Point of Reflection

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Posts Tagged ‘Restaurant review’

Looking back

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Well first I would like to thank all the good people who remembered this day and sent me their warm thoughts and wishes via Facebook and sms.  All your thoughts and warm wishes really enhanced my day.

It was touching to have your friends remembering you on this day.

Thank You All.

While, many were preparing for the Sunfeast Run, I was looking forward to an evening of guitar glory at Fireflies. The whole event was ethereal. It was breezy and cool when we settled down on the rocky amphitheater.  We had got our rain gear and mats which would tide us through the weather and comfort. So as we were getting high on Amit Heri and Sanjay Divecha’s music, it poured like nobody’s business but we sat through it without moving a muscle except to wear our rain gear and it was somewhat beyond reality. Good music, earthy ambiance and weather too singing its glory.

John Anthony played a 250 year old composition of Thyagarajan.  I was entranced by that. I have a video of one of his pieces.

His vocalist was awesome too.

I also really liked what Amit Heri and Sanjay Divecha had to share. When they played it was like watching two guitars having a melodious conversation.  Please excuse the video quality as this was all captured by my phone. :) It was also by this time when I brought in my birthday.  Nothing better than this. It was raining, no pouring and we sat through it all in our rain gear… just grooving to the tunes..

Derek Julien rocked as usual. It was lively and very peppy. We rocked and rolled to his tune. He brought in his version of verve.

Well, there was more and loads of pieces which I would love to have recorded. Next time, I am going to take my videocam and not use the phone. :)

Birthday Dinner at Graze, Taj Residency

img_01991On this day, I wanted the dinner to be somewhat special and wanted to go to a place I have not been before, try something I have not tried before.  So off we went to Taj Residency. It was raining heavily and well thought that we would stick to something familiar and decided that The Coffee Shop at Taj would be a good deal.  At the hotel, we were recommended Graze, a modern European Restaurant.

img_01811My first impression was subtle class and elegance and yes this is an ideal place to be if you like European food and wine to go along with it. They have a large collection of wine to complement the food. It was quiet and just the atmosphere that I was looking for. Calm and quiet and well private. The service was excellent.

img_01951We ordered, Soft Shell Crabs,  Grilled Prawns, were served with complementary Mushroom delicacy and had some lovely white wine to go with it.  (I dont remember the name of the wine but I know it was full bodied, sweet and a tiny bit bitter). Just perfect for the starters. The bread and the chickpea dip was divine. I would not recommend the tomato dip. I did not like that. I could feast on bread and the chickpea dip.

img_01801Whilst we were waiting for our main course which was Lamb Rack and Sirloin Steak, we were served with a complementary orange sorbet to cleanse our palate. Ummmmmmmmmmm… that was just bliss.

The main course was divine as well.  We had some red wine with it. (Again, I dont remember the name. )

And they were sweet enough to bring me a birthday candle and a cake piece which is what I wanted.  I would also like to thank Rocky for making the evening so special and so serene. Just an ideal way of bringing in the new age. It is pleasure to grow old gracefully.. :)

Short Notes :

Graze
Taj Residency 41/3 MG Rd, Central Bangalore
6660-4444
Average meal for two: Rs 1500

Wine starts from 350/- and above.

A meal for two with starters and with main course, with two glasses of wine will cost you 4000/- plus.

For the wines, unless you are an expert, my tip is to just ask for their recommendation. You will not regret it.

Ideal for friends, family and couples celebrating a special occasion.

So well do check it out if something special is coming your way. It is not fancy but really classy.  Simple but classy is what I would say..

Have a good week ahead..  !!

All that Jazz

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

This weekend was just that..  and it still feels like I want more. Nothing like listening to live Jazz performances.

I am still reeling from the sentiments of the song. Besame Mucho. It was sung by Wanayran Angerer of the Latino Trio group.

Oh so much feeling and so much emotion on this song.  Even when I had not translated the lyrics, the song had a tremendous soul impact on me. That’s how powerful the song is.
I have uploaded Andrea Bocelli’s version which packs quite an impact. I love his voice. Totally divine..

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Quiero tenerte muy cerca
Mirarme en tus ojos
Verte junto a mi
Piensa que tal ves mañana
Yo ya estaré lejos
Muy lejos de ti

Bésame, bésame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Bésame, bésame mucho
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después

English translation:
Kiss Me A Lot

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you again.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you again.

I want to have you very close
To see myself in your eyes,
To see you next to me,
Think that perhaps tomorrow
I already will be far,
very far from you.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
As if tonight was
the last time.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you again.

Kiss me, kiss me a lot,
Because I fear to lose you,
To lose you again.

Because I fear to lose you

It was amazing. I loved hearing Margie Perez. She had the spirit to perk the audience up. I could not find any videos of her.

The Brotherhood having Louis Bank and his troupe just stringing our hearts along with their soulful and vivacious tunes.

We also got to listen to a group called Masala Dosa which involved some music from the laptop and then playing along with that. That does not really go down as a live performance. We get to listen to the same in pubs or discs. So anyway, the rest was all live and all soul.

This could be looked as an aberration from the normal.. maybe to jerk the audience out of their lazy Sunday mood.  Hahahah !! :) It was not fun to see some long red haired dude jumping on the stage or doing a rhythm walk and then playing the sitar in stages. However, I found his sitar playing good.

Then to make a point, I guess he got confused between a rock show and a Jazz festival and did a jump from the stage to the ground of seated audience.  Maybe he thought that he could be caught by the audience like in a rock  show.

Well I will not miss them.

I hear however that Margie Perez will be coming back for a tour. Now I would like to hear more of her.

On a different note :

kayaalWent to this absolutely simple and quaint place to eat the other night.We wanted to eat fish and rice and thought about some quick bite place. Rocks suggested Kaayal.  We have been meaning to go to this place for a while. Typically, it was one of those times where we did not want to spend a huge lot over some fish curry and rice and yet have a sumptuous meal. I was in the mood for some Bengali fish curry though.

Location :

kaayal_map2#1647/1, 2nd Floor, Jeevan Bima Nagar Road

Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038
080 25205578
Home delivery = Yes within 3 km range.
Sodexho coupons accepted.

You would actually miss this place if you do not look for it or if you did not hear about it. Look for the blue logo on the building.  It has excellent Kerela cuisine and very reasonably priced. If you are coming back from work and want to catch a quick wholesome meal, this place just might be right for you.

As soon as you enter the place, you will feel as if you have come to a simple no-fuss place.  And I loved the candles on the table. Simple candle stands but they transformed the place into a quiet area where you could peacefully have your meal.

Food and Pricing

For your planning pleasure, you can view the Menu of this place.

We ordered

  • Aapam- 4
  • Traditional meat curry ( beef curry) – 1 plate
  • Chicken Liver fry – 1 plate
  • Steamed rice- 1 plate
  • Ayila Fish Curry- 1 plate
  • Kari Meen fry – 1 plate
  • Fresh lime – 1
  • Maaza – 1

The above came to 309/- with taxes.

I thought it was a good deal. Service was quick and the attendants were very hospitable. I loved the Aapams which were just right. The beef curry had just the right tinge of spice. The one I had in Allapuzha was tasty but mind bogglingly spicy.

I was happy with Beef curry and Aapam. Rocks was happy with his fish curry and fish fry.

Yes I wished some alcohol would be served to go with the chicken liver fry. But it was ok. :)

Tasty, quick, wholesome and well worth the money that you give.

I would highly recommend this place if you like Kerela cuisine.

Kid Friendly :   Yes.
Ideal for :     A casual dine with partner/spouse or friends, where you dont expect too much.
Favorite Item :     Beef Curry and Aapam for now.

Well thats it for now.. till I byte some more..

Dining at Ugly Duckling

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Well, we thought we would try out a quiet place in Bangalore for our anniversary and Rocks found this nice place call Ugly Duckling courtesy an article written by his colleague in Bangalore Mirror.

Now the name sounded so cute, I was all up for trying this but prayed that I would not get a nasty surprise on a special day.

So here I go :

My review on Ugly Duckling

Location :

5th Floor, Sona Towers, Millers Road
Benson Town, Bangalore, Karnataka 560046
Ph : 080 22375982
Evenings are good to go as you will get good parking space. Else its located at a busy place.
First Impressions
It was a bit difficult to figure out this place. Even though we knew it was 5th Floor, it took me to cofirm from the security to go up. The labels did not have anything written on it.
Once we went in, my first impression was comfort and style blended well.
The ambiance was nice. It was Christmassy and we were the first ones to arrive.
We chose a table and settled ourselves when the head waiter came in to take our order.
We ordered for Hot Dogs and Non Veg Platter to start with thinking that it would be enough for another dish for the main course and we should be done. Either we were very hungry or the food was not enough.
I liked the taste of the dishes but it as not enough for us.
We ordered Sea Food Platter and for main course, we ordered Ugly Duckling Steak and Beef Lasagna.
Beer tasted good. I had a shandy after a mug. As people started filling in, the place was no longer good for private dinner date. It was loud and one could hear each other.
( I think I am slowly started not liking loud places where everything you say echos around back to you). What happened to cozy places ?
So its ideal for a group.. dont think quiet if you come here..
On the food :
The hot dog was delicious.
The meat and the sea food platter was fine.
The steak was small in quantity but fine.
The lasagna was disastrous.
If you are interested, you can make your own pasta. I did not try that. Maybe someone could and tell me how it is.
I would give it a rating of 5 out of 10 for the whole service.
Presentation could have been better.
My observations :
Starters were not served with sauces or dips. So the food was a bit dry. When I asked for it, the head waiter said that they did have sauces but they did not serve them unless a customer asked for it. DUH.
I thought the platter definitely could do with a side dip or so.
Side dishes were better to eat.
NEVER order Lasagna. Their version of lasagna was just minced meat and pasta with a tiny section of melted cheese on the top.
Well forgive me !! but When I ask for Lasagna, I am not looking for a low calorie version of it.  Its meant to be rich and melt in the mouth which cheese oozing out.. DUH again.. not some sandwiched pasta… Sigh.
Price :
All of the above and couple of mugs of beer and a glass of Shandy came up to 1600 plus change.
Kid Friendly :   Yes.
Ideal for :     A casual dine with partner/spouse or friends, where you dont expect too much.
Branch Visited :     Miller’s
Favorite Item :     As of now, pigs in blanket.. :) ( part of meat platter)

On a different note :

While on the subject of food, you could try some of the recipes which were a hit with my friends, cooked by yours truly.. :)

Recipe source : books and web

Vegeterian
Non Vegeterian
Hope the week is treating you well..
It is a tough one for me.. :( with some silver linings.. :)