The Peninsular Kitchen is a coastal cuisine restaurant in Vasant Kunj. Relatively new and untried, it looked tempting enough to experiment on a weekend. Now that Zambar has closed, it seems to have an edge by virtue of being the only place offering South Indian non-veg cuisine in the trio of malls in Vasant Kunj.

The Location

Address: Level 3, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi: 110070

The Timings

11AM to Midnight

Happy Hours: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM (Mon – Fri),
4 PM to 8:30 PM (Sat – Sun)

The Ambiance

Peninsular Kitchen

It was refreshing to see that every South Indian restaurant does not have the cliched decor. Specializing in coastal cuisine, its decor is very nautical. At the center of the restaurant is a mast-like pillar. Along with it, the boat-shaped table, anchors, and port window also gave a cruise-like look to the whole place.

The table mats were very attractive too. They were bright orange with cute little fish, crab and lobster woven into them. The mats were worth a second look. In fact, they set the mood for the meal.

The Service

Reasonably good but not outstanding

The Food

The food menu is quite exhaustive and includes dishes not only from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh but also from Maharashtra and Goa. It was a difficult choice but since I was with a couple of friends and one of them vegetarian, I managed to taste quite a few of the dishes on the menu.

Tossed Mini Idli served at Peninsular Kitchen

Tossed Mini Idli (₹245) was the first starter. The bite-size idlis were spicy, perfectly steamed, and served with delectable gunpowder and ghee.

Kuzhi Paniyaram (₹245) were golden fried crisp savory rice and urad dal (pulse) dumplings also served with gunpowder. Also served on the table were four types of chutneys – coconut, mint, tomato, and raw mango. Complimentary strips of fried rice papad strips were served to bide time and help polish off the delicious chutneys, which we did, twice actually!

Erachi Vada at Peninsular Kitchen

Erachi Vada (₹445) is patties of minced lamb with split lentils and flavored with star anise, cloves and cardamom. This shallow-fried dish was crunchy, crispy, and yummy.

Hyderabadi Khatti Machli served at Peninsular Kitchen

Hyderabadi Khatti Machli (₹595) is a delicious fish preparation from the Nizam’s (erstwhile Royal) kitchen. These boneless chunks of fish were marinated in tamarind and yogurt with spices before being roasted in the tandoor (clay oven). It was healthy and delicious.

Coconut Mojito was virgin mojito with mint and lime but made in coconut water. It had chunks of fresh coconut in between. I liked it.

Appam (₹60) served at Peninsular Kitchen is actually a pancake made of fermented rice batter and coconut milk. Appams are common in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, where they are called hoppers. A perfect appam should be bowl-shaped, spongy and little thick in the center, and lacy at the edges. The appams were up to the mark and they took me back to Kerala in a jiffy!

Kadala Curry (₹345) is a vegetarian dark spicy curry made with black gram and fried crunchy coconut. It was quite nice but not awesome. It’s also served with appams.

Mutton Stew (₹445) turned out to be my favorite! This is a classic accompaniment to appams and was definitely the highlight of the meal. It had succulent boneless pieces of mutton in a cardamom-flavored coconut gravy. Quite like a mild Thai curry for the international traveler, it is the safest mild dish to try if you need to taste the spices of India. This must-have dish is sweetish, mild, creamy, and aromatic.

Shahi Tukra at Peninsular Kitchen

Shahi Tukra (₹225) was definitely avoidable. The traditional Shahi Tukra (bread pudding) is a sweet dish of the Royals of Hyderabad which has crisp toast soaked in sugar syrup and then dunked in rose or Saffron-flavored clotted milk with dry fruits. The traditional bread pudding here, was disappointing , more so because of artificial coloring and flavors. It should be definitely improved or taken off the menu.

The Pricing

Dining at the Penisnular Kitchen will cost around ₹2000 for two
The restaurant also offers a set meal during lunch for ₹399++ per head

The post Peninsular Kitchen – Restaurant Review appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

The Taj Mahal, which rises above the banks of Yamuna River, was described by Rabindranath Tagore as “a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.” One of the seven wonders of the world is among the most beautiful, sublime, and noble monuments and millions of travelers – families and soul-mates – throng this 17th-century mausoleum for reasons more than its architectural wealth. The Taj Mahotsav, a 10-day extravaganza of culture, cuisine, and art forms, is slated to be held from February 18 to 27. “Hum Ek Sanskriti Anek”, meaning “We Are One, Our Culture is Diverse” is the theme for this year which marks the 25th anniversary of this world-class cultural event.

Events

An Indian classical music performance in Taj Mahotsav

Soul-stirring folk performances, exemplifying rich cultural diversity of India, along with fusion of music and dance will take the center-stage in several events. The festival will start off with a golf tournament from February 19 to 21, in which about 170 golfers and some Indian celebrities are scheduled to partake.

Venues

Fatehpur Sikri: one of the venues for Taj Mahotsav

Three new venues have been added to the list to make it a grand affair: Queen Mary Empress Library, Gandhi Smarak (Gandhi Memorial), and Agra Club. Eliciting the golden age of bygone Mughal era and rich heritage, some cultural functions will be held at Fatehpur Sikri.

Cultural Interests

A stall with local pottery works on sale

To promote and showcase the works of artisans arriving from across India, around 350 stalls of handicraft have been set up at the Taj Mahotsav venue in Shilpgram – only one and half mile from Taj Mahal. To mention a few artisans, bamboo work from the Northeast India, wood carvings and paper mâché work from South India and Kashmir, marble and zardozi work from Agra, silk and zari work from Banaras, brass-ware from Moradabad, hand-made carpets from Bhadohi, and pottery, ivory work, and handicrafts from different corners of India.

Besides cultural interactions, guests can take pleasure in merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, and miniature train rides and connoisseurs can binge on endless choices of lip-smacking Indian cuisine.

Taj Mahotsav Entry

Display of craftwork is on the cards

There is NO ENTRACE FEE for international visitors or non-Indians and children below the age of five. Ticket price is INR 10 for children in the age group of 5 to 12 years and INR 50 per person for adults.

Where to Stay?

Agra has wide range of options starting from budget-friendly lodges to plush hotels. Government accommodations can be availed at Tourist Bunglaw, Taj Khema, and Gulistan Tourist Complex. For more details, contact Uttar Pradesh Tourism office. Here are some of the best luxury hotels near Taj Mahal – (https://www.mapsofworld.com/travel/blog/hotels/hotels-near-taj-mahal)

• The Oberoi Amarvilas
• Hotel Clarks Shiraz
• Radisson Blu Hotel Agra
• Trident Hotel Agra
• ITC Mughal

Destinations in and around Agra

Agra Fort (top), Tomb of Akbar (left), and Ram Bagh (right)

Stick around in Agra and linger a bit longer in the milky sunshine of late February. Attractions like Agra Fort, Akbar’s Tomb, Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, Ram Bagh, Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, and Mehtab Bagh illustrate the history behind Taj Mahal and the rule of Mughal Emperors in India. Then, en route to Jaipur in Rajasthan – which is usually the next tourist hive – pull over and wander in the red city of Fatehpur Sikri—about 21 miles (35 km) east of Agra.

So, drop everything on your schedule and catch the next flight to India to not miss this once-in-a-year signature event in Agra.

Image Credits: Asif Islam,  ShantiHesse, ClaudineVM

The post Taj Mahotsav 2016: Your Tryst With Cultural Diversity in India appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

There’s a bit of China in almost every corner of the world. No matter on which side of the Atlantic you are, the charm of Chinese New Year celebrations will tempt you to don a reveler’s hat. While the Chinese community around the world gear up to drive away the bad spirit with ferocious lions, dancing dragons, drumbeats, cymbals, and firecrackers, you have enough reasons to wonder at the gorgeous floats, colorful parades, and the skills of the martial arts artists and stilt walkers.

Here are some of the popular tourist destinations where you get to witness some of the memorable Chinese New Year celebrations.

#1. Chinese New Year in the US

Chinese New Year Celebrations in the US

Manila may have the world’s oldest Chinatown but it cannot dwarf the popularity of the Chinatown in San Francisco – one of the largest in North America. The San Francisco Chinese New Year celebration, which started as early as 1860s, is now the largest Asian event in North America. When you are in San Francisco – Everybody’s Favorite City – do attend the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and Chinatown Community Street Fair. If you want to catch a glimpse of the 28-ft-tall Golden Dragon, buy a bleacher seat along the parade route.

#2. Chinese New Year in Australia

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Australia

Chinese New Year parades make Melbourne tad more colorful with street arts already adding a character to the city. Every year, the great Millennium Dai Loong Dragon is awakened and carried by over 200 people across the second largest city in Australia. In case you don’t know, Sydney is going to celebrate 20th anniversary of Chinese New Year celebrations this year and hence, for the first time, you would find the Sydney CBD all lit up with giant Lunar Lanterns representing Chinese zodiac signs. In Sydney, Chinese New Year is a three-week-long celebration including a Grand Parade, Dragon Boat races and night markets.

#3. Chinese New Year in the UK

Chinese New Year Celebrations in the UK

The Trafalgar Square will once again turn into a center of attraction as Chinese New Year celebrations kick off with a procession that heads to this famous square. Festivities in Central London also take place in Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue. If you happen to visit Manchester’s Chinatown, don’t forget to start your day with a breakfast at the Ho’s Bakery on Faulkner Street and steal some time for yourself at the Bali Health Lounge on George Street for a traditional spa experience. You will feel supple and younger. Those who don’t want to travel far from London can enjoy a quick jaunt to Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which will host the Chinese New Year celebrations.

#4. Chinese New Year in Canada

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Canada

Vancouver is not only the largest Chinatown in Canada but also the second largest Chinatown in North America by population. The city lives up to its expectations and 2017  will be no different. One of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada will get into celebratory mood as the Chinese New Year parade goes down from Chinatown Millennium Gate to Gore Street and then to Keefer. To take a break from the euphoria, come to Stanley Park. This sprawling public park near downtown Vancouver is a nice place to enjoy the winter sun.

#5. Chinese New Year in France

Chinese New Year Celebrations in France

Paris has the largest Chinatown in Europe. This bit of information is enough for motivating you to run to Quartier Chinois. While the streets of Chinatown see dragon dances and martial arts demonstrations by day, the evenings become even more special with several options for watching theatrical or musical performances. No trip to the Quartier Chinois is complete without a stop to Tang Freres. It’s one of the largest Asian supermarkets in Europe. It’s a place you would love to come back to shop for exotic groceries, Chinese bakeries, Vietnamese Pho noodle bars, and dim sums.

#6. Chinese New Year in South Africa

Chinese New Year Celebrations in South-Africa

There are two Chinatowns in Johannesburg – the Old China Town and the New China Town. While the former is located downtown (Commissioner Street), you will discover the latter in the suburb of Cyrildene. The vibrant Chinese community in Jozi invites you to join the celebrations. From Lion Dance to Kung Fu display and Chinese Singing to martial arts display, people on the streets of Johannesburg sway to the euphoric mood. A visit to the Nan Hua Buddhist Temple is a must because it’s the largest of its kind in Africa. It’s close to Pretoria in the north of Johannesburg.

Image Credits: Patrick Kwan, GTS Productions, Neil Lang, Tony Magdaraog, Sergei Bachlakov, Ekaterina Pokrovsky, Charlie Edward

The post Chinese New Year Celebrations around the World appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

Rose Cafe

Roses are red, Violets are blue; Romance is in the air and it’s time for Rose Cafe review. A cafe by this name warranted a visit, especially when it’s a Valentine month.

The Location

This place is virtually in hiding, hence, relatively unknown. The restaurant is nestled between little kathi shops and grocery stores on a long winding road leading to the Garden of Five Sense. It’s off Saidulajab with the nearest landmark being the Saket metro station.

Address: 2, Westend Marg, Saiyad-ul-ajab Extension
New Delhi 110030

The Timings

Interestingly, it opens at noon and closes by 9 pm. Hence, it’s a true cafe in every sense.

The Ambiance

Picture a powder blue brick single-storey building with flowery metal-trellised windows with white lace curtains, floral writing on the wall, a blue door, lampshades, flowery teacups hanging by a string, white rustic wooden chairs, tables with tiled surface, a counter with roses, cookie cars with fudge and brownies. The owner of the café was in pink and the service staff in rose-colored shirts.

A giant floral teacup and a mantelpiece like dresser with roses grace the setting. There is space to sit in the backyard too, with fairy lighting and gas heaters to keep you warm. It looks straight out of a ‘Woman and Home’ type of magazine of the 70s: very sweet and comfortable.

The Service

To say it in one word, it’s decent. There is a board which says that all meals are made fresh and hence, service would take 20 minutes or so. In fact, the owner himself comes down to help with the menu. It’s a pleasant experience and up to expectations.

The Food

Since I was in for an early relaxed dinner on a Sunday evening, I decided to have Sangria (₹225). Although it was supposed to be a house special, it was pleasant but not exceptional.

Spiced Pumpkin Soup at Rose Cafe

Next, I tried the Spiced Pumpkin Soup (₹200) and I was not happy. Pumpkin Soup should be thick, smooth, creamy, bright colored, and heartening. This one was a pale watered down version. The soup was extremely disappointing and should not have moved out of the kitchen. Rather than comforting the soul, it seemed like it was meant for someone very ill.

Spinach Corn Tart at Rose Cafe

Things started looking better with the food. I ordered Spinach Corn Tart (₹175) as starter. It turned out to be nice. It had three tarts to the portion and the spinach was fresh. Unlike other tarts, it was not creamy with rich gooey filling. It was full of flavor and the base was perfect.

Shepherd’s Pie at Rose Cafe

The Shepherd’s Pie (₹375) was quite delicious and very British. It was a yummy mince pie topped with potato and little cheese and baked in the oven. The chicken mince was flavored well with hints of pepper and nutmeg. The potato mash on top was crisp to a T.

Grilled Fish at Rose Cafe

The Grilled Fish (₹450) was great too. It was 3 plump fillets of fish grilled perfectly, served with a delicious lemon caper sauce, with a delicious garlic buttery bread, a creamy potato mash and seasonal fresh grilled veggies, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, and bell peppers. I loved this dish. A place, which prepares its fish well, is close to my heart

As I gradually shifted to desserts, my favorite moment arrived.

Espresso Cake at Rose Cafe

Much as I was tempted by the Rose Cafe sundae with meringue, brownie, vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge and caramel, I opted for their Expresso Cake (₹150), a delicious coffee cake served with whipped cream and gooey homemade caramel (which i asked for more since I like my cakes moist).

Orange Marmalade Cake at Rose Cafe

They also offer a Tangy lemon cake but I went for the day’s special, the Orange Marmalade Cake (₹150) that was a superb pound cake with orange rind and orange marmalade in it. It went wonderfully with the Americano (₹150), a fitting end to the meal.

Americano at Rose Cafe

To sum up, this is not a gourmet restaurant, nor does it profess to be one. It is a sweet little romantic cafe with a comfortable ambiance and delicious home cooked food. On some days, the soup may not be as good as on the others.

Would I go back again? Definitely, for coffee with friends, or on a day when I am in a mood to sit back and read a book and be in no hurry to leave, and maybe on a romantic date, too. And I have to go back for the fish and to try the Rose Cafe sundae and their homemade gelato. The owner has also promised to take care of my soup. So, I guess, I have to go back for sure.

The Pricing

There are very few cafes in Delhi where you can have sangria, soup, starter, two mains, two desserts and coffee within 2500 bucks. This is one of them.

The post Rose Cafe – Restaurant Review appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

Who would have thought of getting the taste of Armenia in South Delhi? I was excited to try out a new world cuisine in town, and that too, reminiscent of someone’s childhood. I decided to take my almost 24-year-old for a pre-birthday dinner to offer an all-round perspective

The Location

Little away from the hustle bustle of Delhi, the restaurant is nestled in idyllic surroundings. It couldn’t have found a better location than this in Mehrauli.

Address: H-5/1 Ambawatta One, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli

The Timings

12 Noon to Midnight

The Ambiance

Lavaash By Saby

I just loved the place! It’s truly a labor of love. I could sense the passion of someone trying to recreate the past and memories of childhood and the way they merged into the haveli concept. Felt like high drama and a bit of Alice in Wonderland, with high ceilings, jharokha-like huge windows, geometric windows, indigo tiles, kantha on the seating, floral tapestry, fairy lighting on the front yard tree, balcony lights in big candy glass jars and a smattering of peacock screens lend the restaurant an Armenia-Turkish touch.

It was an amalgam of a casual cafe and a smart club, with a retro Bengal and Turkish influence. You have to go there to experience it. Almost magical at night, it’s a good idea to book your place, especially if you want to go post 9 pm.

The Service

Pretty good! The floor manager took extra pain to come over to our table, introduce the concept, and make suggestions. We received a very warm and personalized attention from him. Although I had to wave my hands frantically to catch my waiter’s attention once or twice, I don’t have any complaints on the service front.

The Food

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the one at Lavaash is worth the calories! More of that later, let’s begin with starters and mains first.

The menu is a smattering of Armenian elements with a Bengali touch. It’s like having cuisines of Bengal with an Armenian influence. Hence, loads of kasundi (mustard) and Kalimpong cheese, cutlets, and kebabs on the menu. I actually had a tough time deciding what I wanted to try. So, two starters, one main, and two desserts among the three of us were the safest bet.

Egg Devil

The Egg Devil (₹250) was a soft boiled egg coated with minced chicken and bread crumbs. Looked pretty on the plate, and I felt quite like a judge on the Masterchef cutting open the crispy ball. Yes, it had a perfect soft center, glistening yellow with a crunchy exterior and a hint of whole grain mustard. It was quite nice

Mutton Puff

The Mutton Puff (₹350) is a not-to-be-missed dish on the menu for sure. It had a spicy mutton filling with a rich and crusty coat. It tasted like a fresh flurry patty. The puff disappeared in a jiffy, though there were two pieces to the portion.

Chicken Kalagyosh

For the main course, we tried Chicken Kalagyosh (₹500), which was listed as an Armenian main, but now as I think of it , I can’t help feeling that it was kala gosht cooked in the way locals do. This interesting dish had succulent pieces of bony chicken (I personally felt that boneless would have been better) cooked with chick peas, paprika, parsley, olive oil, and black pepper. The spices were wisely used to bring out the Mediterranean flavour. In fact, large cloves of sweet roasted garlic were used for the Mideastern touch.

Matnakash Claypot Bread

I ordered the Matnakash Claypot Bread (₹150) alongside to soak up the gravy. This freshly baked Armenian bread resembled a ploughed field. It was laced with crunchy and yummy chironjee (melon seed that tastes like almonds) and pumpkin seeds. I actually loved the bread even more than the main dish. It was complementing!

It was now the time for desserts. A menu which makes you have a tough time deciding which dish to try and which to give a miss gets my vote… always. You definitely don’t stuff yourself before trying the dessert because you can’t go to a part Bengali restaurant without trying the mishti (sweets). It’s even more enjoyable if it is a bakery ‘item’.

Old Monk Mousse at Lavaash by Saby

The Old Monk Mousse (₹350) was served in an earthen plate to soak up the extra water making the dish richer. It is a rich rum-infused cookie crumble topped with decadent pastry cream and dark chocolate curls. Whatever little I could taste seemed delicious. I didn’t get much because the young lady accompanying me polished it off in a jiffy. She absolutely fell in love with it. I guess, the rum element was addictive.

Orange Pound Cake

The Orange Pound Cake (₹400) was awesome too. I really enjoyed the palm jaggery syrup softening the perfect marmalade smelling orange cake slice and this was served with delicious nolen gur (palm jaggery) ice cream.

Would I go again? Definitely. I still haven’t tried the day menu and would definitely like to catch up with a friend over a coffee overlooking the Qutab Minar. In a city where Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, Italian and Pan-Asian have been done to death, a refreshing change of cuisine is more than welcome!

The post Lavaash by Saby – Restaurant Review appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

The post Best Places to Visit in February appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.

Mahabelly, which means big fat tummy, is actually a play on the name of the famous king Mahabali, This is a joint venture of two alumni of St Stephen’s College and a doctor from Kerala. Non-vegetarian South Indian cuisine in a very cool ambiance is the USP of this 50-seater restaurant.

The Location

MA-A05 , Restaurant block,
Ground floor
DLF Place
Saket

The Timings

11AM to 11PM

The Ambiance

I just loved the place. It’s absolutely bipolar! As I entered the restaurant, I saw comfortable chairs and tables. On one wall, a large mural of the traditional Kathakali dancer made me feel I was in a typical South Indian joint, and suddenly I was drawn towards this crazy 26 alphabet-based ‘spoofy on southy’ fun artwork by Malayali artist Taarika John. The bar looks like a little toddy shack and is appropriately named ‘Mala-bar’… sweet!

The Service

Service is impeccable, and the manager floats in an unobtrusive way, making sure that we have a good meal and enjoy the food. In fact, seeing my interest in the delicious sweet raw mango chutney on my table, he appeared with two more tiny jars and compelled me to try the sweet lime pickle and the chilly pickle too!

The Food

The menu features Keralite cuisine with the influence of Syrian Christian, traditional Nair and the Malabar’s Moplah cuisine along with authentic dishes served in small toddy shops. With plenty of Appams and Malabar Parathas to go with the food, I couldn’t wait to dig in!

I just had to try their signature cocktail – the Thenka Colada (₹299). This was the southy version of my favorite Pina Colada, but made with tender coconut water and served in a coconut shell. It was delicious, and probably put me in a great mood for the rest of the meal.

The Rasam with Pappadam (₹150) was served in a Kullad (earthen cup), was quite nice but not something I would rave about. I wish they could do a variation on it, like a tomato or a tamarind rasam.

The Chicken 65 (₹350) was fiery red spicy succulent tender red pieces of chicken, with a smattering of fried curry leaves and pappadam strips as a garnish. It was probably one of the best I’ve had. Moreover, it was juicy but not overly spicy.

The next dish I tried in the mains was the Prawns in mango curry (₹490). This was special. I just loved the flavor. Prawns were perfectly cooked and not rubbery. The raw mango curry was absolutely delightful. There were sliced bits of raw mango too which upped the flavor by a couple of notches. There was a hint of cinnamon which added a slight sweetness too.

I tried this with the rich Kerala Parotha (₹55), which is a shallow fried, flaky rich flat bread. I was transported to the Malabar coast in a jiffy.

The vegetable stew (₹270) had a smattering of fresh vegetables including mushrooms, beans, and carrots in a delicate and mildly spiced coconut gravy. I wondered whether it had a hint of pepper, cloves, and star anise. It tasted delicious with soft and bowl-shaped Appams (₹55). These rice pancakes melt in the mouth.

I ended the meal with a dessert. Caramelised Banana with Ice Cream and Palm Treacle (₹160) sounded just like a befitting end to the meal, but turned out to be a disappointment. It’s really a sad-looking dish with exactly what it says: Pan fried slivers of banana with droplets of palm syrup drizzled over it. It was not worth the experimentation either. I assume that desserts are not their strong point.

Would I go there again? Surely. And over and over again. I loved the ambiance, the bar, the drinks, the starters, the mains – but will always remember not to have dessert!

The Pricing

Very decent. A meal for 2 with a drink thrown in will set you back by ₹2500

The post Mahabelly – Restaurant Review appeared first on Mapsofworld.com Travel.