My first published interview! - Hiten Tejwani, DNA Pune

He balances a hectic professional life with a healthy personal life,stressful shooting schedules, and sneaks in a little me-time every once in a while. Yet, he's willing to learn more. Hiten Tejwani now has a Bollywood film, Tere Aane Se, up his sleeve.

After 12 long, hard-working and very successful years, Hiten is a face to reckon with on Indian Television. He’s currently seen on TV in Pavitra Rishta and Sanskar Dharovar Apno Ki. Why the shift to Bollywood? This and a lot more, on this candid chat with the humble actor-

From television to films- Why this shift?

Frankly speaking, I feel anyone who starts acting, be it in theater, TV , or even advertisements, is looking at Bollywood. After 12 long years in this industry, I have learned a lot, and there’s always something more to explore. I have always wanted to get into Bollywood. I have been an Assistant Director in the past, and have even edited many films. When I was offered roles in television soaps, I wanted to explore. All that I am today, every part of my success and experience- it’s all because of TV. 

How has your experience been so far, shooting this film?

It’s been great! It’s challenging. There’s not much that I can reveal right now, but all that I can say is that there is a whole lot of hard-work that I have put into this character I am portraying. The film starts with me, Sanjeev, a 60 year old, reminiscing about his life. And then you go on to see me play a college student, a mischievous young rock-star…and how his life unfolds, the circumstances that make him that 60 year old man. You’ll see the character evolving, and it’s a journey I want to take you through. It’s extremely challenging. Especially since this is not something you have seen before.

How have you prepared for this role?

The most challenging part is that there is absolutely no reference to any other character. I couldn’t refer to any material. Everything has been thought of carefully, it’s all my imagination. I take an hour before the shot, sit back in my dressing room, and think- about Sanjeev, what he would feel, what he would go through, and after 60min, I walk out of my room as Sanjeev. And once again, it’s not been easy. All the roles I have portrayed in the past, all the experience I have got from TV, all of this has contributed to this particular role. In the last 12 years, I have done a whole range of roles, and it’s all helping me today.

What do you prefer shooting for- television or films?

Well…they are almost the same nowadays. The main difference would be the time it takes to shoot a serial or a film. With TV, you don’t get much time to prepare. It’s all done that day itself, on the set. Shoot, and leave. But I don’t really feel there’s much difference now. Gone are the days when it took 3 years for a film to be completed. It’s all done very quickly now. I can’t really pick a favorite.

What next?

Let’s see. I have 3-4 scripts, will go through them once I’m done with this film. I’ll take it one step at a time

Any dream role?

I want to portray a character that becomes a classic in the coming years. I want people to look back, and remember this character distinctly, even years later.

How do you keep in touch with your fans? Any special message you’d like to give them?

I’m active on social media, I interact with them on Instagram and Twitter. I also reply to the text messages. Everyone’s been really kind to me, and I want to thank them for the appreciation. There will be roles that I will probably be experimenting with in the future, but that’s only because I want to learn more. I request you to keep the support coming in, and once again, thank you for being there for me.

And with this, we ended the chat. What was meant to be an interview left me feeling liberated. The zeal and enthusiasm to keep learning was overwhelming. We wish you all the best for the film Hiten!

Here's the link of the DNA article-

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61978&boxid=36813&ed_date=2014-03-29&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

Street Shopping, Pune: Featured on the DNA website

Oh look, I've been featured again! <Wouldn't have known had a friend not called me up to tell me about it. *sigh* God bless him.>

Here is the article-

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/lifestyle-shop-the-street-smart-way-in-pune-1972291

As we enjoy the luxuries of globalization and modernization, it's difficult to let go of the habit of haggling with street vendors, something that most of us have grown up with. With prices almost skyrocketing, seeing the jealousy and disbelief etched upon your friends faces as you show off your best buys is turning out to be quite a delightful experience. Getting good deals from Sarojini Nagar, Delhi and Colaba Causeway/Linking Road, Mumbai are now passé. Pune is now opening up to the culture of street shopping.

Street shopping , though a little off-track, can be one of the most exhilarating shopping experiences of your lifetime. This is not something that a novice shopper can deal with.The variety of products available at astonishingly low rates, the sense of achievement on having bagged a good deal, picking up triple the number of products for half the amount you’d spend at a mall, and to end it with a finger-licking roadside chaat – this experience is not to be missed out on if you are in India. 

If you are looking at funky products, fabulous bargains, or simple photo opportunities, M.G.Road and F.C. Road in Pune are a must try.  Clothes, jewelry, bags, shoes, home décor items, ethnic items, you name it, they have it. Navigate your way through traffic, kids selling stickers and balloons, and other shoppers as you peruse the stalls. From branded items off the runways to dirt-cheap seasonal trends, MG Road and F C Road are a fusion of traditional and modern styles. These shopping destinations in Pune attract a whole lot of young college crowd, looking out for inexpensive trendy items. The quality of the products picked up is questionable, but something worth Rs. 300 that lasts for 3 months is something that most of us as shoppers can live with.

The people, the smells, the tastes, the organized chaos, the cacophony of sounds -  all of this combined makes for an enthralling shopping experience. There are 2 rules that we absolutely must not forget while street shopping-

1.       Don’t buy in haste, there is ALWAYS a better deal waiting for you at the next store

2.       BARGAIN.

Street shopping is an exciting experience, you never know what you might find. Every buy here has a story. Plan out a day of street shopping with your girls, and shop till you drop! End it on a relaxed note with wine and kebabs at the Greek-themed bistro-By The Way if you are at F.C. Road, or with a Barman’s Pitcher and some Masala Fries at Thousand Oaks’s, Camp if you are looking at something fun near M.G.Road. 

Beef Steak Burger

Yay to another feature being published!! DNA, Pune, Page 2 :

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61713&boxid=34941&ed_date=2014-03-24&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

What seems like a millennium ago, a phenomenon called Burgers (previously known as Burger King) arrived in Pune. Back then, Pune Camp (M.G. Road) was populated with a cosmopolitan crowd; a mix of foreign students, Christians, Parsis and the elite. The crowd went wild for this place, and for someone who had started this as a small experiment, it ended up being a main business. 25 years since this phenomenon hit this town, Mr. Shapoor Irani, the man behind the burger joint, is still coming to terms with the fact that this place is one of the most famous burger joints in Pune.“I am an MBA graduate, I had nothing to do with this field when I decided to open this joint. I recognized the need in the market for burgers, had an empty space lying around back home, and decided to give it a shot. It’s become such a big hit, it’s not easy!”  

Considering it’s esteemed competition, this joint is surprisingly low-key.  Orders are taken over a small counter , while the cooks prepare the burgers in the background. While the orders are competently prepared, the options are straightforward- burgers, fries and drinks.All the customers are loyalists, and word-of-mouth publicity has got it this far.  If you are in Pune, looking for a fast-food quick-fix, you know where to go.

The Beef Steak Burger has established itself in the competitive market. Mr. Irani went on to tell us how people from Mumbai and Goa come over on weekends to get a taste of the special beef burgers. “On weekends, it’s maddening. There is a long queue of customers waiting to order, and the guys in the kitchen work at the speed of lightning. All the beef burgers are sold out EVERYDAY, there are people who settle in for the chicken burgers because the beef ones are over. I feel bad, but there’s nothing that I can do. I want to continue providing good quantity of quality food, at inexpensive rates.” On quizzing him about the daily sales he smiles and says- I can make 200 burgers, and I can make 10,000. Depends, you can never say. But we are always well prepared.” Does he wish to expand the business? “No not as of now. I have a tough time handling this, how much can one man do? Everything here is freshly prepared, I do not sell frozen patties. The shelf-life automatically decreases, so I can’t be looking out at franchises. I want to give my undivided attention to the 2 stores, I don’t want to compromise on quality, quantity, prices, or my attention” Mr. Irani’s passion for the business is reflected in the way he tells us how a burger is made, describing each step in detail while preparing a burger by himself. 

The store has 2 branches, one on East Street and the other one at Koregaon Park. The stores open at 11:30am and close down by 10:30pm, and are always buzzing with customers.  A beef steak burger is priced at Rs. 80. The customers know what they want, and they know they can get it here- cheap, filling, and most importantly, consistent. Majority of the customers are students, and that is something that has not changed since the store opened back in 1988-89. “The foreign students would come here for the beef burgers, you’d get the loyal AFMC guys coming in every evening, and every Sunday you’d find the NDA chaps occupying the whole place, all throughout the day. Pune has been very kind.”

A good burger is a beautiful thing, almost like an unimprovable piece of art- a satisfying messy presentation of ketchup, cheese, mayonnaise, beef and of course the custom-made buns. If you're looking out for messy American burgers that remind you of Jughead while you eat them,  you will definitely enjoy this place. And if you are lucky enough to get Mr. Irani to spend some time with you, you’d not want to leave.  

A Mediterranean Affair- Casero, Pune

Before I start, here's the link to the published article (DNA,Pune Edition):

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61505&boxid=35622&ed_date=2014-3-20&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

With a whole lot of Italian, Indian, Oriental and Continental restaurants springing up all over the city, this one comes as a pleasant change. With absolutely no hint of an Indian touch, Casero takes you on a delectable trip across Spain, Morocco, Turkey and Greece. 

White stone walls, green doors, a strong breeze, a white fence lined with potted palms, little lamp shades at every table, and soft jazz music playing softly  in the background- this place will definitely remind you of a sea-side bistro in Greece or Italy. The staff is polite, courteous, and makes sure every need of yours is attended to.

The journey across the Mediterranean coast starts as soon as you are handed over the menu card. Hand-made paper clipped on a heavy wooden slate, the menu card provides a detailed description of all the food items. Casero means “home-made” in Spanish, and this is exactly what works for them. There is something about the place that will make you feel at home, and this is what makes the culinary experience all the more exciting.

Warm, buttery, lightly toasted bread served with some light and refreshing hummus, and a couple of fresh fruit mocktails were brought to our table while we browsed through the menu. Mr. Mahesh Kini, the owner of Casero, came over to us and suggested we try out a few of their specials. “We use authentic Mediterranean style of cooking, which is why you will not find even a little hint of any Indian flavors in the food. “

                    

Starters:

Green Tomato and Goat Cheese

This is a fried patty, soft and cheesy with a thin slice of green tomato in the center, with a little hint of sweetness. This is served with a yogurt based dip, and if you are in the mood for a new (cheese) flavor, I recommend you try it.

Spanakopita

A thin, soft, buttery pastry stuffed with spinach, this is a must try for all you vegetarians. The flavor of the spinach is refreshing, and mixes well with the buttery pastry.

Moroccan Style Lamb Balls

Oven baked, sautéed in the home-made tomato sauce, this one is a little tangy. The meatballs are soft, and the flavors are overwhelming. 

Souvlakia

This is a grilled chicken preparation served on skewers, and has a fresh flavor of lime, olive oil and herbs. Very light on the stomach, do try it out.

Kalamar Tava

This one’s been highly recommended by many, and is a Turkish preparation of squids stuffed with shrimps. Fresh, soft, and full of flavor, this extravagant preparation is fit for a king. 

Main Course

Artichoke and Phyllo Parcel

This one is an oven-baked phyllo pastry stuffed with cheese and pan- sautéed leek. Buttery, cheesy, soft and light, this dish melts in your mouth.

Root Veg Saganaki

This is a deep-fried patty made our of root vegetables (carrot, beetroot and radish), served with some home-made tomato sauce. Tangy and sweet at the same time, this is served with feta cheese. If you like your cheese, do try it out.

Casero Signature Paella

This involves prawns, chicken, crab and pork sausages served in lemon rice. A good mixture of flavors, this too has been highly recommended by many.

Harissa Chgicken

This one was my personal favorite. It’s  chicken cooked in chilly paste and bell peppers in a foil. If you are looking out for something spicy, try this. The moment you open the foil, the aroma of the chilly engulfs you, and the flavor of the bell peppers and chilly seeped right into the chicken makes this quite a refreshing chicken preparation.

Lamb Shank Tagine

This is mutton served in thick gravy. A little sweet, with a strong flavor of all the right garam masalas, the mutton is cooked with caramelized onions and dates. The aroma will take you back to your history books, and remind you of the Turkish Sultans and their trade of spices, and their rich foods.

The advantage of  this cuisine is that it’s very light on the stomach, and even after all those dishes we had appetite for some desserts (tee hee)

Desserts

Dark Chocolate Rum Torte

This  one has been highly recommended by many, and there was no way we were going to be left behind. 70% dark chocolate, with a strong flavor of rum- If you love dark chocolate, genuine dark bitter chocolate, there is no way you can be missing out on this.

Arabian Nights

This is a much lighter option compared to the chocolate torte. This is a platter containing a rich, creamy milk based dessert, a walnut filled baklava, and a refrigerated preparation of saffron milk.

                          

A must-try for those looking out for a completely new culinary experience. I’m definitely going back for more. 

Arthur's Theme, Pune

A hot and lazy Sunday afternoon saw us walking into Arthur's Theme.The place was empty, and I had my doubts about entering. But I've never heard a bad review about Arthur's Theme, which is why I decided to go ahead with this.

A small place with wood paneling and dim lights immediately takes you to a small café somewhere up in the Himalayas. Full marks for the presentations- lights, music, the wine bottle on the table; this is exactly what you want on a lazy weekend.

We took the table by the window, and proceeded to order. Because it was uncharacteristically hot (it’s only mid March!) I decided to go ahead with a non-alcoholic Sangria. The staff is polite, courteous, and extremely humble. My drink was served within 10 minutes. After having spent all of Sunday morning “café-hopping”, in search of that one drink that would make the heat bearable, I had finally found it. Sweet, cold,  and a strong flavor of apple-what more could one ask for? Once again, full marks for the presentation.

We ordered an Alfredo, which is batter-fried calamari, served with a garlic dip. This one arrived in 15 minutes, and just by the smell of it we knew we had ordered a winner. A rich buttery aroma filled the place while I tried to get a good shot. After a certain point I could not hold back any longer, so please forgive me for this poor quality image.

The squids were fresh, not too chewy, and absolutely delicious! Perfect for beer and game nights. The dip compliments it perfectly, and I strongly recommend this dish for starters.

We then ordered a Mariana and a Duncan (I LOVE the names of the dishes here!) Here’s the verdict-

Mariana

I expected potato skins, and was a little disappointed to see them being served like this-

But the disappointment was short-lived. The potatoes are crispy, tasty, and go well with the yogurt dip. You can’t stop after one. The garlic and herbs blend well to give a distinct flavor to this dish. Highly recommend it, do try it out.

Duncan

Classic chicken wings in barbeque sauce. Even though it’s a standard preparation, no one has ever managed to do a good job. This one, however, is as close to perfect as you could get. It looked a little messy to eat, but once we started, we finished off 8 wings between the 2 of us within 15 minutes, I kid you not. The caramelized barbeque sauce does the magic. Try it, please do!

I’m glad Sunday ended on such a happy note. It’s good to see a few old places that have managed to keep up their standards. I am DEFNITELY coming back again, this time with the boyfriend. Good food, affordable prices, and an ambiance that gives you the experience of fine-dining somewhere in the mountains, Arthur’s Theme is highly recommended.

A lunch for one- Dario's

Tried the Onion Tart for lunch this Monday. A quick summary-

1.The service has improved since the last time I visited (back in June 2013) Or maybe it's the lack of customers on a Monday afternoon. Either way, I didn't have any complains as far as the service was concerned.

2. The Onion Tart was a tad bit too oily. Oily enough to put you off, you know what I mean? If you're paying a bomb for something, you don't want to be served something that LOOKS unappetizing.



3. The tart was served with mashed potatoes. Honestly, even the accompaniments ended up disappointing me. Mashed potatoes are best enjoyed when smooth, creamy and soft. The texture reminded me of thick rice pudding. And it wasn't even tasty. I could do a better job with mashed potatoes, and that's saying something.



It's heart-breaking, paying 450 bucks for something that doesn't satisfy your taste buds, and ends up clogging your arteries. Tch tch!

4. I also ordered a mocktail- the Pussy Cat. A distinct flavor of pineapple, this drink gave me the perfect sugar rush I had been craving for all day. Worth paying 200 for.



I'd love to come here again, it's beautiful, and extremely relaxing. I could come here alone and spend hours  writing, while sipping mocktails. I wish they would do a better job with the food though. 

Gimme some oven!

There are bad days only a chocolate cake can fix. Having one of those days, and your favorite cake shop is shut? Bake your own!

Flour  (maida) : 1 ½-2 bowls

Curd : 1 bowl

Butter : 3/4^th of a 100gm bar

Eggs:  2

Sugar: 2 bowls

Cocoa Powder : 4-5 tablespoons

Vanilla Essence : 1 tablespoon

Baking Soda: 1 tablespoon

It’s fairly simple- mix it all up, and beat it till there are no lumps in the batter. It’s a basic recipe, but very few seem to have got it right. Maybe there’s a secret to baking a simple chocolate cake too, you never know. Here’s what works for me-

1.       No measurements- 2 bowls might mean 1 and 3/4^th, or 2 and 1/3^rd or 2 and 1/4^th…you get the point.

2.       Brands- I experimented with a few, and saw the difference in the cakes.

3.       The butter- There are a few recipes that include salt as an ingredient. Amul butter does the job.

4.       The curd-  Mother Dairy. Nestle is a little too sour. Amul works too. (Curd is a better option compared to             milk, the cakes turn out richer)

5.       The sugar- Don't grind the sugar. This way the cakes turn out a little sticky and gooey.

6.       The baking powder- don’t use baking powder that’s more than a month old.

7.        The secret ingredient- add a little (1/3^rd bowl) of boiling water once the batter is ready, and mix it up once more. This was a tip I picked up from Nigella’s cooking show. It helps in making the cake fluffier (yes it does!)

Sometimes a simple chocolate cake can save the day.

First Feature Article- DNA Pune, Page 2

Waking up to congratulatory messages and mails can only mean one thing- I'm doing SOMETHING right. The confidence gives me a high, and even though it's a small step, it's worth the effort. Writing feels liberating, and it feels good to be acknowledged. It's just the beginning though...one small step at a time.



Here's what I wrote-

Red Velvet Cake at Fat Cat’s Café

A quaint little café situated opposite Salunke Vihar, Wanowarie, Fat Cat’s Café will remind you of a small bistro you might stumble upon somewhere in the English countryside. Melanie Andrade is the owner and chef at Fat Cat’s Café, while Sunil Kirpalani takes care of the business.

The moment you open the door, you are greeted with a delicious aroma which instantly makes you drool. The mint interiors provide a calming effect, and it’s quite refreshing to get away from the hustle bustle of the city life. The café also has a book shelf- perfect for some "me" time.Melanie and Sunil are very patient with the customers, and help them choose a dish that suits the mood. They are one of the most genuine people one can come across, and the love for baking is reflected in all the dishes.

Melanie has always been fond of baking, and catered from home before she decided to open the café. We were a little curious to know where she learnt her fabulous cooking skills from- “Oh I haven’t learnt anything. Just a whole lot of experimentation, that’s all. I’m lucky it turns out well.” This answer left us a little speechless, and we couldn't help asking – “You haven’t learnt any of this…?” She must be used to this reaction by now, because she smiled back politely and said “Touchwood”

We couldn’t help but agree.

The café serves pies, quiches, sandwiches, cakes, coffee, and also has a special menu every weekend. The concept is interesting, and ensures nothing is wasted. The meat served is fresh, and in generous quantities. We asked a few of the customers to recommend a few dishes. “Red velvet cake” was the prompt answer. Even Sunil and Melanie agree- “it’s flying off the shelves, but you need to try some of the other stuff too!”

Red velvet cakes have slowly gained popularity, but very few have managed to do a good job.The red velvet cakes here are by far one of the best you will have in Pune. A slice of red velvet cake is priced at Rs. 100; one bite and you’ll know it’s worth it. Warm and fresh, this cake melts in your mouth. The cream cheese on top gives the cake a distinguishing flavor, and you’ll know you’ve tasted something that could one day be one of the wonders of the city.

The best part about this place is you cannot stop after one pastry. We ended up eating a lot more than what we had planned, but since the food is fresh and well cooked (not to mention delicious) we are not complaining. In case you haven’t tried out the red velvet cake (or other cakes for that matter), we recommend you visit this café soon.

Check out the article at-

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=2&edcode=820040&eddate=2014-3-08

Deliciousness and Laughter- Fat Cat's Cafe

This weekend has been the best one that I’ve had this year. Catching up after months, re-visiting old memories, and a whole lot of bonding over good food- awesome weekend was awesome. Laughter and good food have been the highlights of the weekend, and why not? A place like Fat Cat’s Café can only guarantee deliciousness and laughter, duh! 

We planned to meet up for a coffee, and ended up spending the whole evening here. Similarly on Sunday we stopped by to eat a red velvet pastry (we all have our cravings) and ended up eating a lot more (as soon as you walk into the café, I think the aroma clouds your judgment, and you end up ordering all that’s on display. It’s not a bad thing) So here’s a summary of what you might have missed if you didn’t come over to Fat Cat’s this weekend ( :P)

Bacon Cheese Quiche

Crab Melts

Coffee Cake

Red Velvet Pastry

Apple Pie

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

Cold Coffee

Here’s what it went like (warning- pictures might make you drool)

Bacon Cheese Quiche

A soft creamy blend of bacon and cheese, complimented by a delicate flakey crust that enhances the flavor. Take a look at the inside of this-

The red bacon with the creamy cheese is sure to make one drool. And it tastes better than what it looks like. And I doubt you’d get any other place that would be so generous with their bacon servings.

Crab Melts

One word when you bite into it- “mmm” You don’t even want to take some time out to say “It’s awesome”. The name is self explanatory- the crab melts in your mouth.

Also, it’s one of those rare occasions where you’ll find such authentic and tasty and FRESH crab anywhere in this city. If you’ve missed this, I feel bad for you.

Coffee Cake

Melanie (the baker/owner) continues her magic with baking. I’ve had the red-velvet cake, the baked cheesecakes, and now the coffee cake. And I think I have found my favorite (yes, imagine something better than the red velvet cake. Imagine.)

The flavor of the coffee, the frosting, the chocolate- I’m drooling while writing about it. You get the point.

Red Velvet Pastry

Everyone’s heard of the red velvet pastry here. Everyone. I don’t need to say anything about this, it’s found it’s niche.

"It looks like Christmas!!" 

Apple Pie

Autumn at grandma’s place for a family re-union- this is what the apple pie will remind you of. Of laughter, memories, nostalgia, sweetness, and good food, this apple pie will remind you of a happy childhood.

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

I’ve had the blueberry cheesecake and absolutely loved it ( the red velvet cake was even ignored for a couple of minutes while I drooled over the cheesecake last weekend) Hence the decision to try out this new flavor. I personally prefer the Blueberry cheesecake, but I feel even if they come up with a plain cheesecake I’ll love it. Magic, that’s what it is.

Cold Coffee

Yes, even the cold coffee deserves a mention. And I love the way they are served chilled with ice, it’s like the stuff you see in ads. Reminded me of the days I used to come back home after my evening games, and mum used to have a glass of cold coffee waiting for me at the table. Good thought ^_^

So if you don’t know what to try out here, come along, have a cup of coffee, read a book, eat a red velvet cake, and experience magic.

And I have pancakes for lunch

I went over for lunch this afternoon (yes, lunch, cos I eat pancakes for lunch. No kiddin!) and since it was an unconventional lunch place, I ended up having a good time. Good food and good company is always a winning combo :)


And here's what we ordered-

Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast (yes, it's the second favorite here)
Onion and Corn Pancake
Grilled Salami
French Fries
Coffee

Who wouldn't be excited about a lunch like this, eh? :)


Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast- Love. Try it (have recommended it in a previous review too)

Onion and Corn Pancakes - This is the first time I've tasted pancakes that are not sweet (had a bad experience in Mumbai with a crepe once, decided to stick to the sweet preparations only) and BOY are they good. Soft, fluffy, thick- they make it like they mean it! The corn and onion pancakes go very well with the sour cream, and you absolutely must try this!!! MUST!

Grilled Salami- you can't really go wrong with this. Crispy, well cooked, not too much oil- have it for breakfast maybe, with eggs and coffee.

Fries- Crisp, tasty, and stayed that way even after cooling down. What more does one need? Though bad French Fries can spoil your mood. Luckily, these are good)

Lunch was a fun affair, and I suggest you do go try it out some day you are feeling a little too mischievous. (Not adventurous, but mischievous )


Happy eating!

Cos I eat Dessert for Breakfast - Peter's Pan

Being a morning person, I have always enjoyed breakfast scenes. Call me at 7:00am for a breakfast meeting, and I will be there 5 min before time. Scientifically proven, the breakfast must be the heaviest meal of the day...plus after killing myself at the gym every morning I could eat enough for 2 people. So you get the drift. Meet me for breakfast, and you'll never really regret it. 

I met a school friend after ages- yes sadly it's that point in life when all the close ones are all over the world. Meeting someone for even a day now gets me excited, and meeting someone who is equally excited about breakfast and chocolate and FOOD made this even more special. 

We went to a small cafe in the neighborhood- Peter's Pan. It's been here for quite some time, and I have gone here a bunch of times for pancakes and well, pancakes. This is one good thing about this place- it's been so long, and they have maintained the quality of their pancakes (maybe even got better!) So yes, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out that pancakes was part of our breakfast. 


This is what we had-

Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast
Banana Caramel Pancakes
Coffee

(All for 230 bucks, hell yeah!)

The verdict-



French Toast

Three thick slices of toast, covered in caramel sauce. The sight of the dish gave me a sugar high, I kid you not. Here, have a look-

One bite of this beautiful dish, and I couldn't STOP. I ended up eating 2 out of the 3 slices (I must learn some self-control) There is not too much egg, which is good (I once had a bad experience with French Toasts when the egg was a little too much, and it ended up smelling a little stale once it got cold) and the flavor ended up being almost perfect. What was missing was the cinnamon- there was absolutely no hint of cinnamon in the bread, when in fact it was one of the main reasons I had chosen that particular option (They had Jalapeno and Cheese French Toast too, but well, blame my sweet tooth for ordering desserts for breakfast) Vanilla cinnamon did sound a little more interesting..so yes, I was a little disappointed with the missing cinnamon. But that was probably just in the initial 3-4 bites...after that I think we were too busy catching up to even bother about missing cinnamon. 




Banana Caramel PANCAKES

This has been a personal favorite here. I have my moments once in 3 months when I come over for banana caramel pancakes. It pains me to see how people don't think banana, caramel, whipped cream served with pancakes cannot be a good thing. I agree, not everyone is ambitious when it comes to trying out new food and flavors. Here I am, assuring you that you are going to love this little change, and that you might want to shift over from chocolate too. 

Do give it a try. The pancakes are soft, fluffy, and filling. One plate contains 3 pancakes, so maybe you could come over and try it out one fine evening. Just a little food experiment :) 


The service is a little slow, you might have to wait a little too long for your order to be ready, but in the end it's all worth it. 

Chill scene Saturday- Shatranj, Pune.

A not-so-hectic weekend, after ages. And honestly, I was craving for a break. So while friends were making extensive plans of going to fancy places for dinner, I suggested we do something different. Surprisingly, it was very easy to convince everyone for a lunch at Shatranj, Koregaon Park. Many had heard of the place and it's wonderful tandoori items. I'd heard about it sometime last year, from a friend. Seeing his excitement while he described a relaxed Saturday evening  at Shatranj with his colleagues, I made a mental note to visit the place as soon as possible.


So here I was on a Saturday afternoon, excited about finally being here. The place is spacious and well-managed I must say. The seating is outdoor, in an open air arrangement. One is unlikely to find such an ambiance in other parts of the city- a quiet green place where you can unwind over beer and good food, and not spend much by the end of it. Perfect for an outing with close friends after a hectic week, this place is more enjoyable during the night.





The service is prompt, and it's reassuring to know that the waiters have a good idea about the menu (they helped us decide our order) It's the confidence with which the waiters recommend dishes that makes you want to try them out.

This is what our lunch looked like-

Paneer Tikka
Fruit Punch
Margarita
Chicken Tawa
Veg Lahori
Dal Fry
Cheese Garlic Naan
Jeera Rice

Here's how it went-


Paneer Tikka






The paneer could have been a little softer- it tends to become a little hard when it cools down. The masala too didn't seep in too well (though I feel that's how it works with paneer?) The masala is a little salty, though overall the dish tastes fresh and average. It is served with onion- a little cabbage in the salad would actually help balance out the extra salt. We had to ask for the chutney to be served along with it. I suggest you have it with the green chutney, it's pretty refreshing.
In a nutshell- average. There are a few changes that can be made to the presentation, but otherwise it is an okay dish.


Fruit Punch

If in case you don't know it by now, I live on sugar rushes. That's why you'll see me eating a whole lot of desserts, ad drinking a gazillion  mocktails. So the Fruit Punch shouldn't come as a surprise.
This mocktail is sweet, refreshing, and when left on the table, takes you to a shack in Goa.

The drink looked a little heavy though- milk, along with pieces of fruit. The drink is a combination of apple, chickoo and orange juice. Perfect, if you ask me, though it could do without the apple pieces in the drink. I really enjoyed the drink, and I suggest you try it on a hot summer day.




Margarita

This one was a disappointment. Since I don't drink, I only had a sip of it, but it was enough to give me an idea- it's TOO sweet (they could do away with the concentrated sugar syrup I feel), a little too strong (maybe cos of the excess sugar, alcohol, and cherry liqueur clashing horribly) and there are smalls pieces of something jelly-like in the drink. Do away with the ice and the jelly and the concentrated sugar syrup...let the drink be a little more easy and relaxing.




Though of course Shatranj is a place you'd like to visit for beer..but once in a while when you do feel like having a cocktail, it must be good.


Chicken Tawa




The dish looked extremely appetizing. Served on a "tawa", this dish came with a thick rich gravy, garnished with tomatoes. The dish tasted as good as it looked. There was a generous quantity of chicken, and the pieces were well cooked and fresh. They could be a little softer though- they could try grilling the pieces a little more before adding them to the gravy. But overall the dish is absolutely delicious, with a  nice blend of flavors. This dish is medium-spicy...and almost perfect. This is the kind of good food you would want to eat after a tiring and long week, you know. Do try this, please!



Veg Lahori

This one was a recommendation by the manager. He seemed very confident and positive about it. He also kept insisting we take the whole portion, instead of ordering it by plate. After much persuasion, we gave in.  After having one bite of the dish I understood what he meant by asking us to order a larger portion. This dish is one of the tastiest veg dishes I have eaten in a long time.




 It looks rich, appetizing, and if you haven't already filled your stomach with starters, it will definitely make you drool. The gravy is semi-thick, rich, and a little sweet. The taste reminded me of the food I had back in Punjab (which basically is a compliment since the Mughlai food up north is mostly brilliant)  This is one of those dishes you'd not want to waste, no matter how full you are. TRY IT!





Dal Fry







An inviting color, a delicious aroma, a strong flavor and a rich tadka, this dish will vaguely remind you of home. This with some jeera rice, and you're sorted. Very light on the stomach, and a lovely after-taste. You MUST try this out. Even a simple dish like a dal fry can be tasty, you know.



Jeera Rice
This is well cooked, and it's one of those rare times when I actually got a hint of the jeera in the rice. Coupled with the dal fry, this was one refreshing meal!



Cheese Garlic Naan



The cheese does get a little dry once it cools down, so you might not get the flavor after some point. Though the cheese and the garlic together make for an interesting combo.






Do visit  if you're looking for a place to unwind,good food and cheap liquor. It's quite a good deal if you consider the ambiance and the good food, and the service. Not bad, if you're not looking at anything fancy, just a laid back evening with your close friends, beer, and good food.