manjirichitnis, Author at Travels for Taste

Blackhorse, Kingston upon Thames, London – Review

August 9, 2019 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

Blackhorse – Cosy pub with a garden in Kingston Upon Thames

Newly refurbished Blackhorse Pub is the new contemporary hub for locals in the Norbiton and Kingston area. Conveniently located only minutes from Norbiton station and a very short walk from major bus routes from Kingston Station going via the hub towards Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Richmond, etc, not to mention its proximity to Richmond Park.

Stunning new interiors

The very attentive Pub manager suggested some we try some of the crowd favourites and even shared his most loved dishes from the menu. We tried some amazing crispy squid and the very knowledgeable bartender helped me pair it with some really good wine.

For mains, I picked the cod fillet served with crushed new potatoes, artichokes. Sitting on a bed of buttery goodness, garnished with capers and topped with delicate micro-herbs, the cod was cooked to perfection – succulent flaky white flesh and deliciously crispy skin – it would have been an absolute crime to not eat the crispy skin, best enjoyed with a scoop of buttery carby crushed new potatoes.

The mister chose a man-sized main ( of course! ) – a hearty cheeseburger with the most gorgeous pickles, juicy meat middle sandwiched between soft buns. Every bite oozing with melted cheese and bursting with flavour. The side of chips was very moreish too.

The new Chef Giovanni Lezzi has done wonders for the menu by including some fabulous new dishes. The focus is on sustainability and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The menu also evolves with the seasons, ensuring there is always something new to sample, while also serving the good old pub classics.

We were so stuffed with our generous starters and mains that we decided to share one dish for dessert – a very indulgent chocolate cheese with perfectly poached pears and vanilla ice cream.

The interiors are very warm and welcoming. I would have loved to lounge by the fireplace but it is very popular especially with the regulars – Can’t blame them really! The Blackhorse is also incredibly dog-friendly, they have the cutest mini barrel which stores water and there are plenty of doggie bowls to ensure your four-legged friend doesn’t go thirsty while you enjoy a chilled beer. There is also a big jar of tasty treats for your furry friend – Paw-tastic I say!

The Blackhorse Inn has ample outdoor seating and is perfect for lounging around in the summer while enjoying their BBQ menu. Also, perfect for hosting functions.

This erstwhile country pub has been updated and is now a very stylish pub with a well thought of menu. Spacious and cosy with plenty of comfortable seating, it is frequented by many locals who are regulars. A well-stocked bar with an extensive wine list, menus to cater to brunch, Sunday roast and even a special BBQ, they also host wine tastings.

*With thanks to Blackhorse, Kingston upon Thames for an invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Restaurant Review: Copper Leaf, Hampton Wick, London

July 23, 2019 by manjirichitnis 6 Comments

An exciting new restaurant and gin bar has opened shop at Hampton Wick. The location is brilliant, it is nestled next to a local pub, just off the circle going towards Kingston Bridge. Boasting a 60 gin strong menu sourced from around the world, there is probably a gin cocktail to suit every mood.

I was invited to review Copper Leaf along with Nayna and Heidi. It was a bright summer evening and a gin and tonic seemed like a great idea. I decided to go with the Gin of the week called Gabriel Boudier Saffron. The cocktail was mixed with Fever tree tonic, refreshing orange zest and chocolate bitters, was garnished with a generous pinch of delicate strands of saffron and a block of massive hand-carved ice.

The bartender and expert mixologist Hannah showed us her impressive collection of botanicals many of which she forages herself and a lovely collection of dark and mysterious potions – bitters which she concocts herself. This creative mixologist even uses ice cubes that she hand carves, they are massive and help you enjoy your drink longer without diluting it quickly. The second I saw the giant ice-cube, I exclaimed saying that it was the Rock of Gibraltar which then Heidi christened as the Ice cube of Gibraltar.

Heidi too chose the Saffron gin cocktail while Nayna enjoyed a blush pink Lychee rose cocktail infused with rose water, lychee and rose syrups and gulkand.

We opted for the Tapas menu and the chef sent us over a mixed selection of some amazing small plates.

My favourite tapas were from the seafood collection. Juicy Atlantic prawns floating in garlic and chilli oil were perfectly done. Lyme bay salted cod fritters which sat on a bed of saffron aioli were so good they reminded me of my trip to Lisbon where I enjoyed more cod fritters than I can possibly remember.

And the cured salmon served with tiny bite sizes cubes of beetroot and cucumber and transparent salt and vinegar gel tasted better than it looked.

From the meat collection, we tried the sauteed Spanish chorizo in red wine jus, spiced Hampshire lamb served with a curry emulsion and mint yoghurt, Albondigas – juicy beef meatballs smothered in a delicious tomato and basil sauce. I loved the Serrano ham croquettes the most, they are served with moreish smoked paprika aioli.

I also really liked all the tapas which we sampled from the vegetarian and vegan selection. We had patas bravas in a spicy tomato sauce, Tempura asparagus with lime aioli, pan-fried green beans sprinkled with crunchy pinenuts, garlic and sundried tomatoes, fabulous manchego cheese croquettes with pickled walnuts and caramelised onions. The chana masala was okay, the basmati rice it was paired with was perfect for scooping the juicy tomato sauce from the other tapas. It was hard to pick a favourite but the manchego cheese croquettes and tempura asparagus were our top two.

Nayna washed down the veg tapas with this summery mocktail called the Tropical Crush. A fruity explosion with a mix of passion fruit, mango,pineapple and coconut syrup.

I decided to explore the Negroni gin menu and chose the Teagroni. It is infused with Chinese blue flower tea and is really a taste sensation. Presented beautifully cocktail was a great accompaniment to my tapas.

Luckily, it is possible to try all the versions of negroni by opting for the Negroni collection from the Gin tasting menu. Apart from the Negroni collection, they have the two World Gin collections, Dry, exotic floral and even herb and spice gin collections. Each is served with matching garnishes and is perfect for sharing with friends.

For dessert, we sampled the Peanut Butter Cheese Cake garnished with candied peanuts and served with Miso Caramel Ice Cream, Grilled pineapple with rum-infused cherries served with a side of coconut sorbet, also the lavender and white chocolate Panacotta, which had the perfect wobble and was topped with macerated Strawberries and ginger crumble.

With its delicious modern European cuisine and beautifully presented Tapas made by their talented chef, excellent service, fabulous gin cocktails made by their very talented mixologist – Copper Leaf ticks all the boxes. Importantly, the experience they provide and the high quality of the food and drinks, excellent presentation – put them on par with some of the leading restaurants in the city – all this without burning a massive hole in the pocket. Definitely, a place to consider when looking for a restaurant in Kingston, Hampton Wick, Teddington and surrounding areas.

Heidi enjoyed a masterclass at Busaba Eathai, which is just across the Kingston bridge, along the riverside.

*With thanks to Copper Leaf for an invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

The Five Bells Hotel, Aylesbury – Review

July 9, 2019 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

Sometimes the best remedy to break the monotony of a hectic work schedule is a quick, short but relaxing break.

When I was invited by the folks up at the Happy Eggs Farm in Tring, it gave me an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of London if only for a short while.

For my overnight stay, I was put up in a classic B&B style hotel called The Five Bells in Weston Turville, Aylesbury.

Travel from London was supposed to be simple a journey on the Thameslink train via Blackfriars but of course, on that particular day the train was delayed and I had to make my way to St.Pancras and board the train to Luton from there. From Luton station, a cab journey and finally I made it to the hotel.

Nestled in picturesque surroundings the rustic Five Bells oozes rustic charm. The check-in area is at the bar which has a very warm and welcoming vibe. The pub boasts of a well-stocked bar, lots of seating and a huge beautiful fireplace too. They also have loads of beautiful outdoor seating and plenty of parking is available.

My room for the night was cosy and clean, the bathroom though small was spotlessly clean and the room came equipped with a T.V, writing desk, wi-fi and tea /coffee making facilities. For a one night stay, this was just apt.

Later that evening, I settled into a comfy chair by the fireplace and enjoyed a relaxed drink and a chat with the lovely Jane, friend and fellow food blogger. The staff was really friendly and the pub was full, with a good mix of locals and visitors. Dinner was really delicious and I enjoyed a really comforting and homely meal. The fresh seabass was served on a bed of buttery mash. And I certainly don’t regret having a very generous portion of the warm apple pie with custard!

After that hearty meal, I am glad I turned in early as I had an early start the next day to get to the Happy Eggs farm on time.

I had a brilliant day at the farm, you can read all about my adventure here

Travelling to Aylesbury? The Five Bells has now undergone what looks like a fab refurbishment. I wouldn’t mind going back to see it in person.

Disclaimer: With thanks to the Five Bells Inn, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire for having me as a guest. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated monetarily for this post.

Cheese and Wine Tasting in Amsterdam with Reypenaer

June 24, 2019 by manjirichitnis 5 Comments

Planning a last minute escape to Amsterdam or a leisurely vacation? I have just the thing that would make your holiday even more special – an afternoon exploring brilliant local cheese and understanding wine pairings at the popular Reypenaer Cheese Tasting room.

There are so many things to do and lots to see while exploring Amsterdam. From the famous tulip garden at Keukenhof to many wonderful museums, the Anne Frank house and not to mention the brilliant food scene this capital city has to offer.

Hollands cheesemaking industry is said to date as far back as the 800 B.C. The most widely produced cheese in the Netherlands is Gouda, famous for its distinctive flavour. No surprise then that Gouda cheese is one of Holland’s biggest exports.

The Reypenaer Cheese Tasting room is conveniently located very close to Dam square in the heart of the city centre. It is minutes away from the Anne Frank House and very close to the famous Rijksmuseum.

Reypenaer Cheese is ripened used age-old traditions and benefits from decades of experience and excellent craftsmanship of the master cheese-makers and the unique ripening conditions. Their famous Dutch cheese is matured on planks inside a 100-year old warehouse on the Oude Rijn river in Woerden.

The Reypenaer cheeses are matured in an entirely natural way meaning allowing the natural humidity and fluctuations in ambient temperature to do their magic as compared to factory produced bulk cheese.

Naturally, the resulting rich and complex taste of the Reypenaer cheese is also attributed to non-tangible factors such as the micro-flora of bacteria and mould that thrive in the rich environment of the wood on which the cheese rests.

Over the period of one hour, a Reypenaer cheese expert took us on a journey exploring the history of artisan cheese making. Understanding the aging process and the difference in the taste of young Gouda and aged gouda by tasting six of their finest cheeses.

Wine pairings – red, white and port – teased our tastebuds and gave us an insight into appreciating the different textures of the fine Reypenaer cheeses.

By the time we were done with the tasting, slightly tipsy with all the wine, the light outside was just perfect for a long stroll along the canals….

Tempted? Why not hop over to the Reypenyer website and book a spot on one of their tasting sessions? Each session lasts for about an hour and caters to not more than 20 people.

Salivating at the thought of all that fabulous cheese?

Who moved your cheese? Did I? Guilty as charged! While you are here, have a gander and read about my other adventures involving cheese – why not? And if you do try any of my recipes please do let me know below in comments! I love to hear from my readers and nothing makes me happier knowing someone tried my recipes and loved them 🙂

Based in London and looking to book yourself into a wine tasting, have a look at my post where I have shared my experience of booking myself for a Wine Tasting evening at West London Wine School:

Wine tasting on a cold, frosty evening

And for those of you planning your itinerary for your holiday in Holland, do have a read through some of the experiences I loved while in Amsterdam:

*With thanks to Reanyer Cheese, Amsterdam for inviting us. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review.

Review – Indian Fine dining restaurant – Chakra at Kingston, London

June 21, 2019 by manjirichitnis 2 Comments

Kingston Upon Thames, is a beautiful part of southwest London which has many things to offer. Apart from the expected stunning views of Thames along the Riverside walk, there is a buzzing high street and an amazing Ancient Market. Home to Kingston University, this Royal borough is also home to some great educational institutions and also has its own arts venue – Rose Theatre.

Naturally, with so much happening in and around Kingston, the food scene is very exciting. From a very busy food market and most popular chains, there is also a fair spattering of local cafes and restaurants.

Food Scene at Kingston

The Riverside Walk though has fabulous views of the Thames and great outdoor seating. Chakra in Kingston occupies one of the best spots along the river, where you can spend hours enjoying an indulgent Indian meal, while watching ducks and swans bobbing around on the water, seemingly undisturbed by the occasional riverboat or enthusiastic university students practicing their rowing skills.

I have in the past written about a grand five-course meal that I enjoyed at Chakra at Kensington which you can read here. So naturally, when I was invited to review their brand new menu at Kingston, I was excited and expected a feast 🙂

The interiors are very stylish with large mirrors, lanterns and loads of plants all around giving the place a very fresh and welcoming vibe.

Am glad to report that I was not disappointed. On a beautiful sunny afternoon a few months ago, Heidi and I enjoyed a delicious spread at Chakra in Kingston.

We picked the crowd favourite – Mango Lassi, the sweet and thick lassi does hit the spot and sets the mood for all the flavours to follow.

Amuse Bouche

The assorted papads which come with a selection of three very delicious chutneys and dips. I absolutely loved the spicy kick, crunch and texture of the sago popaddum.

Next came the Lucknowi samosa chaat was tangy and sweet with hints of chilli, everything you would expect in a good chaat dish.

For starters, we enjoyed the fabulous Tandoor selection of meat and veg. Succulent and smoky Hariyali Chikka Tikka, melt-in-the-mouth delicious Peshawari Lamb chops, extremely moreish Golden king prawn, a really soft Paneer Tikka, gorgeous Tandoori Gobi ( aka the humble cauliflower – so good – I would choose it over the meat – yes honestly!) and perfectly done stuffed peppers aka Bharwa Mirchi ( made me wonder what the secret spice mix that was used to stuff the juicy peppers)

The mains arrived on a huge tray heaving under the weight of all the food. The Good ole butter chicken is just that – a buttery smooth gravywith yummy soft chicken. To complete the meal we were served a selection of Naans fresh from the tandoor, Chakra House Daal, Saag Aloo, Saffron Rice, and pomegranate raita.

Chakra’s Gourmand Journey

To enjoy a similar spread, simply pick the sharing menu at Chakra, Kingston. Some dishes will vary based on seasonality like the fresh berry cheesecake which is their sweet sensation in the sharing menu (wow!)

Dessert was a grand affair

Dessert was as visually appealing as it was a feast for the palate. The prettiest malai kulfi I have ever had – topped with crushed nuts, dried rose petals, edible flowers and syrup – ummm.

Chakra has a menu that offers everything from the most popular North Indian dishes to tangy street food style dishes, all presented beautifully. An ideal choice to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner with fabulous views of the Thames and Kingston bridge all year round.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Chakra on Kingston for an invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Have a look at what Heidi thought about the spread at Chakra here

Moroccan Afternoon Tea in London at Leila, Ealing

February 12, 2019 by manjirichitnis 5 Comments

Afternoon Tea with a Moroccan Twist

Afternoon Tea to me somehow always means dainty sandwiches and delicious pastries and an of course lots of tea and bubbly, ideally in a botomless glass.

But a neighbourhood favourite restaurant in a leafy suburb of London has gone ahead and created a brilliant fusion version that will leave you coming back for more.

Situated literally minutes away from Ealing Common station, Leila restaurant sits pretty on a buzzing high street. Leila is just one of the many popular gems in this very gentrified part of London, otherwise known for its massive 47 acre green urban breathing space.

Now local pubs, a Japanese grocery store and an Iranian sweet shop all huddle next to each other, competing for attention, on this rather cosy suburb.

Beautiful fresh flower arrangements and a lovely enclosed seating area with huge decorative Moroccan lamps greet hungry patrons at the entrance to Leila.

I usually prefer to do afternoon tea with a group of friends and having Nayna and Heidi, my friends and fellow bloggers at the table was a great opportunity to catch up after what seemed like ages!

A rather luxurious meeze spread greeted me when I arrived. Smoky Baba Ganoush and crisp freshly made falafel and bowls of hummous with warm flatbread.

But the star at the table was a pastry stuffed with chicken studded with golden raisins. Popularly served during Lebanese weddings, this is traditionally a large pastry which is shared by 4 to 6 people. This mini version can still easily serve two people atleast. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar, this dish looks elegant and tastes fabulous.

We also really loved the phyllo pastry parcels served with feta cheese, very crunchy texture on the outside and soft melting cheese on the inside.

For our afternoon tea we move to a larger table inside and are greeted with bright done up interiors.
Rainbow coloured upholstery and brightly painted walls create a vibrant atmosphere. Strategically placed velvet Fez Hats and belly dancer hip scarves adorn the walls.

Hot Moroccan tea arrived in traditional kettles with slender snouts and colourfull glasses to pour the tea into. Fresh Mint leaves add a fragrant and visually pleasing appeal to the tea.

The 3 tiered cake stand literally heaving with a large selection of sweet and savoury treats arrives soon after. The mini chicken Pastilla Djaj is served with Zaalouk, a smoky aubergine and tomato dip. A mini chicken shawarma roll and a falafel wrap complete the savoury offering. Very filling and very fresh and delicious. The chicken is delicious and flavourful and the shawarma wrap flatbread is fresh and soft. Best enjoyed with several cups of refreshing Moroccan tea the savoury treats hit the spot.

We were informed that the desserts are all prepared fresh on site and stay true to the theme of creating fusion flavours. The argan delice slice with pistachios and date is gorgeously moreish with crunchy praline for as a base. A very traditional Middle Eastern dessert the Mahalabia is a light milk pudding with delicate rose flavours and very similar in texture and consistency to a pannacotta. For some reason, this dessert reminded me of a childhood favourite – China Grass. One of the ways my mother would get us to eat our greens was by bribing us later with pistachio flavoured china grass, a jelly with local flavouring and a flavour profile similar that to kheer made in condensed milk. The pistachio cupcake was superb and I could literally have eaten six in one go if given an opportunity. The delightfully chocolately mousse had a nice hint of date and looked perfectly dainty on the platter. No afternoon tea is complete without a mini victoria sponge, this one had notes of pomegranate.

The scones had warming notes of cinnamon and were served with fresh clotted cream and jam. But the pistachio Madeleine’s beat the scones hands down.

For a truly Moroccan finish to this divine fusion afternoon tea, a platter of nutty, crunchy and sweet Baklava was served. A far cry from the sticky mounds available at Christmas markets, these are the real deal.

By the time we are done, the light outside has faded and the yellow-orange bulbs throw delicate shadows from inside the intricate filigree design of the Moroccan lamps placed everywhere. Hungry locals are coming in and the place begins to get busy. Our cue to say our goodbyes and leave but not before we get a doggy bag each to take home.

Priced at £18.99 for 2 or £27.99 for 2 with a glass of bubbly each or a Leila special Moroccan cocktail each, this is a real steal deal. They have also launched cookery classes and I would love to go back for more of their food and to pick up some neat Middle Eastern cooking tips.

Do have a browse through Nayna’s review here and Heidi’s review here.

*With thanks to the hosts – Food and Hospitality Consultant Humayun Hussain and Leila Moroccan restaurant for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Eco friendly backpackers hostel in Lapland, Finland -7 Fells resort

February 11, 2019 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

January and February have brought icy cold weather, wind chills and snow to many parts of the world.

Reading about the recent polar vortex causing shockingly low temperatures in Chicago, reminded to our trip to Lapland last year.

We were chasing the Aurora and with that thought in mind wanted to book a slightly remote getaway.

I found the cottages at 7 Fells Resort at Akaslompolo very attractive and was very excited about our trip.

A lot of firsts were to happen on this trip to Finland!

First ever experience of being surrounded by so much snow
First ever stay in a secluded cottage
First ever attempt at chasing the Northern Light – the elusive Aurora Borealis

We thought it would be a good way to acclimatise to the weather and so we stayed one night in Helsinki at a lovely Air BnB before heading to Lapland.

Landing at Kittila airport was magical. It was truly a pristine white winter wonderland. The airport itself is tiny but brilliantly managed.

There is a public transport bus from just outside the airport which goes to most of the popular ski resorts and also towards 7 fells.

Our rest was a short walk uphill (50m) after the last stop on the bus. Now here’s the tricky bit for people like me. It was snowing heavily, the road had no vehicular traffic passing, it was absolutely quiet and all the road signs were covered in snow. All I knew was that we had a short walk uphill and the resort was on the right.

To add to this scene out of a suspense film, because we had taken a late afternoon flight into Lapland, by the time we got off the bus it was almost dark.

Obviously, there was no one around to ask for directions! We ended up walking past the resort, uphill, dragging our suitcases. My lungs were exploding, the snow was coming down so heavily now, it was getting difficult to see properly and the heavy jacket that I was wearing was weighing me down a lot.

Luckily, the resort turned on the lights and we saw a faint light leading down a path behind us… Alleluiah! So much drama for a 600m distance …. lol

As soon we entered the heated reception area, everything seemed perfect again 🙂 As the relief washed over us, the realisation that we had finally made it to our destination began to sink in.

The lounge is very beautifully done up and the toasty warm interiors are very inviting. One can sit for hours on the comfy couch and watch the snow fall softly outside…sighhh

A short wait and a very friendly staff member checked us in and showed us to our studio cabin.

It was love at first sight for us. This beautiful log cabin has everything one could ask for.

A super comfy bed, a spotlessly clean shower, a very cute kitchenette, a mini refrigerator, table and chairs, a jar of oats, tea and coffee. The kitchen is very well equipped with everything one could possibly need to cook a meal, cutlery, glasses, dishes, a kettle and coffee maker, also packets of spices and soup cubes left behind by previous occupants.

One of the main reasons we picked 7 Fells Hostel was because of its location. Located in the beautiful village of Äkäslompolo in Kolari, Lapland, it is conveniently situated for skiers and adventure sports seekers alike. Also, we really wanted to experience what it would be like to live in a little cabin in the woods.

This gorgeous eco hostel is run by an enthusiastic backpacker Tinja and offers a selection of accomodation options to suit every need.

One can book into single or twin rooms or dorms with shared facilities in the main hostel area. Apart from these rooms which are located in the main building, there are cosy log cabins called studio apartments which come fully equipped with their own shower and kitchenette and there is also a luxury chalet with its own sauna and fully fitted kitchen.

But the most amazing part about this hostel is that it is eco-friendly. They use green energy, provide organic tea and coffee, use eco products for washing up and the rooms are all painted using plastic free odourless paint.

After we settled into our room, we walked down to the village supermarket – Jounin Kauppa Supermarket. It is located 1.8 km away from the hostel.

After browsing through the huge and very well stocked supermarket which has a pharmacy and a cafe inside too.

Cooking dinner in our little cabin was great fun and very quick and easy. We enjoyed a spicy chicken and vegetable soup which I made using all the fresh ingredients I’d just purchased from the supermarket.

We had a long day of exploring our surroundings planned starting early the next morning, so we decided to turn in early on our first night in. A bowl of my chicken soup and a hot shower later, I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I love the whole concept behind this hostel. To be able to provide such a beautiful experience on a budget in a remote location, keep it eco-friendly, warm and welcoming and ensure that all rooms and common areas are so well equipped and clean is a brilliant achievement. The opportunity to meet and interact with friendly people is an added bonus.

7 Reasons to book 7 Fells Hostel:

Budget-friendly
Eco-friendly
Convenient location for transport links, activities and local amenities
Fantastic Sauna available for use after a long day
Free wifi in the huge lounge
Free organic tea and coffee, free food shelves, Free kicksleds and bikes to borrow
Walking distance from Bus stop from Kolari Train Station and Kittilä Airport bus, Frozen lake a short walk away, Ski tracks and Ski Resort Ylläs close by, Restaurant, Pubs and a well stocked Supermarket a stone’s throw away.

I could go on but honestly, you can’t put a price to an experience like this. I am positive that I will return to this beautiful gem of a place, to be one amongst nature once again. And hopefully, be rewarded with stunning views of the Northern Lights.

* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all activities. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own.

Baluchi restaurant at The Lalit, London – a Review

June 29, 2018 by manjirichitnis 4 Comments

Baluchi at The Lalit, London – a Review

Nestled amongst modern glass structures sits the beautiful Grade II listed red brick building housing The Lalit, London. Acquired as part of an ambitious project by the Lalit Group, it is their first Hotel outside the Indian subcontinent.

I was invited to lunch at the Baluchi restaurant at The Lalit, London and so a few days ago, on a fabulously sunny Monday afternoon, my friend N and I, were welcomed by a warm Namaste at the grand front entrance. From thereon, every staff member who walked past greeted us with an equally warm traditional Indian greeting – Namaste – best way to make me feel instantly at home.

This stunning building, former home to the renowned grammar school St Olaves, has been painstakingly restored to retain most of its period features. This period building housing The Lalit, London, is a tribute to the late Mr. Lalit Suri, whose love for London city had always drawn him here and he had envisioned setting up a hotel in the city.

The central theme of marrying Indian Opulence to the grand features of a former school extends to the names of the hotel rooms,aptly called classrooms, the meeting rooms are ‘Laboratories’ and the bars have been named the ‘Teachers Room’ and the ‘Headmasters Room’. Many a former student, have been known to enjoy a drink or two in The Headmasters Room Bar, no doubt reminiscing about their school days.

Baluchi, the pan Indian restaurant, occupies the grand former assembly Great Hall. The spacious seating and larger than life blue chandeliers add a modern twist to old world charm. The delicate jaali woodwork around the beautiful bread bar called ‘The Naan’ery’ compliments the original parquet flooring. The gallery offers a bird’s eye view of the ‘Great Hall’ and enjoying a themed afternoon tea at the gallery, is probably the best way to relax and admire the beautiful view and marvel at the stunning interiors.

The vivid blue ceiling and the exquisite chandeliers are reminiscent of the grandeur of Indian palaces, while the timber-panelled walls ooze Victorian charm.

After welcoming us, Chef de Cuisine atBaluchi, Chef Jomon took us on a tour of the grounds. Chef Jomon Kuriakose has over a decade of experience in the kitchen and before coming to Baluchi, has worked at the Cinnamon Kitchen under the guidance of Vivek Singh.

A beautiful and very artistic, milky white stone statue of Lord Ganesha, looking onto a great view of the Shard, seems to be keeping watch over the red brick hotel building, silently, from its place in the outside terrace. The elephant-headed god also makes his presence felt in the hotel room decor, in the form of rustic stone structures.

While the Chef excused himself to the kitchen we continued on a grand tour of the building. The Lalit houses 70 luxurious bedroom some even with 30 foot high ceilings making this a very unique boutique hotel. The Lalit legacy suite connects three rooms and offers all modern day amenities including a grand tub and a heated seat Japanese toilet – ah the luxury! The timber panelled walls, embroidered Indian tapestry and framed photos of former school building vye for attention against stunning views of the Shard and the Thames.

This room definitely has my heart but I cannot explain the feeling of being inside the Prestige Classroom, this room was flooded with light, thanks to its high ceiling and the skylights letting in the warm sunlight. I can only imagine waking up in one of these suites and enjoying my morning cuppa while looking onto the Thames and seeing the city come alive with its daily buzz of activity.

Next stop was to admire the state-of-art spa called ‘Rejuve’ offering traditional Indian therapies. I would love to be pampered with a warm Indian hot oil head massage and indulge myself with one of the relaxing therapies sighhhhh….

After this grand tour, my friend N and I got to pick a table to be seated at and enjoyed some very refreshing cocktails. A cucumber flavoured vodka cocktail helped cool me down several degrees on that very warm summer afternoon. A perfect accompaniment to our cocktails were the crunchy papads served with a selection of chutneys.

First to arrive at our table was a beautifully presented platter of starters. Even the menu follows the central theme, with the starts titled ‘Term1’ – reminding us that we were seated in the majestic Great Hall, a former school assembly hall.

The plating was so artistic, almost too beautiful to eat! Top L-R in the photo above: A Gluten-Free monkfish tikka called Panch Phoran Mahi Tikka which was so delicate it simply melted in my mouth – pure joy! It was flavoured with Kasundi mustard and herbs and placed on a bed of tomato emulsion. Scattered around were some bits of a beetroot brittle – so moreish! Dotted along the side was a seabuckthorn gel – and because it sounded so exotic I just had to try it! I found that it had a very sharp, tart taste if consumed on its own and as a chutney used to mop the courgette fritter – yes that seemed to work unexpectedly!

In the centre of the plate was a stuffed courgette flower, coated in a light batter. The crisp fritter or Bharwan Zucchini was delicious and I would have loved a small platter of just these fritters with a tangy tamarind chutney – ummmm. The Kaafir lime chicken tikka was juicy, flavourful and tandoor-cooked to perfection and was topped with a lovely cashew crumble.

For our mains or ‘Mid Term’ we were served some of my favourites which also happen to be some of their most popular dishes, Tandoori Prawns, Butter chicken, Palak Paneer, Dal Baluchi and a mixed bread basket to mop it all up with. I love seafood and the prawns were brilliant, the spices were just right and they were not cooked to retain the plump and juicy texture – mouthwatering!

Black daal is cooked overnight giving it a thick, creamy and rich texture, making the Dal Baluchi a very comforting dish. Amongst the other breads, there was a very unusual mango flavoured bread stuffed with coconut – a fusion take on the regular Peshawari naan. It was delicious but probably not my favourite one amongst the selection, a very personal choice though because I much prefer a regular naan or chilli garlic naan to the Peshawari – a matter of personal choice, I guess. The palak paneer was very good, I love paneer and never pass up an opportunity to try a paneer dish. I am glad I opted for panner, I was not in the least bit disappointed and if I had to pick just one main with my naan it would probably be this humble spinach dish. The best part was the paneer was so soft and had a melt-in-your-mouth consistency – such a pleasure for my taste buds and the hint of kasoori methi and ginger flavour in the spinach base was very pleasing too. The butter chicken was delightful, the chicken had soaked up the marinade and spices and the buttery creamy sauce it was cooked in was very tasty.

And just when I thought that the start platter plating was so amazing that no other dish served that day could keep up, Chef Jomon decided to dial up the visual delight, a notch or two with two stunningly well-presented plates of dessert aptly titled ‘Term Break’. A very exotic sounding Paan Kulfi sat on a bed of sevai, the paan infused kulfi flavour was spot on and a great tribute to both the traditional kulfi and the meetha paan that many people love to chew after a meal. The texture was perfect, creamy and the lovely berry compotes dotting the plate were delicious too – we scooped them up with the fresh strawberries on the plate. Paan lovers – add this dessert to your list of not to be missed dishes!

The cardamom ice cream was my favourite though and the saffron infused pineapple it sat on was beautifully juicy, sweet and the flavour pairing worked so well together. My very tropical and Indian palate was very satiated with this dessert.

All these amazing dishes are a testament to Chef Jomon’s passion for creative flavours and innovative dining.

We spent a happy few hours exploring the opulent suites, devouring fabulous Indian food and experiencing the very warm hospitality of the team at The Lalit in London. Chef Jomon spoilt us with some really great food and the bright sunshine just made it a perfect afternoon out in London.

*With thanks to The Lalit, London for an invite to a truly memorable afternoon at the Baluchi. All opinions expressed are as always my own.

Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, Review – Venice

June 20, 2018 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

An undying love for crumbling old buildings, vintage architecture and a yearning for rustic appeal – one of the main few reasons I picked Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo for our three night at Venice.

This gorgeous 18th-century Venetian palace oozes charm from every brick and tassel of the glorious gold damask curtains.

Our room overlooked a quiet canal, a great view to wake up to, only made better by the occasional gondola gently flapping through the calm waters.

The plush interiors are a conscious effort to recreate the fashionable opulence of 18th-century Venice. Yet, you will not be kept wanting of any modern day comfort that you could possibly think of! Most of these comforts have now become a basic need and come to think of it we can’t seem to make do without them.

Think wifi, satellite T.V, electric heating, a posh stocked mini-bar, bathrooms kitted out with modern day accessories, electric heating and of course the adjustable electric lights that add just the right touch of splendour to the massive decorative Murano glass chandeliers.

Our room had a little alcove, conveniently hidden away from sight, perfect soft for storing away luggage and other unsightly objects that might take anything away from this near – perfect room. The large bed had two velvet upholstered armchairs at the foot of the bed and a delicate pistachio coloured writing desk and chair. Heart shaped chocolates wrapped in bright red and gold paper, placed on the elegant desk seemed to match not just the red velvet chairs but also the gold damask curtains, gold bordered mirrors and picture frames and even the regal looking gold-embroidered top sheet for the bed.

The bath was spacious and had the unmissable separate bidet (although personally I quite prefer a combined bidet toilet seat equipped with a seat warmer – ah! But more on that later – I guess!)

We visited in Feb or else would have loved to sip our morning coffee in the beautiful courtyard. Imagine having breakfast with ancient columns and statues of angles peering down, watching over this 17th-century building…

When you peek through the beautifully crafted wrought iron gates, you will catch a glimpse of the private bridge made out of marble, leading into a private courtyard. This bridge which lends its name to the Hotel.

Located right behind the hotel is a grand 17th-century church called San Stae and few meters away is the vaporetta stop or public water bus. Rialto market is a short walk from the hotel and St. Mark’s Square is a not too far either. In fact, when we got to Venice from the airport bus, we walked to Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo and by morning the next day we were walking to Rialto market from the hotel, navigating narrow bylanes and hopping across brides like seasoned locals!

I wouldn’t think twice before booking this 2-star hotel if I went back to Venice. They offer fabulous rates especially when booked directly via their site, the rooms are luxurious, the staff polite and very friendly and the breakfast is hearty.

Washington D.C Air BnB stay

May 15, 2018 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

We are gearing up for our very first stay in an Air BnB in the U.K. Naturally, that reminded me of our very first stay anywhere in the world in an Air BnB,

Seems like it was ages ago, in Washington D.C – our first ever trip across the pond too! We were so excited because we were off to spend Thanksgiving with our family in the USA and meet our cousins and my cute nephews! Sightseeing in New York was obviously on my mind but I was very eagerly looking forward to a short trip to Washington D.C

I found Cody’s air BnB listing easily and the booking process was very easy. We were lucky to get a booking with him because of all the positive reviews he had already earned.

I was looking for a place from where it would be easy to commute to the main tourist spots and also a safe, clean and lively neighbourhood with a spattering of good cafe’s. This listing ticked all the boxes.

I sent Cody a message asking few questions regarding location etc and once he accepted my booking request, it was smooth sailing from there on.

On the day we arrived, there was slight confusion but Thanks to Cody being such a fab host it was resolved pretty quickly! The previous occupant has not followed instructions to leave the key safely and this had delayed our check-in time. So basically, we then had to leave our luggage with Cody while he arranged to have our room clean and ready for us.

But that gave us a chance to walk around and explore our surroundings and we found an amazing cafe and bookstore called Busboys and Poets and spent a happy few hours sipping coffee and relaxing.

When we walked into Cody’s flat, everything was neatly arranged and looked exactly like the photos he has on the Air BnB listing.

A short flight of stairs leading to level one houses two bedrooms, the ensuite one was occupied and we had one large bedroom with a comfortable double bed ready for us.

Neatly folded towels left on the bed were a nice touch. The bathroom outside was huge and we were the only ones using it – woohoo!

Cody’s fridge was stashed with various things which he said we could use, though we had all our meals outside and didn’t really need anything it was good to know he is so generous. Plates and coffee mugs, cutlery was available to use and we washed whatever we used which was only a few mugs and spoons for our morning coffee and cereal. There were various types of sweeteners and milk also stocked up in the fridge. On the morning we checked our we briefly met Cody’s partner but unfortunately because of Cody’s busy schedule ( he is a nurse) we couldn’t spend any quality time with him.

The refrigerator door had loads of post-its with lovely messages from guests who had also enjoyed Cody’s warm hospitality.

On the day we arrived the weather was lovely but the ext day it was really rainy! If it had been sunny, we would have loved to spend time in his lovely little front garden with a cuppa.

We had booked our bus journey online from London and after a busy morning where we managed to pack in some last minute sightseeing, we took a cab and sped off to the bus station. Somehow though, I was very happy to get back to get back to New York! New York reminds me so much of Bombay city – the pace, the vibe, the spirit and the general feeling of being in a big, buzzing city – it simply can’t be compared!

Have you been to Washington D.C? And have you ever booked an Air BnB accommodation? Tell me what it was like in comments below – I love hearing from you!