Rolls Mania

Invitation Order Day, Date and Time:- Thursday 26-December-2019, 16.00 p.m.

"Rolls Mania" a pune based QSR chain serving rolls as their primary product. This place started its journey by opening their first outlet in Magarpatta City, Pune in the year 2010. Currently they have more than 135 stores in approximately 35 cities.

Menu:- This place offers variety of options in rolls for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian along with fries, munchies and beverages.

We tried out Paneer Chilly Roll, Chicken Kheema Roll, Chicken Bhuna Roll with Egg and Cold Coffee from the menu.

Paneer Chilly Roll:- It's a good option for the vegetarians who want to stick to the basic and don't want to experiment other options.

Chicken Kheema Roll:- Kheema stuffing in this roll was bit dry and had hardly any raw onions. Overall taste was average. 

Chicken Bhuna Roll with Egg:- One of my personal favourite from the menu. It was loaded with chicken chunks mixed with bhuna masala. Tasty and perfect to satisfy your hunger.

Cold Coffee:- Loved it. You can give it a try trust me it won't disappoint you.

Recommendations:- Chicken Bhuna Roll with Egg and Cold Coffee

Packing:- Perfectly packed.

Experience:- Overall it was good experience and value for money place.

Taste:- 3.5/5
Packing:- 5/5
Value for Money:- 4/5

Note:- Food was send from this place for tasting but review is based on my personal experience.

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

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

Pa Pa Ya

Visit Day Date & Time :- Saturday 11-February- 2017,  01.00 p.m.

"Pa Pa Ya" a modern Asian Bistro & Tapas Bar, which is owned and managed by renowned Zorawar Kalra under his banner Massive Restaurant Pvt. Ltd. The main highlight of this place is re-invention of Asian Cuisine through molecular gastronomy and presenting the same in innovative style.

Recently received an invitation from "Pa Pa Ya" for food tasting and was super excited to visit the place.

Ambience of this place is quit lively and vibrant with dim lights and good music complimenting it. In addition to that you can find design of molecules on the walls representing molecular gastronomy.

We tried out following from the food set for food tasting:-

Amuse - bouche:- A palate cleanser which is served in open oyster shell which contains basil compressed watermelon topped with lemongrass and chilli foam.

Crowned Head:- A whiskey based cocktail with Banana and Chamomile Foam and Cardamom Flavour Fumes. The presentation of this cocktail is appealing to the eyes and its taste will surely tickle your taste buds.

Crispy Lotus Stem:- Dehydrated Japanese Lotus Stems fried and tossed up with honey and chilli sauce and garnished with sesame seeds. This Crispy Lotus stems are served on stone with freshly made avocado cream as dip. Lotus stems are imported from Japan. The regular portion of this dish contains 10 to 12 pieces. Its one of the popular vegetarian dish on the menu due to its crispiness and taste. Definitely must try one.

Pla Samrot:- Prawns tossed in three flavoured sauce served on bed of mandarin infused cream and topped with slice of dehydrated pineapple. Prawns were juicy and well cooked. The regular portion of this dish contains 3 prawns pieces. Its also one of the popular amongst the non-vegetarians.

Layered Sushi Pizza (Veg):- Jasmine Rice, Zucchini Carpaccio, Steamed Edamame topped over the grilled Corn Tortilla base and garnished with Spicy Mayo and on side Togarashi Powder. It can be enjoyed without Soya Sauce. Its good option for sushi lovers. This dish is available in non-veg version too where Salmon Carpaccio is used instead of Zucchini Carpaccio. The regular portion of this dish contains 4 to 8 pieces depending on the customers requirement.

Salmon Uzukuri:- Salmon dressed in Soya Sauce, Burnt Garlic, Jalapeno and sashimi in addition  to that chef has given it cinnamon flavour. Its really soft that it actually melts in the mouth.

Crispy Vegetable Maki Roll:- One more form of sushi which contains dehydrated assorted vegetable in the roll and topped with dehydrated Corn and Spinach. Its served with Soya Sauce dip.

Asparagus, Corn and Burnt Spring Onion Dimsum:- Multi coloured flower shaped Dimsum filled with corn and burnt spring onions and garlic which is served on bed of black bean sauce. You can actually notice red and green colour on the dimsum, The red colour is made through infused beetroot and green with the Spinach.The regular portion of this dish contains 4 pieces. Loved the taste.

Lamb and Mandarian Been Hun:- Its non-veg dimsums made in flower shape stuffed with Lamb and served on the bed of Rice Paper Noddles and Sweet and Black Bean Sauce. It was  delicious and definitely worth a try.

Chilli Hoison Duck Dogs:- Its basically hot dog with innovative touch from Pa Pa Ya which has duck meat (fried and tossed in Chilli Hoison Sauce) garnished with Mayo Sauce, Bubu arare and served with Onion Rings Tampura and chilli flakes. It was too yummy and my favourite from the menu.

Tofu Hot Dogs:- Hot Dogs version for the vegetarians,where Bun is stuffed with fried tofu and garnished with Mayo Sauce, Bubu arare and served with french fries and chilli flakes. Good option for the vegetarians.

Jin Gin:- Gin based cocktail with Capsicum and Spices. Its bit on spicy side but just loved it. Its my favourite on the menu 

Tox Detox:- Its basically Rum based cocktail with Watermelon, Coriander etc. Descent option on the drinks menu.

Shinsei:- Vodka based cocktail with mixture of Thyme herbs, Rose Water and Rose Petals. Descent option on the drinks menu.

Now it was time for Main Course

Rambutan Sorbet:- Another palate cleanser which is served before the main course.

Lamb Rendang Curry:- The best on the menu and the gravy is to die for. The lamb meat is slowly cooked in Coconut Milk, Indian Spices and Malaysian Thai Basil and served with Malabari Paratha which totally compliments the gravy. Its cooked to perfection and too tender that it doesn't need any knife to cut it down. Overall it takes around 6 to 8 hours to cook this dish. The regular portion comes with 2 big pieces of lamb in it.

Khao Pad Kar Pao (Veg):- Its basically traditional Jasmine Thai Basil Rice. You can either have it without gravy or can order one to accompany it. One of the descent option on the menu and available in both veg and non-veg version.

After so much of food it was Desserts time.

Aerated Chocolare Matcha, Creme Anglaise:- The Cocoa Cream with Oreo base and Jack Daniels Mousse on the side sprinkled with Matcha which was topped with Berries. Taste was simply awesome. 

Chocolate Ball on Fire:- The Best dessert on the menu and my personal favourite. Huge Chocolate Globe is stuffed with Brownie and Vanilla Ice-cream and served with Chocolates Sauce, Dry Fruits, Berry, Brownie and Strawberries etc. Yes the Chocolate Globe is put on fire by pouring flaming liquor over the same eventually melting the chocolate and revealing the treasure. You cannot miss to have this dessert.

Recommendation:- Crispy Lotus Stem, Layered Sushi Pizza, Pla Samrot, Lamb and Mandarian Been Hun, Chilli Hoison Duck Dogs, Lamb Rendang Curry, Chocolate Ball on Fire.

Service was excellent and staff was too courteous. Special Thanks to Chef Sagar Patil for designing the special menu for tasting and Gaurav for his excellent services and providing detail of each and every dish which was served.

Pricing is moderate and justifies the food and presentation.

Overall was fascinating and life time experience and good place to enjoy palatable food with family or friends.

Taste:- 4/5
Value for money:- 4/5
Service:- 5/5
Ambience:- 4/5