Hard Rock Cafe' | Food Review

It hardly qualifies for any of the basic requirement of a good restaurant. Be it hygiene, taste, service or logistics.

Plates were seated with mosquitoes. Flies were having playtime over the counter. When informed their chef at the live counter, that there are flies sitting at the food, he giggled and tried to scare them. Hard Rock café gave a feel of hard rock street food, and the café was absent.

Taste was playing hide and seek, and we lost against it, couldn’t locate and bang it anywhere in any of the viands. We opted for buffet option, and the food served was sad and bad. Chicken cooked in mushroom sauce could be put to best use if used with catapult. It was so hard to chew that no use other than hitting it as a stone towards your enemy popped up in my mind. Chapati or roti, couldn’t be called them by that name, it was definitely something else.  Starters were served at the live counter; the process of intermediate cooking them was so slow that queue was built up from ground floor going up to first floor.

We made a corporate booking for the lunch, and when we reached they were completely clueless about the booking. Attendants were not aware; they were looking at each other’s face and suddenly one of them rushed for their boss to conform for the booking and came after 5 minutes informing us that he is on some call. And we were standing all this time and nobody displayed courtesy to ask us to sit.

The staff was not aware of what is included in the corporate package we booked and what is not. Someone ordered something and they returned after few minutes informing that this is not for you, and the person has to go through the whole menu once again. On questioning them, what is included they were clueless. Though it was Thursday, but everybody seemed to still having hangover of Monday blues.

Queue for the food can be considered as positive sign for being in huge demand, but what if the queue is due to non-working washrooms. Out of two, one of the wash basins had no water, so each one has to wait in queue for his turn.

No reason to visit next , if and only if some band is performing in the evening and I am die hard fan of that. Alcohol with loud music may be another. However, otherwise a place is a big no for me.

Location: Cyber hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon

Happy Eating…but at your own risk... :)

Go to Rajasthan @ Westin, Gurgaon

Enjoy the ongoing Spice Trail of Rajasthan at Seasonal Tastes, Westin Gurgaon.



Published detailed review at
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https://shivangireviews.com/2016/10/16/live-rajasthan-westin-gurgaon/

locale | Food Review

Locale means a place where something happens. The place well justifies the name. Dining in a beautiful casual ambiance with delicious food is a good place to hangout. It’s a duplex restaurant on second and third floor connected internally as well as externally with both elevator and stairs.  



Trendy wall art, rustic ceiling, alcoholic quote frames and modern life lessons all around make the place lively, comfortable and relaxing. The place has a soothing lighting, which makes it even more charming. Top floor is an open zone and an option for smokers. Being an open zone, makes the place bit warmer and not very comfortable for summers, however a definite hit in winters.

Ongoing navratras kept me bound only to veg options. Still the non-veg options made all efforts otherwise. 

The aroma was good enough for weak willed person to forget about navratras and savor. They have good variety to choose from starters, and the main course options comparatively lack behind. If you are out for a beer with a friend, the main course 
will not matter you much... :)


 Overall, there is a good variety to choose from Starters, Salads, Soups, Deli, Pasta, Mock tails, Meals, Main Course and Platters. The Meal section comes in very handy when not able to decide from the main course, and each one with you is having a different voice.

The staff is examples of national integration, there are people from different regions of the country and will pronounce the same dish in different accent, which make it very lovable and cute. They are very humble and simple people and will put in all efforts to enjoy your meal.

Why to visit? Nice location, good ambience, moderately priced and tasty food makes it an ideal place to chill with friends and loved ones.

Why not to visit? If you are on look out for some exclusive, high-end formal place serving some exotic taste or and not so common preparation.

Location: PVR Saket, Anupam Complex, New Delhi

Happy Eating :)

Pita Pit | Food Review

Food Review | Burma Burma

Samuza hincho, Toho mash, Samuza hincho whole, Burma Burma oh no khow suey. These are the some of the dishes atBurma Burma, a pure vegetarian, non-alcoholic restaurant in Cyber Hub, Gurgaon. As name suggests they serve a Burmese cuisine. I have never tasted anything Burmese before so not sure about the authenticity in taste. However, the food is tasty and different from the regular. I would love to pay regular visits to the place with my vegetarian family.

USP of the place is exclusive menu, pure vegetarian, no alcohol and very good ambience. Menu is bit confusing as all are Burmese names. However, each preparation is well described to make you understand about it. The attendants are humble and helpful with explaining the menu. The menu has good tea variants. 


Each table has a cute glass kettle with tea leaves, at first I thought some complementary tea preparation to be done with that. We placed our order and it was served, however nobody talked of tea. Out of curiosity now I asked the waiter about the kettle and the tea. With a wide smile he responded that it is just for decorative purpose and nothing more. The ceiling is decorated with ceramic bells and overall a moderately lit place. The seat we grabbed was the only disappointment in the experience. Somehow where we were seated didn’t have proper AC vents and I was continuously wiping off sweat from the brows. However, overall the place was cool and well ventilated, except that not so special corner.

We ordered Samuza Hincho, Toho mash with paratha, spring onion buns, Burma Burma oh no khow suey, Burmese fried rice, spicy vegetable curry.


Samuza hincho is a samosa soup. A samosa dipped in vegetable soup. We were bit skeptical about it at the time of order, but impression changed after it was served. Not something out of the world, very simple preparation but a tasty one. I would say it was worth the price if you like trying new things.

Toho mash with paratha was the winner. It is a complete dish in itself, dry dal in the center surrounded by well-cooked miniature laccha parathas. The dal vegetable mixture was one of the tastiest I have eaten in recent times. When I think of it today, only feelings are sssuuurrrp…mmmmm…

Spring onion buns are the steamed buns stuffed with vegetable salsa. This dish was no doubt tasty, but seemed to be bit pricey. 300 excluding tax for four buns is definitely a high cost.

They served a tray of herbs and toppings which has chopped coriander, roasted peanuts, lemon, spring onions, roasted onions and garlic. I am sure they are aware that this is the most required as some preparations are surprize boxes. This serving came in most handy when we were served Burma Burma oh no khow suey. As included in the name it was actually a “oh no” dish for us. It is actually noodles cooked in coconut milk gravy and we were not able to connect with the taste of coconut milk. The herbs and other topping came for rescue and we were able to convert “oh no” to “oh fine”

Hai Kahan? Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon

Why to visit? If you looking for something different, tasty and vegetarian.
Why not to visit? Bit high on price, we paid around 3k for 3 people. Also if you are not too experimental with taste and can’t imagine eating out with only vegetarian dishes in menu. 

Instapizza - Not so Insta

Cool small place with sitting in open as well as inside. Open sitting can be exploited only in winters. So, very less sitting, on a busy day. they have heightened chairs to sit, I didn't enjoyed my pizza much on that, had been a low sitting like a sofa or a couch would liked my food more. Option of low sitting was there in open, but I was not carrying my sunscreen lotion… :)

They are very sweet and humble people, will explain the options in detail and were honest as well. While placing the order they informed us that it is going to take at least 30 minutes. So waiting for my pizza for 30 minutes with rat dancing stomach, it is difficult to accept the name as Insta. However, I have all the appreciation for their honesty.

Not much to choose from. However, they have given the choice of toppings or rather stuffing for the deep dish pizza to consumer without any extra charge. There is not much in sides and drinks. The drink options available are only regular coke, pepsi, minute maid etc.

The vegetables used are fresh and flavorful. Deep-dish pizza had so many fresh vegetables that there was no guilt of eating pizza loaded with cheese. Those who live for health and love lot of fresh vegetables are definitely going to enjoy it. The side veg garlic twist, was served with the sauce but lost the taste vote though was stuffed with Paneer and Cheese. I also struggled with the base; it was too hard to cut with a knife. It being a deep-dish pizza could not be picked with hand and munched, had to be handled with fork and knife.

I ordered Garlic Twist and Veg Deep Dish Pizza with all the choice of toppings except pineapple. I recommend for deep dish pizza to be loaded with more cheese. The base being softer would have made struggle with knife easier and not like cutting my enemy's throat.

The place is neat, clean and hygienic. As they don’t have washrooms, have kept hand sanitizers on each table...must say a good attempt… :)

They were on track to get good score for service, but they lost when the dish they served us was chipped at the corner and they had no idea that they are serving us in broken dish

Price is fine, mid price range. We were honored with 15 percent corporate discount and we shelled out around 650 bucks for three. Economic, isn't it?

So where it is?
Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon

USP:
Deep Dish pizza

Why to visit?:
If you want to be saved from the guilt of having pizza by consuming lot of fiber along with in the form of raw vegetables

Why not to visit?:
If you are on a lookout for lot of variety, you will be disappointed

Conclusion:
It is not a quick bite, if you are ordering a deep dish pizza, expect to spend at more than an hour at the place. The time of preparation for the pizza is 30 minutes and it is filled with so many vegetables will make it require much of your time to finish it quickly. All in all, not to good and not to bad, but not enough reason to visit next time. They are good in other areas but lost in taste.

T-Shirt Sketch

Weekend well sketched on a tshirt. The pencil used is a white colour pencil used to mark on leather and glass. Most likely sketch will not last after wash, but the tshirt is ready for a new design to be sketched... 👍☺ . . . #tshirt #undefinedisthelimit #art #sketch #pencil #tshirtart #delhi #india #white #black #bnw #wash #design #weekend

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Sep 4, 2016 at 7:46am PDT

Not too bad.. :) Infact feeling good..

Feeling good... :) . . #tripadvisor #travel #delhi_igers #hotelreview #foodreview #travel #undefinedisthelimit #foodblogger

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Aug 24, 2016 at 8:20am PDT

Fun@Jungle... :)

Jungle mein fun... :) Found these swamp deer horns while roaming around through bharatpur bird century. Seemed like the leftovers of a tasty meal enjoyed by some predator, may be a nature as well. Wanted to carry them along and was excited to add them to my collection. My guide was unhappy to hear this and then started with his series of scary statements. First was, things belonging to jungle should remain in jungle only, and then followed by more frightening ones. Such kind of things may bring bad omen. You dont know what kind of death was received by the fellow creature. His soul may not be in peace and may follow his belongings. When I was not entertained by any such terrifying ones, then came out the most logical one. He said, if any one finds you with the possession of these you may be abducted for poaching, and this actually scared me. He warned me to leave it then and there as authorities are on round and anyone can see me. Then I thought, if not the actuals for collection, atleast ek photo toh banti hai. The guide was very happy that I settled with the photograph and not disturbing the ecological balance, by taking something that belongs to nature away from nature. He was very right, we should respect the mother nature and not try to disturb it, should observe it and let it be as it is. . #fun #delhi_igers #travel #wildlife #rajasthan #bharatpur #nature #deer #swampdeer #natgeo #natgeotravel #inspiroindia #lonelyplanetindia #lonelyplanet

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Aug 19, 2016 at 8:15am PDT

Spicy aloo tikki burger@Wendy's

Spicy aloo tikki burger at Wendy's . Detailed review at 👇 . http://goo.gl/gxiaVo . #foodreview #foodlove #burger #wendy #gurgaon #delhi_igers #undefinedisthelimit #food #junk #bacon #baked #potato #cheese #restaurant #quickbite #fbai #foodblogger

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Aug 16, 2016 at 9:46pm PDT

Someone looks in from the darkness

Someone looks in from the darkness . . #undefinedisthelimit #delhi_igers #bnw #redmi #photography #xiaomi #mobilephotography

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Aug 15, 2016 at 7:55pm PDT

Fun @ Work - Quick sketch

@anas_kamil redrawn . . #office #officefun #delhi_igers #artwork #timepass #funatwork #sketch #funtime #funatwork #cartoon

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Aug 1, 2016 at 9:55pm PDT

weekend bakings

Weekend well baked... :) . . . #khanatalks @thechocolateartists #thechocolateartists #undefinedisthelimit #delhi #tastesofindia #inspiroindia #food #baked #baking #cupcakes #muffins #chocolate #almond #taste #flavours #flavoursofindia

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Jul 30, 2016 at 11:45pm PDT

Pray for prey

Pray for prey . . . . #undefinedisthelimit #wildlife #cat #crow #wildlifephotography #delhi_igers #candidphoto #instagram #instacool #canon #natgeotravelindia #lonelyplanetindia

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Jul 18, 2016 at 9:49pm PDT

Cyber Hub - Food Pub

Cyber hub is a place where in a radius of few meters, one can have a meal ranging from 50 bucks to 5k. You will find almost all the well-known corporate eateries. Quick Bites, Mid-range, Fine dine, bakeries, breweries, cafes and coffee shops, food court, Food grocery store, Departmental Store, Gaming zones, pubs, it has all. You can savour burgers, sandwiches, Pizzas and international cuisines. If you have money in your pocket and craving in your tummy, you can never return hungry from the place, and that is the promise.

The place is easily accessible by road as well as rapid metro. Get down at IndusInd Bank metro station and you are at your place. Cyber Hub also has a parking, and they charge nominally for first few hours.

They have an open amphitheatre and a lot keeps on happening there. There are shows happening in the evening and as well as on the weekends. One or the other band or art group is performing at the place round the year. If performance is not going on, the place is captured by the some company and performing road show of their latest product.

The common view at cyber hub at any time of the day is quite interesting. Well mannered, typical corporate slaves taking rounds from one end to another. Few intellectuals sitting outside the coffee shops and discussing stuff from art or lifestyle. Wannabes are walking around and trying to imitate their ideals. College chicks and their guys clicking selfies can be noticed at one or the other corner of the place. Aspiring photographers with their DSLRs hanging around are discussing the exposure and frames. In all and all, lot of positivity of modern India is present around. One or the other corporate doing some promotion activity, putting their products on display and distributing goodies such as mugs or pens are not uncommon.

It is good place to hang out with anyone. The place has something for all and all for something.

Food Review | Made in Punjab

Punjabi food brings to mind the preparation which is well-cooked, spice enriched and loaded with cream and ghee. And when the restaurant is named as Made in Punjab, it raises the expectation higher. A Punjabi restaurant serving a semi cooked chicken and not good Paneer preparation is a crime. Paneer and chicken are always to be respected and well cooked.

At MIP, you can go for Ala carte as well as buffet. We opted for the buffet as want to try maximum number of preparations. The buffet in overall can be rated as 3/5. MIP failed badly at few of the dishes, one of them was paneer butter masala. The gravy was not well cooked, raw taste of onion and tomatoes was present and taste was not well developed. One of the chicken starters also faced the same issue. But yes the good part was that something was there for everybody. But it was something only and not anything great. Food was just average and not that I will crave for and visit again and again.

Ambience was another average. The name “Made in Punjab” just doesn’t go with the ambience and neither with the food. So the name is a complete mismatch, if named as ABC would also do for the place. The washrooms are bad, latches don’t work, might be a chance to develop your singing skills …J. Soap dispensers require a special chant to dispense soap, I was unaware of that so was not able to extract soap, and how I managed without soap should not be your matter of concern now…J.

The good part about MIP is that it is a huge place, very good seating capacity and serve buffet. The only time I can think of visiting MIP is for the corporate dining. No hassle to cater to taste buds of large group, as everyone will be able to find something or the other for themselves. But if the group is foodie then dare not, as it may bring you disappointment.

Where it is? Cyberhub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon

Yes, WHO are YOUUU?

Yes, WHO are YOUUU? . . . #wildlife #cat #billy #nature #animal #animallove #animallover #expressions #emotions #delhi_igers #instagram #natgeotravelindia #travel #inspiroindia #lonelyplanetindia

A photo posted by Nipun Bajaj (@bajajnipun) on Jul 18, 2016 at 2:43am PDT

Sure - Unsure

Some moments are speechless, but loud in my ears. 

Years pass by and still there are tears. I want to shout, ahhh...where is my voice? Can't speak. But why?

I am unsure about the sure. 

You are beautiful, you are pure. 

Want to live you, live with you. 

You are near by you are far. 

I know you are right and right, but I am always left, and that is the big fight. 

You are an open gate, but I always chose to wait. 

These are my sheer apprehensions and nothing more.

You are on a sprint and I am taking baby steps, instead of catching closer, falling faraway.

Belief in "everything happens for our good", is keeping the journey safe and in stride.

Au Bon Pain - A literal Pain

Au Bon Pain means “the good bread” in French; however it was more meaningful for me in English. At least the word pain was exactly what it meant.

The café is a place of confusion. There are two payment counters, each at ends of the shop. One is for cash and other for Card. Both display a different menu. If you have identified few things to eat at cash counter and want to make payment by card, and by the time you reach card counter you are not able to recall name, as the names are in French and likely to be forgot. Now, when you look up to order you will see a new menu, won’t be able to find the dishes you identified. Now, head back to other counter and try to memorise and come back to card. Isn’t it a too much, when you are looking forward to sit at cool and calm café.

They have made the arrangements that one can plug in a laptop and can focus on work with a cup of coffee. But these seats are just opposite the payment counters, where the queue will be formed and people will be discussing their orders. So focus in this disturbance is a challenge.

People eat and leave, the next customer grabs the seat and then a long search starts for someone who can clean the table. We had to ask three times to get our table cleaned. Staff seems to be very demotivated and performing their duties like a life less machine.

Café reminds me of Hindi phrase ‘Unchi Dukaan, feeka pakwaan’. Dishes are beautiful to look at, however the high expectations set for taste fall from cliff. We ordered Keema Kouign-amann, Poha Bagel Sandwich and open face margherita. Sad to say, but none met the expectation. I had the same thought before placing the order and now it has even stronger. Who on the first place had this idea of mixing Poha and Bagel, they don’t complement each other as both are bland. I ordered thinking that might be they have added some tangy sauce which makes this adventurous combination exciting. But no, they simply put both together and serve. Keema Kouign-amann, though not a victim to sarcasm but was also failed to earn respect. High salt suppressed the taste of keema. Open face margherita though was not an open failure. Taste like beauty should be skin deep. Very attractive on face, but had a very bland taste. Seemed all salt was consumed for keema and nothing came in share for poor margherita.

Why to visit? Not able to find any good reason.

Where it is? Cyberhub, Gurgaon.

Zostel @ Bir | Hotel review

Cool, clean, nice ambience, economic, hygiene and comfort are what define the place. It has beautiful half open and half covered terrace to enjoy the winds as well as shade. You can sit and enjoy the juggling of paragliders up in the sky.

There is a big central hall, with something for everyone. Board games, books, bean couches, sofas and LCD. You can relax and watch TV, socialize with others over games or simply enjoy the serene environment. Else, can connect to wi-fi and browse through internet. The wall art gives place a real cool look.

The most impressive part is that they don’t allow shoes inside the zostel, hence all dirt and dust is restricted outside. Inside it is very clean as a result. Other common rules are alcohol consumption is not allowed, no smoking inside the rooms, Keep noise under check post 11. Though there are no latches in the room, but there are big lockers for the safe custody of your valuables. Lockers are big enough to accommodate your luggage. Due care is taken to maintain privacy of each bed in dorm as well. Each cot has charging point and a flexi light if you want to read in bed without disturbing others.

Support staff at Zostel is humble, one may not like the rural accent of the locals and may mistake them as rude. Also they may make arrangement for hire of bicycle or scooty at hostel itself, may introduce you to the vendor. Usually the vendor is sitting at the reception area only. And all this is not too pricey, it all comes for a very nominal costs. Though they have a kitchen, but food is sad and bad. There are lot of small and good eateries nearby to savour. Better to explore the local eating joints.

We usually look for a safe, clean and comfortable place when outside home and zostel offers it all for an easy on pocket price. You will be disappointed if you look forward to a luxurious hotel stay.