New additions to the lavish menu of HUNAN

Hunan, this Chinese restaurant has some memories with me. I was one of their first guest when they had opened their restaurant, also I did bring in my birthday at this restaurant with their 5-course anniversary meal.

This visit was special as I was part of the preview of the new items on their menu. Hold your breathe, 70 new dishes are included to their menu which are not just healthy but most of these dishes are gluten-free, crafted by Chef Pema Takchung Lepchaand and the owner Jagdish M Menda. We tasted some of these dishes and most were loved by everyone.

Though I missed my favourite soups to start my meal with, I refreshed myself with lemongrass iced-tea which was so different from the usual lemon iced-tea, followed by a Cucumber cooler. Also, we sipped on Jasmine tea.

2 salad's were served - Asian flavor Chicken salad & Thai seafood and rice vermicelli salad. Both were very good and choosing one would be difficult. Asian flavor Chicken salad had fresh ingredients like carrot, red cabbage, shredded chicken, spring onion tossed with peanut butter and vinaigrette dressing while Thai seafood and rice vermicelli salad had rice vermicelli with prawn, fish, squid in delicious lime and sweet chilli dressing.

Next were steamed dishes - Hong Kong styled steamed Seer Fish and Asian Style Stuffed Tofu with Chicken. Steamed Seer Fish was served with vegetables and ginger - coriander broth. I have not been a tofu fan but this dish took me by surprise, tofu was very soft and with a dash of chicken, it was a perfect side dish, cant stop at one.

Next came the starters, Chicken Hot Basil which had finely chopped chicken with bird's eye chilli, basil, garlic, served in a lettuce cup. I am a lettuce fan and despite having bird's eye chilli, it wasn't very spicy but nice blend of flavors.

Salt and pepper silken Tofu & Fried Corn Curd Chili Pepper looked the same but as I loved the tofu in the steamed dish, I preferred the fried corn curd chili pepper.

Fried Chili Prawns with Tamarind Sauce was next served which had fresh red chili, garlic, fish sauce and coriander. Sugarcane skewered Chicken were also done well but it wasn't a dish I tasted for the first time. Shredded Pork Beijing Style wasn't tasted but most of the people who had this did not find this an unusual dish.

For Main course, Raw Mango chili fish which had stir-fried fish with green mango sauce, I enjoyed these with steamed rice ut it was tasty enough that I forgot to click it. Assorted vegetables in chili oyster sauce is one veg dish I enjoyed which had white and black wood ear, bamboo shoot, asparagus, carrot, baby corn, black mushroom in chili oyster sauce.

Next was Lo Han Jai, again a veg dish which had tofu, chines cabbage, vermicelli noodles, mushroom, bamboo shoot, leek sauteed in a shaoxing wine sauce.

You also have 'Meal by itself' option too for single diners or for those who do not want to binge more. Chicken Peking Noodles was enjoyed and the second option was Chicken stew with black wood ear, a classic cantonese style stir-fry chicken with wood ear mushroom served with sticky rice. I loved both and may try the other meal by itself options when I dine again.

Desserts are a must try at Hunan, because Jagdish's mother makes them with all the love. 2 desserts were served, Red-velvet cake which is a must try at Hunan, any one who is not fan of red velvet cake should try it here for them to love it, I am one of the example for it. Second one was Tres Leches, a sponge cake soaked with three types of milk- evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream. Both the desserts take you to a trip of heaven. I can never say no to desserts at this place.

While parting, some chocolates were served which we enjoyed like a kid. You can enjoy the new menu at Hunan which has won 'Times Food Awards' for Best Chinese Restaurant. I am waiting to go back and try some of their other dishes especially when winter is nearing :)

Address: Hunan
#123, 1st Floor, KHB Colony
Opp Black Pearl restaurant
Koramangala 5th Block, Bangalore
For reservations, contact 080-25520154

Pizza's starting from Rs. 245 at California Pizza Kitchen

I have been to California Pizza Kitchen (CPK, as it is fondly called) many times. Sometimes to celebrate International Pizza and Beer carnival, a regular at celebrating Mexifornia or simply when few new pizza's are introduced. I have never been disappointed at CPK, during every visit some dish touches my heart and becomes my favorite. The pizza's start from Rs. 245+, comparatively to the notion of CPK being expensive. Read on to know what I tried during this visit and what became my favorite.

For some mocktails, I had Mango mint ecstasy which had mango juice, mint, lemon topped with soda is my usual favorite. Mango tango which has Mango juice, orange juice, passion fruit syrup and lime juice was also enjoyed. I did not Aloha much which had apple juice, lime juice and strawberry juice. Make sure you have chilled mocktails eor else you may not enjoy them. These 3 mocktails are priced at Rs. 210

As it was raining, I wanted to try their Chicken wild rice chowder, it is their secret recipe of shredded chicken, roasted peppers, corn, wild grain rice in a cream base and other spices, its more than soup, its a chowder. Do not expect hot soup, here the soup is warm but tasty. This is priced at Rs. 155

For appetizers, I have usually had full portions of a particular dish, this time I made an exemption and tried the Non veg combo platter which had Spicy chicken supreme, Crispy fried sonora and Barbeque wonton rolls and Hummus with pizza pita bread. This could be enjoyed with one veggie friend who could eat the pita bread ;) Spicy chicken supreme is my usual favorite. The platter is priced at Rs. 645

I couldn't resist but have Lettuce wrap with chicken, it has wok seared shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots and green onions tossed in soy ginger sauce along with chicken. It is served with spicy ginger sauce and iceberg lettuce cups. The lettuce cups are always fresh. This is priced at Rs. 525 and is my usual favorite.

Time to try the pizza's. As the pizza's are starting from Rs. 245, I had to try the Traditional Cheese pizza, traditional crust with home made pizza sauce, fresh basil and lots of cheese. Simple and yummy, especially the hint of basil.

Next was Roma Basilico, traditional crust topped with home made pizza sauce, fresh basil, red onions and sliced roma tomatoes, keeping it simple yet exquisite. This was my most favorite pizza of the evening.

Roasted Mushroom & Pepper, another new addition pizza which has a traditional crust topped with Spicy Baja sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onions, roasted mushroom & bell peppers, I chose this with chicken. But as I am not a mushroom fan, I did not enjoy this pizza. 

Florentine was served next, a thin crust pizza with a mushroom pesto spread with melting mozzarella cheese complementing the fine taste of fresh garden spinach, cherry tomatoes and garlic. Spoilt for thin crust, I like this pizza.

Garden Veg was the last pizza for the night. It had Garden greens, spinach, green peppers, Anaheim chillies & mozzarella cheese on a thin crust, as per my request with freshly made green chilli sauce. I felt like Popeye while having this, just greens.

I have always enjoyed the veg pizza's at CPK more than non veg. Time for desserts, Tiramisu, 3 hours preparation time which gets wiped out in 3 minutes. Sticky toffee pudding, my most favorite dessert was enjoyed again. 

American butter cake was a new dessert which I tried, rich american style butter cake combined with delicious Philadelphia cheese topping, served warm with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. I liked this dessert too. 

Red velvet cake was also had but I enjoyed the other desserts more. I never noticed their home made ice creams, so I gave Roasted hazelnut scoop a try which was good. The desserts at CPK have always been good and filling. They are priced between Rs. 225 - 405. I enjoyed my meal and the experience of dining was great.

Offering a whole new culinary trip, California Pizza Kitchen has created a teaser video: http://on.fb.me/1HGfbE1 which can help you win an exciting surprise at the restaurant. Replicate the action denoting 2,4,5 as seen in the video on your visit to the nearest California Pizza Kitchen and you stand a chance to avail a surprise.