The Platter Fest at California Pizza Kitchen

This sports season, California Pizza Kitchen has come up with a new pop-up menu 'The Platter Fest'. Enjoy the T-20 games with the 3 platters on offer and one can enjoy the same with delectable mocktails and cocktails.

There are 3 platters on offer, A veg platter, Non-veg platter and a Combo platter. Each platter has 6 different appetizers and can be shared by 2 or 3 people. I tried the Non-veg platter which had Chipotle grill chicken, Sonora chicken roll, Cilantro Baked fish, chicken nuggets, fish finger and delicious chicken basil bruschetta. The platter is served with a bowl of sasla, sour cream and chilli cheese dip.

The fish fingers were crisp and tasted well with the chilli cheese dip. Sonora chicken roll was good to taste with Salsa or chilli cheese dip. Cilantro baked fish was a salty to my taste but the taste was mellowed with sour cream. Instead of chicken nuggets, I had chicken wings on my platter which tasted delish with chilli cheese dip. Chicken Basil bruschetta and Chitpotle grill chicken became good appetizers for my mocktail.

The 3 drinks from the pop-up menu had mocktail and cocktail option which can be combined with the appetizers. I tried the mocktails - Orange Mojito which was a refreshing drink with fresh oranges, Orange juice, lemon and mint. Mango Ecstasy which was my favorite and contained fresh Watermelon Chunks, Mango Puree topped with sparkling Water. My least favorite was Electric Blue which was very sweet for my taste Fresh Malta Orange, orange juice, Ginger Ale, with a hint of Lychee topped with Blue Curacao.

For the Combo platter, chipotle grill chicken, chicken wings, Cilantro baked fish, chili cheese toast, Margherita roll and spicy garbanzo fritters was served. The veg options on the platter was impressive, I have always been a fan of chili cheese toast and Margherita rolls and they were delectable even without a dip. Spicy garbanzo fritters were spicy but dry so this had to be had with a dip.

While, I did not try the Veg platter, you can try them next which served Mediterranean roll, Mexican quesadillas, Corn Baja croquettes, Spicy garbanzo fritter, Chili cheese toast and vegetable bruschetta. So head to CPK, as it is fondly called, and enjoy the platter before you enjoy their pizza's and pasta's for main course and not to forget their lip-smacking desserts. The option is limited for platter but then they have some platters on their regular menu too. Have the platter when served hot as you would not enjoy the appetizer when it has turned cold.

You can enjoy The Platter Fest from 7th March to 31st March 2016 at your nearest California Pizza Kitchen while you watch some amazing T-20 games.

'Organa' juices for a healthy living

Organic farming has been a traditional way of farming in India. The aim of organic agriculture is to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. It is always better to have organic food rather than conventionally processed food.

Mother India Farms was established in 2000 to nurture acres of farms with traditional organic methods to produce and provide quality organic and natural food products to global consumers, contributing to healthy living. The domestic business of MIF is handled by a subsidiary company, MION (Mother India Organics and Naturals Pvt. Ltd). MION has launched India’s first Certified Organic Juices and Fruit Bars, under the brand name ‘Organa’.

Mr.Gopinath Director of Operations _ Mr. Pradeep Kumar Executive Director & Mr. Durairaj Rangaswamy, CEO Founder, Mother India Farms

MIF is encouraging and promoting a commitment to healthy eating and living, creating a healthier environment around. I got my hands on some 'Organa' juices

RICH ORGANIC MANGO JUICE - It's a premium juice made out of Mother India Farms’ organic mango pulp. A perfect blend of Alphonso and Totapuri mangoes and a rich 20% pulp gives the juice a natural mango taste as if eating a mango fruit itself.























ORGANA RICH PULPY GUAVA - This is made from my favorite fruit and natures very best naturally ripened Organic Pink Guava fruit with 21.5% of Organic Pink Guava Pulp blended in each bottle of Organa’s Rich Pulpy Guava Juice.

RICH PULPY MIXED FRUIT - Apple is most nutritious and a miracle fruit. While, Guava is a super fruit, Mango is the king of fruits and Pineapple, highly fibrous. Say Cheers and stay healthy with Organa Rich Pulpy Mixed Fruit.

ORGANA REFRESHING APPLE - Made from Apples sourced from the Organic farms of Europe, you get world’s finest Organic Apple Drinks. It’s tasty, refreshing, and healthy.

You can avail them too at the nearest major retail stores and stay healthy :)

More about Mother India Farms/MION can be found below:
www.motherindiafarms.com
www.organa.in
www.facebook.com/organa.organic

'Treasures of Sea' festival at Barbeque Nation

I love seafood festivals as I am sea food lover. This time I was invited to be part of 'Treasures of Sea' festival at Barbeque Nation, Indiranagar. I am sure most of us visit Barbeque nation with group of friend's, esp on cheat days to indulge in their lip smacking starters and heavenly desserts.

Treasures of Sea was all about enjoying sea food at Barbeque Nation from January 23rd to February 8th. I was excited to check out the various sea food which would be served.

For drinks, I tried the Chocolate monk. It was a drink resembling chocolate smoothie, stand alone I loved this drink and wouldn't mind having it on a daily basis but not for my meal as it would fill my tummy and also doesn't pair with my food. I also tried Mango Rapture which did not suit my taste as it was too heavy for my meal. So I moved to Lime soda for the evening which would help me eat and also would pair with my food.

I couldn't for starters to be served. Crispy fried anchovy with Tamrind sauce, Jamaican jerk chicken, crumb fried squids with aioli dip, Mai Thai prawns, Maryland crab cakes, Mutton Galawati and Basa Peri peri were served. I loved Mai Thai prawns, Basa Peri Peri, Mutton Galawati and Jamaican jerk chicken and did not repeating it throughout the night. Crumb fried squids does not suit my taste and so did crispy fried anchovy. Maryland crab cakes were decent and were made to perfection. I tried different dips to glaze the starters and enjoyed it.

From the live counter, which is billed separately for the customers, 2 variants of fish was served and they were totally different to taste. I liked the fish manchurian more.

Trying to stop myself for indulging in more starters, I headed to the buffet to try the soups and salad's.
Seafood laksa was superb, though it had less of seafood in it, I did not mind as I felt refreshed and more hungry after I had it. I tried the prawn cocktail salad which is one of my favorite's and Barbeque nation maintained the taste of the cocktail dressing which made me happy. I did not try strawberry and chicken salad and assorted seafood platter.

Main course has always been average at Barbeque nation, mainly because the starters are to die for. The standard of main course as maintained. I tried prawn biryani which was pretty good. Meen moilly and Mangalorean crab curry excited me which should be eaten with Iddiappam. I did not get Iddiappam on time so I just had the taste of the curry. Crab curry did not have much flavors in it and hence it did not excite me more while Meen moilly was good. I did not try Mutton Vindaloo, Bhuna Kukkad masala and Nasi Goreng.

The staff had also planned a small performance for the guest. It was enjoyable. You can watch the video here.

Time for dessert. At Barbeque nation I always indulge more in starters and desserts. So I headed to the dessert counter with a twinkle in my eye to check the varieties. Small gulaab jamoon, tender coconut payasam, death by chocolate pastry, blue sea cheesecake, chocolate strawberry tart, mango mousse, phirni along with fig and honey ice cream and some fruits were placed. I made sure I picked all of it on my plate and made sure my fellow blogger friends were also served. I loved all the dessert and couldn't resist having another round of the same.

How can one not have the famous paan flavor kulfi. This was repeated on the table till we made sure we left the premises. Make sure you have this kulfi as you will not regret the decision.

Over all, an enjoyable evening was set by Barbeque nation for seafood lover like me.

Yauatcha - New additions to the menu

Yauatcha is an asian/chinese restaurant which serves great cantonese food which is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisine. Yauatcha, might sound very different but it is actually wordplay on the Cantonese phrase ‘Yum cha’, which means ‘to drink tea’- traditionally. Not for today though as I was here to have a tummy full dinner.

They have some new additions to their menu due to which I was very excited to try them and also have some of my old favorites from the menu. I went to Yauatcha for my Christmas dinner with Arjun. Read on to know what I had and how did I find it.

Well stocked bar

I started my evening with Tokyo Sunrise, a combination of lemongrass, raspberry, guava juice, peach juice and elderflower syrup. It tasted well and a little sweet, just as I like. I have had this earlier too so I preferred this again. While Arjun had Orange & chilli mocktail which had a combination of orange juice, lemongrass, palm sugar, chilli and mint. A choky and spicy flavor settles with every sip.

Now, the dimsums were arriving, one after the other, the best one's. Started with Beetroot and celery dumpling followed by Pan fried Charcoal Lamb Bun which became my favorite. I wouldn't mind having another round of it but saved my tummy for other dishes. This could be had as an evening snack or even morning breakfast as I loved it.

Beetroot and celery dumpling

Pan fried Charcoal Lamb Bun

Crispy duck roll was served next where I did not get much taste of the duck meat, just a hint of it was felt. Then, Sugar chicken roll was served. As I took the first bite, I felt the presence of sugarcane which was firm and holding the entire chicken while fried. I found it innovative.

Crispy duck roll

Sugar chicken roll

Prawn and seaweed dumpling was served. While my love for seafood is obvious in my blog, this dumpling had the perfect taste of seaweed and prawn, it blended well and none of the ingredients over powered the taste. I requested for Sesame Prawn Toast which is my favorite. Minced prawn on a toasted covered with sesame seeds. I do not like sesame seeds but I prefer it in this dumpling only as juicy minced prawn on the toast is my comfort food.

Prawn and seaweed dumpling

Sesame Prawn Toast

I was absolutely hesitant to try Spicy squid cake as I feel nothing much can be done with squids except for frying them golden brown. With no expectation I tried this dumpling by which I was taken aback. The meat is mixed well with the batter, not giving me those onion rings type of taste or feeling. I am sure I will never ever miss this. I am glad that I did give this a try as this was the best squid I have ever had.

Spicy squid cake

Next, Wrapped chicken with black pepper was served. It was my choice as it was cool and breezy night. I wanted to have something with black pepper. A simple dish but full of its flavors. I can surely ask for one more as every bite was worth having.

Wrapped chicken with black pepper

Ok to much on non veg? Next I tried Vegetable yin yang dumpling. This dumpling was dipped in a sauce and served. Veggies aren't that bad too.

Vegetable yin yang dumpling

Don't judge me now. I asked for some soup. I chose the Hot and Sour with shredded chicken. Hot soup with chicken can be best had on a cool night. A little extra soya sauce was felt but I cannot complain as my tongue felt it right. Arjun had some Sweet corn soup with chicken where corn and chicken was minced. I would preferred mine soup more.

Hot and Sour with shredded chicken

Before main course was served, I tried Nara Iced tea which had Chilli vanilla sugar, cinnamon, passion fruit juice and jasmine tea. This was suggested by the server and I can trust his choice next time too. I love iced tea but this was different. the combination gave it a new feel to the tongue.

Nara Iced tea

I was still hungry, ok I have a good appetite especially when the food is very tasty. So it was time for main course. Stir-fry prawns in home town chilli sauce was served with Steamed Jasmine rice. Sweet in the beginning and spicy towards the end, this was the taste of the dish. Hints of cucumber, carrot, capsicum, cherry tomato along with prawns was exceptionally tasty.

Stir-fry prawns in home town chilli sauce

Steamed Jasmine rice

Stir-fry kam heyong lamb with steamed jasmine rice was next. I cannot choose which main course was better. Lamb was juicy and delish too. Jasmine rice did not have much taste of jasmine. I was too engrossed in prawn and lamb gravy.

Stir-fry kam heyong lamb with steamed jasmine rice

After long gap, dessert was served. Selection of macarons was served which had orange, chocolate and pista flavors. Raspberry delice was next, an amazing looking dessert which had Raspberry insert, dark chocolate mousse and hazelnut brownie served with raspberry ripple ice cream. I was too busy admiring the dish and did not feel like disturbing it, yet I had to else Arjun would have finished it. It was good and I prefer it having it with ice cream as it neutralizes the sweetness.

Selection of macarons

Raspberry delice

Next, Mango mascarpone gateau was served which was feuilletine crunch, parline (sugar candy) mascarpone (cheese) cream, litchi sorbet. Another superb looking dessert and every bite was cheesy and hints of crunchiness too.

Mango mascarpone gateau

Lastly, Religieuse was served which I have had earlier too. A chocolaty and filling dessert in true sense. It was a chocolate choux pastry with hazelnut cremeux, chocolate praline ganache (sauce) served with ginanduja (sweet chocolate) ice cream. One yummy chocolaty dessert it is and extremely filling too.

Religieuse

I was still standing on my feet after having all what was mentioned. It's very difficult to point out the mistake in any dish. My goodness, I can never ever get enough of Yauatcha. I am waiting to go back and try their other dishes too. Let me know which is your favorite.

Yummy