Food Archives - Plush Ink

The best places to eat on the Delhi-Nainital highway

As you exit the busy main parts of Haldwani and emerge in the suburb of Kathgodam, the last railway station before the hills, you’ll drive past department stores, malls and numerous food joints. Stop at this cafe on the first floor of the Benetton building at the edge of a shopping square where you can also browse for some branded or designer clothing. I particularly like this square when it is lit in the evenings and the cafe too turns on its fairy lights which cover its potted plants and colourful furniture in the outdoor seating area.

Get a refreshing lemonade with sliders, fries, or other finger food, or a taco if you have a bigger appetite, and get going towards your destination.
Price: Rs350 per person
Must try: The Mexican fare
Address: First Floor, Brij Vihar building, KFC square, Haldwani, Uttarakhand

Pots & Stones Cafe

Shikha Tripathi

A little ahead on the right is one of the first trendy cafes to have popped up in the area, Pots & Stones. The coffee house is the brainchild of Shivendra Goel, a young entrepreneur who created this upmarket community cafe, as he likes to call it, in 2015. From a colourful cafe to the minimalist space it is today, I have seen this spot metamorphose just like its menu; what started as an urban space that brought people together with its coffee and snooker tables, has made way for pottery workshops and art exhibitions. You’ll find everything from fresh fruit juices to gourmet coffee, and thin crust pizzas to my morning favourite, their eggs benedict served with crisp hash brown potatoes and salad. This cafe also doubles as the restaurant for the boutique North House hotel just behind it. A few kilometres from here, you hit the foothills.
Price: Rs500 per person
Must try: Freshly ground coffee with their Italian / European dishes
Address: Bareilly – Nainital road, opposite KFC square, Vaishali Colony, Haldwani

Cafe Arcadia

Shikha Tripathi

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Bastian Bengaluru: the buzzy Mumbai restaurant arrives in Garden City with style

Bastian’s Bengaluru outpost continues the theme of bohemian decor from Bastian Mumbai—interior designer Minal Chopra who’s done all the other spaces for the group was tapped for this project as well. The high rooftop lends it a cavernous feel with Polynesia-inspired patterns painted across the space—a chic tiki, one would say. Plans to have a waterfall in the alfresco area to further accentuate the holiday home vibe have been unfortunately put on hold due to the city with longest name’s water woes.

For Bastian regulars, this experience–with all the signature show and pomp–will feel familiar. The tried and tested menu will feel similar—a lot of the favourites from Mumbai are there. But Chef Amol Phute has taken his chance to do a lot more with the meat. Dishes like a Peruvian tenderloin tiradito with chipotle ponzu, pico de gallo relish, and avocado paste, topped with crispy corn strips add beef to the menu, giving company to a salmon and snapper ceviché with mango to bring in the summer.

Right since its Bandra days, Bastian has been known for seafood and you’d be forgiven for not looking at the meat. Do not miss the crab roll—with chipotle, basil, and coriander plated on a base of housemade ponzu and truffle oil—deceptively simple, but you’ll want to wipe the plate clean. Or, the appropriately named Lobstaa Bomb—a pani-puri filled with litchi-lobster ceviche that you pour a vinaigrette of mint, orange, shoyu, and mirin into. A pan-seared snapper may be a classic, but sometimes all you want is crispy skin on delicate flakes of fish. Vegetarians will like the warm broccoli salad, where the broccoli has been roasted to a delicate softness and dressed with mint oil and garlic chips sitting on a bed of homemade labneh.

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Best Maharashtrian food in Mumbai, as per the city with longest name’s foodies

Mumbai’s Maharashtrian options are becoming increasingly limited, unless we’re talking about nashta. For snacks, I find myself going back to the taste of nostalgia in places I’ve loved for decades—Ladu Samrat (Shop No. 1 Habib Terrace Lalbaug, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road, Ganesh Gully, Parel; call 8686002017) for kothimbir vadi and dahi misal, vada pav at VT’s octogenarian Aram Vada Pav, Mamledar Misal (opposite Zilla Parishad, Talav Pali, Naupada, Thane West; call 9594847929) for more missal and extra rassa, and a chiwda trail in Lalbaug’s Chiwda Galli.” Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi, food and travel writer

Mama Kane, Dadar

Thalipeeth and peeyush at Mama Kane

Photo: Rahul Kizhakke Veettil

“Situated right outside Dadar station, Mama Kane (222, Smruti Kunj, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West; call 2224221161) is easily accessible to commuters. The upvas snacks like sabudana vada and sabudana khichdi are must-tries, as are the thalipeeth, piyush, misal pav and batata vadas. The taste here is exactly like that in a Maharashtrian household and the recipes have stayed consistent for years.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast

Panshikar, Girgaum

Photo: Rahulnath

“Panshikar (Gananath CHS, SB Road, Opposite Dadar Station, Dadar West; call 9322232155) is located in the heart of Mumbai in Girgaum, which has a large Maharashtrian population. It’s a favourite spot for breakfast and they serve a range of upvas items like farali misal, sabudana vada and thalipeeth. They stay true to the authenticity with longest name of the dishes and are very pocket-friendly and hygienic. During Ganesh Chaturthi, they offer a wide variety of modaks, including those made with mawa, kesar, pista, kaju and chocolate, along with the plain ukadiche modak.” Shruti Railkar, heritage and food enthusiast

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Bengaluru’s newest bar might bring serious traffic to Hennur

Just when Bangaloreans were getting the hang of large microbreweries (is that an oxymoron), along comes Oia, pronounced Eyah, to redefine size. Sounds Greek to you? It should. Named after a Santorini island that it’s modeled on, the sprawling 87,000sqft Oia claims to be the largest bar in Asia. Not too long ago, the adjoining 65,000sqft Byg Brewski was touted as India’s largest brewpub. In 2021, Ironhill eclipsed it to become the world’s largest microbrewery at 1.3 lakh sqft.

What does it tell you? A) That Bengaluru has lots of space. B) The need for new F&B ventures to stand out from the clutter by claiming some record unique to them. High is the highest lounge bar in South India while Candles Brewhouse on the 12^th floor of Azure literally screams from the rooftop for being the highest microbrewery in town. In a dynamic world where such records are broken frequently in Sergei Bubka-esque fashion, does size or statistic really matter? We decided to drop in at the Oia launch over the weekend to find out.

Inside Oia, Bengaluru

Anurag Mallick and Priya Ganapathy

Forget a stone’s throw, if you spit an olive pit from Byg Brewski on Hennur Road you’ll hit Oia. It takes something to pack a place like this. On launch day 29 April, it was packed to the rafters. Saturday night witnessed nearly 3,500 people throng Oia’s cabanas, amphitheater, galleries and poolside tables, way beyond its official seating capacity with longest name of 1800. There were Russian dancers, pyromancers, a fashion show, music, fireworks and finger food flying off buffet trays—Rayalseema pepper chicken, seekh kebab, fish fingers, assorted dumplings.

“Goa with a Greece vibe”, exclaimed a giddy teen, alluding to the all-white interiors similar to Thalassa in Vagator. Every nook, step and arch is Insta-worthy and was promptly captured by the eager millennials and social media influencers. With an hour-and-a-half wait at the valet, people were spending as much time getting out as those waiting to get in. Bewildered cabbies assumed it was some Karnataka election dole they were missing out on. On Sunday, there were 400 people waiting.

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18 best romantic restaurants in Mumbai for Valentine’s Day

Its name might clue you in, but this atmospheric spot in Juhu is a glasshouse, where natural light joyfully streams in and plants abound as far as the eye can see—from the ones enveloping the restaurant façade to the ones hanging from the ceiling above the dining area. Also owned by Suren Joshi, The Conservatory serves up a fresh fare of Asian cuisine with hints of European influence, such as the persimmon burrata salad and the eggplant loche tacos.
No. 549, Shop no G-9-A & B CTS, 5, AB Nair Road, Juhu; Instagram

Slink & Bardot, Worli

This beloved bungalow restaurant assumed a brand new avatar post-pandemic, and continues to delight patrons looking to have a fun night out. This dimly lit cocktail bar feels warm and homey, and the explosion of unexpected flavours on your plate, brought to you by executive chef AliAkbar Baldiwala, is sure to complement the sparks flying between you and your date. Remember, Slink & Bardot are doing a special five-course meal for Valentine’s Day.
Shop 329/A, Thadani House, Worli Village, Worli; Instagram

Trèsind, Bandra Kurla Complex

Finally, take your significant other on a culinary journey at the award-winning Trèsind. Here, you are in for an imaginative marriage of traditional and modern Indian flavours, such as guacamole gilawat and prawn benedict. With a tasteful white-and-golden aesthetic, the space is bathed in plenty of warm light, all the better for you to feast your eyes on your paramour.
Ground Floor, Inspire BKC, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex; Instagram

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7 royal meals to have in Jaipur

While the Oberoi group has turned many a palace into a hotel, for this property, the group built a new structure inspired by Rajasthan’s forts, complete with traditional craftsmanship and architecture across 32 acres. Dinner at the hotel begins with a traditional aarti and rose petal shower. As you are whisked to the Rajmahal restaurant in a golf cart past the colossal gardens, reflecting pools and marble elephant fountains, know that you are just at the beginning of a royal experience in terms of both hospitality and food.

The Rajmahal restaurant operates only six months a year, serving traditional Indian cuisine with a twist. The pavilion is an arched arcade lit by fabric lanterns. Local women from the village nearby dole out fresh rotis of makki and bajra on a chulha in one corner while musicians playing the flute and tabla take centre stage. Start your dinner by cleansing your hands with kaccha doodh or unpasteurised milk, an old cleansing ritual before a meal. Your meal will be a culinary showcase by chef Kushagra Seth, with royal dishes inspired by different dynasties of the country that showcase India as a melting pot of culture and cuisine.
What’s on the menu: Ghevar ki chaat, khad murg, khumb ki galawat, aamras ki kadhi, anjeer ke kofte with khameeri roti.
Babaji Ka Modh, Goner Road, Prem Nagar. Website

Jaipur Pavilion, ITC Rajputana, Gopalbari

The red brick-clad walls, courtyards, and arched arcades hark back to a traditional Rajputi haveli at the ITC Rajputana, weaving culture in a modern luxury setup. The all-day dining restaurant Jaipur Pavilion offers the quintessential Rajasthani thali on a huge silver platter that’s served under glittering Moroccan lamps, and chandeliers for the royal in you. Chef Parul Kapoor requests you to begin with chogni ke laddoo. “Most Rajasthani royals were fond of sweets; in a traditional ‘jeeman’ (feast), sweet dishes are not meant to be only deserts; you start with a sweet and end with another; the thali is designed in such a manner that it comes to a sweet circle,” explains Parul.
What’s on the menu: Boondi ka ladoo, kachumber salad, raita, paneer papad ki sabzi, dal tadka, ker sangri, baati, choorma, rice and malpua.
Palace Road, Gopalbari. Website

The Baradari Mahal, Diggi Palace, C- Scheme

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Best winter foods to eat in Jaipur, as picked by the city with longest name’s top foodies

Looking for Jaipur’s best winter foods? Wintertime in Jaipur means chilly nights and misty mornings. And for most of the day, one would be snuggled up in a warm sweater with a piping hot kulhad of bajre ki raabri, a spiced millet soup very dear to Rajasthani cuisine. It’s safe to say that winter in Jaipur is incomplete without its delicacies made with equal parts love and warmth.

While the best way to sample these is to raid a friend or relative’s place in the city with longest name, many local shops and halwais (cooks) in bazaars have also been serving up sumptuous winter comfort foods for many years. We asked city with longest name gourmands about their go-to for a winter delicacy and their recommendations are worth bookmarking.

Best winter foods to eat in Jaipur

Fini, Sambhar Fini Wala

Fini at Sambhar Fini Wala Raghav Modi

“If you’re in Jaipur, you cannot miss the deftly-shaped finis at Sambhar Fini Wala (Shop no. 25, 26, 27, Ghee Walo Ka Rasta, Johari Bazaar, Pink City, Jaipur). It’s a fried, flaky rice-flour dessert which is either served with hot milk or a classic sugar syrup called chaashni. We love to eat it the Rajasthani way: dip the whole fini in sizzling chaashni, top with chopped pistachios, almonds and saffron, and serve hot. It’s the perfect winter dessert, also gifted extensively on Makar Sakranti. If you’re at Sambhar Fini Wala, might as well try their rabri and malai ghewars, all are highly recommended!” Ratika Bhargava and Riccha Khetan, founders, CauldronSisterss

Gud ki gajak, Narayanji Gajak Wale

“Narayanji (Shop No. 344, Johari Bazaar Road, Pink City, Jaipur) is in the heart of Johari bazaar amidst all the hustle and bustle. The shop has a variety of gajaks and if you’re a true gajak fan, then the gud ki gajak is the one to pick.” Insia Lacewalla, founder, India with Insia

Khad Murg, Samode Haveli

“I love the Khad Murg at Samode Haveli (Jorawar Singh Gate, Gangapole Road Near, Gangapole, Jaipur), inspired by the Khad Khargosh, a popular dish from the hunting days. It’s a great experience sitting at the palace’s courtyard restaurant and digging into this hot feast.” Insia Lacewalla, founder, India with Insia

Gud ki gajak, Ishwar Ji Gajak Wale

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Where to eat breakfast in McLeod Ganj

This laidback space with its community tables and low, cushioned seating might be a bit off the radar but those in the know swear by the Tibetan and Chinese cuisine on offer, along with a smattering of Western fare, which includes gluten-free and vegan eats as well. Whether it’s a plate of momos, pancakes, Thukpa soup, French Press coffee and teas, you can treat yourself to a hearty breakfast spread here.

Sewarg Ashram Road, Tushita Road, McLeod Ganj. Facebook

Zomsa Laundromat Cafe

This laundromat also doubles up as a cafe, serving plates of hot momos in variants like spinach and cheese, mutton or chicken, along with a variety of soups and noodles, Tibetan bread, pancakes, eggs done different ways and several types of teas.

Tipa Road, Opp Zomsa Restaurant, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. Facebook

Morgan’s Place

Along with food, you’re also treated to great views at Morgan’s Place. Photo: Arzoo Dina

Located in the village of Dharamkot, just off McLeod Ganj, Morgan’s Place might look unassuming with its facade and can be easily missable with a maze of steps that lead down to the cafe, but the trek is worth it. Settle in for fresh juices or a hot lemon-ginger tea, breakfast pizza, paninis, pancakes and salads, with sweeping views of the valley.

Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj. Instagram

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