Love Scotch As A Gift

     Finding the right gift for someone, whether it is for someone dear or even a professional client that you want to build relations with, can be a daunting task. I'm someone who usually doesn't stress too much when it comes to giving gifts as a lot of people I know do. But a huge disadvantage to that fact is, more often than not, my gifts tend to become impersonal. I really dont like that whole 'second-guessing-and-then-stressing-over-it" aspect of the process. But when it comes to finding the right gift for a man without going the whole pens and shirts route...I will admit that I have been stumped! At the recent Love Scotch As A Gift event, when the host Anuradha Menon spoke about finding gifts for the men in her life and the trials/ tribulations involved in it...the entire audience was nodding their heads hearing her stories while laughing, in what I would interpret as embarrassment, as they probably recalled their own adventures. 

Mango, Kasundi, Paneer Mixed Sabzi

     If you love mangoes then you are absolutely spoiled for choices this season. Tolly Tales is celebrating "Mango Tales" where, you guessed it, you can sample dishes made from the king of fruits! I have been to another mango food festival recently and I didn't know if it would be a deja vu kind of a situation for me as both the places do North Indian cuisine (well Tolly Tales does other types of cuisine too) or if I would get something totally innovative. Well you need to read till the end of the post to find that out now wont you :D I have been to Tolly Tales earlier with a group of fellow foodies and found it to be some what of a mix bag. The ambiance is beautiful and quirky but the food had this hit and miss element to it. Some dishes were really good while the rest were mediocre. Though I do give them credit for making their own cheese balls, having a really good vilayati sabzi and a bangin brownie (hey I'm partial to the whole home made cake flavor kinda thing).

Summer Coolers Festival, Cafe Pranah, Kolkata

     The moment the temperature amps up I get this huge craving for a tall cool glass of preferably sweet drink. My biggest vice is caving in and indulging in a cola drink which I know is not good for my health but the lack of better options makes this a highly attractive as well as an addicting option. When Rahul (owner Cafe Pranah and Bon Appetit) told me about the Summer Coolers Festival I was super excited coz I knew I was in for a treat. He does the best flavor combinations, putting things together that most people would not even dream of pairing. He has introduced some drinks all naturally made with fruits, flowers and/or spices along with popsicles. The popsicle thing reminded me of my childhood and those long sticks of frozen liquid in different flavors sold outside school and famously know as "pepsi stick" :D

Zongzi - Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf with Edamame Beans & Vegetarian Duck

     Last year Kolkata witnessed the Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwujie being celebrated by its Chinese community in a grand manner. Though the rain did try to play spoil sport on the day but the enthusiasm of the people attending such an event for the first time didn't waver and hoards of people turned up to enjoy the festivities and the traditional Lion Dance performance. The festival is celebrated in memorial of a Chinese poet called Qu Yuan. Zongzi, a pyramid shaped sticky rice dumpling and rice wine play an important part in the celebrations. Yauatcha is celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival this year by holding a month long festival from the 1st to the 30th of June 2016. Keeping true to a 2000 year old tradition they are introducing some traditional dishes (like Zongzi) with a contemporary twist in their limited edition menu.

Melon Medley Straw

     I introduced The Yellow Straw on my blog last year as THE place to head to for fresh and amazing juice combinations in Kolkata. When I was invited back to taste their new launches this year I kid you not I was stoked. After having my taste buds blown away by the Chilly Pataka last year I really was looking forward to what unique combination they had up their sleeves this time around. And after the horrible heat the city was facing back then I really needed something cooling and refreshing. So the first thing that I had after getting in was the Melon Medley Straw, which was a blend of watermelon and musk melon, and it was just what I needed. They have introduced 13 new items in the their juice, shakes and dessert sections combined. Plus they provide home delivery too now as they have partnered with Swiggy.

Kairi Samosa

     As soon as the summers set we would eagerly await the time when mom would fill the freezer with her  containers of Aamras milkshake and kulfi. My dad had his separate boxes of both which we kids were not allowed to touch :D "My wife has made them for me" would be the answer each time. I think he would be more excited about this ritual than us coz before the food would get half a chance to cool down or set my dad would be through it already :D Isnt it strange how something so simple can evoke so many memories of the past? Well here is a chance for you to relive your favorite summer memories as Rajdhani is hosting an "Aamlicious" festival till the 15th of June 2016. They are serving different dishes each day of the week and this is available for both their lunch and dinner thalis. Rajdhani has always been one of my favorite Thali restaurants and they just made things whole lot sweeter :)

Pearl Barley Risotto

     Like most people I feel that the word tasty and healthy dont fit in the same line. Anyone who has ever gone through the motions of following a diet knows how painful the entire process can be. Firstly as a vegetarian my options get cut down next to nothing and then the entire hassle of preparing the food is a major turnoff for me. And then being denied the pleasures of indulging in a dessert when you have a sweet tooth is torturous. Your favorite food starts swirling in your head while you are trying miserably to chew on that lettuce leaf or munch the bland carrot stick. ARGH!!! No wonder most people on a diet are so cranky :P But hold the phone...you can get tasty & healthy, DIET food??? Plus a dessert??? And not stress about calorie count??? Where does such a place exist except in our imaginations...Well Hena Nafis, the top nutritionist and dietitian in Kolkata, opened her own restaurant called Eat Good Food recently and they promise all this plus more...

The Park - Cointreau Cream Caramel

     On the 21st of March 2016, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development will hold the 2nd Gout de France/Good France event where over 1500 restaurants worldwide will participate and celebrate the wonders of French cuisine. A few of us were invited to a special press preview where 8 restaurants from the city are participating in the event. They had bought in some of their signature dishes inspired by French expertise for it. The meal will comprise of appetizers and canapes, starter, main course, cheese and dessert paired with French wines/champagnes. Let's take a look at what was in store for us...

Mochar Ghonto

     Lokahaar, a Bengali food restaurant, is celebrating the arrival of spring with a special Bashanter Thali which will be available from 20th February to 31st of March 2016. Even though I have lived all my life in Bengal at max that I have tried Bengali food is once or twice. Apart from the famous "lucchi and cholar dal" (this is an absolute must have!) combo I have had very little interaction with this region's food and none of it has been memorable. Though I absolutely adore Bengali sweets the food itself was not something that attracted me. Has Lokahaar been able to change that for me? Let's find out...

South Indian Food Festival, K19 Restaurant, Park Plaza Hotel, Kolkata

     K19 restaurant over at Park Plaza Hotel, Kolkata is holding a South Indian food festival which started on the 26th of February and will go on till the 6th of March. The lunch is a-la-carte and the dinner is a buffet (Rs 1299/- + taxes). When I first heard about it I was super excited to try it out coz I love South Indian food and no I just don't mean the dosa or idlis or upma...which I do love a lot...but what makes my soul happy is some appam with spicy coconut curry! Oh sweet lord! So good!!! I was quite looking forward to the meal and the food over at K19 has not disappointed me yet. I have had some of the best food there and no I'm not just saying to promote the place :P I have not yet forgotten the Awadhi food festival I had the pleasure to enjoy last time so I had high expectations of this one too...

India Spa Week. Thai Pravada Spa, Kolkata

     If you are a spa junkie like me you are in for a very special treat! Starting from the 26th of February 2016 going on till the 6th of March you can enjoy the India Spa Week 2016. Spread across 5 cities throughout the country many spas are coming together for this event and letting you experience a relaxing day with special discounted spa packages. You can get services for almost half the usual value with prices ranging from Rs. 600, 1000 and 1500. I got to experience one of the participating spas of Kolkata's service ie Thai Pravada Spa. I headed down to the Southern Avenue branch which is just above the Bijoligrill restaurant.

Valentine Menu, KK Fusion, Kolkata

     I absolutely love Chinese food! Anytime and anyday I can indulge in it endlessly. But here is the thing...the Chinese food that I like (quote unquote) is actually the Indo-Chinese version which also can be seen as fusion food. Someone recently said that India does the most and some of the best fusion food. We have a tendency to adopt the finer points of other cuisines and make it our own. I think we can see examples of this in all the international food chains (especially) that have setup shop here. There will be always something catering to the local palate. I recently was invited to sample the Valentine's day menu at KK Fusion where I was promised some Indo European fusion food.