Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Review - Soho st. Restaurant @Koramangala Bengaluru

Follow: Facebook  Subscribe Youtube: English Tamil Zomato: Reviews  Twitter: Tweet Google: Vidya+
The Blogger Table Meet always excites me. Soho had invited  us last Sunday to savor their menu everyone of us loved the food there. The never ending buffet consists of extensive varieties of veg and nonveg,  live salad counter, live pasta counter, hot steaming soups wide range of starters and mains. petite portions of desserts a cotton candy counter and cold stone ice cream will surely put a smile on your face.  Soho means different entertainment centers at one spot which is also referred as district and so on back in London Soho has taken the name for sure it has different cuisines set up at one spot.

At Soho they serve buffets for lunch and dinner. Cuisines North Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Continental.

Timing: 12 Noon to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 11:30 PM. Costs Rs. 575 + TAX Lunch and Dinner (Mon-Thur) Rs. 675 +TAX Lunch and Dinner (Fri-Sun) 

Address: Ground Floor, Sona Towers, Next to Christ College, Hosur Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph: 080 49652622

A glimpse of soho in my video...


The Bar is not functioning yet they are waiting for the paper work to get over and pretty soon the bar will function however the wonderful and refreshing mocktails were amazing I totally enjoyed the watermelon punch and virgin pinacolada. 

The music is amazing totally enjoyed the vibe here. The ambiance looks hip and chick ample space to move around a separate play area for the kids which can keep them totally preoccupied and you can enjoy your meal in peace. Service is pretty good live see thur counters where they prepare grills and shawarma will totally keep you preoccupied.

The space is purely a family entertaining space young and old will love the food and entertainment. I totally recommend this space to you if your conducting a large party they can easily accommodate ample seating and food is plentiful.

I've also posted the menu from monday to Thursday and Friday to Sunday do pre-plan and head out to enjoy a wonderful spread.

Watermelon Punch and Pinacolada

SOHO MENU

Monday -Thursday

BREADS STICKS MENU 1
Buns, Bread Sticks, Bread rolls, Bread rolls

SOUP
VEG 1 Vegetable Shorba, 2 Potato Leek soup
NON VEG 3 Chicken Lung fung soup

SALADS
VEG Make your own salad
DRESSING Remoulade, Caesar dressing, Vinaigrette, Herb dressing
SUSHI
Non Veg, Crab Sushi, Pickled gingerVeg,  Sushi Wasabi

PASTA COUNTER
3 Types of pasta
"Cream sauce & Veg. marinara"
Pasta condiments

Starters on the buffet
Hot starters
NON VEG 1 Chicken shawarma, 2 Oriental chicken wings
Veg. 3 Veg. shawarma, 4 Crumb fried mushroom, 4 Paras Kebab-- Indian
Accompaniment veg. Lebnah
TANDOOR
VEG 1 Paneer Hariyali tikka, 2 Soya chaanp , 3 Aloo tuk
NON VEG 1 Chicken Tangdi kebab, 2 Adraki fish tikka, Sauces Mint chutney
DIMSUMS
VEG 1 Veg. suimai , 2 Spinach & Puckchoy dumpling, 3 Gauti, 4 Sticky rice dimsum
NON VEG.1 Chicken basil Dimsum, 2 Lamb juicy roll
Sauces
Black pepper sauce , Chili soya, Seasame tomato, Chili bean sauce
LORD OF THE GRILL

Veg.
Potato wedges, Assorted vegetables, Squash ( zucchini), Mushroom, Eggplant, Baby corn , Pineapple Tomatina, Bell peppers, Devil sauce, Black pepper sauce

Non Veg.
Chicken Pekin BBQ sauce, Mutton Sweet chili sauce, Fish Roast gravy (only non veg.), Squid
KHEEMA PAV 1 Masala Kheema pav
MAIN COURSE
Non Veg
INDIAN 1 Chicken shaagwala, 2 Mutton curry
ORIENTAL 3 Prawn in Hunan sauce
CONTINENTAL 4 Fish orley

Veg
INDIAN 1 Paneer lababdar, 2 Vegetable kofta curry

ORIENTAL 1 Thai Green curry, 2 Sapo vegetables

RICE
VEG 1 Tiranga Rice, 2 Steam rice

NON VEG 3 Chicken zaika biryani
NOODLE 4 Vegetable Hakka noodle
REGULAR CURD RICE
Mix. Veg raita , 4 types of fryums, 4 types of pickle, Green Salad
DAL 1 Dal pancharatna
REGULAR Roti Naan/ tandoori roti
DESSERT
PASTRY 3 Strawberry pastry , Pineapple pastry, Brownie, Fruit custard, Orange mousse, Apple crumble pie, Jello

COTTON CANDY
HOT DESSERT 1 Gajar Halwa
CUT FRUITS 2 Watermelon, pineapple


Minced chicken and glass noodle soup


SOHO MENU
Friday -Sunday

BREADS STICKS MENU 2
Buns, Bread Sticks, Bread rolls

SOUP
VEG 1 Tomato dhania shorba , 2 Cream of vegetable soup
NON VEG 3 Minced chicken and glass noodle soup

SALADS
VEG
Make your own salad
DRESSING Remoulade, Caesar dressing, Vinaigrette, Herb dressing
SUSHI
Non Veg Crab Sushi Pickled ginger
Veg. Sushi Wasabi

PASTA COUNTER
3 Types of pasta"Cream sauce & 
Veg. marinara"Pasta condiments

Starters on the buffet

SHAWARMA
NON VEG 1 Chicken shawarma, 2 Oriental chicken wings
Veg. 3 Veg.Shawarma, 4 Crispy fried vegetables, 5 Soya Chap
Accompaniment veg. Lebnah
TANDOORI
VEG 1 Tandoori aloo, 2 Tandoori mushroom, 3 Veg. Shami kebab, 4 Adraki Paneer tikka
NON VEG 1 Chicken Tangdi kebab, 2 Pahari fish tikka
Sauces Mint chutney
DIMSUMS
VEG 1 Veg. suimai , 2 Spinach & Puckchoy dumpling, 3 Gauti
NON VEG.1 Chicken basil Dimsum, 2 Lamb juicy roll, 3 Prawn Hargao
Sauces Black pepper sauce , Chili soya, Seasame tomato, Chili bean sauce
LORD OF THE GRILL AND SAUCES

Veg.
Potato wedges, Assorted vegetables, Squash ( zucchini), Mushroom, Eggplant, Baby corn, Pineapple Bell peppers
Devil sauce
Black pepper sauce

Non Veg.
Chicken BBQ sauce, Mutton Chilly garlic Sauce, Fish Prawn
KHEEMA PAV
1 Masala Kheema pav
MAIN COURSE
Non Veg
INDIAN 1 Butter chicken 2 Mutton rogan josh

ORIENTAL 3 Schezwan chili prawn

CONTINENTAL 4 Grilled fish in lemon butter 

Veg
INDIAN 1 Palak paneer, 2 Soya chaanp masala

ORIENTAL 1 Thai Red curry, 2 Kung pao vegetables

RICE
VEG 1 Peas Pulao , 2 Steam rice

NON VEG 3 Hyderabadi chicken biryani

NOODLE 4 vegetable hakka noodle
REGULAR CURD RICE
Mix. Veg raita , 4 types of fryums, 4 types of pickle, Green Salad
DAL 1 Dal Makhni
REGULAR Roti Naan/ tandoori roti
DESSERT

PASTRY 3 Strawberry pastry, Pineapple pastry, Brownie, Fruit custard, Orange mousse, Caramel Custard,  Jello

COTTON CANDY
HOT DESSERT 1 Gulab jamun
CUT FRUITS 2 Watermelon, pineapple

Live Salad and Pasta Counter.

Chicken Tangdi..

Ajwaini Murgh..

Stir fried chicken is BBQ Sauce

Mutton in Devil Sauce..

Fish Tikka..

Stir Fried Fish is Hot Sauce..

Masala Crab..

Soft Pillows of Chicken Shawarma...

Dimsums...

Keema Pav and Live Chicken Shawarma Counter...

Biryani, Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh...

Dessert Counter...

Cold Icecream...

Cotton Candy..

Over all totally enjoyed the entire experience and will visit again with my parents.

Thanks to Soho

Please do not copy content and pics from this blog...help me and blogging community. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Arcot-Style Mutton Kathirikai Kuzhambu/ Southindian Brinjal Mutton Curry

Follow:Facebook Subscribe:Youtube English Youtube Tamil Review:Zomato Google+Vidya  Tweet:Twitter

This is one simple and very affordable recipe for everyone. These type of curries are typical in every southindian home on sunday we enjoy every bit just rice rasam a salad or raita along with the curry is a feast on its own. Some Simple things in life can never be bought its always prepared with love.

Subscribe for more videos...


Ingredients:
750 Grams Mutton
250 Grams Brinjal Chopped in big chunks
2 Onion Chopped
2 Chilies Slit
1/4 Fresh Coconut
Fist Full Coriander

1/4 Tsp Turmeric powder
1 1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
3 Inch Sticks Cinnamon
6 Cloves
4 Cardamom Pods
1 Piece Star Anise

2 Tbsp Ghee
3 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste
For Garnish 1/2 lime juice and chopped coriander


Method:

  • Heat a pressure cooker on medium flame add 2 tbsp oil once oil heats up add  to it 2 sticks cinnamon, 3 cloves, 2 pods cardamom and star annise allow to splutter a bit.
  • Add 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste fry a bit.
  • Add the meat and toss to fry add chilly, tumeric and coriander powder toss to coat add 1 tsp salt and fry till moisture releases add 2 cups water and place a cover and whistle cook for 3 whistles or until meat is fork tender.
  • Heat a wok or heavy bottom pot with 2 tbsp ghee and 1 tbsp oil on medium flame add the remainder spices allow to splutter a bit add the onion, chilly and ginger garlic paste fry until raw flavor has gone.
  • This step is optional I did add 1/2 tsp of chilly powder and a pinch of tumeric powder to the onion while frying I like my curries a bit spicy and hot adjust the heat as per your taste.
  • Once the onion fries and starts to turn brown add brinjal and fry a bit add the cooked meat to the brinjal adjust salt and water cook the vegetable until half done.
  • Grind the coconut and coriander to a smooth paste add very little water while grinding the coconut.
  • Once the brinjal is half done add the coconut paste to the curry and bring to a boil cover and allow to cook until well done and the raw flavor from the coconut should be reduced once done garnish with chopped coriander and lime juice and serve hot with rice...Enjoy...:)


When ever amma prepares ginger and garlic paste she will always add 1/2 tbsp of fennel and 1/2 tsp of pepper corns when grinding this enhances the flavor and taste in your recipe.

Cook...Serve....Enjoy...Repeat...!!!!

Please do not copy content and pics from this blog. please support me by commenting and liking my videos help me and blogging community.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Review- Nut & Raisin Romance Cake By Britannia

Follow:Facebook Subscribe:Youtube Subscribe:Youtube Tamil I'm on:Zomato Tweet:Twitter Google+Vidya

Britannia Cakes  Launches a new combination of nuts and raisin cake. Delicious and rich combination of Nuts  and Raisins is truly an offering for consumers who are seeking an everyday delight packed with nutrition. Britannia as a company has always been offering best of on the go snack options on a budget. 

Nuts and Raisins  cake is available in a slab format, Priced at 50/- for 160 grams. This product is available in all major supermarkets and general outlets.

Do watch my detail video review...


Britannia industries is one of India's leading food companies and a leader in the bakery and dairy segments. Some of India's Favorite and every snack options from Britannia are Good Day, Tiger, NutriChoice, MarieGold etc. From Biscuits to cake, Rusks and dairy products such as cheese beverages and dairy whitener is consumed by every Indian household.

Britannia has been constantly providing nutritional options for mother's who are seeking to enrich their family needs. Many of these everyday products are packed with micro-nutrients like Iron, Calcium, and Vitamins to meet the nutritional demands as per consumers needs.

Britannia as a company has won several accolades for quality among them being the Golden Peacock National Quality Award and the Ramakrishna Bajaj National Quality Award. Britannia as a company is No.1  Food Brand in the country across the food categories by an independent survey conducted by a reputed news publication.

What do I look for when purchasing a product?
I always look for the contents and expiration date then the packaging and the price. Always look for a sturdy packaged product  because you don't want a crumbled cake inside. I was totally impressed with the packaging.

Will I purchase this nuts and raisins cake again?
Yes in terms of nutrition there is a lot of nuts and rasinis added its moist and crumbly is priced at an affordable cost 50/- . I would say the product is much cheaper compared to other brands which are selling certain products at a very high cost.

What are the downsides and suggestions?
As a consumer yes of-course I look into the contents would also like to see the portion size or serving size. In countries like USA atleast 80% of people are very particular about serving size as they categorize their meal and its planned as per calorie and nutritional value.


What are the ingredients you look for in a product while purchasing?
I always look for a product if it contains eggs, vegetable oil and butter and I also look for some fine details what are the other quality products that are added like nuts, raisins, cured orange peeling, protein and calcium. the most important if the product contain artificial coloring agents and flavoring. as far as the cake it does contains natural or artificial flavors and colors. The cake does contain artificial flavors and colors. 

What is my opinion on the cake?
All these years there were cakes which evolved around kids and teens the company has truly understood the needs of a consumer stepping up a notch and upgrading their cake, flavor and taste where adults will truly love and enjoy. As I opened the package the flavors were awesome cake was moist and crumbly a bit sweet for my pallet loved every bite. As the cake was in a loaf form I had to slice it was a tad bit annoying for me to cut into equal portions.


Few suggestions to the company: As an adult I would truly like to see more adult friendly products on your line no sugar less salt new and natural flavors these products will be a boon to many diet and diabetic consumers. Some flavors i would like to see on the line would be green tea cake, lychee cakes and so on. I would surely purchase the cakes and so would many young people  out there. Also would like the cakes to be sold in smaller packages to carry in my bag as a snack while travelling.

Taste testing: After offering few samples to my neighbors and family they headed back to the store and purchased the cake it was truly a treat on a budget. I was a bit disappointed when I couldn't find the cakes in and around few stores near my home as it was sold out. I totally recommend to purchase the product and try for yourself its also a great gift option for kids or adults they will surely appreciate your purchase and gift.

Finally my bite...yummy totally enjoyed...:) "TING TING TIDING"


Please do not copy pics and content from this post and blog. if we find any material from this post or blog we will press charges for copyrights and will take stern action. If you find this post or any of vidyascooking post media friendly please write to us at vidyascooking@gmail.com please supprt me in my food venture...

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Gift Basket Challenge @1MG Foodhall

Follow:Facebook My Review:Zomato Subscribe:Youtube Google:+Vidya Twitter: Tweets
I was invited to create a gift basket at Foodhall along with few well know foodbloggers. I got there early and wanted to wander around the store and see what was available before, I start my challenge. I did not know the budget to shop for at that time so confused and, just doing my rounds around all the isles. Just then it struck me that I should create a gift basket for a teen or graduation day treat.

The Challenge kick-started a budget was given to us we had to shop and create a creative gift-basket  under or upto 2500/- . They also showcased a few baskets already created by Foodhall those baskets looked absolutely yummy and, when gifted people can really get creative and try new flavors. I was totally up for my challenge and started shopping. Normally when ever I'm at Foodhall I always shop for exotic fruits, sauces, jasmine rice and so on.

I was in this isle where they had pre made ready to assemble Mexican food which serves 6 costing at 650/- this pack was for my main course for starters, I picked up some gluten free baked 2 varieties of nachos, salsa and cheese these coasted me around 250/- which again serves 6 then for dessert, I picked up a good quality coco who doesn't like hot chocolate after a meal along with some good quality chocolates this would be an ultimate treat for any teenager or a grad who is going to start a fresh life for the desserts and coco it coasted me 400/- my basket was under 2500/- I think my basket was a healthy choice to cook and eat at home and treat your family at the same time.

As a teen I always got T-Shirts, pants, skirts, dress material and watches as gifts during my graduation I received a watch and pen set as gift it was so rhythmic and boring. The shirts and pants got tighter and the watch and pen sets broke dont waste your money if you want to treat your loved one or any friend. Try and always give them a gift that they will cherish for life. As a teen I would have truly cherished the basket if someone would've gifted me.

Chef Selvaraju was our judge, I had to do hard core explaining why I created the basket ultimately he told me the thought process was good but not a winning one. I was bummed but was happy at the same time at least got to show off my creative side.

Here are some clicks of me shopping...

My Gift Basket...Treat Mexicana...


What to buy at food hall?
Foodhall @1 MG has always been my favorite place to shop for everything under one roof, right from daily essentials to exotic veggies fruits and ingredients. I also get inspired a lot to prepare dishes with a twist when I'm there. Being a foodblogger I always look for food props and ideas to serve my dishes atleast 40% of my props are from Foodhall.


What to stock up when at Foodhall?
I always stock up on sauces, jasmine rice, panco, tempura flour, self raising flour, pastas, dips, cheese, foodhall nachos and salsa.

If your planning a party just head to Foodhall and wander a bit its good exercise and you will get tones of ideas or visit foodhallonline Entertainments, for example if your planning thai they have all the essential products and recipes online it makes everybody's life easier or if your wandering in the store and, want to find and feel all the products then its all systematically categorized and arranged in same isle right from rice paper to curry paste and jasmine rice even the meats are pre cut and fresh so you can shop all at once and meal plan and create for the party.

Dont worry what to serve for desserts they have wide range on chocolates and cakes there is sugar free chocolates as well do try to purchase them its very tasty and healthy. they also have a wide range of organic fruits and veggies. gluten free options and so on...

You can also do a cheese and wine paring session if your party planning they have wide range of wines and cheese you can do an assortment of cheese platter smoked ham salmon grapes and wine you can literally wow your guests by showcasing a gourmet style meal at home.





Also shop for some precut fruits you can toss in some caramel nuts and feta and serve a wonderful salad avocados and limes are fresh here also look for the breakfast mix its yum I always purchase the breakfast mixes and flavored yogurt.

If you want to grab a bite always try the focaccia cheese sandwich, pastas,  tart and chocolate cakes. for bulk corporate, wedding and special occasion gifts visit foodhallonline gifting.




After the basket challenge we had had high tea we were served carrot and beets juice which was yum I totally enjoyed the pongal cheese balls croissant and focaccia sandwiches not to mention the red velvet and chocolate cakes it was yum..

Carrots and Beets Juice

Croissant  Sandwiches..

Focaccia sandwiches...

Pongal Cheese Balls...

Chocolate Cake...

Red Velvet Cake...
 Thank you so much Foodhall for a wonderful gift an assortment of dips and chips...

From the gift package I loved the beets chips with yogurt and dill dipping sauce...next time if I'm at foodhall will surely stock up on these chips and dip...Visit: www.foodhallonline.com