Blue Nile- A note worthy restaurant in Pune

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Samvit Kher

Before going out for Blue Nile, I researched extensively on best biryani and Mughlai food in Pune. I came across very few places which focus on just food. Now-a-days, We tend to look out for places which serve both "drinks and food". Gone are the days when we would hunt for good food only. A place like Blue Nile makes you believe that such a restaurant still exists. To reword, such an experience still exists. You enter into the restaurant and the architecture is still the same. Everything aro...

Bachpan ke din aur Nutri Chawal

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Samvit Kher

Its a warm afternoon in Jammu. Chiki is lying like a sloth bear, not barking. We are all gathered on the veranda. My childhood friend, Kannu and I, are as usual playing our favorite sport Cricket, where he is imitating Australia and I, India. Rama Aunty brings the aromatic nutri chawal. We both leave our bat and bowl and run towards the veranda but are being stopped because we are all covered in dirt and mud. We don't bathe, we just clean feet and hands within 30 seconds and reach the veranda ba...

Tale of two chole

Posted on May 5, 2017May 5, 2017 by Samvit Kher

Today's lunch was a different one. On your left (The one with red-brown curry) The chole in the left side of the plate are red brown in looks. These are made with the usual conventional punjabi method of cooking. However, red dominates the brown mainly because of the red mirchi powder used. To get that authentic and original brown-black color, we use tea bags (or tea water). This is in line with the chole made in Jammu. Again, Jammu styled chole found on the streets have dollops of ghee an...

Winters and Gulab Jamuns

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by Samvit Kher

When it comes to sweet, visuals of extreme sweet strike me. I begin thinking of sweet all around, sweet lunch, sweet breakfast, sweet dinner, sweet skies and that irritates me and I have this feeling, "Yikes! That's too much sweet!" And this holds true for all the sweets, I can't have more than one, maximum two. But when it comes to Winters, it reverses. Just like Jammu becomes the winter capital, I become the sweet glutton. I actually start enjoying the sweet delicacies. Gajar ka halwa or Ga...

Night of the Yech

Posted on December 29, 2016December 29, 2016 by Samvit Kher

It was late evening around 9 tonight, when I entered the main hall. I was welcomed with a rich aroma of Khecher (khichdi). Mom finished cooking Khichdi (with moong dal) and roganjosh. Monj Anchar (kohlrabi pickle) looked delicious. We were all ready to perform an ancient Kashmiri ritual, Khich Mavas. Khichdi is served with radish and cooked meat and is offered to Yech, usually kept on the roof. Vegetarians make khichdi with Nedur Churma (fried lotus stem chips) and/or spicy potatoes. Thi...

A restaurant that serves in a living room

Posted on December 18, 2015March 9, 2016 by Samvit Kher

Zeera RIce- Home Made By Tasneem- High On Food

I have been living homeless from a loooong time now (Don’t point out the extra o’s) and what I dearly miss is the ambiance, the family eating together, the talks and of course, the food. Home Made By Tasneem is a concept where you Eat out the authentic Bohra Food at Home and by home, I literally meant at home. "You can't wash your hands in the basin. I will bring the lota. Its the complete tradition", says Tasneem, the chef and the discussion is immediately supported by her daughter, Alifi...

A lazy Sunday Brunch

Posted on December 10, 2015March 9, 2016 by Samvit Kher

Desserts Fratelli Fresh at Renaissance Powai- High On Food

Eating out is not just about food anymore, it's about the complete experience. That is where, hotels like Renaissance create experience for you and an experience is a great experience if it has a perfect combination of Food, ambiance, service, decor and value for money. My recent visit to Fratelli Fresh at Renaissance, Powai was indeed a good one! The food spread at Fratelli Fresh was undoubtedly one of the biggest spreads I have seen. All kinds of cheese was available...

5 of the best Street Foods in Jammu that you must try

Posted on November 27, 2015March 9, 2016 by Samvit Kher

It breaks my heart! As if no one cares about it. The reason that I am heart broken and sad is all because of lack of promotion of Jammu Food. Everybody who comes to enjoy his vacation in Jammu and Kashmir usually plan for Katra, Vaishno Devi and Srinagar of course! So, tourists hardly get a chance to explore the local food of Jammu. Luckily, I have lived in Jammu for good time now and possibly covered most of the street food ( Ofcourse, I have not! I am still hungry) Jammu has variet...

The Lost delicacy of Jammu and Kashmir, Kanaguchhi Morel Mushrooms

Posted on November 12, 2015March 9, 2016 by Samvit Kher

Kanaguchhi Morel Mushrooms Detailed View 2- High On Food

When enquired at a local Dry Fruit Store in Jammu about Guchhi Mushrooms, the shopkeeper gave me a raised eyebrows look as If I asked his ATM Pin Number. Next what happened: He called his most reliable employee, handed him the key and told to bring the white envelope bag from the cupboard. Then he rubs the Chirag and pulls out the mushrooms. "Achcha lagta hai aajkal ke Young log ye sab kharidte hain" (Feels good when young people like you ask for such stuff) The Shopkeeper was delig...

Not the world’s tastiest Vegetarian Snack, Misal at Aaswad, Shivaji Nagar

Posted on October 18, 2015March 9, 2016 by Samvit Kher

Misal Pav Aaswad Shivaji Park High On Food

"Misal Pav at Aaswad has been awarded the tastiest vegetarian dish in the world" You can find more here. Aaswad Restaurant located near Shivaji Park, serves authentic Maharashtrian food. I was there last night to find out what makes the Aaswad's Misal the tastiest snack in the world. From the first bite of the Misal to the last bite of the Kharvas, let's dive deep into the world of Aaswad. Aaswad's Misal Pav Don't get me wrong! The Misal felt quite ok. I couldn't replace th...