Sea-food for beginners
24 March 2014 4:05 AM IST
As I sit sniffling in office, down with the first cold of this year thanks to the lovely change of weather - all I can crave for is a nice bowl of soup. And almost inadvertently my mind goes out to this particular sea-food soup I had shamelessly devoured at The Lodhi - The Garden Restaurant.
First up, I must say that The Lodhi is one of my absolute favourite properties across the Capital. The restaurant has this lovely romantic charm that no other place in the city has been able to replace. I had first gone to The Lodhi a good while ago for a magazine’s anniversary party. The love affair began then. And when the chance to sample their sea-food festival came up, would I possibly say no?
The meal kicked off with the soup - bouillabaisse. Delectable with the perfect balance of spice and the trademark taste of the sea, the soup has a bit of everything. Mussels, fish and squid. The delicately flavoured broth takes over your senses and do not hesitate to dip in generously with bread. We kept away from the bread thinking that it would spoil the taste of the soup, but we are pleasantly surprised when we tried it and loved it. I think it clearly makes it to the list of one of my most favourite comfort foods from now on. What followed was the Fritto Misto, a batter fried assorted platter right from the sea served with remoulade. If you are one of those people who love the deep-fried bits for snacks - this is a must try. Would have gone perfectly with beer, but thanks to the weather outside we stuck to the margaritas (try the strawberry margarita the next time you head there).
The meal wrapped up with two of the big hits - Char-grilled Whole Pomfret and the Roast Snapper. While the pomfret gives you the nice tandoor taste that Delhi loves, the snapper revives you with the delectable herbs and potatoes. Try the Char-Grilled prawns as well.
The main reason I call this piece Seafood for Beginners is to pay a little tribute to the first Sophie Kinsella I ever read - Sushi for Beginners. I had not tried sushi till then, but I loved it once I had. Here’s hoping The Lodhi gets you to love sea food. Head over!
Newshound, author and the rain
Newshound. That is not a word we arbitrarily picked for the new author on the block - Ashwini Devare. It is a word she picked for herself. A journalist by head and heart, an author - because writing has always made her happy.
Devare opened up over some soothing Darjeeling tea as we talked about her work, her book and every other thing under the sun. Batik Rain and other Stories (published by Har-Anand Publications) gave Devare a chance she has always been hankering for. The chance to go beyond ‘two minute reports and six second headlines’.
A post graduate in Broadcast Journalism from the American University in Washington DC and a former BBC Asia correspondent, Devare is currently a freelance journalist based in Singapore and her stories come from her experiences from across the world and her nomadic childhood. ‘We are shaped by the varied influences we encounter through our lives. A nomadic childhood exposed me to the world from an early age, and these cross cultural journeys no doubt shaped the outcome of Batik Rain,’ says Devare.
Batik Rain is a collection of delicately nuanced short stories that unravel the complexities that layer Indians in foreign lands. Spread across a wide canvas – US, Southeast Asia and India, the stories meander through the lush locales of Bali and Siem Reap to the charming by-lanes of Hyderabad and Pune, where characters spring to life with striking vividness.
As we picked up Batik Rain, the stories touched parts of the heart and mind that seemed to have been dormant for a good while. Devare’s special way with words along with her journalistic determination to couple truth and fiction makes Batik Rain an absolute delight with Anthem of Guilt being a personal favourite.
And what was the most difficult part about writing a book we ask, ‘Editing it,’ comes the pert reply. It is so tough to limit your imagination to comprehensive word-count, rues Devare. We feel your pain, always!
You can find out more about the author from her website and for those in Kolkata, Devare will be Oxford Bookstore on 26 March. Head over and yes before that - pick a copy!
Sound right
A little update about some incredible headphones we tried this week. Here’s presenting Skullcandy’s new FC Series Headphones (priced between Rs 1559 and Rs 5299). Branded with team colours of FC Barcelona (Spain), AC Milan (Italy) and Chelsea FC (England), these headphones are the perfect addition to your gym tote and not just because they look cool. The sound quality is very commendable.
We suggest the Skullcandy’s Uprock (priced nicely at Rs 2899) musical burn unit brags twin 40mm drivers, tangle-proof flat cables and a mixed-material composition sturdy enough to deal your beats and withstand opposing jerks, drops and hustle without breaking. Don’t mistake the ergonomic design, soft-touch finish, and plush ear pillows for weakness – this headphone thrives on around-the-clock rocking. True to its urban dance-based namesake, Uprock is the ideal tool of engagement for synchronizing music with your daily routine.
Not as bulky as the Hesh 2 or as small as the Ink’d 2 ear buds - just perfect. Worked wonders for us. Pick them up!
First up, I must say that The Lodhi is one of my absolute favourite properties across the Capital. The restaurant has this lovely romantic charm that no other place in the city has been able to replace. I had first gone to The Lodhi a good while ago for a magazine’s anniversary party. The love affair began then. And when the chance to sample their sea-food festival came up, would I possibly say no?
The meal kicked off with the soup - bouillabaisse. Delectable with the perfect balance of spice and the trademark taste of the sea, the soup has a bit of everything. Mussels, fish and squid. The delicately flavoured broth takes over your senses and do not hesitate to dip in generously with bread. We kept away from the bread thinking that it would spoil the taste of the soup, but we are pleasantly surprised when we tried it and loved it. I think it clearly makes it to the list of one of my most favourite comfort foods from now on. What followed was the Fritto Misto, a batter fried assorted platter right from the sea served with remoulade. If you are one of those people who love the deep-fried bits for snacks - this is a must try. Would have gone perfectly with beer, but thanks to the weather outside we stuck to the margaritas (try the strawberry margarita the next time you head there).
The meal wrapped up with two of the big hits - Char-grilled Whole Pomfret and the Roast Snapper. While the pomfret gives you the nice tandoor taste that Delhi loves, the snapper revives you with the delectable herbs and potatoes. Try the Char-Grilled prawns as well.
The main reason I call this piece Seafood for Beginners is to pay a little tribute to the first Sophie Kinsella I ever read - Sushi for Beginners. I had not tried sushi till then, but I loved it once I had. Here’s hoping The Lodhi gets you to love sea food. Head over!
Newshound, author and the rain
Newshound. That is not a word we arbitrarily picked for the new author on the block - Ashwini Devare. It is a word she picked for herself. A journalist by head and heart, an author - because writing has always made her happy.
Devare opened up over some soothing Darjeeling tea as we talked about her work, her book and every other thing under the sun. Batik Rain and other Stories (published by Har-Anand Publications) gave Devare a chance she has always been hankering for. The chance to go beyond ‘two minute reports and six second headlines’.
A post graduate in Broadcast Journalism from the American University in Washington DC and a former BBC Asia correspondent, Devare is currently a freelance journalist based in Singapore and her stories come from her experiences from across the world and her nomadic childhood. ‘We are shaped by the varied influences we encounter through our lives. A nomadic childhood exposed me to the world from an early age, and these cross cultural journeys no doubt shaped the outcome of Batik Rain,’ says Devare.
Batik Rain is a collection of delicately nuanced short stories that unravel the complexities that layer Indians in foreign lands. Spread across a wide canvas – US, Southeast Asia and India, the stories meander through the lush locales of Bali and Siem Reap to the charming by-lanes of Hyderabad and Pune, where characters spring to life with striking vividness.
As we picked up Batik Rain, the stories touched parts of the heart and mind that seemed to have been dormant for a good while. Devare’s special way with words along with her journalistic determination to couple truth and fiction makes Batik Rain an absolute delight with Anthem of Guilt being a personal favourite.
And what was the most difficult part about writing a book we ask, ‘Editing it,’ comes the pert reply. It is so tough to limit your imagination to comprehensive word-count, rues Devare. We feel your pain, always!
You can find out more about the author from her website and for those in Kolkata, Devare will be Oxford Bookstore on 26 March. Head over and yes before that - pick a copy!
Sound right
A little update about some incredible headphones we tried this week. Here’s presenting Skullcandy’s new FC Series Headphones (priced between Rs 1559 and Rs 5299). Branded with team colours of FC Barcelona (Spain), AC Milan (Italy) and Chelsea FC (England), these headphones are the perfect addition to your gym tote and not just because they look cool. The sound quality is very commendable.
We suggest the Skullcandy’s Uprock (priced nicely at Rs 2899) musical burn unit brags twin 40mm drivers, tangle-proof flat cables and a mixed-material composition sturdy enough to deal your beats and withstand opposing jerks, drops and hustle without breaking. Don’t mistake the ergonomic design, soft-touch finish, and plush ear pillows for weakness – this headphone thrives on around-the-clock rocking. True to its urban dance-based namesake, Uprock is the ideal tool of engagement for synchronizing music with your daily routine.
Not as bulky as the Hesh 2 or as small as the Ink’d 2 ear buds - just perfect. Worked wonders for us. Pick them up!
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