The new menu of Habanero

I recently visited Habanero, the Tex-Mex restaurant at Koramangala, Bangalore to sample their new menu. It was nice meeting Chef Dan Durkin, a native of Colarado, US who is the man behind the new menu that includes his signature creations as well as Tex-Mex favorites.

Here's a photo tour...

Dan is showing us how to do a Mexican Wave... No, he isn't...

Compared to the other two Habanero locations in Bangalore, I found this more to my liking with more space and lots of natural light..

The live preparation of Holy Guacamole served with warm homemade Tortilla chips...

Zucchini Fritters with Tomatillo Relish...

Queso dip with chips...

Pork green chili stew - a bowl of slow-cooked meaty stew served alongside soft tortillas...

Kiwifruit Margarita...

Fish Veracruz - steamed basa atop vegetables, doused with a tangy, spicy Veracruz gravy - a Mexican coastal specialty....

Stuffed roasted red pepper - sweet red capsicum stuffed with paneer and rice served straight from the oven...

A portion of the stuffed roasted red pepper...

Pork Soft Shell Tacos...

Tres Leches cake - A Mexican dessert made by soaking overnight a cake in three different kinds of milk - evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream...

You can reach Habanero on FaceBook at: https://www.facebook.com/HabaneroTrulyTexMex

Zespri Kiwifruit Master class at ITC Gardenia

Zespri International, the world's largest Kiwifruit marketer, in association with ITC Gardenia conducted a kiwifruit Master class at the Lotus Pavilion, ITC Gardenia, Bangalore...

Kiwi fruit is a nutritious and healthy food. It is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin E.

I was looking forward to have a first-hand experience of putting together some quick kiwi based dishes...

First dish of the day was Kiwi Cheesecake...

Here's the recipe...

The final Kiwi Cheese cake ready to be devoured...

It was refreshing to drink a Kiwi Caprioshka...

Next up was Spicy Kiwi and Avocado Gunkan. Gunkan is a type of Sushi which resembles a Japanese Battle Ship. It is used to serve any type of loose ingredients...

Here's the recipe...

Some more cocktails... 

The third dish was Carpaccio of Kiwi with Prawns, Kiwi and Citrus vinaigrette. This was the first time I ate uncooked prawns. It was little chewy but good...

Here's the recipe...


The Italian chef Vittorio Greco in action...

Zespri Spife - Half spoon and half knife, makes it so easy to cut and scoop kiwifruits...

Launch of the first Ramada Encore Hotel in India

Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with about 7540 hotels, today announced the launch of Ramada Encore Bangalore Domlur, the first Ramada Encore property in India.

Stylish and sophisticated, Ramada Encore offers 90 rooms with warm ambiance and comfort...

The hotel welcomes you with bold interiors...

 

 The Hub restaurant, serves a fine spread of Indian and International cuisine...

The Bar, I was told will be operational from tomorrow. I looked up at the ceiling and saw this quote. 

Other amenities include a Board Room featuring audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi

Ramada Encore Bangalore is situated within walking distance of Embassy Golf Links Park, which houses major corporate houses. The hotel looks like a comfortable international retreat for business travelers.

But my mind is still stuck in the bar ceiling... 

Girls are like apples...?

For more information, visit www.ramadaencorebangalore.com

Yauatcha celebrates the Double Ten Day

The National Day of China referred as Double Ten Day commemorates the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911, which led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in China.

Yauatcha Bangalore, a Michelin-starred restaurant from London is celebrating the Double Ten Day in Bangalore with a special celebration menu...

I was invited to review the 'Double Ten' four-course menu.
Here's a photo tour...

Hot and sour soup with shredded chicken...

Chicken sweet corn soup...

Asian Green with Tofu...

Veg chive dumpling...

Fried turnip cake...

Shrimp Har Jau...

Chicken in black bean...

Chicken wrapped in pok choi...

Chicken peking dumpling...

Braised chicken with mushrooms in clay pot...

 French beans with shiitake mushroom...

  Egg fried rice...

 Hofan noodles...

Stir fried lamb...



Spicy lan ching chicken...



Szechuan vegetable and tofu claypot...

Religeuse...

And some green, light and shadow from the garden...

Leaving you with the beautiful nail art of one of my co-diners...

For reservations call: 1800 266 1000

The day of Durga's victory

Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra is one of the most important Hindu festivals. The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

This sculpture from the 13th century Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura depicts the battle between Durga and the demon Mahishasura...

Here's the story depicted in the above sculpture...

As per Shiva Purana and Devi Mahatmyah, Mahishasura, the son of demon Rambha, unleashed a reign of terror on earth. When gods intervened, Mahishasura defeated gods and banished them from heaven. Vanquished, gods, headed by Brahma and Vishnu, sought Lord Shiva's help. As they narrated their woeful tale, immense mass of light manifested from Lord Shiva's left half, which was joined by similar rays that emerged from the enraged faces of gods. This mass of light transformed into a woman with ten arms. Adishakti re-manifested as Durga to slay Mahishasura. Armed with celestial weapons of all deities and decked with divine ornaments, Durga rode into the battle field and challenged demons for battle. Mahishasura's entire army, led by demons like Chikshur, Chamar, Asiloma, Vidalaksha, Durdhara, Durmukha, Mahahanu and many more attacked Durga at once. But Durga slew all of them with unparalleled cruelty. An enraged Mahishasura attacked Durga in guise of a buffalo. But Durga bound it with ropes. The buffalo morphed into a lion and lept on Durga, but she beheaded it with her sword. At this, Mahishasura began to fight in the form of a swordsman. Durga pinned him down with a torrent of arrows. Mahishasura now assumed form of a giant elephant and tugged at Durga's lion. Durga lopped off its trunk with her sword and freed her lion. The elephant turned into a buffalo and charged at Durga. Sipping from her wine cup, Durga flung her trident and beheaded Mahishasura, finally killing him.