Aphids

Aphids or Greenflies are small sap-sucking insects. They are among the most destructive insect pests on plants. The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of farmers and gardeners around the world. Here are some Aphids I found on the Pomegranate tree in my garden...

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Bengali Food Festival at Marriott Whitefield

Bengali cuisine is one of India's finest and distinctive cuisines. M-Cafe, at Marriott Hotel, Whitefield is currently hosting a Bengali Food Festival in Bangalore. 

Here's a photo tour of my experience of a dinner where every dish pops with flavor...

The place looks lovely with some dainty little things...

I started with a glass of Gondhoraj Ghol made of yogurt and slices of Gondhoraj lime. It is slightly sweet, sour and refreshing...

Then I was lured to the Jhal Muri counter. Jhal Muri (spicy puffed rice) is a street side Bengali snack. You can customize the Jhal Muri with your own choice of ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, peanuts, onions, coconut, pickles etc.  

The person at the counter tossed my choice of ingredients and served it in a newspaper cone, just like the street vendors of West Bengal...

Ilish Bhaja is deep fried Hilsa fish. Hilsa is one of most popular fishes of Bengal which is prepared in all possible variations...

Beetroot chops...

The pickles and relishes...

Potol Bhaja is stir fried Pointed Gourd...

A pretty lady in a Bengali sari unwrapped a banana leaf parcel to reveal the flavorful Macher Paturi. Fish is marinated in mustard paste, wrapped in banana leaves parcel and steam cooked. Although the dish was good, I would have liked it more if there was a bit more heat from the mustard... 

For the main course, there were plenty of options. Begun Basanti is an eggplant curry prepared with curd and mustard paste...

Daab Chingri is a special Jumbo prawn dish cooked in coconut milk and mustard and served in a tender coconut shell. It went well with rice...

Basanti Polao or Yellow Pilaf is little sweet and pretty tasty...

Mangshor Jhol is a Bengali Lamb curry. The meat was soft and succulent...

Kosha Murgir Mangsho is a roasted chicken curry...

My favorite of the evening was the Macher Jhol, the Bengali spicy fish stew...

Although Macher Jhol is traditionally served with rice, I liked it with Luchi (deep-fried flat bread)...

The Mutton biryani was light, meat pieces were tender and the rice was moist and fragrant...

PatiShapta is a Bengali dessert. Simple crepes stuffed with Jaggery and coconut filling...

My dessert plate had Kala Jamun(sweet dumplings), Malpua(cheesecake soaked in sugar syrup) and Mishti Doi(sweet yogurt)...

Spongy Rosogulla...

Paan for an after dinner chew...

Overall it was an enjoyable adventure. The festival continues till 22nd October. 
Leaving you with the beautiful smile of the pretty chef...

Star Struck with Satya Paul at Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott, Bangalore played host to an exclusive preview of Satya Paul’s brand new collection, 'Star Struck', inspired by constellations. The collection was showcased in an enthralling fashion filled evening with some great cuisine and wines thrown in. Here's a picture tour...

Inspired by the 12 zodiacs of the cosmos, the house of Satya Paul launches its Autumn Winter 2016 collection, ‘Star Struck’. Divided into three looks The Constellation, Zodiac Traits and Elements of the zodiac, the range pays homage to traditional weaves and techniques such as Shibori and Benarsi woven fabrics while trying to revive them in a contemporary context. The traditional Japanese dying technique known as Shibori has always found inspiration from the elements of nature specifically water and the sky. Other key highlights for the season include graphic angular motifs and shimmering metallic gold and silver ornamentation...

 The fashionistas of Bangalore were in stylishly high spirits...

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the recently launched Gastropub in Bangalore has taken wings just like the car in the children's musical film by the same name. The place entices a hip young crowd with a quirkily stylish bi-level dining area and a live band. I was there last Saturday night. Here's a photo tour...  

From their crafty cocktail list, I ordered a cocktail called Bang Bang, a concoction of  Rum, Litchi and tender coconut...

Panzerotti with spinach and  ricotta cheese stuffing served with basil pesto sauce. It was light and quite addictive...

 The pieces of chicken melt in my mouth, soft and dewy Bang Bang chicken...

Hot city with gin and green apple. The garnish of sliced red chili makes it delightfully hot... 

Assorted Bruschetta...I especially liked the one with Mozzarella...

The star of the starters was Stuffed mushrooms. The crispy balls with the creamy cheesy innards is tasty...

Blue Hawaiian...

Prawn tempura...

Kerala beef roast. The flavors were spot on with black pepper and slices of coconut...

Sangria

I couldn't help wolfing down the delicious Chicken tikka masala pizza...

 Beetroot Risotto...

Chicken lasagna was satisfying...

My favorite Italian dish - Spaghetti Aglio e olio with prawns...

 The rich Blueberry cheese cake...

Chocolate and tequila shot...

Warm brownie with ice cream...

The menu is packed with simple pleasures. The service is unpretentious yet attentive. And yes, there's a live band with very talented members and pretty good music...