absolutely loved the prominent flavor of the coconut milk used in the chicken curry and the tang of the tomato and the flavor of Malaysian spices that made up the prawn dish. Of the two curries, I enjoyed eating the roti jala soaked in the chicken curry and enjoyed the prawn dish all by itself.

The vegetarians on the table too were having a good time savoring the roti jala with the vegetarian counterparts. Thoughtfully, ITC Windsor has segmented their buffet spread to balance between the street food offerings and the regular features on the buffet which include salads, soups, mains like Chinese, Indian, Continental and more. Over the course of the evening, we also enjoyed some cold cuts, gourmet cheeses, and a little bit of Chinese before moving on to the dessert section which had the colorful and vibrant Malaysian dessert 'Ice Kachang' waiting for us.

In desserts, there was s spread right from Indian to international but for this evening, the star was the the live station preparing the 'Ice Kachang' as known in Penang, Malaysia. This is a dessert made with shaved ice, condensed milk, fresh fruits, jelly, syrups and more. While every Asian country has it's own version; this one is from Penang, Malaysia. 

This special street food introduction is on offer at ITC Windsor's Raj Pavilion for dinner all days of the week until 30th June 2015. The elaborate buffet is priced at Rs. 1800 plus taxes and charges. Head here if you'd like to indulge in a buffet spread that offers the street food classics from around the globe and also offers the elegant and gourmet food options.

Address: ITC Windsor, 25 Windsor Square, Golf Course Road, Near Sankey Road, Bangalore

Phone Number: +91 80 4140 1205

Afghani Afternoons @ The Royal Afghan, ITC Hotels - Windsor, Bangalore

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A lot of things have been happening at #ITCHotels #Windsor, Bangalore. There was a Christmas cake mixing celebration, the super successful Afghani Afternoons at The Royal Afghan and also a new menu introduction at the South Indian specialty restaurant - Dakshin. The cake mixing celebration was a fabulous afternoon with Christmas joy spread in the air as if Christmas were tomorrow. I look forward to trying out the new introductions to the Dakshin menu; but for now, I'm all excited to share my experience of another great afternoon spent at ITC Windsor. They call it 'The Afghani Afternoons'.

A specially curated offer for the discerning diner saw a successful and fabulous response in October which had lead to its extension for the month of November and December. What's in store during 'The Afghani Afternoons'; every Saturday and Sunday is unlimited portions of melt in mouth kababs (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and unlimited beverages which include the lovely Fratelli wine and Kingfisher beer. What better that enjoying all of this by the pool side in this lovely Bangalore weather!

End of November, I rushed to give this promotion a shot for I knew I could eat unlimited portions of my ever favorite Barrah Kabab, succulent chicken malai kabab, lovely chicken sheek, melt in mouth and perfectly spiced lamb sheek; and the list goes on to include a few more kababs from the highly regarded kitchen of The Royal Afghan.

Without saying much, here's me sharing with you a pictorial review of my rendezvous with Afghani food at a specially curated event called 'The Afghani Afternoon'

Mutton Sheek is what I'd naturally prefer but this plate of chicken sheek promised a burst of flavors and what must I say, "It did deliver the promise it showed; in each and every bite." A great start to a lovely Saturday afternoon.

Chicken Sheek Kabab

It was the first time I got my hands on the lamb sheek. It looked sinful and if eating it was a sin, I was all geared to committing it. The sheek was very well flavored with spices that hit the palate with the right notes. The marriage of the spices and the flavor of the meat itself married very well without overpowering the either. 

Lamb Sheek Kabab

Murgh Malai Kabab was down right succulent. It had a very rich texture and flavor coming from heavy cream and hint of coriander being used in its preparation.

Murgh Malai Kabab

Chilled Kingfisher Beer

Lovely Wine to go with the Kababs

My ever favorite is the Barrah kabab. I waited for this deadly plate of meat to arrive. It's Lamb marinated in a mixture of yogurt, various spices, malt vinegar and cooked in red hot embers. A bite into it and I know again that I can make a complete meal of just this one dish.

Barrah Kabab

Now here's the deal - A wonderful afternoon with unlimited kababs and unlimited beer and wine comes at a steal for just Rs. 999 for the vegetarians and Rs. 1499 for non-vegetarians. Taxes and charges extra. With all the delicious kababs served, you will not even see a need for a main course or probably have any space left for deserts.

In my perspective, this is an absolute steal and a food promotion that I highly recommend each one of you to visit while it lasts only till the end of this month. Do note, the Afghani Afternoons are on in ITC Windsor's The Royal Afghan only on Saturday and Sunday for lunch.

Quick Tips:

Go savor unlimited portions of the best North-West Frontier kababs in the company of unlimited wine and beer.

To make reservations please call 080 - 4140 1205

Address: The Royal Afghan, ITC Windsor, 25 Golf Course Road, Bangalore 560052

Phone Number: +91 80 4140 1205

An unforgettable evening with the inimitable Grand Masterchef Imtiaz Qureshi

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This legend strongly believes in his preaching – ‘Dil Se, Dimag Se and Mehnat Se’ and that’s exactly how he dishes out the food from his kitchen. He has singularly been responsible for reviving and gifting us the privilege of savoring the lost ancient cuisine of Dum Pukth. He has a rich history in the form of ancestors who have been Khansama’s or chefs to the nawabs of Lucknow. 

He has cooked for eminent personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai, Indira Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam and the list goes on.. He has also been responsible for leaving Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth in absolute love for Indian Kababs and food. An 85 year old legendary chef who Gordon Ramsay wishes lived in UK to change the perspective of Indian cuisine in all of United Kingdom. Gordon has been his humble student and has learnt the art of making a delicious Goat Biryani.   To no surprise, this man has an even interesting life history that he is ever willing to share. 

The numerous Indian restaurants that you dine at across ITC Hotel properties are a creation of this very man; the most famous being ‘Dum Pukth’. A man who has a reason and an inspiration behind each ingredient he uses or a recipe he creates; holds the same enthusiasm, eagerness and willingness to innovate and perfect in his cuisine. Books can be written about him yet words may not be enough to do full justice in introducing and describing this legend. Yes, I’m writing about none other than Grand Masterchef Imtiaz Qureshi.

August 9th, 2014 is a date I will remember forever. On this day, I got an opportunity to dine with this legend at the very restaurant ‘Dum Pukth Jolly Nabobs’ at ITC Windsor, Bangalore. Here, I not only got to savor the food he is famous for but also to interact with him and hear stories of his life and experiences for the rest of the evening. One thing I know for sure, while other Prime Minister’s have dined on the table of Chef Imtiaz Qureshi before me, “I have dined on his table before our current PM Sri Narendra Modiji.” ;) 

Again words cannot speak enough and his food is best experienced firsthand. My idea of sharing this post with you is to tempt and urge you to not miss this opportunity of dining at the table of the legendary Chef Imtiaz Qureshi. In Bangalore till 17th August at Dum Pukth Jolly Nabobs, ITC Windsor; here’s what you will get to indulge in – 

(Disclaimer: No words or image can do any justice to the food served on this table)

Badam Ki Galouti (Vegetarian) - A dish that has full potential to deceive the best of non-vegetarian. Even a hardcore non-vegetarian must eat this dish.

Murgh Zaffrani - Tender, succulent, simple ingredients and preparation with saffron and elaichi heading the fragrance and taste department.

Jhinga Qureshi - Succulent jumbo prawns stuffed with feta cheese and spinach; wrapped in a pastry casing. 

Raan-E-Huzoor - An exquisite preparation and marriage of Indian spices and dates with fall of bone tender meat of a whole leg of lamb. I can eat this dish each and everyday of my life with Sheermal.

Paneer Kundan Qaliya - In vegetarian, I love a dish that contains paneer and this one was very light bodied and went perfectly with Indian bread.

Anjeeri Aloo - Anjeer sandwiched slices of aloo in  a rich gravy packed with flavor. 

A dish that I do not have the photograph of but I absolutely loved was a 'crab meat dumpling in a methi (Fenugreek)  flavored gravy. The gravy was silken smooth, exuded the wonderful flavor of methi yet paired very well with the crab dumpling which equally exuded freshness and sweetness of the crab. I had it all by itself such was its flavor. 

We also had biryani on our table. This was quite innovative and different but really rich in flavor. Served stuffed in a whole chicken skin, it was great to be eaten standalone but Chef Imtiaz insisted on pairing it with an unusual but a fabulous preparation of ajwaini aloo. Trust me the flavors are inimitable. 

Though no space for dessert, I couldn't resist but ask for Begum's Pudding a signature dessert at Dum Pukth Jolly Nabobs.

I will just sign off with a reminder - 

The event on till 17th at Dum Pukth Jolly Nabobs - ITC Windsor is aptly called 'Inimitable Imtiaz'. In all true sense, this legend is inimitable and so is his cuisine and flavors. An event that cannot be missed is on for dinner with just 5 more days. 

Words cannot speak enough and his food is best experienced firsthand. Don't think twice, reschedule your calender and fit this dinner in....

Address: ITC Windsor, 25 Windsor Square, Golf Course Road, Near Sankey Road, Bangalore

Phone Number: +91 80 2226 9898