L for Top 10 Lunch trends in India for 2015

Here is what I think are the top 10 trends of the lunch trends in India for 2015.

1. Increased number of items with less quantity
2. Increased popularity of the health conscious meals
3. More take outs, exploring variety
4. Sudden love for Mexican food. Hello Taco Bell!
5. The rise and rise of the delivery industry
6. Customized food for consumer palates making customer the king
7. Bye-bye sit down eateries. Improvise or move on. Less and less demand for MCD, Pizza Hut and other eat outs
8. Hello takeout beverages! Welcome Starbucks, CCD, Cafe Mondo and other sizzling beverage industry. This looks interesting.
9. Sustainable trends taking over here too - Salads, organic vegetables, positive cooking are here to stay
10. No fat please

#A2Z Challenge #ConsumerPsyche 

Restaurant Review: Delhi's Khan Chacha

So I was told that this place serves the best biryani in Delhi with the most authentic mutton biryani and sheek kebabs. I got to go and see for myself. Khan Chacha is the restaurant in question. There are several branches in Delhi and I was at the one near Connaught Place and we were in for a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is a small shop with an upper deck to take your plate and munch on. As it was a self serviced eatery, there were not many people pushing you around. Once we found a table to sit down, we looked at the menu and decided to try the biryani and the famed sheek kebabs. 

Even the Aam Admi comes here for the kebabs

The decor was done up well with contemporary look and minimalist approach. The relish was the pictures of the celebrities who frequented the place and almost everyone I know has been here. The awards from the foodie world (most of them) had given a high rating and were proudly displayed behind the cashier. Once you have placed your order they foood was made fresh in the kitchen and you could see through the glass. I liked the simple kitchen and by keeping the product offering to a fixed menu, they were able to churn out multiple dishes and service many people.

A hygienic kitchen where fresh food is made to order

The taste was very similar to the Mughalai style and was slightly bland for my taste (I like it with a lot of spices and masalas) but the texture of the kebab was consistent, was dripping with its juices and served hot. The magical dish was the mutton biryani and was delicious. I was glad we had come there as I could taste probably one of the oldest recipes in India for the Mughalai mutton biryani. 

Apart from the non-vegetarian dishes like fish tikka, paneer tikka, chicken tikka you also have a vegetarian paneer tikka, aloo tikka and vegetarian biryani and the rolls are the best sellers. The recipes are passed down from generations when Mr. Khan who started the restaurant in a small shop and grew to what it is today.  Salim and Javed are Khan Chacha's sons who are running the show now and I should say, quite successfully. 

Mutton Sheek Kebab

The Delhi crowd likes it as they are serious about the quality and freshness while being true to the authentic taste of Delhi. The Kebab is the showstopper with its softness, flavours, masala, appropriate chewiness achieved with the right amount of marination. 

I liked the way they adopted the modern fast food culture to an Indian restaurant where they have a self service system as it helps in reducing the burden on service and is loved by the college crowd. If you are Delhi, you must drop in and taste their Kebabs.

Ratings:
Ambiance: 4/5
Parking: Street
Food: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Cost: 4/5 (about 12$ for two)

For more restaurant reviews click here.

Indian street food: Bangalore

I love street food. I am amazed when any of my friends go to a joint outside the city or country and ask for their own fixed food item regardless of what is available on the menu. Some even don't like looking at the menu. India has a great cultural diversity and an amalgamation of cultures is very well documented and experienced by the love of food. You find amazing food places and people on the streets.

One such occasion is during the holy month where our muslin friends celebrate fasting and then in the evening we all go to the streets filled with food, culture, music, chatter and chaos. All around the street corners you would find food stalls selling sweet meats, kebabs, grilled delicacies, fruits, salads, rotis and what not! We love going to Shivaji Nagar in Bangalore and also in Jayanagar where you would find that the street offers you more food than you can offer.

Of course you know my favorite food is haleem and you would find that you cannot eat just one. Smoked kebabs, hari kebabs, biryani, jalebis, samosas, shahi tudka, puffs, parantas, ice cream, wood-fire-cooked dosas, bondas, rice, pulav, fruit mixers and seasoned dates are on my list this year.

If you are an Bangalorean and you are heading in search of good food, make sure you visit Shivaji nagar at least once int he nest week and sample the varied options available and the chance at peeking in to their different cooking styles. Yep Street food is worth romancing and the dream is to be so full that you fall asleep on the way back. Do pack your camera and come with an empty stomach and let the streets of Shivaji Nagar show you some love, share some food and make you as comfortable as home. If you cannot go so far to Shivaji Nagar, head to Jayanagar and you would find the same. Ramadeen Kareem.