SodaBottleOpenerWala: Restaurant Review

The lovely terrace of the Khan Market outlet, sans seating now. Source: Facebook/SodaBottleOpenerWala

I believe in giving second chances. I do. But when it comes to food, I am very stingy about second chances. There is so much to eat, so much to explore in one lifetime that I do not like to waste a meal on what may have already proven to be an average experience. However, when my dining experience differs drastically from that of most people, I sometimes eat humble pie and go back to the restaurant for a re-run. Sometimes I come back with my beliefs reinforced and sometimes (rarely though), my opinions are transformed. 

SodaBottleOpenerWala launched with much fanfare in Gurgaon more than a year back. In a market where diners were starved for Parsi food, the only other option being the canteen at Parsi Anjuman, it promised to recreate the legacy of Iranian cafes, so popular in Mumbai. Launched in the bustling Cyber Hub courtyard, it went on to open an outlet in Khan Market, one in Bangalore and is all set to launch in Mumbai (more about that later). 

My first experience with SBOW in Cyber Hub was underwhelming at best. The decor is quirky and recreates nostalgia with the checkered table cloths and the Irani bakery counter. However, as interesting as the menu is, the food failed to impress. My palate, nascent to Parsi food, did not complain too much though.

And then I moved to Bombay. The naysayers may dis Britannia or Ideal...but I personally fell in love with them. The fact that all 3 generations of the family are always there to greet you or serve you at Britannia, the cat which owns the cash counter and claims it as its own, the buzz and the nostalgia, it is all real, acquired and not something that can be recreated. And don't even get me started on the Berry Pulav, the Cutlets or my favourite, the Sali Keema.

Sali Keema at Britannia, Fort, Mumbai

But I digress, which is what food memories make me do. In the recent months, I have had the pleasure of interacting with many ingenious people who have been involved in building SOBC, like Chef Saby who's recently opened the gorgeous Lavaash or Mohit Balachandran (known better as ChowderSingh, his pseudonym) who runs the entire SOBC franchise nationally and ofcourse AD Singh himself. And the fact that such great chefs and restaurateurs diligently backed this franchise, urged me to go back and give it another go. 

Alas, the second visit was equally disappointing. The Khan Market outlet is smaller but cozier with a nice balcony (which now doesn't have seating due to the MCD sealing). I tried the Chicken Farcha and the Komli Fry with my drinks. A word about the drinks first. Though the cocktails here are named creatively, they sit on the edge when it comes to delivering flavours. The Masala Vodka had way too much masala and one couldn't even taste the vodka or lime in it. The Banta drink tried to be quirky and was mango based but was a far cry of the perfection that Monkey Bar's (from the same restaurant owners) Mangaa has been able to achieve. Their version of the Whiskey Sour, thankfully, is a winner and the one I recommend you order here. 

Chicken Farcha and Komli Fry at SBOW

The Chicken Farcha came accompanied by a delicious and fresh coriander chutney, onion and lemon. As seemed to be the theme of the evening, the chicken was underwhelming. The meat was a tad bit too dry and even fared worse than the passable farcha (where passable is being generous) one gets at Ashmick's Snack Shack on Pali Hill.

Ashmick's Chicken Farcha, Pali Hill, Mumbai

The Komli Fry, thankfully, single-handedly saved the day. Delicious and moist jumbo prawns wrapped in onion strings and deep fried, it was akin to having onion rings and a spicy prawn starter, all in one. Absolutely scrumptious and a must try.

I also tried the Tamota Papeta Par Eeda, which I remembered as being the only thing I liked the last time I ate here. A skillet with tomato-onion chutney, sliced potatoes and 2 fried eggs, this goes well with Maska Pav. The latter is something which you can order by itself too, freshly baked inhouse and loaded with melting butter, the pav reminds me of the fabulous bhajia pavs sold by the guy who would sit outside my complex in Bombay. 

With hits and misses, unfortunately SBOW remains on my list of places that I may not recommend or return to. However, you should try it to have an opinion of your own. And if you do, make sure you try the Mutton Berry Pulav, Prawn Patio, Veg Cutlet and Goan Sausage Pav, recommendations by Mohit that I wish I had received before I ordered my meal.

With their doors opening in Mumbai soon, I stand as a third person to witness how the city reacts to their food. Will the 'trendiness' be able to help them carve a niche or will the average Bombayite realise how blessed they are to have the age-old Irani Cafes that still hold their own in the city.   

Smart Tricks to Stay Fit While at Work

Yes yes, we all know how tough life is. Office hours are long and you just don't get the time to go exercise. 

A word of advice? Stop making excuses. If fitness is important to you, this may help. My latest on NDTV talks about 5 smart tricks to stay fit while at work. 

Read the article here. 

The Red Sari - Book Review

Written by Javier Moro, The Red Sari tries to recreate the life of Sonia Gandhi. A public figure open to scrutiny, she has often been judged, sometimes justifiable so but more often than not, as a consequence of her surname. But let's backtrack a little.

Let me mention as a disclaimer that I am not a fan. I do not have any political alignments, though I wish feverishly for a leader that I can believe in. Thus, for the most part, this review is from the eyes of a curious reader.

Moro traces the life of Sonia from her childhood and doesn't glorify her growing-up days. The daughter of a hard-working mason, Stephano Maino, her initial years centered around her family. Growing up in the small town of Orbassano, she and her sisters studied in a convent school 15 km away. The first time she spread her wings was when she requested to go to Cambridge and learn English. This is where she met Rajiv Gandhi, and her life changed forever.

The author may have interviewed many credible sources but a large part of the book is fictional and the authenticity of it is debatable. The facts are all correct, it is the emotions and the internal turmoil that fall in the grey area.

The book travels with Sonia as she and Rajiv fall in love, convincing her conservative father and his politically-bound mother to get them married. Perhaps as a consequence of one of the sources being Indira Gandhi's personal assistant, a large part of the book focuses on Indira herself. She is portrayed in all her shades, the obedient daughter, the confused wife, the love-blind mother, the iron lady, the strategist, the dictator and a tired woman at the end of the day. The home-dynamics of the Gandhi household are interesting, especially when Menaka enters Sanjay Gandhi's life.

What captivated me was the struggle of a woman, so far from anything familiar. How she witnessed the political climate change and realised the burden of the surname that she had married into. She has often been shamed as a gold-digger and unless you know her personally, it is all up for speculation. But Moro pens a credible tale of how she fought against fate and finally succumbed to it. Staying on in a country which had not only shot her mother-in-law at point blank range but also blown up her husband to bits, and where her children were under constant threat, must have taken a lot of courage. Whether she did so to keep the Gandhi name alive or to safeguard the future of her children can be argued. But it remains an undeniable truth that Sonia Gandhi was dealt her fair share of trials and she managed to walk through them without breaking.

The book was condemned by the Congress party and an unofficial ban was issued for seven years. It has only recently been released here, though the Spanish edition was published seven years ago. This in itself nudges me to believe a part of the story, as it humanizes this woman who hides behind an inscrutable mask and a name that weighs more than what one can imagine. A riveting read, both for the followers and the naysayers.

Pangat - The Maharashtrian Food Festival at House of Asia

This month I complete one year in the Maximum City. I came here with the prime motivation of exploring the food scene and seeing how it compared to cities like Bangalore and Delhi. 12 months down and I still hadn't tried an authentic Maharashtrian meal. Thankfully, Hotel Mirador's House of Asia decided to host a Maharashtrian Feast Fest titled Pangat. Invited as part of the FBAI team to share a glimpse of this state's food culture and thereby share my thoughts on the same, it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Located on the lobby level of the hotel, House of Asia a cozy little space with live music and table-seating. Traditionally, meals like these are served as you sit on cushions on the floor. This set-up is called Pangat, after which the festival has been named.

The meal started with beverages. We tried the Aam Panna and the Solkadi. The Aam Panna was a disappointment with not even a fraction of the punch that it should have. The coconut milk and kokum based Solkadi was a step up. Traditionally, the Sol Kadhi is served after the meal as it serves to soothe the spices and cool down the digestive system.

Crab Soup

The Crab Soup (Khekdyche Saar) was full of masalas and not very palatable. Surprisingly, the tomato soup scored over this one with its tangy zest. 

Steamed Coriander Cake

The appetizers were a mixed bunch. Though I liked the Jeerameerichi Kombdi (chicken with roast jeera and black pepper) it could very well have been any grilled chicken in a European eaterie. Nothing authentic about this one. The Kothmir chi Vadi (steamed coriander cakes) were delicious and fresh. 

These came accompanied by a range of delicious chutneys, my favourite being the black sesame chutney and the khatta raw mango chutney. 

Banana Flower Fritters

Dalimb Batate (tangy potato patty with pomegranate seeds) were nice but nothing to write home about and the Kelfulache Vade (banana flower fritters) had a bitter aftertaste. A fan of squid, I was a tad disappointed with the Makli masala (squids masala) which was coated too thick and fried till rubbery. 

Grilled Bombil

The savior of the appetizers was an excellent Tawache Bombil (grilled Bombay Duck). 

If you do visit, the mains are what you should head straight for. The Maharashtrian thaali not only made a pretty picture but it also included dishes representing the various parts of the state. From the Konkan region to Kohlapur, each dish complemented the other and yet held it's own. A huge portion to satisfy even the most voracious eaters, this thaali comes highly recommended. Desserts included soft Puran Polis and Olya Naral chi Karanji. 

The festival is currently running and is on till the 16th of April 2015. 

Bombay Canteen reviewed

Tandoori Pork Ribs with a Chilli Glaze and Green Beans

I recently ate at Bombay Canteen in Parel and came back impressed. You would too, if you were there. 

For the lowdown, read my review here. 

The Punch Bowl served with Tea Cups

Be There For Your Child

As N turns 4 tonight, I wonder where this time went. The sentence comes to mind - '...the days were long but the years too short..'

My latest article on Askme talks about how you can skip the shortcuts and try to be there for your lil' one. Even if it is for a little while every day.

Read the article here. 

20 Best Meals in Delhi

Gung, the Palace

If you have ever wondered where to eat in Delhi, this one's for you. 

An amalgamation of my food-related work in the capital and my undying love for the city, my latest feature on Rediff lists out the best 20 meals in the city. I did not agree with Ritu Dalmia's list in Conde Nast, thus decided to come out with my own. 

Make sure you tick each one of them. Not one is worth missing. And if you have had the pleasure of doing these with me, what can I say, you're a lucky soul :) 

Delhi's 20 Best Meals. Read it here.