Quick Bytes : OktoberFest at Feast, Sheraton

One of the most popular German festivals, Oktoberfest is celebrated from late September through early October every year. Filled with fun and frolic, it has been made famous by the gallons of beer flowing in throughout the 16 day period. And where there is beer, there has got to be food !! The cuisine of Germany represents its love for meat, right from the sausages to the roulades and the stews. Invited for the fest at Sheraton, Bangalore, I got a taste of the same in one meaty evening.

Roast Beef at Feast, Sheraton

Underdoggs Sports Bar and Grill: Wings Of Fire

In a city filled with the young working people, the presence of bars, breweries and pubs are quite the necessity to maintain work-life balance and relieve some stress. In Bangalore, there is no shortage of such options and posing as Underdoggs <pun intended> in the already long list of pubs, the famed Sports Bar from Delhi NCR has finally made its way down south and has recently opened up in JP Nagar.

Radisson Blu at Banjara Hills celebrates Goan Cuisine

A few days back a friend was discussing Indian regional cuisines available in Hyderabad. He mentioned that he was surprised that there were no Goan restaurants here, despite the fact that many Hyderabadis love to frequently travel to Goa and enjoy vindaloo, bebinca and xaccutti. The discussion set the craving in me to revisit Goan cuisine and soon after I was extremely happy to see Radisson Blu Hotel at Banjara Hills organizing a Goan Food Festival at their Chill Restaurant and Terrace.

Invited to preview the food festival, I was pleased to meet Chef Leon Dexter from Radisson Goa, who has specifically come down to Hyderabad to organize this festival. Chef Leon explained that he has crafted the menu in this festival in such a way that the dishes represent all three influences on Goan cuisine – the Hindu, Catholic as well as Portuguese. Also, he has chosen some special dishes which are not usually showcased in festivals but represent the food from Goa’s homes. The spices have been brought from Goa, and they are freshly prepared for each dish.

Squids and Chicken Peri Peri

Quick Bytes: VIPTable and the Curated Set Menu at Via Milano

Over the last few months many startups related to food are making their presence felt. There are some that facilitate restaurant reviews or deliver food, while others organize themed foodie meets or present home chefs to the world. VIPTable.in operates in a different area – it ties up with restaurants so that you can book tables at your favourite place and avoid the disappointment of being turned away on a special day, or even on a regular weekend. If you want to visit a busy restaurant for a quick lunch, VIPTable may be your answer too. Not only can you book online, you also have a nice app from them for your smart phone.

Whisky Sour

Times Passion Trails: The Royal Maratha Cuisine of Madhya Pradesh

In the eighteenth century Maratha chieftains under the Peshwas took control of most areas of Madhya Pradesh, and over a period of time established their own kingdoms. Prominent among the Maratha kings in this region were the Holkars who ruled the Indore region, Scindias of Gwalior and the Puar Parmars of Dhara. The cuisines of many of these royal families have evoked interest in last few decades, and the food lovers have especially been exposed to them from an engrossing book written by Maharaja Digvijay Singhji of Sailana.

Dinner Table at Ahilya Fort and Palace

Quick Bytes : The New Rasta Cafe

Rasta Cafe, one of the vibrant destinations on Mysore Road, is a popular stopover and is thronged by the masses throughout the week. Fully packed even at night, it became popular during the ban of hookahs in Bangalore (being outside city limits) and has grown many fold since then.

Rasta Season 2 Episode 1

A Journey Through Venice at Prego

Prego, the Italian restaurant at the Westin Hyderabad is universally acclaimed to be one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. The fine dine place serves the choicest delicacies from the cuisine and boasts of a sumptuous Sunday brunch. For the diehard fans of the Italian cuisine, Prego is hosting Foods of Venice, a festival showcasing culinary delights from the Venice region of Italy. Invited for a preview of the festival, we were extremely interested in trying out the specialties on offer.

Sarde In Sour

Mangalorean Food Festival at Dakshin, ITC Kakatiya

Dakshin, the South Indian restaurant of ITC Kakatiya is known for its delectable South Indian fare. Apart from offering delicacies from the states of South India, the restaurant also organizes food festivals showcasing the cuisine from a particular region. In September, a Mangalorean Food Festival is on here, offering the flavours of this region of coastal Karnataka.

Dakshin

The New Menu at Le Café, Novotel

During my numerous visits to Novotel Hotel in Hitech City, I had noticed the small café in the corridor towards the left of the reception area. However, I never got an opportunity to try out the goodies there. Recently the hotel invited me for a preview of the new menu at Le Café, and I had a first hand feel of the delicacies offered there.

Le Cafe

Times Passion Trails: Royal Cuisine of Bhopal and the Palace Dinner

Food enthusiasts in India are very familiar with the Royal Awadhi or Hyderabadi cuisines. However not much is heard of the cuisine of the Royals of Bhopal, which was a large state under Nawabi rule. I had heard from a few friends earlier that the Nawabi cuisine of Bhopal was indeed very unique and had a strong influence of the Afghani rulers who ruled here from the 16th century.

The Banquet