Let me tell you about my indulgences- fish wrapped in banana leaves, their chicken and lamb curries, banana flower vegetables, pineapple stew, beef fry, lamb legs (to die for), Kerala parotha, appams. Each meal started with a glass of hot rasam and bowl of fried papads. The flavours are a mix of all coastal cuisines- Goan, Mangalorean, Kerala.
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The Mavalli Tiffin Room- Bangalore
The idli was soft and speckled with dal and whole peppers. The sambhar along with it was thick and not watery like elsewhere in this country. There was a generous helping of ghee on the side just in case. The masala dosa was a surprise. It was much thicker than dosas I've eaten in Chennai or Mumbai. It had the most comforting sour dough taste ever.
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Breakfast Tiffin at Saravana Bhavan and saree shopping in Nalli's, Chennai
She poured the coconut milk in the center of these bowl shaped pancakes made of fermented rice flour. The center is slightly thick like an idli. The coconut milk fills up all the pores and moistens the pancake. And with our hands we mixed and turned and tore and scooped at this absolutely delicious and simple tasting breakfast snack.
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A Cinderella's weekend at the Le Meridien, New Delhi
So for next 2 days I was transported to this magical land of the finest French and Oriental fusion cuisines at their world-class restaurants. Stuff that you only read in books or travel magazines had now became a reality. You name it, they had it and we could eat our hearts content at any of their restaurants.
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An Unforgettable Meal at The La Plage, Goa
Such gastronomically delightful food was also accompanied with super conversation. I am clearly quite smitten. It was also quite a turn on watching Mr. Fox enjoy his meal. There is so much you learn about a person over a meal. Such mirth hanging out and letting loose with a fellow food lover.
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Chai! Enroute Lonavala
BLISS. It was raining and we stood under the plastic covers of her little tea stall as she carried on making aloo vadas for her customers. Yes- hot tea with spicy vada pav. The perfect combination in all this rain, fog and mist. Ginger. I sipped on this slightly spicy, sweetly aromatic with the delicacy of the lemongrass leaves in the tea. Ginger. I peeled away and found this rich, verdant, fertile land all around me.
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A Bird Sanctuary, A Dhaba, and a Fort on a Hill... Neemrana at Kesroli
A year ago, in another life, faraway from here where it snows a whole lot I was browsing through some pictures that my friend Anjalika had posted. It was a beautiful fort in the middle of mustard fields. It looked like a heritage hotel. A little research led me to the Neemrana group of Heritage hotel's website. I just wanted to spend a day there. Just a day. And what better day to choose- my birthday.
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Where do I get the Best Biryani here? Heard in Hyderabad
The smell was blissful and delicate. Every grain of rice was coated with gentle spices. The mutton pieces were tender and tantalizing. I heard music in my head as I ate the biryani. I was happy. The 3am wake up call, run to the airport and almost missing my flight was all worth it. In fact I am glad I did not miss my flight and got a chance to taste this incredible biryani.
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A pilgrimage of sorts- La Bella, Ahmedabad
So what is La bella or Labs. It is a little hole in the wall place that is run by this Goan aunty for as long as anyone can remember. She makes a couple of dishes everyday and any one who eats her meal, swears by her. I know I do. It is a place of no pretensions.
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Delhi! The Khan Market rendezvous!!
OMG! I had a two week break and decided to travel up north to Delhi. Why Delhi? And why not? It is the capital of the country after all. Also, I had never spent any significant time in Delhi. Had heard about the Cultural revolution that had hit Delhi.
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