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

Red Zen - Courtyard by Marriot

This was my 3rd Food Blogger meet and now looking at everyone who create super food at home, I think I should move on from cutting onions, mashing potatoes, to adding just that one thing to make food taste good to a full meal.

Rushina with Torres

Rushina of A Perfect Bite again chose a beautiful location and this time Marriot management did turn out with all their smile (and it was not fake). We met up with Big Boss of the Courtyard by Marriot and many many more who were happy to help you with your questions.

I had an amazing chat with the chef about what is the craziest thing they have cooked or eaten. The names which they said was amazing Crocodile Tail, Crows, Piegons, Grouse, Turkey (when it was not easily available in India), Ostrich, Snakes list just went on and on. I was in total awe of them. Also came to know why breads were soggy with the canapies they served and the history of it. Which is generally bread soaks up the moisture from the food and in past people had to eat on the filling. I tasted the best Zuchini, Pineapple and Cream Cheese pairing, which topped the other 3.

Then we were taken upstairs to the swimming pool where wine master Mr. Reimi gave a good fun talk of the wine and people in my table were enjoying their time. We had difficulty in choosing which was the better wine but later according to Indian Pallete the White Wine from Chardonny wins hands down in our table of four.
All the wines which we tasted were:

It was a Red setting next to the Pool

1) KUMALA (2008) (Western Cape Pinotage Shiraz) (South Africa)
A medium bodied wine with coffee, black pepper, off key tastes, hints of black fruit (wild berries)

2) KUMALA (2008) (Western Cape Chardonnay Semillion) (South Africa)
A crisp fruity wine with sweet and spicy vanilla, melon & pear flavours.

3) LAROCHE(2009) (De La Chevalière Chardonnay) (France)
A Lifted wine with aromas of Grapefruit & White Peach.

4) LAROCHE(2009) (De La Chevalière Cabernet Sauvignon) (France)
A medium bodied wine with a bouquet of red fruit with strawberry and jam.

Something to go with the wine

Cheese and Crackers (which i love to call biscuits)

Torres giving out info and people enjoying the Wine

Later, we went back to Red Zen and we were greeted with Appetizers:

Chicken Satay

Papaya salad/ Som tam (v) - It looked so good to the eye but for people who generally do not enjoy spicy food it was one which could be avoided but one had to taste it to know what awesome thing it was.
Mini spring roll (v) - Well it was Spring Rolls and Mini
Mini chicken satay - Soft and tasty perfect with a smooth drink.

Next to the Kitchen

Papaya Salad and Praws

Thai black pepper prawn  - One of the best prawns I had, everyone thought it was the Oil which gave the amazing flavor but it was the butter which the prawns were polished made them so yummy.

Man who cooked it for us

Then the main course was about to start and the smiling chef Praiwan said keep some space in your stomach as food is going to be great.


Soup: TOM KHA GAI
Thai coconut soup with chicken favored with galangal

The Red Zen Blogger Menu Card

MAIN COURSE
GOONG PHAD PONG KRA-REE
Wok fried prawn with Thai yellow curry

PLA SAAM ROD
Crisp fried fish fillet with three flavored sauce

GAI PHAD KHIENG SOD
Wok fried chicken with ginger

GAENG KIEW WAN PAK
Thai Green curry vegetable

PHAD THAI PAK
Thai style fried rice noodle with vegetable and roasted peanut

STEAMED JASMINE RICE

This was the menu but I guess with all the talking with each other everyone just enjoyed their time and no pressure on how the food tasted was it bad or good, random talks was the order of the evening.

Nikhil Giving out Moutain Jam to everyone

Thank you Marriot for great time and Rushina for organising the event. Also Nikhil for giving us the Mountain Jam.

San Churro - Chocolate Fantasy..maybe

Image via WikipediaLocated bang opposite Red Box this place is known to be very very chocolaty and after enjoying last day of Kala Ghoda we pushed towards San Churro just for Chocolate as we were not hungry.

As you enter there it feels like a small place with big chocolate counter and few seats which was already taken but later we came to know that a stair leads up to a big space where seats are placed far enough from each other.

We had ordered for famous Churro mini where we get hot Churros with one sauce of our choice (White, milk or dark), 7 layered Chocolate Pastry and Paneer sandwich as my friend suddenly got hungry. You can place the order at the counter or go up have a seat and give the order to the waiter.

The churros came in and the pastry too, as it was our first experience of what churro is, it was pretty good except I wanted the chocolate to be hot too. So we finished off the Churros and the cake with 7 layer was quite heavy for one person and luckily we were four still it was too much. Sandwich was pretty OK.

Total cost was Rs. 400 which was OK for a one time visit, we still have to enjoy the hot chocolate and also few other things. The menu was not that extensive, that is what my friends felt.

China1 - mmm OK!!!

Located just next to Grillopolis, I think they share the same wall, is a new Chinese place called China1 which opened up recently ie in Jan 2011 and lot were written on the billboard and banners on the Link Road. It was republic day and was meeting up with a friend who loves Chinese not the Indian Chinese though, well after reading all the billboards I said why not try this.

First of all they have a big waiting area outside which can hold a mini party of 15 people and inside it is all white and black. The ceiling is huge and place is well spread out. So it has a good feel, but I still did not understand why were they playing Titanic OST. If they say that it kinda brings you near China we should be hearing Chinese flute and other Chinese music. Well just my thought.

In afternoon they have buffet and in the evening it is a la carte. We were escorted to our seats and were asked what would we prefer for drinks which was Iced Tea and Juice.

We were first served some hot steamed veg dumplings and then chicken dumplings, this was the first time I saw through the dumpling skin they were super thin and we said "mmmm...not a bad start" then came another super starter (forgot the name) it was again dumpling skin with minced chicken cooked in soya sauce. It was the really really tasty.

Then we had to get up and get some main course, they had separated the veg and non-veg section and I actually did not see veg section at all. Non - veg had 5 starters Chicken, Fish, Prawns, lobster and Crab out of which Lobster in black bean sauce was great and fish was amazing other were just OK fair.

Then for main course was Lamb in black sauce and shredded chicken with the regular fare of rice and noodles. Everything was basic nothing to talk about.

Deserts was a big let down nothing was right.......not the best blueberry cheese cake, tiramisu was OK, souffle was just fine.

The overall cost for 2 was Rs. 1200 which is pretty OK in what they serve, Mainland China will serve more and maybe better at same cost.

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