Sancho's Restaurante & Cantina

We had decided to go and have 1 drink from each place we go and hoping we would get place on Friday Night yes right. 

After deciding, I really wanted to go to Taco Fresco and Sanchos which I heard about and good reviews too. Well we wanted to drink so Taco Fresco was out and yes Sanchos looked really appealing. We were greeted and shown to the table. The atmosphere and ambiance was good but I did not feel like I was in a mexican restaurant thought would be more colourful but we wanted to have a good time. 

We ordered drinks Tequila Vela Cruz (Tequila, rum mix with slush), Las Cumbres (Sparkling wine cocktail) and Cartel Conversation (Creamy mix of Tequila and Vodka) all drinks costing Rs. 325 each. 

First thing which we saw in the Menu card was Chocolate Chicken Mole Taquitos which was brilliant, chicken pasted with chocolate sauce and served hot. Very tasty and melt in your mouth feeling. 

We went for Fiesta Nachos which gave you lots of sauce and 3 types of Nachos which were so different from what tasted, friend ordered just another Nachos plate with another plate of sauce. 

We ordered Sauteed Veg Burritos and Chicken Fajitas, which was devoured with glee and with special request chef made the Burritos extra spicy. 

The top of the list was the dessert which was recommended called as Tres Leches which was super amazing and we packed one for home. 

Total damage: Rs. 3500

Overall experience, pretty good. I suggest make a reservation and go during weekends which would generally be full. 

Address: Pinnacle House, Junction of P. D. Hinduja Road and 15th Road, Bandra (W), Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai

Phone: 67094455

Food Deals - www.snapdeal.com

This is my first website review which actually has some awesome deals on restaurants with 50% to 90% discount so here it goes.

With food inflation at almost 17% going out for dinner is an expensive option at good places or wanted to gift my girlfriend a good massage or spa but one time visit is super expensive or want to beat stress join a gym but do not know which one is good try out for a month at throwaway price.

These are the things which I always think about before going out or gifting someone. And after surfing on the net (which is practically I do 10+ hours a day) I stumbled upon a website called SnapDeal

The funda is very simple and very clear, they give away discount coupons for eatery places, watering holes, spas, haircut saloons or gyms.

All you have to do is:

• Buy the coupon in the city which you stay in (currently they have 11 I think they are adding more)

• The deal is on for mostly 48 hours+  and offer period is mostly for a month.

• If you like the deal then click on the big red Buy button and pay via Internet/Credit card etc

• Make sure you look further down where you will see how much you have to pay to the merchant. How this helps is the initial amount is low and even if you do not go to the merchant your money is not wasted.

• When the deal is live take a printout of deal before time runs out.

• One important thing I have learned is you should read all the details before buying.

• The good part is the call center is always there to help you or you can chat to the customer service that is always ready to help you.

I have checked out few other website similar to snapdeal but the interface is very user friendly and no learning curve.

Ohh! Ya and they do give your first deal free with their code which you receive once you sign up with them. So when you buy something you get the deal as free for the first time but you should be entering your name and details after entering the Promo code.

Currently bought my sister a Swedish Massage deal @Tress Talk.

Food in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is said to be the most cosmopolitan city where people from lot of countries other than Israel have settled down and then thrown their own culture in and mixed it with food.

Just returned back from Tel Aviv and as said in the first para there is a super variety of food thrown in from lots of different cultures.

There is a thing said about Israeli culture, food has to be given in abundance and if you give less food to your guest it is said that you are cheap. So go for a lunch or a dinner (i am really sad that i missed out on some big Israeli breakfast) you will get food in such big bowls and plates and quantity enough for 2 to finish and cost i would say around $12 or Shekels 50 would be an average in a good restaurant.

Sea food and meat are bit expensive but fruits are so tasty, grown organically.

So aint giving you any tip on what to eat and what not to eat in Tel Aviv, just go to the restaurant and order what you feel like having. And also for veggies do not worry, they do have lots of option and you will not go hungry.

It's Mirchi - Not so Spicy

It's Mirchi, rooftop restaurant of Ramee International (Juhu - Mumbai) is one of the places including Barbeque Nation in Bandra in which food is barbequed on your table. But the actual thing is, it is already hot and put on over a burning coal.

My cousin coming over and staying in Novotel, wanted to go someplace near we decided to go to It's Mirchi after lot of discussion. Located on the rooftop but it is an air conditioned rooftop so you won''t get any breeze from the sea. The seatings are like diwan style low and comfortable while there are few regular ones also.

Waiter comes in with the menu card of the day and how and what they will be serving to the table. One bad thing of the whole 5 Star Hotel is that they give you borewell water not the regular Mumbai ka pani one but the one which you get in the villages which has that different taste. How can a big hotel like that serve you such water I mean what..ok let me get back to what actually blog is here for Food...

Prawns, Chicken, Paneer comes in the skewers and we get Sheekh Kabab and Surmai Fish served by the waiter. Well the first 3 things were ok not that great but remaining two was cold which was duly replaced after we complained about it.

There are Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, Dosa, Pav Bhaji, Roti and Curries of Fish, Prawns and veg have live counters which are decent but the staff one number less as one has to wait once the place gets full. Ohh there are also Jalebis also whipped on demand..that is a uber cool feature.

Food was 2 Soup, 2 Non Veg, 4 veggies and 4 Deserts nothing to write about the regular basic stuff.

Yes they do serve alcohol..timing are from 7.30 pm to Midnight but until and unless you don't drink alcohol you won't stay more than 1.5 hours.

Cost is Rs. 435 exclusive of taxes which is ok enough for the food they serve.

Britannia and Company Restaurant - Ol' School Restaurant

One of the few Iranians/Parsi restaurants in Mumbai and Cafe Britannia is amongst the top. Opened since 1923 this place was as expensive than as it is today. Reason, well the place it was open was an eminent business road where the CEO's of big shipping company used to come and eat and why would rich people eat in a restaurant which cost less.

The place is famous for its Berry Pulao [Berry is an Iranian fruit which is served is used for garnishing the pulao]. So a friend decided to meet up and what better place to meet than Cafe Britannia on a lazy saturday afternoon. So we reached at 2 pm and to our surprise there was a waiting of 45 mins which included some foreigners and Indians also.

We first order the all famous Rosy Rasberry Soda but the owner wanted us to taste the lemon soda *with the swing of the arm* "to beat the Mumbai heat".

Then a group of 7 ordered 3 patra nu machi and berry pulao with Kheema, chicken and mutton. Patra Nu Machi has a huge portion which should be considering it cost Rs. 350 with awesome green chutney on top of it. The pulao never disappoints me and they were good though a bit steep cost wise a different taste altogether.Finally we topped it off with caramel custard and misti dohi.

Total cost around Rs. 2800 for 7 people and again satisfied as for few it was the first visit.

Address: 
Wakefield House,
11 Sprott Road,
16 Ballard Estate,
Colaba, Mumbai
Phone: 22615264

KongPoush - Food on a Shikara

The only place in proper Mumbai to serve authentic Kashmiri food with Shikaras (real wooden boats in which you sit and dine) as the USP with the well known Kashmiri hospitality to match.

This is what they claim and it is true to a point, finally after deciding so many times me and my sister ended up going to KongPoush as no one was home to serve us food as we enter. I used to pass this place often but in the morning so always used to miss it and in the evening you can never miss this place all tress nearby are lighted and so is the entry.

The restaurant is on the first floor and the place was super well done. They have created Shikara (a Kashmiri boat ) and big photos everywhere displaying Kashmiri Beauty.

Time for food now, we were thinking of going for a'la Carte but the steward suggested to go for Kokur Thaal and Gaad Batta which we did and we were surprised.

Kokur Thaal, this dish started with Chicken Tikka with a different flavor and 3 different chicken curries and 1 veg curry (Lotus Stem with Spinach). The food was delicious and tasted totally different from the actual fares what you get in other hotel.

Same thing with Gaad Batta, which was a fish plate again Lotus Stem and 3 fish curries.

The good part is unlimited roti and unlimited rice with the plate and firni to top it off.

Kokur Thaal: Rs. 349.00
Gaad Batta: Rs. 379.00

A bit steep but good for having once in a while.

Out of The Blue - Nothing Blue about it

Met up with friends at CCD Carter Road and then decided to have dinner as we all know about the options we have on that road after deciding for hours we all confirmed for Out of the Blue....as it was Friday night the place was bit packed and we had to wait for 45 mins. The best part of waiting there you can drool on their pastries which they put up on the display just at the entry.

A group of 8  were given space to sit in Air Conditioned section as it was too hot...everyone says this place is romantic and good for couples well, I guess, I missed that part cause we were all shouting as place was packed Friday would not be a place for Couples in Out of the Blue.

We ordered Cottage Cheese Jalapeno which was just ok, regular Cottage Cheese in green colour and a piece of Jalapeno on the top.

Next in round was Pastas and Sizzlers, Out of the Blue has a Regular and Large section, you could order according to your appetite. We ordered 2 Make your own Sizzlers one with Chicken Breast and other Chicken Shaslik, you do have an option to decide your own sauce, veggies and side dish like rice, spaghetti or mash potatoes (hash).

The best part was at the end, we ordered chocolate fondue which was super yumm which comes with Fruits and Chocolate Brownie.

As it is a fine dining don't expect the place to be cheap...but sizzlers are worth the cost.

It is a must try place for good Italian Food.

Address:

Hotel Pali Hills, 14 Union Park, Off Carter Rd, Khar (W), Mumbai

Phone 26058227, 26003000, 26003001, 9324839393

 

Kerala House - Lunch

After the dinner experience me and K always wanted to check out the lunch. As in their hotel there was a photo which displayed that food were served in Banana Leaves and we always like south indian food that way.

We reach Kerala House during lunch time and we had to buy coupons when asked how much for 3 people...he calculated in his mind and said Rs. 120 (that becomes Rs. 40 for each person), and we added Chicken Fry to it which Rs. 60 for 2 pieces per plate.

We entered looking at peoples plate as we search for a place to sit. As we sit down the plates come in and after some waiting the rice starts its way towards us (though i am not fond of plain rice that much but i kind of made an exception for this). Few moments later see a bucket with Sambar in it and I gleefully let him pour the sambar in my plate. Then came our favorite part Chicken Fry so my combination was Rice, sambar and chicken.

After having double serving of rice...we almost fell sleepy....and with Rs. 100 for the whole meal it was just worth it.

FOND OF FOOD

Have being thinking of doing this for a very very long time but could not make my lazy ass and mid to start working on it.

Well as the blog name suggests it is that I am "FOND OF FOOD" and can enjoy it anywhere (my mum can vouch for it). If the place looks decent enough I might go in and have some of it if very hungry. Sometimes I do take care of my wallet so you would not find a hi-fi ultra expensive restaurant in my list but some will be bit expensive to the cheapest one which I go regularly.

I have a taste of both veg and non-veg but kinda avoid eating beef and pork (my limitations till now) but who knows I might even start that.

I also don't like to take photographs of what I eat (coz i don't carry a camera everywhere) so at times references might be copied.

Enjoy....