#MamaDrinkUp @Mamagoto, Khan Market - cocktails, snacks and alfresco dining!

#MamaDrinkUp was a fun filled event at the terrace of Mamagoto in Khan Market. We at the Delhi Food Club have always loved Mamagoto for its delicious Thai Green Curry, Honey Chicken and Crispy Chilly Potatoes but now with the introduction of interesting cocktails on their menu they have found yet another way to wow us.

   

A very pleasant evening with great drinks and the company of some really good friends, - what can be better than that?

The Mamagoto crew has certainly managed to create innovative concoctions that are not available elsewhere. Their in house spirit infusion include kaffir lime leaf infused in silver tequila, thyme infused with dry gin and so on.

The resultant cocktails are crisper, finer and there isn’t any taste of factory made syrups and other artificial flavours. Nothing is too sweet or too sour, all balanced for the discerning palate.

The restaurant's mixologists have balanced herb with fruit to master some stellar tastes with a rich mouth feel and unique after taste. Apart from this they have flavoured Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Mojitos. The Mojitos were our favourite and I would certainly recommend them to you!

Mayank

Contact: ms.mayank@gmail.com

Restaurant Review: Dhaba By Claridges, DLF Cyber City - 5/5 Stars

Dhaba By Claridges, as I am sure everyone knows by now, is a new funked up franchise of the very popular Claridges Hotel. I say funked up coz the interiors have taken the essence of a roadside Dhaba and added the colour of a Karan Johar movie and the coolth of a Tarantino flick. I mean coloured cutting chai glasses as chandeliers, 'theka' styled steel grills hiding single malts, the interiors itself are worth the price of admission. 

Over to the menu now and at first glance it seems like any other North Indian restaurant however Corporate Chef Ravi Saxena, who very graciously accompanied us, told how each dish has been carefully thought of, keeping actual roadside 'dhabas' in mind. Like authentic dhaba food, dishes here are freshly prepared and served and certain dishes once finished, will not be prepared again in true dhaba style.

You cannot visit this place without trying their cocktails that are named after desi 'tharras'. They come in brilliant little 'tharra' bottles along with salt and spice laced glasses to pour your drink in and are they delicious or what! I had almost all of them and I would highly recommend the 'Santari', 'Toofan' and 'Narangi' (although all others were equally brilliant). If you want to know what is in these drinks, go try for yourself. 

Coming to the food, we started with a mix of veg and non veg fare like Veg galouti kebabs, Tandoori Bhune Aloo, Dhaba Murgh roast, Dhaba Prawns and Tawa Mutton. 

Veg galouti was absolutely sublime and as the Chef said it did not contain any of the traditional ingredients (like rajma) used elsewhere for galoutis. Just everyday vegetables mixed with the right kind of spices.

Tandoori Bhune Aloo were a revelation because they were so perfectly roasted. It reminded me of top London Restaurants serving fantastic roast potatoes cooked in goose fat. They came with a saunth chutney and more importantly that sprinkling of fresh onions and tomatoes, Dhaba style. 

Dhaba murgh roast and the Prawns were again great but the best starter was Tawa Mutton. Fantastic pieces of perfectly cooked mutton and an amazingly light (uncommon for meat dishes) and flavourful curry. This dish was truly the work of a master chef.

In between the starters and the mains, the Dhaba staff did a jig on 'Badtameez Dil' and I was just one 'Santari' shy of joining them. Much to everyone's relief I did not. 

The mains included Butter Chicken, Dal Dhaba, Amritsari Chole , Balti Meat, Kanastari Baingan Bharta (Chef's specal recommendations) and a magnificent Chicken Pulao. 

Now, the Butter chicken and Daal were expectedly great but the Baingan ka Bharta was drool-worthy. It was the best I've ever had (Sorry mom) and its genius lies in its simplicity. 

The Balti meat was again great and a special mention has to be given to the amount of meat that this dish has. A carnivores wet dream I say (Hows that for a South Indian reference).

I really loved the Chole too especially that tamarind water accompaniment, which elevated it to greatness.

This is one of those few places where I categorically did not miss non vegetarian food at all and I never thought it will be possible.

My stomach still had space for desserts, (not kidding) and they did not disappoint. The phirni was wow!. It might be a tad sweeter than most places but I like that more (Sorry Karims). The Badam Halwa was outstanding and so were the Gulab Jamuns but I genuinely think I had great Rasmalai after aeons. Soft, 'chenadaar' and subtly sweet, I was a bite away from a proposal (No really!!). 

Finally our meal was topped of with a 'Panditji' ka special meetha paan, reminding us of the restaurant's roots.

There is also a very cool weighing machine at the entrance that gives away your fortune by placing coins in it ( Don't worry the coins are provided by the restaurant).

I think Dhaba by Claridges is a phenomenal restaurant where food, ambience and mood create a very unique blend. It is a place you are going to go repeatedly and puts a smile on your face. When was the last time you visited a restaurant like that?

Photo Credit: Shivangi Reviews 
(www.shivangireviews.com)

MNIK- A significant film

Since I have so many opinions on movies I decided to take Shivangi's advice and review films that I see from now on. The last flick I saw was an impressive My Name is Khan and here is my review.

There is something about SRK. Over the years he has taught us to romance, to overact, to self promote but has done all of this with a lot of charm and energy. These two words along with sincerity are what make MNIK worth watching.

The film is basically about Rizwan Khan, who is a simple and pure person at heart and thus sees the world as black and white. People are either good or bad (as his mother had taught him when he was young) and leads his life as such (reflected cleverly in his salesman scenes). He comes to America falls in love with Mandira (Kajol) and ends up marrying her. They live a happy "suburban dream life" till 9/11 happens. Post 9/11 they are victimised for being Muslims and when Mandira loses her son to a bunch of yobs she blames Rizwan's last name for all of this. SRK then travels through America to meet the President and tell him what all of us know by heart by now ..My name is Khan and I'm not a terrorist.

Credit must be given where its due. It is commendable that Karan Johar has finally listened to his critics and made a film that has heart and rooted in reality. Especially heart warming is the detailing shown by Johar with respect to the house and locality Rizwan stays in. This coming from a director who not too long ago showed Ferraris speeding through Chandni Chowk! Even the technical department is five star with rural America never looking this pretty in a long time.

Coming to the performances Kajol is good though better than her character allows her to be. Her role is not too well written with most cliches intact but it takes an actor like Kajol to make everything seem effortless. She shines in a few scenes though (the hospital scene comes to mind) but her chemistry with SRK is just so natural and warm you seriously wish them endless screen time.

Shah Rukh Khan on the other hand delivers a stellar performance. His performance might not be Naseeruddin Shah in Sparsh or even Hrithik in Koi Mil Gaya but he has such fantastic believability and charm that he does win everyone over. When SRK underacts he is most enjoyable (Swades and Chak de case in point), in this film however he has treaded that fine line between believability and histrionics beautifully. There are many parts in the film where you cannot but have a lump in your throat and all because of Shah Rukh Khan's honesty .

This film is not above flaws though. It is still marred by Johar's habit of schmaltz and the background score jars at all the wrong moments. In fact those bits that do not have SRK tend to drag but the moment SRK comes on screen you are engaged.

A journalist recently asked Karan Johar how many years does he think the superstars of our industry have as out and out heroes and he said 3 to 4 years at the most. I think of all the current superstars Shah Rukh is really the one who has tried to somewhat break the mould in the last 5 years. With My Name is Khan he has taken it to another level.