#IFBAatJW 2014

Hello Lovely People,

It’s been really Loooonnng time. How you doing? Well, you guys must be thinking that I am going to review some restaurant today. But, nooooo‼ Time for a change. Let me keep this post a lil more simple and friendly. Recently, I got to know how many people actually read my blog, how many just have a look at the mouth watering food pictures and how many point out my grammar! >.<

Well I was in Mumbai recently. Many might know due to social media. Those who don’t know, let me take the opportunity to tell you, I was at #IFBAatJW, an event organised by Food bloggers association of India.

I was very excited to be there from quiet a long time. Since it was planned a month back, I quickly planned out my trip to Mumbai. Also, if some could notice many food bloggers changed their name and used Hash tags regarding the event on Twitter. #IFBA2014 & #IFBAatJW.

Some questions that were annoying me every now and then,

1. Why am I going there?

Ans. Dude, its food bloggers awards. How can I miss this opportunity to be a part of it and meet people who possess the same interest as mine?! I am going there! (Evil grin)

2. There are going to be so many food bloggers. Some might be the Big daddies of food and beverages industry, how would all react? How am I going to connect with the

Ans.  FOOD. Connecting people. :D

3.What to wear??

Ans. OMG! I am not a celebrity. Nor do I have some designers to get me a dress.

Well, then there is my Mom, Sister, My best friend and her elder sis (Designer by profession) and am all sorted! :D

4.What’s gonna be on the menu? :D

Ans.  Something definitely mouth-watering for which I had to wait for 2 Nov.

Okay after all that Gyan about me and my inquisitive nature finally writing about the #IFBA2014

Finally the day came, 2nd November 2k14, arriving at JW Marriott, Meeting up with the people in real after being virtual friends. 

Mr. Sameer Malkani (Co. Founder, FBAI)

 It all started at 12’ Noon. The #IFBA Dialogues.

First session: “Social Media v/s Traditional Media”

Some of the renowned people in the speaker’s panel.  Now, it would be unfair to write about the discussion in a few words and I might just miss out many things. So I am just giving a glance of what was it all about.

      Best highlights that I jotted down worth sharing were:

1. “Food bloggers becoming journalist and Journalist becoming food bloggers” – Kalyan Karmakar (Finelychopped)   

                                                    

2.“It takes 8 secs for a human to grab their attention towards something, less than a goldfish” – Nikhila Palat (PR, Taj Mahal Palace)

3. “Power of a PAN rather than the power of a PEN” – Nikhila Palat

4. “Same potato Different names

5. Everyone is a FOODIE, Critic, and Master in their field

6. “When the waiter comes & dumps the chaas on the table - WE REALLY LIKE THAT YAAR‼” :D :D - Annagh Desai (Do I even need to introduce him :O??)  

(It started with, that even the waiters and hoteliers can have a bad day and how bloggers give a critic on that. The dirty plates, messed up tables and when the waiter comes & dumps the chaas on the table - we like it yaar‼ :P How simple is that!)

(LOL :D Annagh Desai: You were the Jaan of the session! :P ) 

After a Brilliant First session and cake mixing ceremony came my favorite time “LUNCHING SESSION”. Lunch at Mezzo Mezzo, under the leadership of chef Davide Cananzi. OMG, I swear I loved it. Some piquant Italian cuisines were served to us that brought a smile on my face! :)

Second Session, started with “How restaurants and hotels are inventing new and interesting ways to engage diners.” Some of the renowned chefs of F&B industry and restaurateurs started the discussion.

The Brilliant Host: Chef Saransh Goila

Best Highlights:

1. People are more aware and know a lot these days.

2. Create value for money

3.”Do simple things right”

4. Innovation

5. “People don’t know what they want”

6. “Everybody is a chef today”

7. “Fusion is confusion” (For some)

The Selfie Ritual

After a High tea break came the third session of Home chef entrepreneur.

Some emerging and famous home chefs were the speakers.

Rushina M Ghildiyal, Amrita Kaur Ramsinghani and Sneha caught my eye!

Home Chefs

Presentation by Rushina

Then came a session hosted by Aditi Raghuwanshi who handles YouTube India.

A quick session how food bloggers are using YouTube and some famous youtube channels.

Last but not the least one of my other favourite session on Mobile Food photography hosted by none other than “THE BIG BHOOKAD” Adarsh Munjal. :D

What an amazing time spent with people who belong to food industry.

Later the day was the Awards night.

Finally, the time came. :D

The Awards Night

So, the awards night was hosted by the youngest Chef “Saransh Goila” This guy needs a big pat on his back, for the work well done. Keeping all the audience entertained is a big task. To be honest, Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan have got some serious competition now! ;)

The Awards Selfie (Ritual)

I myself was nominated in the Restaurant Review Category. But, to be honest I had low hopes to win because I am still a fresher and being nominated with the person, who inspired me to start up blogging, was a BIG ACHIEVEMENT for me. If you could go in flashback, in my first post I wrote that I got inspired by one of my twitter friend to write blogs. Yes, finally I got a chance to meet him. He needs no introduction because his name is enough to describe him! :P

Meet THE BIG BHOOKAD, Adarsh Munjal. :D

The Big Bhookad and The Super Chatori! :P 

Meeting and greeting with some distinguished personalities of the food industry was Bliss! :)

Here are some pictures.

The Chief Guest, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

The Jury Members

Selfie Selfie Everywhere. Chef Ranveer Brar

Awards night was followed by a scrumptious dinner. I swear, food connects so well that you make friends with everyone so easily! :P

A day well spent at #IFBAatJW. Totally different experience. Incredible Evening and such lovely people.

A Big Thanks to Sameer Malkani, Co. Founder of Food Bloggers Association of India and Saloni M. Malkani for inviting me. 

J.W.Marriott Hotel, Mumbai, for such brilliant hospitality and divine food. Since I myself was associated with Marriott Bhopal family I know how much they work hard for their guests. :)

The team of FBAI who were working on the event from a long time:

Jahan Bloch (toxic baker), Mohit Chotrani (Hungry Bawarchi) and Agnishwar Banerjee (Aye bee). Kudos for the good work‼

P.S. The video showcased at awards night was extremely hilarious. Please upload it on YouTube. I am sure you guys would get a good response! Hahah :D

So, here it comes an end to a wonderful evening and my post as well.

Do let me know how it was!

Connect with me:

Twitter: @Mudrakeswani

Instagram: thesuperchatori

Facebook: TheSuperChatori

Blogs:

thesuperchatori.wordpress.com

culinarychronical.blogspot.in 

BIRTHDAY at BAY LEAF (Courtyard by Marriott)

BIRTHDAY at BAY LEAF
(Courtyard by Marriott)

Hello Folks,

Lazy Sunday and a late post. Well firstly, you guys should wish me a Happy Birthday! :D

Still in the birthday hangover and the Mouth watering food I had. People asked me what gift you want on your Birthday and my answer was “Food!!” Nothing makes me happier than having some scrumptious food at a good restaurant. Well, this was such a ‘Foodie Birthday’ for me. I had some 5 cakes and mouth watering meals past two days.

Who can imagine your mom & dad coming to you at 12 midnight with a small cake from Indore?

I think by now you guys would ask me out for a treat. Well, yes I believe in Birth week rather Birth Month! :D

I would say I am such a Lucky person that, Courtyard by Marriott had their opening of their new restaurant “Bay Leaf” on the same day. I didn't really know that my dad had arranged a surprise dinner for me at this place. :D

Luckier to be at this place on the very first day, amongst  first few customers.

So here is the review of BAY LEAF.

A whole new restaurant that Courtyard by Marriott has come up with.  The ambiance is pretty awesome. It’s a small place but they would extent it very soon. Initially, they have started up with dinner and some executive and innovative cuisines that you might not have even heard of.

Looking at the menu, I was pretty much confused how to start up, but then Chef Ajay helped me out and he was very kind enough to help us decide the whole dinner.

Here’s what I had and would recommend all the foodie people out there to come for a dinner at this place.

Bay Leaf offers Indian Cuisines and difference is that they use international techniques for this. :D

BREADS AND DIP

We were at first served with some breads and dip to start off since we were starving. The Dip was absolutely yummy. It was sweet, salty and white colored.

CHILLY CRUMPLES WITH AAMCHUR SAUCE

This was served to us as soon as we were done with our breads and dip. Chilly Crumples were one of the yummiest things you should start with. It was filled with cheese stuffing and fried which made it Ping Pong hot and crispy from outside and smooth from inside. Also, the Aamchur Sauce was brilliant.

PINEAPPLE RASAM

This was the appetizer drink that we were served. It had that typical Indian touch and was basically small shots of Pineapple which was salty and a little spicy. Tasted like a louki and tomato soup. But I loved it. 

PROGRESSIVE INDIAN (STARTERS)

So, the first starters that was recommended by chef was “Potato cheese n chilly galette”

POTATO CHEESE N CHILLY GALETTE

It was a sensational ceviche with finely chopped potatoes slices with cheese. The presentation was extremely innovative. Very Eye catchy dish and was brilliant in taste. I still cannot forget this divine thing. The potato slices were so fine with cheese filling that I could feel each and every layer of it in my mouth. They had added a dropper on the top filled with sauce which looked amazing.

KEBABS

Yes, I am a Bhopali and I love kebabs a lot. So, next came the "Kandhari palak tikki" 

KANDHARI PALAK TIKKI

It was a spinach patty with pomegranate and fresh garlic cooked on a griddle with garlic yogurt. To be frank, my mom and I could not make out what was the binding element they used. It was so yummy! The spinach was so fresh and tasted brilliant. I absolutely loved this.

MAIN COURSE

PANEER CANNELLONI WITH KADAI RATATOUILLE

The menu described it as Missi roti crisp and saffron tomato fondue. The presentation again was terrific. It was a paneer role with stuffing’s and tomato gravy. It was exquisite and palatable.

DUM KA KHUMBH

Dum ka kumbh basically is a mushroom dish with gravy. Slow oven cooked mushrooms with yogurt cashew and onion gravy. The mushrooms were very soft and superb. It’s a must try for all.

DAL MAKHANI

This was one of the best dal makhani I ever had in my life. The taste was out of this world. The coal smoke added more brilliance to it. I swear I was too much full but, I was just not in a mood to leave dal unfinished. It had such a tempting taste. A flavorsome dish. A MUST TRY!

INDIAN BREADS

One can go in for Tandoori Roti, Laccha partha. But I would suggest Try Shirmal roti at least once. You would love it.

By this time we were extremely full. First time ever I said a no to desserts. But, I had my Birthday Cake which was just the perfect thing I could have. :D

Such a King Size Dinner I had. You should visit Bay Leaf for some exotic Indian cuisines.

You might find the prices a little high but IT’S WORTH IT.

I am still not able to forget the awesome dinner I had last night at this place. Best Dinner of my life. The best birthday gift I could ever have. One thing that my dad and I said after the dinner, “Pet to bhar gaya, par dil nahi bhara!” Also, now there is no need to travel Indore or Delhi for good food, because BAY LEAF is here! :D

I will definitely visit this place again very soon.

Just make sure you book your table in advance. Call them up for reservation at: +91 755 3096236

In the end I want to thank a few people who made this dinner heavenly.

Mr. Elton Hurtis, GM, Courtyard by Marriott

Chef Ajay Chaudhary for the Brilliant food. The staff for being really cooperative and prompt service.

Thank You team Courtyard by Marriott. 
Good Luck for the new venture. I am sure it’s going to be successful. 

With Chef Ajay Chaudhary

So, this was my review on Bay Leaf. Normally I rate places out of 5 points but, for the first time I am rating a place out of 10.

Bay Leaf: 10/10. Well deserved.

I wish Zomato comes to Bhopal officially and this place stands on the top of the list. :D

So, I hope you all liked my post. Do drop in your feedback in the comment box.

Thank You in anticipation.

Happy Eating Fellas.

Connect with me on Twitter: @Mudrakeswani

My Blogs:

culinarychronical.blogspot.in
gourmetdiaryblog.wordpress.com

 

YE DELHI HAI MERE YAAR…!

Hello Folks,

So many random thoughts in my mind. So many cravings every now and then. You guys won’t believe I changed my whole post last night. Just because of sudden cravings.

So, today I am gonna take you to Delhi ki sawari!

Ye Delhi hai mere yaar….

No! No! No! I wasn’t in Delhi. But when you have good restaurants in your city itself, which serve good cuisines, why go to Delhi? :P

So, I am gonna give a review on PIND BALLUCHI and DELHI DARBAR.

I have been to these places many a times so I am gonna give a combined review.

PIND BALLUCHI

Pind balluchi restaurant at DB City Mall is one of the awesome restaurants serving north Indian cuisines. I absolutely loved there interiors. A totally different world. They have tried to give it a village look. They have a Tree inside! Imagine (Tree on the 3^rd Floor DB City Mall) :D

This is not the Actual Bhopal's Pind Balluchi

Basically it’s there to give that apt look of a village and people having food under the tree. Plates were of heavy steel and they play some Punjabi songs which are quite good.

So, I had heard a lot about the kebabs over here and I ordered DAHI KEBABS.

DAHI KE KEBAB

Dahi ke kebabs were one of the most delicious dishes I could have over here. It’s way too yummy. It’s made up of hung curd and bread. It’s the best starter you should have over here.

This is how it actually looked like

PANEER TIKKA

Next, must try starter is Paneer tikka. It’s Punjabi restaurant, how can one not have paneer over here? :D  I am not a panner tikka lover, but Pind Balluchi has one of the most finely cooked paneer tikka that you should not miss.

Main course

PANNER MAKHNI

Next, I ordered paneer makhni. It’s a lil sweet and spicy paneer. Paneer was soft and served well. I could easily smell the spices. It was really good and it becomes all the more yummier when served with Tandori butter roti.

DAL MAKHNI AND RICE

Yes, this is all time favourite dish of almost everyone. Who doesn’t love dal rice?! :D

Specially, when you are at a north Indian restaurant, this is A MUST!

Dal was freshly cooked and when it is garnished with butter on it, I swear it becomes so damn tempting! :D

GULAB JAMUN

I was full by that time. But, there’s always a room for dessert. :D So, Gulab jamun was next.

It was an instant gulab jamun which they might have purchased from some other place. The issue was they heated it slightly more than the limit. It lost all it’s worth just because of this and I ended up with having a pastry at a coffee shop!

PIND BALLUCHI: I would rate it 4/5.

Loved having lunch over here. On my next visit, I would like to try Parathas and Cholle khulche.

DELHI DARBAR

Day before yesterday only I visited this place with my buddies. It’s situated at E-4 Arera colony.

The interiors of this place are really good. But when we visited, there were hardly 2-3 people who came here for lunch. Most of the tables were empty.

We were starving like anything. So we quickly ordered the starters.

Worst issue we faced was that, we had to wait 45 mins. Forget about hunger, it made us angry! :P

We were extremely hungry and waiting for this long especially when the restaurant was empty. It was such a pain!!

CRISPY VEGETABLES

Before ordering I rechecked with the waiter that is it like Veg Kothey? He said yes and they are a lil crispy. But as soon as they were served, I was pretty shocked. No sauce?!! Tasted it, even more shocked. It tasted as if I am having bhajiyas. :/  Why would one order bhajiyas?!! It was extremely oily , we just gulped it just because we were starving. Terrible experience!

A Big NO to crispy vegetable.

PANEER LABABDAR

I have had this dish many a times, but over here it was the first try. We were just praying that the main course is fine just because our starters experience was bad.  Finally, it came. Seemed Yummy and Mind it, it was actually yummy. :D It was spicy. One could actually spot green chilly in the dish. But the taste was just unforgettable.  Absolutely brilliant it was.

Butter Naan and Tandoori Butter roti added more brilliance to it. Just loved it!

And yet again I ended up eating sweet dish at Bake ‘n’ Shake just because I had a bad experience with starters and had to wait for so long.

DELHI DARBAR: I would rate it 3/5

Suggestions: Please work upon your kitchen. It’s annoying to wait for so long. Also, the starters are not that good.

So, this was short Delhi Food visit in Bhopal itself.

Hope you enjoyed reading it.

Make sure to drop in a comment. I love reading your feedback.

Thank You in anticipation.

You can connect with me on twitter: @Mudrakeswani

http://culinarychronical.blogspot.in/
http://gourmetdiaryblog.wordpress.com/