-
The Recipe for Success of United Coffee House
Connaught Place, 1940s: Drawing leisure seekers with deep pockets, Connaught Place is a ‘cool’ hangout place. Who’s who of the city can be spotted here. There are bakery shops run by British officers’ wives, eateries, and cinema halls. In the midst of all the magnificence, a certain Lala Hans Raj Kalra notices a small cafe owned by a man who runs a grocery shop near it. Seeing business opportunity, Kalra buys the café and decides to give it a complete overhaul. Victorian décor and regal chandeliers, the small shop gets a facelift. Chefs from the most exclusive and high-end clubs in the country are called in. The menu is…
-
Review: Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
Long before digital cameras and Instagram began ruling the universe of photography, life was different. An expensive hobby, it required precision and tremendous patience. Things weren’t as easy and inexpensive as clicking and deleting the not-good pictures. The film roll was costly so one had to be sure of the right fame and lighting. Then one had to wait to finish the entire film roll and give it to the neighbouring shop to ‘develop’ the pictures. As kids, it was a big test of patience for us. Life was tough! Then came the Polaroid camera. Click a frame and the picture popped out within seconds! It’s was a magic trick to us. The camera…
-
Luxury Romantic Dinner at Thai Pavilion
Exclusivity is a luxury in the world’s second most populous city. While there are niche restaurants, finding an exclusive space with table for two in a restaurant is rare. Introducing the concept of ‘Unique Dining Experience’ Thai Pavilion at Vivanta by Taj, Gurgaon offers one such rare experience. What makes it unique isn’t just the romantic space at the Private Dining Room at the restaurant. You get to choose your meal from a set menu, pair it with a bottle of Moet and Chandon champagne, and get ‘guidance’ from the expert Thai chef. Want a meal customized according to your whim and fancy? He will do it for you! I got a taste of this luxury meal…
-
Sunday Brunch @Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Gurgaon
The Concept of Sunday Brunch: The origin of the concept of a brunch seems to stem out of laziness. Several sleepy Sunday mornings that began at a time too late for breakfast and too early for lunch must have perhaps led a marketer to think of the concept. Curious about the history I read a few links online and asked some food experts around. Some food historians say it all began in England while some say the concept is American. Some site the practice of Catholics feasting on a large meal after fasting before mass. I am not sure of the origin but I have a fixed childhood memory related…
-
Staycation: Weekend Getaway Ideas in Delhi
When you can’t take a long vacation, think about a staycation. With hotels in the city coming up with attractive packages, you do not have to leave the city to really enjoy a weekend getaway! Here are 5 reasons why you must consider taking a staycation. But first, what is a staycation? A staycation is when you take a holiday and become a tourist in your own city! While it might mean a stay-at-home vacation but then what’s a vacation without having to pack your bags? So, look for a hotel or resort that offers all that you look for in a relaxing holiday. Booking.com Why should you take a staycation?…
-
The Embassy Restaurant- Food Review
Amazingly appetizing food, warm ambiance, and cult following are all phrases that can best describe The Embassy Restaurant, D-Block, Connaught Place. Established in 1948 by Mr. P. N. Malhotra and Mr. G. K. Ghai, The Embassy restaurant has come a long way and in this journey has earned a lot of love and appreciation. It’s nice to see several grand-parents sitting with their children and grand-children enjoying a hearty meal and reliving the good old days. The Embassy boasts of fancy clientele and die hard following. But the real celebrity is the lip smacking, taste bud flirting, heavenly delicious food. I cover a lot of restaurants and the food at Embassy…
-
What’s the Difference Between Momos and Dimsums?
“Have you ever heard anyone say to a street vendor ‘1 plate dimsums dena bhaiya’? (give me a plate of dimsums). That says it all. Momos belong to the street while dim sums are nothing but its classier version” Raise your hands (okay, comment below) if you too think of this as the only difference between a momo and a dim sum. The question has crossed my mind every time I dip a momo into the spicy red chutney and whenever I sit pretty in an up-market restaurant waiting for dim sums to arrive. Is it karma that made dim sum affluent presented in a gorgeous bamboo steamer box while…
-
What to buy from Taiwan?
Haggling for a souvenir in the middle of the night is interesting. Shopping in Taiwan can be a fun experience even if you do not purchase anything. But with so many things to buy from Taiwan, you are unlikely to return empty handed. Here’s my list of things you should buy from Taiwan: 1. Camera: Check your DSLR camera. It most probably will have a “Made in Taiwan” label on it. Pick another one here at a reasonable price. Guanghwa Digital Plaza in Taipei is paradise for those looking for any type of electronic or computer gadget. Tip: It is advisable to take time to do a little survey of prices…
