Singapore food festival at Shiro

In line with the Singapore National Day celebration on the 9th of August, Shiro will be serving a specially curated menu of famous Singaporean dishes. I got a preview of the upcoming Singaporean culinary fare. 

Here's a photo tour...

Shiro is an award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant at UB City, Bangalore.  Its signature high ceilings and grand statues epitomize the essence of Shiro.

I started off with one of my old favorites, Peach ice tea...

Gado Gado Salad is a lesson in nutrition and taste...

Singaporean Laksa soup is a bowl of goodness...

Black pepper prawns are spicy little bits. The papaya salad comes handy to douse the fire...

The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail. This gorgeous drink was developed sometime before 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a Hainanese bartender working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore...

Singaporean style chicken satay served with peanut sauce...

The Cashew chicken had the smoothest texture and comfortable spice level...

The stir fried cashew vegetables along with Jasmine rice was one of my favorites of the day. The broccoli and a little hit of peanut left me feeling delightfully healthy...

Lamb Rendang was another revelation. The pieces just melt in my mouth...

Tofu in Chili Sambal is not overly spiced as the name suggests. It is a must try for its simplicity...

The noodles need no selling, they are always so comforting...

Hainanese Chicken Rice was really to my liking. The rice was fragrant and moist. The chicken was soft and tender with perfect seasoning...

Shell crackers and picks are placed on the table and I guessed the next dish and prepared myself for a fight...

 The Singapore Chili Crab is a must have. Every order of this specialty dish comes with a complimentary glass of the famous Singapore Sling (only on August 9th)...

The steam buns is a good accompaniment with the crab...

 My co-diner's claws after the wrestle with the crab...

This Singaporean culinary feast kicks off with a special dinner to celebrate the Singapore National Day on the 9th of August 2016,  hosted by Ema Trinidad, founder of ExpatLife India. 

This specially curated Singaporean a la carte menu will be available for everyone for lunch and dinner from the 9th to the 14th of August. 

They have a few vegetarian dishes as well.  

Average cost for a couple would be Rs 2,500. 

You can find the complete menu at expatlifeindia.com/singaporeshiro.html

Italian delights at Mezzaluna

I was invited to Movenpick Hotel and Spa Bangalore, for 'Italy on your Platter', a specially curated dinner at the gourmet Italian restaurant Mezzaluna. 

Here's a photo tour...

The spectacular interiors alone is worth a reason to visit this place...

The decor is so tastefully done. Everything is immaculately designed and oozes magnificence... 

I was told that chef Armando Di Filippo will be showcasing a wide range of authentic Italian pizzas. He turned out to be a straightforward man with some ruggedly practical style of cooking...

The ginger ale infused welcome drink...

As I wait for the pizzas, some special breads are served, all made from the same dough with some tweaking at baking time...

More appetizers are served. Zucchini, Bruschetta and Jalapeno cheese balls helped to whet my appetite...

 The pizzas were getting ready...

Soon the first pizza of the day arrived. Colosseo with cheese and crushed black pepper topping was thoroughly satisfying... 

Ponte Melvio is a tale of simplicity with lamb and Pecorino cheese...

As Armando suggested, beer goes well with his pizzas... 

The pasta and the cheesiness of Linguine Pizza makes it quite filling...

Then there was the visually stunning Piazza Del Popolo with artichoke and asparagus...

Pincio with rucola salad, parma ham and figs reveal an array of interesting flavors...

Aventino with Arrabbiata sauce. The delicate hint of garlic and chili is a fine touch...

Pantheon with fresh tomato and beef. The meat was allowed to be the star here...

All of the varieties are also available in the form of Calzoni. I am glad I tried the Fontana Di Trevi with Anchovies and prawns. I love Anchovies, they have a stronger taste than other fishes...

I ended the repast with a tiramisu made without eggs. It tasted amazing...

Star Trek beyond cocktail masterclass

Coinciding with the release of the movie, Star Trek Beyond, Smirnoff is stirring up some limited edition special concoctions to the delight of Trekkies. I got an opportunity to sample the fascinating Start Trek Beyond cocktails. 

Here's a photo tour... 

Hemant Mundkur, master mixologist and Brand Ambassador, Diageo Bar Academy was at his usual creative best and well loved by everyone...

Bangalore has been producing a bumper crop of fine pubs and G77 Café is one of the decent ones...

A classic design with simple messaging...

The welcome drink...

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Hemant started off with the Spocktail, an electric mix of Smirnoff Vodka, fresh red grapes and apple juice...

The Spoctail...

Here's the recipe...

Smirnoff comes from the house of United Spirits Limited, a Diageo company...

Next up was LIIT (& PROSPER), a trekkie spin of the classic Long Island Ice Tea...

A snazzy combo of Smirnoff Orange and Captain Morgan rum...

LIIT (& PROSPER)...

Here's the recipe...

Orange and Lime Wedges come together in this tangy mix called Vulcan Salute...

A liberal squeeze of lime makes this a refreshing drink...

Vulcan Salute...

Here's the recipe...

And next comes Beam Me Up, my favorite cocktail of the day. This will definitely be appealing to any coffee lover...

Beam Me Up...

Here's the recipe...

And finally the Warp Driver. A trekkie version of the classic Screw Driver...

Here's the recipe...

Warp Driver seemed to be the popular choice...

Do not miss out on a chance to try out these limited edition concoctions specially stirred up for Star Trek Beyond at a pub near you. Live long and Prosper!