Bangalore Iyengar’s Bakery

Posted on May 6, 2015 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

shop front

This bakery opened up across Sassoon docks, Colaba yesterday. I think I was one of the first few people to buy. I’ve been really waiting to try their goodies as I heard they were a pure eggless – vegetarian bakery.

So, yesterday, I picked up their pineapple-jam swiss roll and a chocolate swiss roll. Each is for Rs.25. Five of us dug into these and the unanimous verdict was that the pineapple-jam was the topper.

pineapple-jam swiss roll

chocolate swiss roll

Next I picked up biscuits – in 200gms I got 2 each of chocolate chip, chocolate paste, almond and cashew biscuits. All biscuits are priced at Rs. 400 a kg.

Loved the almond and cashew ones. Chocolate chips is as good as any other bakery. The chocolate paste is decent.

biscuits

As it was their opening, amongst other things, I got to try the plain cake – it was yummm. Soft and melt in the mouth. Cakes were still be come onto the shelves as well as more of their goodies. They said by afternoon they would be completely stocked up.

I yet have to try so many of their items. I will definitely go back for many more treats. It’s a great place to eat non-eggy sweets and savouries. At reasonable cost.

Aqaba

Posted on April 19, 2015 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

Yesterday – Saturday 18^th April 2015 – was a great day, with my lunch and dinner out. 2 meals at 2 great restaurants.

Thanks to Restaurant Week India, I had an amazing meal at Aqaba. This restaurant opened shop about 6 months ago.

Aqaba is on the fifth level of the Peninsula Business Park Club building. It’s a spacious laid out restaurant that looks out into a lawn, giving the feeling that one is one the ground floor, having a meal across the lawn. My hubby works across the road, in the opposite building and didn’t even know it existed! After the meal, he has avowed to come back here not just singularly but bring in his clients here as well for a meal! Or, if he needs a sweet-tooth break – he just gonna run across to Aqaba and devour their signature dessert – Baked Philadelphia Cheesecake.

The meal was a 4 course one. As appetizers we ordered the Watermelon and Feta salad and an Ash e Jow soup. The soup is a Persian delicacy with lamb, chickpeas, barley and preserved lime. OMG – we’ve never had something like this soup before. It’s so well flavoured and spiced just right. The salad was perfect too, with just the right amount of everything. With each bite we could feel the cold freshness of the fruit and greens.

Watermelon n Feta salad

Ash e Jow soup

Next we could each choose 2 starters. I choose the Tabbouleh and the Babaganoush. These came served with some cucumber dip and 5-6 pieces of lavash. The Tabbouleh was just amazing – I could actually taste the freshly chopped parsley in my mouth. The Lamb Kibbeh was 3 portions of lamb kebabs with pine nuts, garlic and bulgur wheat – nice. The Samakmeswi was amazing. It’s a dish to order again and again. It came as a portion of 4 fish kebabs grilled to perfection,

served with a lip-smacking butter-garlic sauce. All these starters were served in smaller portions when compared to what would be served if ordered a-la-carte.

Babaganoush Tabbouleh and Lamb Kibbeh

Samakmeswi

By now, we were already quite full in the stomach. After all this we still had the mains and desserts to eat. Whoa.

Mains – I ordered my favourite – pasta in basil and pine nut pesto. Hubby ordered a Lamb Gyro. The lamb dish was a roasted lamb placed in a rolled up pita, flavoured with tomatoes, hummus and spices. The portion of my tube-spaghetti was just right. Taste – just the way I like it. The lamb was rated 8 on 10 by my hubby. They served it with a good portion of French fries, which I dug into. They are one of the best fries I’ve eaten. The fries are really well spiced and served hot.

Bucatini al Pesto

Lamb Gyro

By now we are full, but I always have stomach for desserts. So giving into my constant desire for all things chocolate – I ordered the Caramel and Bitter chocolate Praline mousse. Big Mistake. BAKED PHILADELPHIA CHEESECAKE. The only dessert to be ordered. We paid an extra Rs. 200 for the cheesecake and it was worth it. Its awesome – no other words to describe it. I am an absolute chocolate dessert enthusiast but this time, after tasting my hubby’s cheesecake, I only wanted that. The mousse is good – a regular well-made fare.

Caramel n Bitter Chocolate Praline Mousse

Baked Philadelphia Cheesecake

Thanks to RWI I just paid Rs. 2,770 for all the above. It is a meal that will remembered for a long time.

Pizza By The Bay – Buffet lunch

Posted on March 19, 2015 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

I’ve always loved having a soup, salad and sandwich meal. I’ve also always loved the PBTB (Pizza by the Bay) food. However, with so many new restaurants opening up, I hadn’t been to PBTB for a buffet for many years. Finally when there recently with family.

The restaurant has been recently re-decorated. Its done-up very tastefully. They now have tall glass windows that look out towards the sea. We managed to get a round table near the windows. Its was a wonderful meal – food, ambiance and the company. We spent a leisure almost 2 hours over the buffet. Of course, as usual, after an absolutely satiating meal, went home and slept.

The buffet is a soup, salads, sandwiches and desserts menu. There is a veg and non-vegetarian soup, served on the table with a basket of soft breads and crunchy sticks. The vegetarian minestrone soup as well as chicken soup were amazing.

The salads spread was outstanding. They had almost over 20 vegetarian salads, of which about 5-6 of them were without onion and garlic. For the non-vegetarians too, there were no less than 10 salads – I’m sure of it. All the salads were well flavoured and one could easily go for seconds. However, since the salads are so many and I wanted to try all, or as many as I could, I really couldn’t go back for seconds (I yet had to have the sandwiches and desserts)! The only drawback that I found in the salads was that though they were all well flavoured, there just one or two salads that were not dry-ish (like a mayo based salad). However, its easily forgotten when the spread is so good.

veg salad spread

veg salad spread pic

more veg salads

non veg salad spread

non veg salad spread pic

There are about 10 listed sandwiches. We ordered the chili cheese, Mediterranean and beef sandwiches between 5 of us. The chili cheese sandwich was the best, the other two coming a close second.

chili cheese toast

Mediterranean sandwich

Beef sandwich

Finally the desserts. Very good, especially when we came to know they were eggless! Most of the desserts were great, just a couple of them were not very good.

dessert counter

mousse and strawberry n chocolate pastry

Wow. What a meal. At Rs. 800 all inclusive, we were very very happy.Oh. I almost forgot. One of us took the Rs. 1400 buffet which includes the Four Seasons wine – red or white, unlimited. We took red. I strongly recommend this Rs. 1400 buffet as the wine pairs very well the complete buffet menu. This buffet is a must experience.

Holi Lunch – finger foods and Chocolate Mousse

Posted on March 8, 2015 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

Holi the festival of colours is great fun with friends.

This year for Holi, I had friends over for lunch. It was also the day of the Cricket World Cup match – India v/s West Indies. Perfect day to enjoy a holiday. Friends, food and TV

: )

I made finger foods as it goes well while watching television. I started the meal with red wine and fried peanuts. Served a curd dip with carrots n cucumber and wafers.

curd dip with carrot n cucumber sticks and wafers

This was followed by Nachos. I served these with refried beans and cheese.

nachos with refried beans and cheese sauce

Two helpings later, palak (spinach) rolls with cheese stuffing.

spinach rolls stuffed with cheese

Then followed Chicken fry and potato pattice. The chicken fry was a take-away from a restaurant close-by and the pattice were courtesy a friend. I forgot to take pictures of these as I was much to busy eating the pattice.

All this food was enjoyed by India playing very well and seeming to win the match and good conversation.

We then ordered pizzas from Domino’s.

All of us were really satiated but wanting the dessert.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE!

I had only made this once before about 2-3 years ago. I was a bit apprehensive on how it would turn out but I must say – it was perfect. Yippee…

chocolate mousse

It was a great day well spent.. India won the match. Everyone enjoyed the food. I think everyone went home early evening and slept.

Caramel Pudding

Posted on November 10, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

My homemade caramel pudding

Caramel pudding

I’m a chocolate person, but hubby is an absolute vanilla and caramel pudding guy – we cannot be more different when it comes to food! White and brown ; )

He is an absolute caramel pudding enthusiast. I’ve eaten the pudding a few times but was never really inspired enough to make it at home, till recently.

OMG – it turned out fantastic – yay !!! It tastes just like the ones you get outside. If hubby takes three helpings I know I’ve got him hooked-on to my cooking

Diwali food at HOME – Dal Pakwan, Chana Bhatura and Besan Laddoos

Posted on October 29, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

Ah. Diwali and the New Year celebrations are just over but the hangover remains – with lots of mithais, dry fruits and gifts yet to consume! Had a great Diwali. Decorated the house with rangoli, toran and diyas.

For breakfast, we had a Sindhi dish called Dal Pakwan. It is well spiced chana dal served with deep fried maida crispy puris. Its absolutely delicious and sinful at the same time.

dal pakwan

Lunch was Punjabi meal of Chana Bhatura, served with thickly sliced onions and green chilies – an outright deadly combination – we love it!

Chana bhatura

Well, we were unconditionally full, but a day like Diwali cannot be let go without something sweet. So, I made and served besan laddoos.

besan ka laddoos

After such a lunch, we could do nothing more than nap away for an hour. The first half of the meals were so filling that the pani-puri I made for the evening snack had to be eaten the next day. We stuck to a light dinner as the following day was our New Year and we were going visiting to friends and family’s’ houses to wish all a good year ahead.

Tamarind, Fariyas

Posted on October 28, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

Tamarind

I’ve always wanted to go to Fariyas for a meal. Somehow, over time, it never materialized, till recently. Went for dinner – opted for the buffet. Surprise was, that there is live music. Simple, soft and nice.

Started with the soup. It was served on the table. Good Jade Garden soup. This was accompanied by a good basket of assorted fresh n soft breads.

Jade Garden Vegetable Soup with bread basket

After the soup, got myself a plate of salad.

Wow! Yum…If this is the kind of food they serve here, I feel bad; I haven’t visited this place earlier. The salads are amazing. All of them have a distinctively different flavour and seem absolutely fresh.

The beetroot salad was just fantastic – though beetroot, it did not have its stark flavouring. The carrot salad was exciting on the palate. So was the cucumber one. The pasta salad too was great, but it was strongly spiced with garlic.

Salad bar

Next, was the main course. Again, here the spread was amazing, beef, fish, and chicken for the meat lovers.

non veg dishes

another non veg counter

Though we were 5 persons at the table, everyone was vegetarian due to religious reasons. In vegetarian, the Basil tossed potatoes were fantastic.

food counter

The pasta Americana looked very appetising and I took a big bite – Aaaa….What’s this? Cloves??? 2 pieces of cloves in one bite? And it’s not that they were coarsely powered – they were whole. It a serving of say about 5 bites, I found almost 7 cloves and 2 whole peppercorns! What’s happening? See my plate.

my plate

The Chinese was like a regular fare – cannot really go very wrong with Hakka noodles and veg stir fry.

veg Chinese counter

The other main course vegetarian dishes were very average. Actually below average as each of them was heavily spiced with garlic. I like my food well spiced but garlic to be at a minimum. Here, it was the other way round. The main course was thus an absolute downer.

However, I knew from the looks of them, the desserts would be a redeeming factor.

dessert counter

Oh. What a let-down! These looks could really con anyone. From the complete spread only the Gulab Jamuns, Pineapple Panacotta and Orange Mousse were decent.

litchi tart

Orange mousse

Pineapple Panna Cotta

Priced for Rs. 940 (including taxes) for a dinner buffet, I do not recommend this place, atleast for a vegetarian.

Culinary Foods – my 2nd dining experience

Posted on October 16, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

Culinary Foods – again. My second time in 2 months.

I really liked the place, the last time around.

This time round, a lot of disappointments but a few great surprises.

Once seated, we asked for Iced tea because we loved it the last time. Sorry – No ice tea! That put us off. However, we were offered coolers – either Sky or Strawberry. We ordered both.

O Boy – our disappointment was immediately forgotten after a sip of the coolers. Absolutely refreshing. The Sky cooler is with Blue Curacao. It’s a tough choice between the two, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Sky cooler. It’s uplifting as well as light at the same it.

Strawberry cooler n Sky cooler

Our starters too were great. Ordered a Butter Garlic fish and a Shanghai Paneer.

For a paneer starter, the server suggested Hakka but I was keen to try the Shanghai. I was not let down. Infact, it was so much better than what I expected. Hugh chunks of paneer and some veggies in an absolutely flavour-packed thick-ish sauce.

Shanghai Paneer

The fish was good though bland. Would have preferred it with some more flavour, but still hubby said it was good the way it was.

Butter Garlic fish

Then came the downsides – We ordered two continental main courses. As I am not too fond of Chinese cuisine, I came to Culinary Foods for their continental fare. Imagine to my complete dismay, I was told there is no continental fare being served as the chef was not in! Hellooooo……I don’t want Chinese! I would have appreciated it if I was told that when we sat at the table and placed our first order. What to do?

I ordered 2 desserts.

The Apple Crumble Pie was not available! Again something I want was not available. Oh – I felt so bad. Settle for the Dutch Chocolate Truffle and Blueberry Cheesecake.

The Chocolate Truffle was light, melt in the mouth and a thorough delight. The Blueberry Cheesecake was good. Being a chocolate addict, the preference between the two was an easy one.

Dutch Chocolate Truffle

Blueberry Cheesecake

Hubby was not too happy about ordering Chinese. As much as he loves Chinese, his heart too was on the continental fare. So he settled for another Chinese starter – Chicken Drumsticks Chilly Garlic.

The Drumsticks were good, but the whole meal towards the end left us with a bitter taste in our mouth and hearts.

Chicken Drumstick Chilly Garlic

Did I like the food – yes.

Will I dine here again – yes. But I shall call and confirm if complete menu is available before reservation.

Apple Pie

Posted on September 11, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard Reply

I learnt how to make apple pie on Tuesday. A 7″ pie oozing with sweet apple sauce. I made it in the afternoon and by night it was over.

Decided to make it again the next day, yesterday. Another 7″ temptation. Today I have only 2 pieces remaining. Over the past two days, two 7″ apple pies, devoured by 8 people.

my apple pie

a piece of the apple pie

Apple pie served with vanilla ice-cream

Culinary Foods

Posted on September 7, 2014 by reenamansukhani Standard 1

inside the restaurant

Dined here this afternoon for lunch. Thanks to Groupon, had a fantastic meal. Its a small open air restaurant located just opposite Sterling Cinema.

For a meal for two, we started with a Veg Tom Yum soup and a Chicken Manchow soup, both small portions.

The Veg Tom Yum soup was good. Very well flavoured.

Veg Tom Yum soup – small

The Chicken Manchow soup was decent.

Chicken Manchow soup – small

Next ordered Veg Wantons Manchurian style – it takes a few bites to start enjoying it. Its a very interesting combination and taste. I would order it again.

Veg Wantons Manchurian style

Together with the wantons, came the Chili Garlic Beef. Easily this gets a rating of 9 on 10.

Chili Garlic Beef

With so much eating, and wanting to keep an appetite for dessert, we ordered just a Grilled Vegetable Crepes, with Mozzarella cheese. Ah! It was good. Something very different, not eaten something like this before. It was crepes stuffed with veggies dunked in a bed rich with cheese. Pure sin! Served with bread.

Grilled Vegetable Crepes

Ok, to all this, I added a Peach Iced Tea and hubby a Lemon one. Hubby loved his, and I mine. I think the restaurant has perfected the Peach Iced Tea. 7 hours later, now, I still can taste the flavour.

Peach Iced Tea

Lemon Iced Tea

OMG – tummy full, but still had to get to my best part – desserts. Picked Hot Chocolate Mud Pie and Philadelphia Cheesecake.

The Mud Pie, tasted exactly as a gooey chocolate-walnut brownie topped with layer of chocolate ganache would. Pure Sin – again.

Hot Chocolate Mud Pie

The Philadelphia Cheesecake was ok.

Philadelphia Cheesecake

Wasn’t this a lot to eat for two? Oh, we enjoyed the meal. It was great. Would love to go back to the place in a month for round 2.

reenamansukhani

All Things Nice

Category Archives: Desserts