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 :)

Bengaluru welcomes Made In Punjab

After Farzi Cafe, Massive Restaurants bought Made in Punjab to Bengaluru, a smart-casual dining brand having a menu covering the rich agricultural regions surrounding the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. I really enjoy relishing North Indian food once a while, may be because my roots are from north. I haven't had good North Indian food in Bangalore much apart from countable restaurants which serve them. After a grand launch of Made In Punjab, located at Level 2 of UB City, next to Farzi Cafe, I had to visit the place to try their menu.

I was very well aware that the full will be rich and filling so I made sure that full portions were not served and I get to taste as many dishes as possible. With some conversations poured in the mocktails and cocktails for the lunch. I tried Khatta Meetha which was little more meetha, may be because of my sweetness ;) and Minty Apple which is a refreshing mocktail and my friend enjoyed his cocktails, Cucumber based Vodka drink Cu Cu Fizz.

Then came the starters, Tokri Chaat was delectable with mini potato baskets with green peas, crispy colocassia and chutneys. Legacy Tandoori Champ was my favorite which had lamb ribs which were spice, meaty and juicy.

Next, Gabbar prawns was served where the prawns were marinated with chili yogurt and roasted in tandoor was lightly flavored. Dahee Pataka was spiced yogurt croquettes served with mint chutney which really stood out. And LOL Tikki was my most favorite, leg of lamb patty infused with bone marrow which is slow cooked for 6 hours served with mint and tomato chutney was delish, it was melt in the mouth dish.

Then came Karara Bhatti Paneer Tikka, soft paneer marinated with bhatti spice with roasted papad coating and it is tandoor roasted. I do not enjoy eating Broccoli much but Broccoli Badam which had broccoli marinated with chili garlic almond, tandoor roasted and fried broccoli becomes a very filling yet delicious dish.

Make sure you do not fill your stomach with starters else you will never enjoy their main course which shouldn't be missed otherwise. Luxury B.C. (I mean Butter Chicken) is a must try as they present to you their version of sinful butter chicken using the best goan cashews, firangi tomatoes, fresh white butter and Punjab dairy cream. The dish is coated with silver varq adding to the luxury of the dish.

Agar tussi veg ho then try the Lahsooni Palak Chenna which has shredded spinach, chenna along with onion tomato masala, another rich gravy from the lavish menu.

Don't miss Mummy da pyaar anymore as you relish Maa ki Daal which is a classic dal makhani, every morsel is worth it.

All these mains, you could enjoy with roti, naan's or paratha. I can't wait to head here again to try Nalli Hard kaur which is much appreciated by their other guest. Their menu has equal importance give to veg and non veg items so no one is going hungry from here :)

If you still have some space for dessert, which you should save some like I tried the Ras 'Dates' Malai which is a classic rasmalai with dates rabri. And next was Gaushalla Di Kulfi, condensed milk ice cream dipped in berry cream and khus falooda.

I wanted get a taste of their lassi so I requested for tasting portion only of their Kesar lassi. Only wish I had another stomach to relish more of their dishes but I guess I have to save some for my following visits.

The happiness on my face clearly tells the good meal I had with the staff being very courteous. I have visited MIP twice till now and my visit has given me a happy tummy and a tongue longing for more food :) As the pricing of the dishes is reasonable, do not wait for any occasion and head to this award winning restaurant soon.

Dinner buffet at Sanctum Club

I have been to Sanctum many times and reviewed it once during their Special anniversary menu  under Chef Joaquin Albarreal Arjona. a lot has changed over the time. I was very impressed with the menu and the taste then so lets see what was in store for me this time. Owner, Baba Chandk was open to suggestions for the review.

This was a dinner buffet clubbed with ladies night. The buffet is priced at Rs.800 with a drink. I enjoyed a watermelon mocktail and also tasted virgin pina colada, both needed improvement. 

I had sweet corn soup, and then the starters came in. Veg pizza, Diced chicken in lemon grass, Paneer tikka lababdar, Schezwan chicken, Murgh malai tikka, Green peas tikki & Baby corn Manchurian. The starters was good and it tasted well, my favorites were Green peas tikki and Veg pizza. Chicken was a little cold else I would liked it too.

Then came the main course, Chicken biryani which was very tasty. Mutton masala where the meat was tender and it had extra tomatoes in it. Kadhai chicken gravy was tasty and it was enjoyed with roti and naan. Apart from these three, Mixed vegetables in hot garlic sauce, Subz Miloni, Paneer Subzi, Veg Pulao and Daal. These were enjoyed with roti/naan and rice.

They also had a live counter for Pasta.

For desserts, Malpua, Fruit cake with sauce and Chocolate mousse which had a combo of dark and white chocolate. I was surprised that ice-cream wasn't on the menu. The desserts can be changed as this was disappointing. 

Overall, the crowd was less for ladies night, but one can enjoy the music with drink and food at Sanctum which has been nominated for the Times Food Awards 2017.