Waffles & More - The Ultimate Belgian Experience

Visit Day Date and Time:- Saturday 2-September-2017, 15.30 p.m.

"Waffles & More" a newly (one month old) opened cute and attractive waffle station which serves delicious freshly baked eggless waffles in desserts as well as savoury options.

The ambience is soothing with well done interiors and few seating options.

The menu of this place includes waffles along with some munchies (i.e nachos, fries) and variety of thick shakes. 

Started off with my favourite Mexican Amore which is savoury waffle. Here in the waffle is stuffed with thick tomato sauce cooked with bell peppers, jalapenos and american corn which is topped with grated cheese and chipotle sauce giving it bit of spicy touch.

Oreo Bomb Waffle is a newly introduced and top selling on the menu. The crunchy freshly baked waffle is stuffed with whipped cream and oreo crumbles was totally sinful. If you are oreo lover then this one is for you.

Loaded Nachos, a popular tex-mex dish. Here in the crispy corn chips along with finely chopped fresh bell peppers, jalapenos, corn are topped with cheese sauce, grated cheese and salsa sauce. The salsa sauce is made to perfection and it really takes taste to the next level.

Belgian Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Ice-cream, a freshly baked waffle stuffed with lip-smacking chocolate ice-cream and topped with chocolate sauce. Drool-worthy.

Lastly tried out the Kit Kat Monster thick shake topped with cream and Kit Kat chocolate. It has perfect sweetness and was really yummy.

Recommendations:- Mexican Amore, Oreo Bomb Waffle, Kit Kat Monster, Belgian Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Ice-cream.

Service was quick and staff are friendly.

Overall it was fantastic experience and surely must visit place to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Kudos to the team Waffles & More and special thanks to Mr. Vinayak for the invitation.

Taste:- 5/5
Ambience:- 4.5/5
Service:- 5/5
Value for Money:- 5/5

Woodside Inn, 10th Anniversary Beer & Burger Festival

Visit Day Date and Time:- Friday 18-August-2017, 18.00 p.m.

"Woodside Inn" the place which originated the legendary Beer and Burger Festival recently celebrated the 10th Anniversary of it's Beer and Burger Festival from 20-Jul-17 to 27-Aug-17 in all it's 3 outlet i.e. Lower Parel, Colaba and Oshiwara.

They had designed special menu for this celebration which offered 10 Burgers (included 8 popular burgers from the earlier years) with 2 limited edition beers by Gateway Brewing Company along with some International beers.

Overall the place was designed colourfully along with some good music which gave it good feel of festival.

We started off with Crab Carnival Burger along with light and refreshing Dr. Jekyll Beer. The burger had tempura fried soft shell crab stuffed between squid ink buns along with togarashi spices, sriracha mayo and pickled asian veggies which was served with red cabbage slaw and prawn crackers. It was treat for crab lovers like me.

After that we tried out juicy and tasty Gluttonous Pig Burger along with dark and flavourful Mr. Hyde Beer. The multigrain bun was stuffed with ground pork patty, emmental cheese, apple compote, garlic aioli and crispy pork ears which was served with kale and pomegranate slaw and fries.

Service:- Service was excellent and service staff were enjoying the fest.

Experience:- Amazing and unforgettable experience. Eagerly waiting for it's next festival.

Taste:- 4/5

Service:- 4.5/5

Ambience:- 4/5

Art House - The Fern Residency

Visit Day Date and Time:- Sunday 13-August-2017, 13.00 p.m.

"Art House - The Fern Residency" is an all day multi-cuisine restaurant with ala-carte and buffet option which is located in the lobby section of The Fern Residency Hotel, Chembur.

Recently visited this place for food tasting.

Ambience:- It's interiors are quite bright and white with comfort seating option which seems to be peaceful and relaxed environment. 

Food:- We started off with Flambe Roast Tomato Soup and Chicken Manchow Soup which were served warm along with some bread sticks and fried noodles. Both soups were flavourful and tasty.

After soups we decided to try out cocktails and so we opted for Long Island Ice Tea (LIIT) and Cosmopolitan. Each cocktails was made to perfection and had significant amount of liquor giving out the amazing taste.

Lal Mirch Ka Paneer Tikka was regular paneer starter were in soft chunks of paneer marinated in red chilly and peshwari masala and grilled to perfection in tandoor along with capsicum which is served with green chutney and salad. I simply loved the softness of paneer with mild flavour of masala.

Tandoori Chicken was marinated with yogurt, red chillis and spices and grilled in tandoor. Being one of the popular chicken starter amongst the chicken lover it failed to impress as chicken lacked flavour and juiciness.

From the main course section we tried out Vegetable Kadai and Dal Tadka along with some Indian Breads i.e Roti and Naan. The medium spicy paneer gravy went well with butter roti and naan. Even the dal tadka was superb that i just finished full bowl in quick time.

We ended our meal on sweeter note with Caramel Custard and Warm Chocolate Brownie. The custard was served with some fresh fruits and cream on the side. Whereas the sweet and gooey chocolate brownie was served with delicious chocolate sauce and nuts.

Recommendations:- Chicken Manchow Soup, Lal Mirch Ka Paneer Tikka, Vegetable Kadai, Caramel Custard

Service:- Service was good but bit on slower side.

Experience:- Overall it was satisfying experience and decent place to visit with family or friends for lunch or dinner.

Taste:- 3.5/5
Value for Money:- 3.5/5
Ambience:- 3.5/5
Service:- 3/5

KODE - Freestyle Bar and Kitchen

Visit Day Date and Time:-Thursday 13-July-2017, 19.00 p.m.

"KODE" a unique creation from the innovator and trendsetter Zorawar Kalra along with his wife Dildeep Kalra aims to revolutionize modern global cuisine by delivering latest food trends in freestyle avatar but maintaining it's authenticity.

Ambience:- This place is huge which is divided into lounge and dinning section with splendid and classy interiors. It is designed by the international architect Masafumi Sanada who has left no stone untouched. But the main attraction of this place is the island bar which is centrally located and  the lights which keeps on getting dim every hour making it quite cosy atmosphere.

Menu:- The food menu includes hand-picked unique dishes and delicacies from around the world. The bar menu is something to look out for as this place offers approx. 150 brands of whiskey along with signature cocktails and mocktails which will not only please your taste buds but your vision as well.

I tried out following from the food set by the chef for tasting:-

Butter Glazed Edamame Beans, Sea Salt:- It is served as quick bite were in edamame is coated with butter and tossed in chilli and sea salt. It was tasty but had to chew it for long time to finish one edamame.

Togarashi and Garlic Olives,Chives Creme Fraiche:- Olives were marinated with mixture of Japanese spice and served with creme fraiche as dip. It's another quick bite option which was made to perfection.

The Old Fashioned:- Whiskey based cocktail were in orange juice in the form of iced sphere is dipped in the glass and on the side served with spinach crisp and cherry. Must try one for whiskey lovers.

Bird Eye:- It's vodka based cocktail which is infused with berries and smoked with cinnamon flavour to feel the aroma while enjoying the drink. It is served in oval shape glass on the bowl of birds nest with cinnamon flavour incense stick. It's bit on sweeter side since it is vodka based.

Salmon Carpaccio, Chilli- Coriander-Sesame:- Thin slice of salmon are topped with sauce and fined chopped chilli, coriander and sesame and served with crispy spinach on the side. Salmon was so soft that it literally melted in mouth.

Charcoal Grilled Prawns, Garlic Breurre Blanc:- Tiger Prawn was charcoal grilled to perfection keeping it juiciness intact and topped with garlic flavoured breurre blanc (white butter). It's like having butter garlic prawns. You can't miss this one if your love prawns.

Corn Curd and Asparagus Tempura:- Though it is vegetarian dish it's my personal favourite from the menu. The combination of corn curd and asparagus is deep fried giving crispy texture outside and keeping it gooey inside which is accompanied by sriracha mayo on the sides. It just explodes in your mouth and fills it with amazing flavour of corn curd and asparagus.

Garlic and Pepper Lamb Chops:- Lamb chops were well cooked and tossed with garlic in teriyaki sauce and served on side with creamy combination of mashed potato and wasabi which balanced the taste of the dish.

Manchego and Truffle Oil, Maldon Salt:- It is Turkish style dish known as Pide which is nothing but flat bread loaded with manchego cheese (cheese made from sheep's milk) and topped with truffle oil and maldon salt. Must try one from the menu.

Duck Tacos:- Crunchy corn tortillas stuffed with well cooked shredded duck meat, sesame and cucumber along hoison sauce.

Forgotten Petal Sour:- It's one of the innovative cocktail which is served as three course meal. Basically it is gin based which is served in a flower vase shape glass garnished with beet root powder and accompanied by rose dipped in nitrogen, candy floss and campari soap with champagne foam.

18 Hours Cooked Lamb Shanks:- The best from the menu were in lamb meat is slowly cooked to perfection for 18 hours keeping juiciness of the meat intact and is served on top of polenta garnished with blue cheese truffle. The meat was so tender that it just falls of the bones.

Miso Marinated Black Cod:- The black cod (fish) is marinated in miso (Japanese seasoning) and served on bed of creamy and cheesy risotto. The black cod was fresh and went well with risotto.

Spinach and Asparagus Risotto:- It's creamy and cheesy risotto with spinach and asparagus. Here in fresh bocconcini cheese is used. Overall it is good option for vegetarians in the main course section.

Black Forest Maraschino Cherries:- It's basically deconstructed black forest where in brick shape mousse is loaded with cherries which is accompanied by dark chocolate sponge, cream and cocoa nibs. The presentation deserves full marks.

Recommendations:- The Old Fashioned, Bird Eye, Salmon Carpaccio, Garlic and Pepper Lamb Chops, Corn Curd and Asparagus Tempura, Charcoal Grilled Prawns Garlic Breurre Blanc, 18 Hours Cooked Lamb Shanks, Miso Marinated Black Cod, Spinach and Asparagus Risotto, Manchego and Truffle Oil.

Service:- Be it any Zorawar Kalra place the level of service is always at top notch. Totally impressed by it. Special thanks to the chef for designing special menu for food tasting.

Experience:- Stunning and life time experience. Overall it's an amazing place to visit with family and friends to try out some unique cocktails along with some creative and delicious food.

Taste:- 5/5

Value for Money:- 5/5

Ambience:- 5/5

Service:- 5/5

Genuine Broaster Chicken

Visit Day Date and Time :- Thursday 6-July-2017, 1.00 p.m.

"Genuine Broaster Chicken (GBC)" an American chicken brand which began its journey in the year 1953 in USA and still continuing by marking its presence in approx. 36 countries. The Yellow Tie Hospitality along with Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi (Brand Ambassador) has introduced GBC to India by opening its very first outlet in Versova, Andheri.

GBC is one of the fastest growing QSR in India and has recently opened up its third outlet of Mumbai in Satra Plaza, Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Recently received an invitation from GBC to visit it's new outlet for food tasting and review.

Ambience:- This outlet is quite spacious compare to it's Versova and Bandra outlet but the overall interiors of this outlet are similar to other GBC outlets i.e baseball helmet lamps, funny chicken wall messages, hidden sack lighting, painted tables etc.

Menu:- The menu is similar to its other outlets. So accordingly decided to try out something different from my last review visit.

Coco Mango Mojito:- This drink is from it's new cooler menu were in fusion of mango and coconut is presented in mojito style. It's perfect blend giving taste of both elements to the perfection. If you prefer taste of coconut then you can't miss this one.

Palang Tod:- It's one of my favourite drink available at GBC. A unique combination of red bull and caffeine.

Assorted Chicken Wings:- It included chicken wings tossed in varieties of sauce such as Smoked BBQ & Mushroom, Kung Pao, Butter Garlic, Curried BBQ, Kasundi Mustard and Narangi Sriracha. The chicken wings were tender and the chef made sure it taste best in each sauce.

Sriracha Paneer:- Soft paneer chunks are tossed in tabasco sauce with some veggies and bit of orange juice. It's good option for the vegetarians.

Firangi Palak Paneer Dip:- Grilled pita bread are served with creamy dip of spinach and cheese with some soft paneer chunks. Creamy dip compliments the pita breads to the perfection.

Broaster Platter:- The broaster platter includes three varieties of chicken i.e. The Legendary American, Hot Masala and Happy Fried Chicken which are accompanied by three dips namely the curry mango, cheesy jalapeno and Thai chili perfectly complimenting the chicken. The Chicken is not fried but it's broasted using the broaster fryer which gives it crispiness and keeps its juiciness intact.

Ghotala Khichdi (Veg):- One word to describe this dish would be "Delicious". It's fusion of rice with some veggies, soft paneer chunks and in house masala which is served with kerala papad on the side. It's too good and not to be missed. GBC also has non-vegetarian version of Ghotala Khichdi were in paneer chunks and veggies are replaced by boneless lamb chunks, chicken kheema and fried egg strips.

Bhidu's Chicken Curry:-  It's medium spicy coconut base chicken curry which is served either with portion of rice or parantha. Taste of curry is amazing and it goes well with both rice and parantha.

Chocolate Samosa with Mango Ice-cream:- Crispy chocolate filled mini samosa are served with Mango ice-cream and topped with chocolate syrup. It's decent dessert option but would prefer Oreo phirni over it.

Sneaky Caramel Freakshake:- This freakshake contains snickers, gems, caramel, cookies and some cream.

Recommendations:- Assorted Chicken Wings, Broaster Platter, Bhidu's Chicken Curry, Ghotala Khichdi, Firangi Palak Paneer Dip.

Service:-  Good, no complaints about it.

Experience:- Superb and as expected. Definitely must visit place for non-vegetarians and also for vegetarians. Thanks to Remya and Saurabh for being good host as always.

Taste:- 4/5
Value for Money:- 4/5
Ambience:- 4.5/5
Service:- 4/5