Rakhi with Fabelle - Celebrate your unique bond with Fabelle Chocolates

Raksha Bandhan is round the corner and everyone around me is looking for one unique gift to gift their sibling on this beautiful day celebrating their lives together. Siblings have along loved and annoyed each other the most but there is always one unique quality which defines them for you. So how about gifting them something which defines their character?

Thinking about the same, Fabelle Chocolates have come with a personalised gifting range - My Fabelle Box which is conceptualised only for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. My fabelle Box comes in a box of box 10 or 20 allowing you to make a personalised box of chocolates by choosing a praline from the Fabelle Elements range which is a set of 5 pralines inspired Elements of nature – Earth, Air ,Water, Wood, Fire. So you can choose a praline which best suites the personality of your sibling, like Earth for the dependable one, Water for the cool one, Fire for the feisty one. I have written about my Fabelle Elements before when I visited the chocolate boutique, you can read it here: https://justrumana.blogspot.in/search?q=fabelle

Not just a box of pralines defining their personality, but you can also give a short heartfelt message to your sibling via a dedicated website made for this occasion, the description of the website can be chosen by you so a website customised just for your sibling to make her/him feel special. Fabelle has created a special website www.rakhiwithfabelle.com for placing orders and creating the customised website orders.

Fabelle is taking orders for Raksha Bandhan till 3rd August on the website and the customised "My Fabelle Box" will be delivered at pre-chosen date by you between 4th to 8th August to your sibling who will also receive a message and mail on the day of  Raksha Bandhan, with the customised website message created by you.

Original Fabelle Elements

Step 1: Choose the element

Step 2: Fill in the details

Step 3: Customise the website

Step 4: Add your personalised message & place the order

For those who would want to gift 2 different varieties of pralines to their sibling which defines their persona then such orders are taken at the chocolate boutique but the advantage of personalised video message and website will not be an add on, so for such orders, choose 2 different My Fabelle box with 10 pralines each and surprise the sibling with double love :)

Fabelle is keeping no stones unturned to ensure that this moment is truly memorable and you celebrate the uniqueness of your relationship with Fabelle. You can also head to nearest Chocolate Boutique in select ITC Luxury hotels for a specially curated luxury chocolate experience on the day of Raksha Bandhan. 

So all the brothers and sisters, the festival isn't just for brothers gifting their sisters but also for all brothers who would want to celebrate their unique bond with their brothers and sisters who would want to celebrate their sisterly love, also for older sisters pampering their younger brothers. Place your orders before 3rd August on www.rakhiwithfabelle.com or visit their Facebook page for more details. Happy Raksha Bandhan from Just Rumana :)

The Spring Asparagus Sojour at Ottimo Cucina, ITC Gardenia

Ottimo is a pioneering Italian restaurant at ITC Gardenia captures the organic, vibrant spirit of Italy. The restaurant offers a signature Pan-Italian dining experience that celebrates quintessential Italian dishes prepared from the finest local and imported ingredients. It is headed by Chef Vittorio Greco, who has over 25 years of experience working across several regions of Italy, brings a slice of Italy to Bangalore.

This season, Ottimo pays homage to the King of Vegetables in the finest manner possible. “The Spring Asparagus Sojourn” - Royal artistic elegance, perfectly curated. A distinctive delicacy with extraordinary nutritive benefits.

Chef Sasha Maria Dominique Fernandes is ready to take you through across the mountains, valleys, farms and coasts of the Italian country from a specially compiled menu that is assisted by an impressive wine listing. Some of the delicacies from this thoughtfully composed menu are Thyme scented asparagus and scallops mille feuille and Asparagus salad with sesame seeds pinenuts and shaved parmesan in citrus dressing followed by Green asparagus, soft shell crab with truffle oil scented creamy polenta, Asparagus gratinated with saffron, parmesan coulis and white truffle oil. For those with a sweet tooth can indulge in the creamiest Creme caramel with white asparagus and berries and White asparagus and ricotta tarte with green asparagus foam.

With a well thought out section on carb-friendly Italian cuisine for the health conscious, the culinary choices at Ottimo are a rare fusion of traditional Italian with an emphasis on nutrition and fresh ingredients. A seamless blend of gourmet cuisine, spectacular interiors and the finest service make Ottimo the perfect place to unwind and indulge with friends and family.

Indulge and Savour this extraordinary Culinary Extravaganza. “The Spring Asparagus Sojourn” Royal Artistic Elegance Perfectly Curated at Ottimo – Cucina Italiana at ITC Gardenia from 10th May to 20th May 2016 – Dinner Only. For Table Reservations call 080 4345 5000.

Rocktober fest at Hard Rock Cafe

With Oktoberfest season going on, it isn't a surprise when Hard Rock Cafe has a festival around the same line. But you would in for a surprise that Hard Rock Cafe has a different take on this largest festival. Hard Rock Cafe has brought Rock 'n' Roll during Oktoberfest season, making a fun Rocktober fest for everyone. They have a lot of entertainment coupled with international beers, beer cocktail along with a menu which a rock star would love. The music at HRC just cannot be matched by anyone else with some amazing foot tapping music all the time.

While other sipped on some amazing cocktails, I enjoyed my spicy mocktail while we ate the lip smacking delicacies on offer. Carnival Feista, which had fries along with cajun spice dusted crispy tangy chilli garlic crust fries topped with bbq spice rubbed hand pulled chicken & smoked chicken frank slices, served with tangy salsa & cheddar cheese sauce. The portion is filling so get ready to share this on the table while you sip your drink.

With the kinda food rock stars eat, get ready to taste a variety of subs and sandwiches. I started with Jamaican Hotty Submarine which had Char grilled smoked chicken frank stuffed subroll, topped jemaican spiced stir fried veg & tangy cajun bbq mayo, served with spicy chilli fries. This was spicy and the first sub was impressive.

Italian Submarine was next which had tangy arabiatta mayo stuffed char grilled smoked chicken frank, chimi churi spiced onion peppers & topped with tangy pesto mayo, served with spicy chilli fries. This was more on the creamy side when combined with chilli fried, adds the twist.

Windy City Sub Roll was next which had classic american smoked chicken frank, cocktail sauce & tangy mustard relish, served with crisp chilli fries. The mix of cocktail sauce and tangy mustard had a tangy twist.

Last was Saigon Fusion Asian Roll which was an Asian bbq sub, flavour packed with grilled smoked chicken frank, crunchy asian bbq slaw, served with crisp chilli fries. This was the best of the night and I was glad I did not skip this.

While I enjoyed the non veg sub, Mexi Cali burger (veg), Mexican mafia submarine and L.A.Confidential veg burger was enjoyed by the veggies of the group.

Had to end the meal with a yummy dessert. To my surprise there was a new dessert on offer, Red Velvet Brownie Cheesecake served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. This is a must try at HRC and I really expect them to move this to the main menu.

Overall, the Rocktober fest was a surprise change for my palate and a different menu which Hard Rock Cafe has to offer. You can rock n roll along with some foamy beer, cocktails and lip-smacking subs from 28th September to 8th November 2015.

Biryani and kebab Festival at Howard Johnson, Bangalore

Who doesn't love BIRYANI? Me, as I am very particular about the taste and do not like every biryani which is served. So I was very apprehensive to attend the sneak peak of the Biryani and Kebab festival at Howard Johnson, Bangalore. Firstly, Howard Johnson is located in Hebbal and is a business hotel. The festival starts from 12th August and ends on 23rd August 2015.

On a sunny Saturday, I made my way to the hotel to try the kebab's and Biryani's. I started with the veg kebab's. Subz Shikhampuri, assorted vegetable patties stuffed with hung curd and cheese which is grilled to perfection. Bahori Kebab, kebab made from spinach, yum pounded with aromatic Indian spices. Aloo Nazakat, potatoes stuffed with dry fruits, mashed potatoes and green peas cooked in tandoor. Paneer Gul Mohar Kebab, cottage cheese stuffed with Kohya, Dry fuits marinated in Indian spices and cooked in tandoor. I was impressed with the veg kebab's. They were cooked well and tasted very good. The veg kebab's are priced at Rs.275

Next were non veg kebab's. Starting with Galauti Kebab, kebabs from Awadhi kitchen made from fine mined lamb marinated and smoked with aromatic spices and grilled. This was perfect. Next was, Labe-e- Mahi Muskan, succulent pieces of fish marinated in curd and spices cooked in tandoor. By far, one of the most tastiest fish I have ever had. Murgh Gillafi seek, chicken sheekh kebab marinated with cheese, Cashewnut and coated with bell papers cooked in Tandoor was very tasty too. Maas Ke Shole, scrumptious pieces of baby lamb marinated with Indian herbs and spices, cooked to perfection. The non veg kebab's were a lot better, I am being biased as I enjoy non veg more ;) The non veg kebab's are priced between Rs.275-300 plus taxes. Apologies for not clicking pics for the kebab's as they were very tasty and I was busy relishing the taste.

I really enjoyed the kebab's a lot so my expectations from the biryani were much higher. 4 veg and 4 non veg biryani were served, out of the 5 biryani's each available for the festival. I only tried the non veg biryani as I am not fond of veg biryani at all. The non-veg biryani ranges from Rs.325-350 plus taxes.

Lamhen Biryani, delectable lamb dumplings and basmati rice combination cooked with aromatic Indian spices was served. Minced lamb was perfect for my taste.

Thallesary Fish Biryani, fresh water fish cooked on slow fire with basmati rice along with delicate spices. I did not like this biryani, may be served a little hot and with some salan, it should be better.

Awadhi Murgh Biryani, chicken biryani cooked on 'dum' with long grain basmati rice and hand picked spices. This was my favorite out of all the biryani's I had.

Kolkotta Biryani, perfect combination of juicy lamb, potato and rice with Bengali masala. This gave me a homely feel as I like potato in my biryani.

Andhra Murgh Biryani, a spicy biryani made with chicken and khada masala. This wasn't served during the sneak peak.


The veg biryani which are available for festival are Subz Noor Mahal Biryani, Ambur Biryani, Hydrabadi Subz Biryani, Dolma Biryani and Chaman Biryani. The veg biryani ranges from Rs.310-325 plus taxes. Each biryani would be served with soup, salad and dessert of the day.

A watermelon mocktail and Virgin Sangria was enjoyed during the meal. Virgin Sangria was a perfect blend of juices. One of the best places to enjoy this mocktail in Bangalore. And for dessert, I enjoyed every bite of Rasmalai as it is my favorite and was made very well.

The chef and the team were very open to suggestions and reviews for improvement so that they could make the food delectable when the festival starts. I am sure, the suggestions were taken and incorporated. Hope you enjoy the festival :)

Goan food festival at The Chancery Pavilion

I usually travel to Goa when I crave for some good Goan food. Not many know that there is more to Goan food apart from Goan fish curry rice or Goan prawn curry rice. The Chancery Pavilion invited Chef Martina Fernandes from Goa for a 10 day festival at 'Itaca'. Chef Martina is self leant chef and masters Goan cuisine. She is usually invited by different cities to conduct Goan festivals. She is very passionate about her cooking and takes minimal help in the kitchen as she believes in providing authentic Goan taste to her customers.

The lobby of the restaurant shows the way to reach Ithaca with sign boards having names of the places from Goa.

Ithaca

The entire restaurant has Goan theme and feel of Goa. As I sipped on some Kokum juice, a live singer was playing some good goan music, konkani songs, etc adding to the Goa feel.

On a rainy Sunday night, I planned to have some good food to cheer my weekend. I haven't heard good about the food at the hotel so I was initially hesitant, like most of us. But I gave this place a try and review it myself rather than going by other's review. What better than some Goan food in Bangalore? I started my meal with hot crab soup. It had full flavors with crab meat, delicious till the last spoon. I wouldn't anything more than this soup on a rainy night. After this, I had some starters, veg croquettes, fish tikka, paneer karawali and chicken. I liked the veg croquettes with tomato ketchup. I would have preferred fish tikka with a mayo dip or mint dip. I do not have a pic of fish tikka.

Crab soup

Chicken

Paneer karawali

Veg croquettes

Then I had some salad's. I was in a fix to choose from various salad's on display. I had chicken and beetroot salad, creamy ranch with potato and fish, egg platter, mugachi salad, seafood salad, paneer tikka chaat, Cucumber - low calorie dip, set curd just to name a few. I liked panner, cucumber and egg platter more.

Creamy ranch with potato and fish

Egg platter

Fish salad, I don't remember the name

Seafood salad

Paneer tikka chaat

Cucumber - low calorie dip

Set curd

They have a live counter for ross omelette with pav and mini pizza. Ross omelette is a street food of Goa which has meat spread on an omelette with pav.

Ross Omelette with pav

Veg mini pizza

Non veg mini pizza

For main course, I had Goan rice, Kaju pulav, Chicken vindaloo, Mutton xacuti, Fish curry and Prawn curry. Apologies that I forgot the Goan names of the curry. Prawn curry was spice and burst of flavors on my tongue, fish curry was my favorite and mild, mutton curry had coconut flavors while chicken curry had no aloo in it. I had no space in my tummy to try the veg so I skipped it.

Goan rice

Kaju pulav

Fish curry

Mutton xacuti

Chicken Vindaloo

Prawn curry

It was time for desserts, a good spread of desserts which had Goan desserts too. I had no idea of Goan desserts and Chef Martina introduced me to the desserts and explained me every dessert and the ingredients which went in it. Portuguese custard pie, Dosh, Strawberry delight, Dodol, Boleno, Bebinca, Alle belle were few Goan desserts among the rest which had baked yogurt, milk cake, badam burfi, rajbhog, rice kheer with goan rice and jaggery. The desserts sound really different and they tasted different too. It was the first time I tried it and pretty much liked them too.

Portuguese custard pie

Strawberry delight

Dodol

Boleno

Bebinca

Dosh

Alle belle

The variety in veg is good and all those who think Goan food is about non veg then they would be proved wrong. Overall, it was a Goan experience in Bangalore and all those who love Goan food shouldn't miss this festival at The Chancery Pavilion with Chef Martina. It is available for dinner only and is priced at Rs. 999+taxes.