New menu with #FarziTwist at Farzi Cafe, Bengaluru

Farzi cafe is one of the happening places to dine and they keep their customers hooked with new additions and promotional menu. I have visited them many times, you can read about my visit here.

As I write this blog post, they have come up with a seasonal menu - Mango mania which you will read on my blog soon.

For this visit, I started my meal with Dhokla and Farsaan Salad, the gujrathi in me couldn't resist it. Next was Dal Moth and Chilli Chicken Patti Samosa. Both were full of flavors and chicken samosa has always been my weakness. samosa and dip served in the glass made sure I don't miss dipping my samosa with every bite. 

While accompanying my food with Litchi panna desire came Guntur Chilli Chicken and Sion Prawn Koliwada. Both have been my favorites from I savored it completely. Mac & cheese Pakidra bites was next which was an interesting take on mac & cheese pakoda and I loved the way it was served on a cycle. Kothimbir vadi papaya salad tikka was little dry to eat for me so I may not order his again.

Sandwich lovers will enjoy Iyengar bakery style toasties served on a key-plate. And Green curry paneer tikka were juicy and soft which made a non-paneer lover like me enjoy it. Ended the meal with Shawarma Biryani and Charred artichokes and cherry tomato. Farzi cafe always amazes me with their plating and presentation of food. I savored the main course with Farzi Ok.

I can never finish a meal without a dessert so rasmalai being my favorite, I relished Smoked fresh chenna flavoured Shrikhand and Farzi Sundae.

Every visit to farzi cafe always brings a bright smile on my face and I leave with a tummy full along with making memories. Head to Farzi Cafe now to try their additions on the menu.

Paradise offers Zafrani Biryani Festival which one shouldn't miss

Paradise, the 'World's Favourite Biryani' introduces the exotic Zafrani Biryani Festival till 31st March 2017. The on-going festival is available in all outlets across Bengaluru (Indiranagar, Kormangala, New BEL Road, J.P Nagar, Electronic City, Whitefield). 

The Paradise 'Zafrani Biryani Festival' is an effort to present, revive and re-introduce to the die-hard Biryani lovers a rare and much loved cuisine of the Nawabs and their guests. The Zafrani Biryani is available in two variants – Chicken and Mutton.

The Zafrani Biryani thrived on a very secret ingredient and the recipe of which was held only within the confines of the royal Mughal family. A dish that was a regular in the royal kitchens and for their guests was out of reach for the then common man. Zafran or Saffron - a very expensive ingredient that made all the difference in creating that certain zing of a taste and flavour and aroma.

All our methods to prepare and serve the Zafrani Biryani have been planned down to the minutest of details. They identified and sourced each of the ingredients for them to blend so as to give the best flavor and aroma. The 'secret' ingredient, the saffron, has been sourced specially for this festival and yet we have priced our variants at very affordable pricing to ensure that each Biryani lover is able to taste our special offering.

Vijay Anand Bakshi, Corporate Chef, Paradise explained us the source and the preparation method of the biryani which was impressive. My favorite has to be Double Masala Mutton Biryani. For those who enjoy Paradise single masala biryani should opt for single masala but people like me who enjoys masaledaar biryani should surely opt for double masala or else they will find the biryani tad bit bland.

The Zafrani Biryani Festival is on during lunch and dinner time at all their Dine-in Restaurants and Takeaways and also through their delivery partners – Swiggy, Food Panda and Zomato. The pricing for the dishes in BANGALORE is listed below:

Type	Menu description	Menu Price (excl tax) in INR
Dine IN	Zafrani Chicken Biryani	180
	Zafrani Mutton  Biryani	195
Takeaway	Zafrani Chicken Biryani	175
	Zafrani Mutton  Biryani	190
Delivery	Zafrani Chicken Biryani	180
	Zafrani Mutton  Biryani	195

The pricing will vary for Paradise outlets in Hyderabad, Vizag and Chennai.

I also enjoyed some kebab and Double ka meetha which shouldn't be missed.

Dinner at the rooftop restaurant - By The Blue, Grand Mercure Mysuru

After a royal experience at Hotel Grand Mercure Mysuru and resting in my room, the dinner was ready at the rooftop specialty restaurant - By The Blue which overlooks the pool and the skyline of Mysuru. Now that SILK bar has got liquor license, the dinner was paired with some amazing cocktails.

The table was set with a menu designed for the bloggers table and Executive Chef Mukul Jha took us through the entire menu. By the Blue serves food from the North West frontier. Menu had 'Dal Bhukara' which got me excited and made me interact with the chef as only those extraordinary chefs who have had a stint at the ITC Properties have put Dal Bukhara - the longest cooked lentil in the world on everyone's taste buds. It's a combination of whole black lentils, ginger, tomatoes, cooked over slow coal.

As I do not consume alcohol, I did not try the cocktails and their pairing with the meal cannot be judged by me, I just had a Nitrotini Virgin which was none other than coconut water with lime juice with my meal.

The meal started with Surkh Taal Shorba, fresh tomato broth flavoured with smoked caraway seed, garnished with fresh coriander leaves served with mini Naan. For a cool and breezy evening, this shorba gave the must desired warmth and spice.

Then the appetisers were served, first came Sarsowali Broccoli which had fresh broccoli florets marinated with yoghurt, yellow chili paste Mustard oil and cooked in clay oven. Another dish which impressed me as I could taste a burst of flavors with every bite.

Next was Kalonji Wala Mahi Tikki, fish cubes marinated with green chilies, mint, and coriander, smoked mustard oil and cooked in clay oven. Each dish was better than the previous one making me eager for the next one.

Then came Galouti Kebab, a melt in the mouth specialty of double mince mutton cooked with Indian spices, served a top warqi parathas and lehsuni dahi. Good galouti has always been my weakness and this was one good experience for my taste buds.

Mugewala Kukkad got me curious as the chicken were marinated with Indian spices, coated with egg yolk and cream cooked to done in clay oven. This was the highlight of the appetisers and I have never tried as innovative as this chicken dish ever.

Then the main course were served. Veggies enjoyed Paneer-e-Lukhme Rattan, combination of spinach fresh fenugreek and cottage Cheese flavored with Indian spices. This was a unique combo and tasted well but I was saving for the non-veg dishes.

Kundan Kaliya, diced mutton steeped overnight in whole spices, ginger garlic paste, pot, roasted and perfumed with cardamom was relished with naan's while Kashmiri Narangi Macchi Curry which had fresh Orange juice scented Kashmiri style fish curry was enjoyed with rice. Both the dishes had burst of flavors and were really rich. I also tasted some lip smacking veg dishes.

Not a biryani fan, but Pardha Nasheen Dum Gosht Biryani did linger the taste buds as this slow cooked Lamb pilaf preparation which is scented with whole spices was cooked to perfection.

And finally, my tummy had space for Dal Bukhara, slow cooked black Lentil preparation infused with fresh aloo bukhara finished with butter and cream. I could eat this all by itself and all day.

For desserts, yes I did have some space for desserts despite eating the most delicious and rich meal, Kesari Phirnee and Pan Ki Kulfi with Magahi pan shots was served.

The experience at By The Blue was so perfect that I can always head back to Mysuru just for a dinner at this restaurant. Food was delish, flavors blended well giving me a gastronomical experience. A must visit to those in Mysuru and also those passing-by Mysuru to stop by and enjoy the food and the ambience while you overlook the pool and skyline of Mysuru and also enjoy candle-lit dinner :)