What you see - Simple yet elegant, and small yet big, the Noodle Bar at Hyderabad Central offers a lot more besides loads of noodle delights. Now it seems to be a modestly sized restaurant from the foyer but the saying, 'Looks can be deceptive' turns out to be dead right with this one! Because very soon you will learn that the three juxtaposed restaurants - Bombay Blue, Noodle Bar and Copper Chimney - are owned by a single family and come under the Blue Foods banner.
Enter into any of these three restaurants where glass acts as a dividing wall, and you, by all means will get a feel of being present in one huge restaurant. Though the kitchens are separate since they serve different cuisines, the bar is common for all the three. The bar serves cocktails, mocktails and alcohol.
What you get - Basically serving lunch and dinner, the menu at the Noodle Bar features Thai, Japanese, Chinese and other types of Oriental cuisine and is quite vast with both the starters as well as the main course. One good thing about the menu is that it is self-explanatory. If the quaint names of some of the dishes make you wonder, then the accompanying description give you a lucid account of what to expect.
Try their special Tom Yam Thai (Thai soup with noodles, veggies and wantons) and dim sums for starters. Another specialty of the place is the Teppanyaki sizzlers. Try these out if you would like to get an idea of the Japanese style of cooking. These are available in both the vegetarian and the non-vegetarian variety.
If you, however, are of the kinds who prefers to stick to what you usually eat then go ahead and get your own choice of tossed noodles made. The servings here are (more than) sufficient for one person. Otherwise the Noodle Bar Signature - a combo of rice and noodles with vegetables - can stand as a meal in itself. By the way, there is no better way of ending it than with the sizzling brownie here. A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with heavenly hot chocolate fudge is how we would define it.
The verdict - If your craving for a perfect Chinese luncheon has remained unfulfilled of late, then Noodle Bar is a good and a gratifying option. Veggies have enough to choose from over here even though it serves non-vegetarian food as well. You need not wait long for your meal to arrive here. Hospitality, in fact, may just become another reason for you to step in again. All in all, a great way to end your shopping endeavor at Hyderabad Central.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Taste of Italy in Hyderabad - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - Have you ever wondered why Little Italy serves only vegetarian food? Well, we think we have the inside information. It is because the owners of the company are Gujaratis.
Now here's another piece of background. The brand was actually started by an Italian chef called Don Giovani, 17 years back, when he came to visit Osho's Ashram in Pune. So he started something called La Pizzeria that still runs in Pune with the same name. Little Italy was started later in time.
The brand has now expanded to multiple cities like Mumbai, Goa and our very own Hyderabad. And while Giovani is no longer the owner of the company, he makes it a point to come to India to advice on the menu and the cooking style. After all, Little Italy is known for its authentic Italian cuisine.
Little Italy in Hyderabad reminds you of a small cottage. Homely in appearance and minimal when it comes to decor, this restaurant-cum-bar allows you to dine inside as well as alfresco.
What you get - Now when you take a look at the menu over here, don't get embarrassed if you cannot pronounce most of the names over here. And by the way, try to even ignore the spelling mistakes like "mouse cake" instead of "mousse cake". Just ask the captain and he will guide you. We went for Zuppa Di Pomodoro (we told you, don't let the names bewilder you...it's just plain tomato soup), Chiller and Pasta Barberesca.
The tomato soup was ordinary, the Chiller (a mint-based drink) was refreshing and the Pasta Barberesca (pasta with creamy tomato sauce, tomatoes, broccoli, parmesan cheese with pepper and garlic) was awesome. Well, we did not leave anything on the plate. Of course, apart from the taste, the small quantity could be one of the reasons to.
As far as the prices are concerned, Little Italy charges a little on the higher side (probably because of the rich cheese and herbs that they use in the dishes). So the Chiller or any other non-alcoholic drink would cost you about Rs. 130, a main course dish about Rs. 260, soups about Rs. 100 and desserts about Rs. 120. By the way, they also offer Indian wine and according to Passary, in a month's time, imported wine will be on the menu as well.
So the bottom line is that the food tastes great here and is a must-try when you are looking for something beyond the ubiquitous Naan and Paneer Butter Masala. The areas where they could improve however are with regard to the interiors and service. The walls seem like they need a fresh coat of paint.
In fact, Little Italy also has a boutique inside which has ethnic apparel, bags and accessories designed by Vinita Passary (yes, she is Vikas' wife). There was no sales executive at the boutique as well, giving you the impression that the stuff there is just for display and not for sale.
The verdict - We recommend that you dine outside to see the chefs making those pizzas for you. Vikas Passary, the brand owner for Little Italy in Hyderabad, actually says that it is these pizzas that sell the most at the restaurant because nowhere else can the Hyderabadis get a taste of wood-fired pizzas in the city.
And the service? Well, we had a wrong dish served on our table. And did we forget the parking space? It can squeeze in only about 3 cars and 6 two-wheelers. Now that's really little for Little Italy!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
Now here's another piece of background. The brand was actually started by an Italian chef called Don Giovani, 17 years back, when he came to visit Osho's Ashram in Pune. So he started something called La Pizzeria that still runs in Pune with the same name. Little Italy was started later in time.
The brand has now expanded to multiple cities like Mumbai, Goa and our very own Hyderabad. And while Giovani is no longer the owner of the company, he makes it a point to come to India to advice on the menu and the cooking style. After all, Little Italy is known for its authentic Italian cuisine.
Little Italy in Hyderabad reminds you of a small cottage. Homely in appearance and minimal when it comes to decor, this restaurant-cum-bar allows you to dine inside as well as alfresco.
What you get - Now when you take a look at the menu over here, don't get embarrassed if you cannot pronounce most of the names over here. And by the way, try to even ignore the spelling mistakes like "mouse cake" instead of "mousse cake". Just ask the captain and he will guide you. We went for Zuppa Di Pomodoro (we told you, don't let the names bewilder you...it's just plain tomato soup), Chiller and Pasta Barberesca.
The tomato soup was ordinary, the Chiller (a mint-based drink) was refreshing and the Pasta Barberesca (pasta with creamy tomato sauce, tomatoes, broccoli, parmesan cheese with pepper and garlic) was awesome. Well, we did not leave anything on the plate. Of course, apart from the taste, the small quantity could be one of the reasons to.
As far as the prices are concerned, Little Italy charges a little on the higher side (probably because of the rich cheese and herbs that they use in the dishes). So the Chiller or any other non-alcoholic drink would cost you about Rs. 130, a main course dish about Rs. 260, soups about Rs. 100 and desserts about Rs. 120. By the way, they also offer Indian wine and according to Passary, in a month's time, imported wine will be on the menu as well.
So the bottom line is that the food tastes great here and is a must-try when you are looking for something beyond the ubiquitous Naan and Paneer Butter Masala. The areas where they could improve however are with regard to the interiors and service. The walls seem like they need a fresh coat of paint.
In fact, Little Italy also has a boutique inside which has ethnic apparel, bags and accessories designed by Vinita Passary (yes, she is Vikas' wife). There was no sales executive at the boutique as well, giving you the impression that the stuff there is just for display and not for sale.
The verdict - We recommend that you dine outside to see the chefs making those pizzas for you. Vikas Passary, the brand owner for Little Italy in Hyderabad, actually says that it is these pizzas that sell the most at the restaurant because nowhere else can the Hyderabadis get a taste of wood-fired pizzas in the city.
And the service? Well, we had a wrong dish served on our table. And did we forget the parking space? It can squeeze in only about 3 cars and 6 two-wheelers. Now that's really little for Little Italy!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
Colorful Cuisine at Bombay Vihar - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - Colors and radiant ones at that. Yellows, reds and pinks may carry a kitschy feel today when it comes to restaurants. But when it comes to Bombay Vihar, these colors fit in quite well. That's because they symbolize the basic positioning of this restaurant which serves cuisine from the western regions of the country.
To put things into perspective, how would you like a plate of thepla (Gujarati cuisine - type of bread) or misal pav (Maharashtrian cuisine - lentils and bread) being served on a white table cloth with brown and beige interiors? Or would you even like someone in bow tie to serve you a thali of Rajasthani culinary delights? Nah! So that's the reason why those in-your-face colors don't really make you go Ugh! So what if they are everywhere! On the walls, in the seating arrangements, in the traditional paper lanterns and even on the bearers.
What you get - Bombay Vihar serves Rajasthani, Maharashtrian, Gujarati and even some North Indian cuisine. All the food here is pure vegetarian. You can decide to pick and choose what you wish to try here or even go for the regional thalis.
They even have something called the Paschimi thali here that is served from Monday to Thursday. This meal is an amalgamation of Gujarati, Maharashtrian and Rajasthani fare. So it is a good bet for someone who wishes to sample cuisine from all of these regions at one go.
What you get in this thali ranges from farsaan (snacks and savories) to chaas (butter-milk). Khichdi kadi (rice hotchpotch with curd-based gravy dish) and theplas (thin wheat-based bread) are a must-try. If you are going a la carte, the individual items that you could try are sabudana vada (sago crispies), sev tamata nu shaak (gravy made from tomatoes and sev which is crisp vermicelli made from gram flour) and misal pav. These are authentically delicious.
The verdict - If you are looking to try something different from the regular fare and are in the mood to experiment, this place is a good bet. The thalisare the best options you could go for. The service is efficient but not comparable to the ones that you see in authentic Gujarati restaurants. Ambience is interesting and suitable for an informal dine-out. Parking space is ample as it is located in the building that houses Lifestyle.
To put things into perspective, how would you like a plate of thepla (Gujarati cuisine - type of bread) or misal pav (Maharashtrian cuisine - lentils and bread) being served on a white table cloth with brown and beige interiors? Or would you even like someone in bow tie to serve you a thali of Rajasthani culinary delights? Nah! So that's the reason why those in-your-face colors don't really make you go Ugh! So what if they are everywhere! On the walls, in the seating arrangements, in the traditional paper lanterns and even on the bearers.
What you get - Bombay Vihar serves Rajasthani, Maharashtrian, Gujarati and even some North Indian cuisine. All the food here is pure vegetarian. You can decide to pick and choose what you wish to try here or even go for the regional thalis.
They even have something called the Paschimi thali here that is served from Monday to Thursday. This meal is an amalgamation of Gujarati, Maharashtrian and Rajasthani fare. So it is a good bet for someone who wishes to sample cuisine from all of these regions at one go.
What you get in this thali ranges from farsaan (snacks and savories) to chaas (butter-milk). Khichdi kadi (rice hotchpotch with curd-based gravy dish) and theplas (thin wheat-based bread) are a must-try. If you are going a la carte, the individual items that you could try are sabudana vada (sago crispies), sev tamata nu shaak (gravy made from tomatoes and sev which is crisp vermicelli made from gram flour) and misal pav. These are authentically delicious.
The verdict - If you are looking to try something different from the regular fare and are in the mood to experiment, this place is a good bet. The thalisare the best options you could go for. The service is efficient but not comparable to the ones that you see in authentic Gujarati restaurants. Ambience is interesting and suitable for an informal dine-out. Parking space is ample as it is located in the building that houses Lifestyle.
Chutneys, For Dosas - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - The really cramped entrance with Lord Ganesha guarding the extended threshold is what you see first of this no-nonsense restaurant, Chutneys. The interiors are kept to the bare minimum with cane chairs and wood look-alike tables. The music they play is also predominantly south Indian or old classis, be it Hindi or Telugu. While you wait for the menu or food, they have a paper tablemat with Calvin & Hobbes cartoons and word jumble to keep you occupied.
What you get - The restaurant is famous for its south Indian fare. They also serve North Indian, Chinese and Jain cuisine. But these are priced above the norm. Being in this restaurant and not trying their specialties would be a crime.
As it is primarily a South Indian place, varieties of dosas and idlis decorate a major part of their menu. The crispy Rava dosa is priced at Rs 62. Apart from the regular Masala dosa (Rs. 58), Idli, Vada, they have a Steamed dosa for Rs. 58 and their menu states it was perfected especially for actor Chiranjeevi. They have Babai Hotel Idli (Idli soaked in butter and ghee). One of the items, which will immediately capture your attention is the Four Utthapam fare (Mango Utappam, Onion Utappam, Pudina Utappam and Karam Utappam).
Just before your food is served, they serve you the Chutneys that they are famous for. It comes with a handle that supports four containers. One of it is a pure coconut chutney and the others are dal-based chutney, tomato chutney and ginger chutney. The sambar they serve you here is obviously made with love as the ingredients perfectly blend and yet it's not thick.
The Steamed dosa, resembles an appam as it is spotted with air holes and is white. If well cooked it melts in your mouth and it is best when eaten with the tomato chutney and Sambar. For those of you who wouldn't mind the sweetness of grated coconut, you could try it with that too. The Babai Hotel Idli comes soaked in ghee and you can see butter melting on it. This is for those ghee lovers.
Other than their specialties, they also have dosas with different vegetarian fillings, be it mushroom, paneer or baby corn. We tried their Baby Corn dosa as well which came a little undercooked. As far as the beverages are concerned, you should try the buttermilk here which is made to perfection. They also have fresh juices on offer at around Rs. 65.
What you get - The restaurant is famous for its south Indian fare. They also serve North Indian, Chinese and Jain cuisine. But these are priced above the norm. Being in this restaurant and not trying their specialties would be a crime.
As it is primarily a South Indian place, varieties of dosas and idlis decorate a major part of their menu. The crispy Rava dosa is priced at Rs 62. Apart from the regular Masala dosa (Rs. 58), Idli, Vada, they have a Steamed dosa for Rs. 58 and their menu states it was perfected especially for actor Chiranjeevi. They have Babai Hotel Idli (Idli soaked in butter and ghee). One of the items, which will immediately capture your attention is the Four Utthapam fare (Mango Utappam, Onion Utappam, Pudina Utappam and Karam Utappam).
Just before your food is served, they serve you the Chutneys that they are famous for. It comes with a handle that supports four containers. One of it is a pure coconut chutney and the others are dal-based chutney, tomato chutney and ginger chutney. The sambar they serve you here is obviously made with love as the ingredients perfectly blend and yet it's not thick.
The Steamed dosa, resembles an appam as it is spotted with air holes and is white. If well cooked it melts in your mouth and it is best when eaten with the tomato chutney and Sambar. For those of you who wouldn't mind the sweetness of grated coconut, you could try it with that too. The Babai Hotel Idli comes soaked in ghee and you can see butter melting on it. This is for those ghee lovers.
Other than their specialties, they also have dosas with different vegetarian fillings, be it mushroom, paneer or baby corn. We tried their Baby Corn dosa as well which came a little undercooked. As far as the beverages are concerned, you should try the buttermilk here which is made to perfection. They also have fresh juices on offer at around Rs. 65.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Malaysian Cuisine at Awana - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - A pretty woman in black with a muted red belt ushers you into Awana, the Malaysian restaurant. Just across the foyer is the bar, with low tables and leather cushions on your left and regular tables on your right. You will find that this is a two-storied restaurant with the staircase lined with pictures of buildings in Malaysia and done up with wooden paneling. And the "Visit Malaysia" advertisement screams at you from quite a few places in the restaurant.
What you get - Run by a true blue Malaysian, this restaurant offers you authentic Malaysian food and the owner is not high-nosed either. You will find him serving at some table or the other. The staff offers you a wet towel as soon as you are seated and that can be a refreshing thing to use. But once they hand over the leather bound menu, it is sure to read like Greek and Latin to most. So, like we did, you could take help from the captain or the person taking your orders.
As Malaysian cuisine is known for its sea food, we decided to try the Udang Garam Lada Hitam, which in common parlance is crispy golden prawns stir fried with spring onions and green leaves for starters. It was made to perfection. The prawns were cooked well, were just crispy enough and went well with the peppery spring onions. A platter gives you seven tiger prawn pieces for Rs. 380.
For vegetarians too, this place is a delight. We tried the Murtabak sayur. It is a paratha stuffed with vegetables, but that is where the Indian connection ends. This one comes with vegetables stir fried with pepper dressing and then stuffed in. You get the taste of each vegetable and yet together, their taste is subdued. It is served with pickled carrots and onions and a dip, which resembles the South Indian onion curry, but here they have used more of tamarind. It complements the taste of Murtabak Ayur.
For main course we ordered Nasi Lemak, which is priced at Rs. 220. In simpler terms, it is the Malaysian version of our thali. It comes with coconut rice, lamb curry and peanut masala. The rice was steamed with coconut milk and the peanut masala had a touch of seafood taste to it. You could also try fragrant rice, which is plain rice, with any of the curries.
We recommend the Kari Ayam Masaman, which is chicken curry cooked with coconut milk. It comes with a lot of vegetables such as brinjal, ladies finger and beans. Though boneless, the chicken is not cube-shaped. Seafood lovers could try it with Kari Ikkam. This is red snapper in coconut curry with okra and aubergine. As this restaurant serves wine, you could wash it down with Madeira's white wine. This is priced at Rs. 190 for 150 ml.
That is not all. They have soups and satays (Malaysian style barbeque) and special Malaysian bread, roti canai. They have tofu and tomato starters too. With main course, you could always try the items in the claypot section. It can substitute for a heavy soup by itself. It has Chinese cabbages, mushrooms, aubergine, dried chilli, spring onions, soya sauce, rice wine and chicken. All this for Rs. 200. The regular fare of fried rice and noodles also find a mention in the menu. But if you want to try authentic Malaysian cuisine, please don't wander further down the menu card.
To sweeten the meal, you could opt for Dadar. It is a pancake with sweet coconut shavings. But the ideal way to end the meal would be to try the Teh Larik, which is the Malaysian pulled tea and is served with milk and coconut cream on top. The taste lingers long after it is downed. There is even the special variety of crispy sweetened bread served with vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sauce for Rs. 120. It makes for a wonderful end to the meal.
The verdict - The ambiance settles you in fast, save for the jamming noise from the pub Afterlife next door. The lights are not too muted either. The service is attentive. It pleases to see them serve beer without any froth on the top. If the food is delayed, they tell you immediately and apologize too. Our meal got served at another table, yet they informed us of the reason.
But please crosscheck the bill, as the names appear similar to first-timers. They billed us for a non-vegetarian dish though we had ordered for a vegetarian one. You will find a lot of Malaysians frequent this restaurant so the food must definitely taste like home-food for them. And valet parking is available. This restaurant is worth going back to anytime.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
What you get - Run by a true blue Malaysian, this restaurant offers you authentic Malaysian food and the owner is not high-nosed either. You will find him serving at some table or the other. The staff offers you a wet towel as soon as you are seated and that can be a refreshing thing to use. But once they hand over the leather bound menu, it is sure to read like Greek and Latin to most. So, like we did, you could take help from the captain or the person taking your orders.
As Malaysian cuisine is known for its sea food, we decided to try the Udang Garam Lada Hitam, which in common parlance is crispy golden prawns stir fried with spring onions and green leaves for starters. It was made to perfection. The prawns were cooked well, were just crispy enough and went well with the peppery spring onions. A platter gives you seven tiger prawn pieces for Rs. 380.
For vegetarians too, this place is a delight. We tried the Murtabak sayur. It is a paratha stuffed with vegetables, but that is where the Indian connection ends. This one comes with vegetables stir fried with pepper dressing and then stuffed in. You get the taste of each vegetable and yet together, their taste is subdued. It is served with pickled carrots and onions and a dip, which resembles the South Indian onion curry, but here they have used more of tamarind. It complements the taste of Murtabak Ayur.
For main course we ordered Nasi Lemak, which is priced at Rs. 220. In simpler terms, it is the Malaysian version of our thali. It comes with coconut rice, lamb curry and peanut masala. The rice was steamed with coconut milk and the peanut masala had a touch of seafood taste to it. You could also try fragrant rice, which is plain rice, with any of the curries.
We recommend the Kari Ayam Masaman, which is chicken curry cooked with coconut milk. It comes with a lot of vegetables such as brinjal, ladies finger and beans. Though boneless, the chicken is not cube-shaped. Seafood lovers could try it with Kari Ikkam. This is red snapper in coconut curry with okra and aubergine. As this restaurant serves wine, you could wash it down with Madeira's white wine. This is priced at Rs. 190 for 150 ml.
That is not all. They have soups and satays (Malaysian style barbeque) and special Malaysian bread, roti canai. They have tofu and tomato starters too. With main course, you could always try the items in the claypot section. It can substitute for a heavy soup by itself. It has Chinese cabbages, mushrooms, aubergine, dried chilli, spring onions, soya sauce, rice wine and chicken. All this for Rs. 200. The regular fare of fried rice and noodles also find a mention in the menu. But if you want to try authentic Malaysian cuisine, please don't wander further down the menu card.
To sweeten the meal, you could opt for Dadar. It is a pancake with sweet coconut shavings. But the ideal way to end the meal would be to try the Teh Larik, which is the Malaysian pulled tea and is served with milk and coconut cream on top. The taste lingers long after it is downed. There is even the special variety of crispy sweetened bread served with vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sauce for Rs. 120. It makes for a wonderful end to the meal.
The verdict - The ambiance settles you in fast, save for the jamming noise from the pub Afterlife next door. The lights are not too muted either. The service is attentive. It pleases to see them serve beer without any froth on the top. If the food is delayed, they tell you immediately and apologize too. Our meal got served at another table, yet they informed us of the reason.
But please crosscheck the bill, as the names appear similar to first-timers. They billed us for a non-vegetarian dish though we had ordered for a vegetarian one. You will find a lot of Malaysians frequent this restaurant so the food must definitely taste like home-food for them. And valet parking is available. This restaurant is worth going back to anytime.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
Chinese Delights at Oysters Blue - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - Oysters Blue restaurant is easy to miss unless you are really looking for it. But enter the place and it overpowers you with its soft ambiance. Hues of blue and green complemented with aqua wall hangings, mood lighting, and soft music fit well with the name of this restaurant.
On the walls are LCD screens, featuring the latest fad. We weren't surprised to find cricket on it most of the time. After all, it is the continuing cult in India. In one corner there's a non-alcoholic bar, with all the beverages stocked in slotted shelves.
What you get - On the menu is an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian and Chinese dishes. You won't find any exotic dishes here, so it is best to go for the usual ones. If you opt for a Chinese meal then the Veg Spring Rolls as an appetizer combined with any soup is a good start.
For the main course, the Hakka Noodles are delectable and combined with the Szechwan Chicken or Chilli Mushroom, make the meal complete. The portions are generous and so a bowl of each dish for two people is more than ample.
On the menu to drink is a variety of non-alcoholic drinks like fresh fruit juices, healthy milkshakes and of course, aerated drinks. For desserts, there's a whole range of ice-cream based ones. Recommended is Crackers, a fig and honey ice cream topped with mixed nuts. Sinful, but just a wee bit!
The verdict - We recommend Oysters Blue for those looking for a good affordable meal, served in reasonable time, and in a pleasant and hygienic ambience. The staff is pleasant and friendly. Parking space is available though limited. They also have branches in Kothaguda, Kondapur and KPHB Colony. And for all those who don't feel like a drive out, they offer home delivery (free within 4 kilometer radius) too.
What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 500
Drive to - Oysters Blue, Sanjeev Enclave Lane next to Seetha Ramanjaneya temple, Opp. Jayabheri Silicon County, White Fields, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 34.
Call at - 040-64530644/45
Anytime between - 12 PM - 4 PM and 7 PM - 11 PM.
Hyderabad Restaurants has been written by Shah Barkha for MetroMela.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
On the walls are LCD screens, featuring the latest fad. We weren't surprised to find cricket on it most of the time. After all, it is the continuing cult in India. In one corner there's a non-alcoholic bar, with all the beverages stocked in slotted shelves.
What you get - On the menu is an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian and Chinese dishes. You won't find any exotic dishes here, so it is best to go for the usual ones. If you opt for a Chinese meal then the Veg Spring Rolls as an appetizer combined with any soup is a good start.
For the main course, the Hakka Noodles are delectable and combined with the Szechwan Chicken or Chilli Mushroom, make the meal complete. The portions are generous and so a bowl of each dish for two people is more than ample.
On the menu to drink is a variety of non-alcoholic drinks like fresh fruit juices, healthy milkshakes and of course, aerated drinks. For desserts, there's a whole range of ice-cream based ones. Recommended is Crackers, a fig and honey ice cream topped with mixed nuts. Sinful, but just a wee bit!
The verdict - We recommend Oysters Blue for those looking for a good affordable meal, served in reasonable time, and in a pleasant and hygienic ambience. The staff is pleasant and friendly. Parking space is available though limited. They also have branches in Kothaguda, Kondapur and KPHB Colony. And for all those who don't feel like a drive out, they offer home delivery (free within 4 kilometer radius) too.
What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 500
Drive to - Oysters Blue, Sanjeev Enclave Lane next to Seetha Ramanjaneya temple, Opp. Jayabheri Silicon County, White Fields, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 34.
Call at - 040-64530644/45
Anytime between - 12 PM - 4 PM and 7 PM - 11 PM.
Hyderabad Restaurants has been written by Shah Barkha for MetroMela.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shah_Barkha
Soups and Salads at Cassia - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - Am impressive façade of the Hampshire Plaza Hotel greets you when you walk in from the ever busy Lakdi-ka-Pul area. The serenity inside is a welcome change from the chaotic traffic outside. The spacious lobby of the hotel leads you to their coffee shop Cassia. This place has a touch of class to it. The aroma of the buffet laid out leads you in.
There is a separate smoking and non-smoking section here. There are television sets across the room which are on mute. Light pop music plays in the background.
What you get - The restaurant serves Continental, Chinese, Indian and Italian fare but the real treat is their very elaborate buffet spread which gives you an all inclusive treat of all these cuisines of the world.
You should try the soups and salads buffet here. The selection starts with a wide variety of freshly baked Italian breads to choose from along with varieties of soups. For the calorie-conscious, the selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian salads is delicious. There is the traditional Chicken Caesar salad with Italian dressing, yogurt and cottage cheese salad, pasta salad, Mediterranean chickpea salad, Cobb salad, mixed fruit salad, creamy potato salad, cucumber salad, broccoli salad and many more. The salad menu is updated with new combinations every week so that you never get bored with the selection on offer.
If you plan to go a la carte, we'd recommend that you try the good selection of kebabs and continental starters. Do take a look at the coffee and milkshakes on offer as the chef whips up tasty delights. Go for the shot of espresso here if you like it dark and strong. The dessert list ranges from the continental chocolate tarts and soufflés to the very Indian Motichur Laddu and Sevaiyan Rabdi.
Our verdict - The best part about the restaurant is that it is open 24/7 and has staff that is courteous and willing to serve. While the food smells and tastes good, what's also worth mentioning is their selection of foreign liquor and wine. If you are celebrating, they have a bottle of champagne. Otherwise, there is even a vintage bottle of wine. Buffet option is available for lunch, dinner and even at midnight. There is valet parking facility available.
What you pay for a meal for two - around Rs. 800
Drive to - Cassia
Hampshire Plaza Hotel
6 -1 - 79 & 80, Lakdi-Ka-Pul,
Hyderabad- 04.
Call at - 040-23335555.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
There is a separate smoking and non-smoking section here. There are television sets across the room which are on mute. Light pop music plays in the background.
What you get - The restaurant serves Continental, Chinese, Indian and Italian fare but the real treat is their very elaborate buffet spread which gives you an all inclusive treat of all these cuisines of the world.
You should try the soups and salads buffet here. The selection starts with a wide variety of freshly baked Italian breads to choose from along with varieties of soups. For the calorie-conscious, the selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian salads is delicious. There is the traditional Chicken Caesar salad with Italian dressing, yogurt and cottage cheese salad, pasta salad, Mediterranean chickpea salad, Cobb salad, mixed fruit salad, creamy potato salad, cucumber salad, broccoli salad and many more. The salad menu is updated with new combinations every week so that you never get bored with the selection on offer.
If you plan to go a la carte, we'd recommend that you try the good selection of kebabs and continental starters. Do take a look at the coffee and milkshakes on offer as the chef whips up tasty delights. Go for the shot of espresso here if you like it dark and strong. The dessert list ranges from the continental chocolate tarts and soufflés to the very Indian Motichur Laddu and Sevaiyan Rabdi.
Our verdict - The best part about the restaurant is that it is open 24/7 and has staff that is courteous and willing to serve. While the food smells and tastes good, what's also worth mentioning is their selection of foreign liquor and wine. If you are celebrating, they have a bottle of champagne. Otherwise, there is even a vintage bottle of wine. Buffet option is available for lunch, dinner and even at midnight. There is valet parking facility available.
What you pay for a meal for two - around Rs. 800
Drive to - Cassia
Hampshire Plaza Hotel
6 -1 - 79 & 80, Lakdi-Ka-Pul,
Hyderabad- 04.
Call at - 040-23335555.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
Hyderabad's Paan Shops For Meetha, Saada Or Maghai - Food in Hyderabad
Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan may have immortalized the Benarasi Paan but this palate cleanser and mouth freshener has always been an inherent part of the city's culinary temptations. The Seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan is also said to have been quite fond of the paandaan, a casket used to store these betel leaves. No wonder then that Hyderabad has a good mix of small Paan Dabbas as well as special paan boutiques. Here is a list of some popular ones in the city.
PVS Paan Mahal Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.
If there was a place that could be defined as an opulent Paan Shop this would be it. It has a menu where you can take your pick from with the ingredients like supari, gulkand, qiwam, kattha, chuna and tambaku on display like it were a showroom. In terms of varieties you can choose from sada (simple), meetha (sweet) to the maghai (the twin variety), rampiyari, baba kashmiri etc. Their kalkatta meetha paan is quite a mouthful. They also serve a designer paan with real silver and gold waraq (silver leaf) and it costs a mind boggling Rs. 2,500. Also available outside are the very enticing ice golas (ice candies) which go perfectly with the paan. This place also has a huge collection of international bada suttas.
Dimmy Paan Palace Sindhi Colony, Prenderghast Road, Secunderabad.
Made on the lines of PVS Paan Mahal, Dimmy Paan Palace is another designer paan shops in the city. This place has more of an evening hangout feel to it with chaat, sandwiches, ice golas and soft drinks also available here. Their specialty is the kalkatta meenakshi paan which has a minty flavor and is filled with elaichi (cardamom). Do try their rampiyari as well and do not forget to ask for soft supari (bhuna hua chaliya) in your paan if you are not too keen on teeth-grinding. We recommend the kalkatta meetha paan with extra gulkand (rose sugar), saunf (fennel), elaichi, laung (clove) and kesar (saffron) for the complete experience. This place also has a good collection of international suttas and bada suttas.
Blue Diamond Paan Shop Near LB Stadium, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
For a feel of the old neighborhood corner paan dabba experience, hop over to the Blue Diamond Paan Shop at Basheerbagh. This place has been running successfully for over forty years now. Their specialty is the regular patta meetha paan which is quite nicely folded into a small paan holder. They also have a selection of very traditional paans such as the Navratan and Kashmiri and also offer unique mixes like the Navratan Meenakshi and the Navratan Rampiyari. Looking for suggestions from the paanwala himself? That's available too.
Paan Shop Near Sahib Sindh Sultan, 5th Floor City Centre Mall, Banjara Hills Road No.1, Hyderabad.
This is nestled in a corner near Sahib Sindh Sultan restaurant. The paanwala is dressed in typical Benarasi style with a dhoti and a Nehru cap with a nice moustache. This shop's specialty is its maghai (twin paans). The meetha paan is also quite tasty and the supari is quite soft. Also on offer is the kesar filled rampiyari which is a nice twist to an already popular paan. It's a must stop after a meal at one of the BJN restaurants here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
PVS Paan Mahal Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.
If there was a place that could be defined as an opulent Paan Shop this would be it. It has a menu where you can take your pick from with the ingredients like supari, gulkand, qiwam, kattha, chuna and tambaku on display like it were a showroom. In terms of varieties you can choose from sada (simple), meetha (sweet) to the maghai (the twin variety), rampiyari, baba kashmiri etc. Their kalkatta meetha paan is quite a mouthful. They also serve a designer paan with real silver and gold waraq (silver leaf) and it costs a mind boggling Rs. 2,500. Also available outside are the very enticing ice golas (ice candies) which go perfectly with the paan. This place also has a huge collection of international bada suttas.
Dimmy Paan Palace Sindhi Colony, Prenderghast Road, Secunderabad.
Made on the lines of PVS Paan Mahal, Dimmy Paan Palace is another designer paan shops in the city. This place has more of an evening hangout feel to it with chaat, sandwiches, ice golas and soft drinks also available here. Their specialty is the kalkatta meenakshi paan which has a minty flavor and is filled with elaichi (cardamom). Do try their rampiyari as well and do not forget to ask for soft supari (bhuna hua chaliya) in your paan if you are not too keen on teeth-grinding. We recommend the kalkatta meetha paan with extra gulkand (rose sugar), saunf (fennel), elaichi, laung (clove) and kesar (saffron) for the complete experience. This place also has a good collection of international suttas and bada suttas.
Blue Diamond Paan Shop Near LB Stadium, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
For a feel of the old neighborhood corner paan dabba experience, hop over to the Blue Diamond Paan Shop at Basheerbagh. This place has been running successfully for over forty years now. Their specialty is the regular patta meetha paan which is quite nicely folded into a small paan holder. They also have a selection of very traditional paans such as the Navratan and Kashmiri and also offer unique mixes like the Navratan Meenakshi and the Navratan Rampiyari. Looking for suggestions from the paanwala himself? That's available too.
Paan Shop Near Sahib Sindh Sultan, 5th Floor City Centre Mall, Banjara Hills Road No.1, Hyderabad.
This is nestled in a corner near Sahib Sindh Sultan restaurant. The paanwala is dressed in typical Benarasi style with a dhoti and a Nehru cap with a nice moustache. This shop's specialty is its maghai (twin paans). The meetha paan is also quite tasty and the supari is quite soft. Also on offer is the kesar filled rampiyari which is a nice twist to an already popular paan. It's a must stop after a meal at one of the BJN restaurants here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hyderabadi Biryani at Bombay Palace - Restaurants in Hyderabad
What you see - Right along the chaotic Lakdi-ka-Pul junction is The Hampshire Plaza hotel. The huge lobby leads to a corridor to the restaurant - Bombay Palace. The door resembles that of a palatial chamber. Inside is the small restaurant which has a Mughlai feel to it. The walls have images of Bombay as it was in the earlier years. You are greeted with pictures of the Victoria Terminus, The Gateway of India, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Building. There is a deep sense of nostalgia attached to it. It is really like a slice of Bombay in Hyderabad.
A famous international chain of restaurants serving Indian food in New York, Kuala Lumpur, Budapest, Toronto and London. The uniqueness of cuisine here lies in its adaptation to tastes of the local people. The place, therefore, mainly serves Mughlai cuisine with special Hyderabadi and Andhra dishes.
What you get - The restaurant has a very elaborate wine list. In fact, even water is served in long stemmed wine glasses. On the menu are a delectable selection of Kebabs from Shikampur to Sheek and a very good selection of Tandoori seafood thrown in. Even the roasted Papads are very tangy and tasty.
In the vegetarian starters there is a unique selection of Chaat dishes such as Ragda Patties (an ode to the iconic Chowpatty Chaat) to choose from along with other popular ones like Paneer Tikka, Aloo Wraps etc. The platter is the best choice if you want to savor the taste of all that is on offer.
Coming to the main course there is a very wide range of Biryanis. The traditional Hyderabadi Biryani is prepared in three different styles! Must-try is the aromatic Nizami Prawn Biryani. Then there is the traditional Mughlai fare which includes Murgh Makkhanwala, Kadhai Murgh and seafood like Fish Amritsari with cream.
Our verdict - For a unique experience as far as Hyderabadi Biryani is concerned go to Bombay Palace (sounds paradoxical but it's true). The seafood is indeed one of the best in the city and the service is quite good. The restaurant staff is very courteous and makes efforts to make the guest feel at ease. For a good experience try the white wines with white meats and the red wine with the red meats.
The ambiance complements the food very well with light music playing in the background. Valet parking is available. The place is currently open only for dinner and in the day is available for large or party bookings with special packages on offer.
What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 650 (without wine).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
A famous international chain of restaurants serving Indian food in New York, Kuala Lumpur, Budapest, Toronto and London. The uniqueness of cuisine here lies in its adaptation to tastes of the local people. The place, therefore, mainly serves Mughlai cuisine with special Hyderabadi and Andhra dishes.
What you get - The restaurant has a very elaborate wine list. In fact, even water is served in long stemmed wine glasses. On the menu are a delectable selection of Kebabs from Shikampur to Sheek and a very good selection of Tandoori seafood thrown in. Even the roasted Papads are very tangy and tasty.
In the vegetarian starters there is a unique selection of Chaat dishes such as Ragda Patties (an ode to the iconic Chowpatty Chaat) to choose from along with other popular ones like Paneer Tikka, Aloo Wraps etc. The platter is the best choice if you want to savor the taste of all that is on offer.
Coming to the main course there is a very wide range of Biryanis. The traditional Hyderabadi Biryani is prepared in three different styles! Must-try is the aromatic Nizami Prawn Biryani. Then there is the traditional Mughlai fare which includes Murgh Makkhanwala, Kadhai Murgh and seafood like Fish Amritsari with cream.
Our verdict - For a unique experience as far as Hyderabadi Biryani is concerned go to Bombay Palace (sounds paradoxical but it's true). The seafood is indeed one of the best in the city and the service is quite good. The restaurant staff is very courteous and makes efforts to make the guest feel at ease. For a good experience try the white wines with white meats and the red wine with the red meats.
The ambiance complements the food very well with light music playing in the background. Valet parking is available. The place is currently open only for dinner and in the day is available for large or party bookings with special packages on offer.
What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 650 (without wine).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
Finger-Licking Kebabs - Food in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is most famous for its Biryani but not far behind are the delectable Kebabs served at many a place around the city. Not surprisingly most of Kebabs the places which serve the best Biryani also serve some of the best Kebabs but all that is changing as new eateries get added to the city's map. Here is our guide to some of the best places for Kebabs around the city.
Old and Popular
These restaurants have grown with the city. The typical dishes they serve range from the ever popular Murgh Tikka to the very delectable Murgh Malai Kebab, Tangdi Kebab and of course traditional favourites like the Shammi Kebab, Mutton Do Pyaza, Mutton Sheek kebab and Patthar Ka Gosht. Do not expect a large variety of sea food here as only the fastest moving items are served best here. The prices range from Rs. 80 to Rs. 160.
Garden Restaurant,
# 38, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad.
Tel - 040-27804074, 66337755
Hotel Shadab,
Shop No. 21-1-140, High Court Road, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-24561648, 24565949
Paradise Restaurant,
Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.
Tel - 040-27843115
Hotel Niagara,
Chaderghat, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-65092711
New Kids on the Block
The city has grown exponentially and there has been a huge surge in the number of restaurants. While some follow the fast food culture others offer fine dining facilities too. Some even offer Mediterranean, Lebanese and Arabic varieties of kebabs. So while there are evergreen favourites, there are even new varieties to sample like the Sharwama, Falafel etc. The pricing here is modest and ranges between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 for the chicken variety and Rs. 100 to Rs. 140 for the mutton variety.
Hyderabad House
Raj Yuvraj Complex, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Tel - 23554848
Also at Mehdipatnam, Madhapur, Malakpet, Himayath Nagar, Trimulgherry, Sanjeev Reddy Nagar, Lallaguda, Secunderabad, Kukatpally.
Kababish Food Court
Red Hills, Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad.
Tel - 09393055566, 09393025677
Also at Yousufguda, Mallepally, Chaderghat, Towlichowki, Khairatabad, Ameerpet.
Four Seasons
Opposite RTO Office, Toli Chowki, Yousuf Tekri, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-23560156
The 5-Star Experience
Five star hotels like the Taj Banjara has Kebab-e-Bahar, which is by far one of the best places for Kebabs in Hyderabad. They serve the popular fare with a Lucknowi touch in the form of Kakori kebabs and the ever popular Barah Kebab. Since this is a five star restaurant there is also a good selection of sea food from Tandoori fish to Fish Amritsari and the Tandoori Jhinga to choose from. The food has a distinct touch of the North. Then there is even Kebabs and Curries (formerly Peshwari) at the Grand Kakatiya. They serve some of the best Tandoori Raan in the city. The lobster is one of the best in the country and so are their jumbo prawns. Apart from its specialties they also serve some of the softest and most delectable sheek kebabs (with a special crunchy buttery variety) and Murgh malai kebabs. The prices, needless to say, are on the higher side.
Kebab-e-Bahar
Taj Banjara, Road No.1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-66661919
Kebabs and Curries
ITC Hotel Kakatiya Sheraton & Towers, Begumpet, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040 - 23400132
So have a finger-licking time at these kebab havens!
Food in Hyderabad has been written by Pranay who writes for MetroMela
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
Old and Popular
These restaurants have grown with the city. The typical dishes they serve range from the ever popular Murgh Tikka to the very delectable Murgh Malai Kebab, Tangdi Kebab and of course traditional favourites like the Shammi Kebab, Mutton Do Pyaza, Mutton Sheek kebab and Patthar Ka Gosht. Do not expect a large variety of sea food here as only the fastest moving items are served best here. The prices range from Rs. 80 to Rs. 160.
Garden Restaurant,
# 38, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad.
Tel - 040-27804074, 66337755
Hotel Shadab,
Shop No. 21-1-140, High Court Road, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-24561648, 24565949
Paradise Restaurant,
Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.
Tel - 040-27843115
Hotel Niagara,
Chaderghat, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-65092711
New Kids on the Block
The city has grown exponentially and there has been a huge surge in the number of restaurants. While some follow the fast food culture others offer fine dining facilities too. Some even offer Mediterranean, Lebanese and Arabic varieties of kebabs. So while there are evergreen favourites, there are even new varieties to sample like the Sharwama, Falafel etc. The pricing here is modest and ranges between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 for the chicken variety and Rs. 100 to Rs. 140 for the mutton variety.
Hyderabad House
Raj Yuvraj Complex, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Tel - 23554848
Also at Mehdipatnam, Madhapur, Malakpet, Himayath Nagar, Trimulgherry, Sanjeev Reddy Nagar, Lallaguda, Secunderabad, Kukatpally.
Kababish Food Court
Red Hills, Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad.
Tel - 09393055566, 09393025677
Also at Yousufguda, Mallepally, Chaderghat, Towlichowki, Khairatabad, Ameerpet.
Four Seasons
Opposite RTO Office, Toli Chowki, Yousuf Tekri, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-23560156
The 5-Star Experience
Five star hotels like the Taj Banjara has Kebab-e-Bahar, which is by far one of the best places for Kebabs in Hyderabad. They serve the popular fare with a Lucknowi touch in the form of Kakori kebabs and the ever popular Barah Kebab. Since this is a five star restaurant there is also a good selection of sea food from Tandoori fish to Fish Amritsari and the Tandoori Jhinga to choose from. The food has a distinct touch of the North. Then there is even Kebabs and Curries (formerly Peshwari) at the Grand Kakatiya. They serve some of the best Tandoori Raan in the city. The lobster is one of the best in the country and so are their jumbo prawns. Apart from its specialties they also serve some of the softest and most delectable sheek kebabs (with a special crunchy buttery variety) and Murgh malai kebabs. The prices, needless to say, are on the higher side.
Kebab-e-Bahar
Taj Banjara, Road No.1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040-66661919
Kebabs and Curries
ITC Hotel Kakatiya Sheraton & Towers, Begumpet, Hyderabad.
Tel - 040 - 23400132
So have a finger-licking time at these kebab havens!
Food in Hyderabad has been written by Pranay who writes for MetroMela
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pranay_Rupani
Dubai's Cool, Smart and Friendly Bars
Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. The city grew significantly for the past decades and has many things to offer to distinctive traveler or party-man. Originally it was a settlement on an ancient nomadic trading route. By the 19th century the settlement had evolved into a fishing village, taking all advantages of the fertile Arabian Gulf. Foreign interest to Dubai was very limited until 1960s.
This tendency changed within last few decades, after huge reserves of oil were discovered beneath its arid soil. Dubai's government desired to transform the city into a world leading centre of commerce, demanding Dubai property and architectural grandeur. Since the money was no longer an issue, Dubai had been developing a lot with almost unseemly speed. Nowadays Dubai is known as a homeland of cutting edge seven star hotels, Western friendly alcohol laws, and plentiful tax-free shopping.
It's almost impossible to recommend bars which will be good for everyone. Below you can find a list of places where I've been for the past time. Just read my little reviews decide on your own if you like them or not. If you still hesitate, just walk around different places and find the one that suits your tastes. There are plenty of them in Dubai!
Vu's Bar - Located at the 51st floor of the awesomely space age EJumeirah Emirates. The gorgeous views over the sea from Vu's Bar - perhaps Dubai's shorthand for views. Like in many glamorous UAE hotels, the crowd is an up market mix of guests, who are dressed to impress. The soft-cushioned air-conditioned luxury can make you feel like a superstar. If you try the 51st Floor house cocktail, you will find it so delicious. We even forgot to ask what it was. But if you can't find it, don't worry - there's a astounding 200 cocktails to choose from! If you are looking for a night club don't go there. It's definitely not that kind of party.
Boudoir - If you're not staying at the Dubai Marine Beach in some property in Dubai, catch a cab to this place and check out the Boudoir. It's bursting with nice furnishings, oil paintings and velvet plush, done in an magnificent French Renaissance style. Entrance with rose bowls, rich cocktail menu, Boudoir has certainly abandoned Dubai's obvious Eastern theme and gone for authenticity in its own.
360º Bar - The name of the place says for itself. This elegant, laid-back terrace bar swanks outstanding panoramic view of the ever changing Dubai property, ever evolving Dubai skyline. Placed in the centre of the Gulf, at the heart of the huge, wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, this naturally cool spot is popular hangout with Dubai's cocktail set. Chic and sophisticated, bathed in desert sun, this is the perfect place to escape overwhelming Dubai buzz and relax in a beautiful atmosphere. Cool house tunes set the tone at the Bar, playing until the early morning. The visitors sink into comfy sofas and sip a drink (or two, and more) as they watch the sunset.
Alamo -located at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa is a Tex/Mex restaurant with emphasis on the bar drinks.
The Agency Wine Bar - Located at the Emirates Towers Hotel, The Agency Wine Bar is one of the nicest bars I have seen in Dubai.
Dubai has some very interesting laws for clubs: they all must close at 3 am, one must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub, and interestingly they are not allowed by law to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs. But this does not mean that you will be able to walk into any members club free of charge, a lot of the members clubs have very high entrance fees, that they will charge you if you do insist on applying the law and entering the club. This is actually not a bad thing as it allows the clubs to ensure a good mixture of clients.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christen_Richardson
This tendency changed within last few decades, after huge reserves of oil were discovered beneath its arid soil. Dubai's government desired to transform the city into a world leading centre of commerce, demanding Dubai property and architectural grandeur. Since the money was no longer an issue, Dubai had been developing a lot with almost unseemly speed. Nowadays Dubai is known as a homeland of cutting edge seven star hotels, Western friendly alcohol laws, and plentiful tax-free shopping.
It's almost impossible to recommend bars which will be good for everyone. Below you can find a list of places where I've been for the past time. Just read my little reviews decide on your own if you like them or not. If you still hesitate, just walk around different places and find the one that suits your tastes. There are plenty of them in Dubai!
Vu's Bar - Located at the 51st floor of the awesomely space age EJumeirah Emirates. The gorgeous views over the sea from Vu's Bar - perhaps Dubai's shorthand for views. Like in many glamorous UAE hotels, the crowd is an up market mix of guests, who are dressed to impress. The soft-cushioned air-conditioned luxury can make you feel like a superstar. If you try the 51st Floor house cocktail, you will find it so delicious. We even forgot to ask what it was. But if you can't find it, don't worry - there's a astounding 200 cocktails to choose from! If you are looking for a night club don't go there. It's definitely not that kind of party.
Boudoir - If you're not staying at the Dubai Marine Beach in some property in Dubai, catch a cab to this place and check out the Boudoir. It's bursting with nice furnishings, oil paintings and velvet plush, done in an magnificent French Renaissance style. Entrance with rose bowls, rich cocktail menu, Boudoir has certainly abandoned Dubai's obvious Eastern theme and gone for authenticity in its own.
360º Bar - The name of the place says for itself. This elegant, laid-back terrace bar swanks outstanding panoramic view of the ever changing Dubai property, ever evolving Dubai skyline. Placed in the centre of the Gulf, at the heart of the huge, wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, this naturally cool spot is popular hangout with Dubai's cocktail set. Chic and sophisticated, bathed in desert sun, this is the perfect place to escape overwhelming Dubai buzz and relax in a beautiful atmosphere. Cool house tunes set the tone at the Bar, playing until the early morning. The visitors sink into comfy sofas and sip a drink (or two, and more) as they watch the sunset.
Alamo -located at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa is a Tex/Mex restaurant with emphasis on the bar drinks.
The Agency Wine Bar - Located at the Emirates Towers Hotel, The Agency Wine Bar is one of the nicest bars I have seen in Dubai.
Dubai has some very interesting laws for clubs: they all must close at 3 am, one must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub, and interestingly they are not allowed by law to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs. But this does not mean that you will be able to walk into any members club free of charge, a lot of the members clubs have very high entrance fees, that they will charge you if you do insist on applying the law and entering the club. This is actually not a bad thing as it allows the clubs to ensure a good mixture of clients.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christen_Richardson
Friday, October 17, 2008
Epicurean Morocco - Moroccan Cuisine & What it Means
Food transpires across language barrier or cultural divide. It is that one special element of life that can make a person feel at home even when "home" is a thousand miles away. Part of enjoying a visit to another region of the world is taking in all the wonderful tastes and smells that foreign cuisine can provide. Providing a window into what makes up a culture, food gives one the opportunity to explore different dishes. Morocco cuisine will not disappoint. There are a variety of places that let foreign travelers experience the vibrant flavors that go into Moroccan cuisine.
Some Good Restaurants
A Moroccan culinary experience starts at the Le Restaurant du Riad Monceau. This charming dining establishment is owned and operated by renowned French artist, Isabelle Aubry. The dining area is set inside the Riad accommodation area providing the ultimate dining experience for couples, families and friends. Menu selections features traditional Moroccan cuisine such as fruit kebabs with coulis topped with citrus fruit honey. Meals may be served in the main dining room, lounge area or poolside at quaint patio tables.
Travel 10 to 15 minutes outside of Marrakech to uncover the culinary wonder of Le Bo Zin. Here diners will delight in experience Asian fused cuisine in a vibrant setting. Most nights features the musical talent of DJ's that play a nice mixture of music. Once dinner has been cleared from the table, the music is kicked up a notch and the dancing begins. Staff members have been known to get out on the dance floor and dance the night away with guests. An outside patio area features comfortable sofas and music that is perfect for that after dinner drink with friends or a toast to the end of another great day in Morocco.
Arrival at Le Foundouk is unlike any other experience in Morocco. Many guests are dropped off by taxis or other transportation services at what seems to be a desolate location. From out of nowhere a man arrives clothed in beautiful garments carrying a lantern. This will serve as the diner's guide to the restaurant location. Walk down a small roadway and into the front door of the restaurant. Once inside, ancient Marrakech decor adds a stylish ambiance. Taking center stage is a magnificent candle chandelier that draws focal attention from every corner in the restaurant. Menu selections feature one menu of Moroccan cuisine while the flip side displays European cuisine.
Guests will enjoy an evening dining at Tanjia. This three story restaurant features a bar on the ground level and two main levels for dining. The bar is a great place to grab a quick drink and appetizer before dinner or enjoy the evening with friends. Venture upstairs to enjoy a great meal in the balcony area blanketed by an atrium that sprinkles water mists to keep the Moroccan heat down. After dinner enjoy the evening attraction of a traditional Moroccan belly dancing show.
Wind down a great day in Morocco with a stop at Café Arabe in Marrakech. This three level bar and restaurant serves up drinks and dinner that are an adventure all by themselves. Each level of the restaurant offers food and drinks. The roof top terrace affords some of the best views in Morocco. Menu selections feature traditional Moroccan dishes alongside Italian delights. Staff is personable and always available to refill a wine glass or bring the next course to the table.
One of the hidden gems of Marrakech is the Earth Cafe, owned and operated by Niam, a former up-scale california restaurant owner turned dalmation and organic olive farm plantation owner, opened a little restaurant in a small riad in the central part of the medina. Having some of the best and simplest mene choices around, your taste buds and satisfactory cells won't be left hungry. Niam also sells organic olive and argon oil from his farm here. This place is highly recommended and still left undiscovered. (I know, cause I'm his friend.)
Casablanca: Culinary Cuisine
For a culinary change of pace, take a trip to Casablanca to experience Kiotori. This restaurant holds the distinct honor of being the first Japanese restaurant in Morocco. Diners will be treated to authentic Japanese culinary tastes and smells with dishes straight from areas of Japan and Asia. Once inside the doors, diners are engulfed in simple Japanese décor that emits a Zen-like ambiance among personable and helpful staff members.
Another great dining experience can be found at the Tahiti Beach Club restaurant. Diner will enjoy scenic views of a nearby beach, botanical garden and city life in Casablanca. Menu selections are delicious portions of international cuisine that are sure to delight everyone at the table. Staff members are fluent in Arab, French and English. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A visit to a Morocco restaurant or other on your Morocco holidays would not be complete without indulging in all the culinary aspects of the region as well. Each eatery and dining establishment offers a different twist on traditional Moroccan dishes while offering others from all realms of the cultural culinary world. Diners will not be disappointed, with the menu selections offered and will often find a need to ask for a second bite or try something new. One thing is for sure, Moroccan cuisine will not have diners asking for a doggie bag to take leftovers home. Every delicious bite will be consumed on site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Hollowell
Some Good Restaurants
A Moroccan culinary experience starts at the Le Restaurant du Riad Monceau. This charming dining establishment is owned and operated by renowned French artist, Isabelle Aubry. The dining area is set inside the Riad accommodation area providing the ultimate dining experience for couples, families and friends. Menu selections features traditional Moroccan cuisine such as fruit kebabs with coulis topped with citrus fruit honey. Meals may be served in the main dining room, lounge area or poolside at quaint patio tables.
Travel 10 to 15 minutes outside of Marrakech to uncover the culinary wonder of Le Bo Zin. Here diners will delight in experience Asian fused cuisine in a vibrant setting. Most nights features the musical talent of DJ's that play a nice mixture of music. Once dinner has been cleared from the table, the music is kicked up a notch and the dancing begins. Staff members have been known to get out on the dance floor and dance the night away with guests. An outside patio area features comfortable sofas and music that is perfect for that after dinner drink with friends or a toast to the end of another great day in Morocco.
Arrival at Le Foundouk is unlike any other experience in Morocco. Many guests are dropped off by taxis or other transportation services at what seems to be a desolate location. From out of nowhere a man arrives clothed in beautiful garments carrying a lantern. This will serve as the diner's guide to the restaurant location. Walk down a small roadway and into the front door of the restaurant. Once inside, ancient Marrakech decor adds a stylish ambiance. Taking center stage is a magnificent candle chandelier that draws focal attention from every corner in the restaurant. Menu selections feature one menu of Moroccan cuisine while the flip side displays European cuisine.
Guests will enjoy an evening dining at Tanjia. This three story restaurant features a bar on the ground level and two main levels for dining. The bar is a great place to grab a quick drink and appetizer before dinner or enjoy the evening with friends. Venture upstairs to enjoy a great meal in the balcony area blanketed by an atrium that sprinkles water mists to keep the Moroccan heat down. After dinner enjoy the evening attraction of a traditional Moroccan belly dancing show.
Wind down a great day in Morocco with a stop at Café Arabe in Marrakech. This three level bar and restaurant serves up drinks and dinner that are an adventure all by themselves. Each level of the restaurant offers food and drinks. The roof top terrace affords some of the best views in Morocco. Menu selections feature traditional Moroccan dishes alongside Italian delights. Staff is personable and always available to refill a wine glass or bring the next course to the table.
One of the hidden gems of Marrakech is the Earth Cafe, owned and operated by Niam, a former up-scale california restaurant owner turned dalmation and organic olive farm plantation owner, opened a little restaurant in a small riad in the central part of the medina. Having some of the best and simplest mene choices around, your taste buds and satisfactory cells won't be left hungry. Niam also sells organic olive and argon oil from his farm here. This place is highly recommended and still left undiscovered. (I know, cause I'm his friend.)
Casablanca: Culinary Cuisine
For a culinary change of pace, take a trip to Casablanca to experience Kiotori. This restaurant holds the distinct honor of being the first Japanese restaurant in Morocco. Diners will be treated to authentic Japanese culinary tastes and smells with dishes straight from areas of Japan and Asia. Once inside the doors, diners are engulfed in simple Japanese décor that emits a Zen-like ambiance among personable and helpful staff members.
Another great dining experience can be found at the Tahiti Beach Club restaurant. Diner will enjoy scenic views of a nearby beach, botanical garden and city life in Casablanca. Menu selections are delicious portions of international cuisine that are sure to delight everyone at the table. Staff members are fluent in Arab, French and English. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A visit to a Morocco restaurant or other on your Morocco holidays would not be complete without indulging in all the culinary aspects of the region as well. Each eatery and dining establishment offers a different twist on traditional Moroccan dishes while offering others from all realms of the cultural culinary world. Diners will not be disappointed, with the menu selections offered and will often find a need to ask for a second bite or try something new. One thing is for sure, Moroccan cuisine will not have diners asking for a doggie bag to take leftovers home. Every delicious bite will be consumed on site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Hollowell
Vegan Brunch
As a vegan living in NYC that works at a vegan business, one of the questions our staff gets asked most often is, "Where are the great vegan restaurants?" This can be especially challenging for Sunday brunch, which is typically rife with non-vegan fare, such as eggs, meat, cheese, etc.
Yet Sunday brunch is one of my favorite meals, and it's always fun to join friends for a relaxing meal. And since it's one of my favorites, I made sure to find places that I really enjoy. There are tons of places in New York where you can find great vegan fare, but these are just a few that I really do love.
Sacred Chow
This great downtown restaurant features a bistro-fare of organic beer, wine & herbal elixirs, mouth watering soups, stews, salads and heroes, enticing desserts & hot drinks, delicious, hearty plant proteins, complex carbohydrates and luscious frozen smoothies. But for me, the number one reason for going to Sacred Chow for lunch is their biscuits. I love their breakfast sandwich which comes on a flaky, savory biscuits which is just wonderful Also, Sacred Chow has the best tasting mimosas made with the freshest orange juice ever. The restaurant is also almost completely vegan and the staff is always really nice, which means you get great service.
The Organic Grille
Located on First Avenue between 7th Street and St. Mark's Place, this inviting café offers vegan omelets that look like what omelets looked like before you learned the horrors of the egg industry. While not fully vegan, they do have a substantial brunch menu that is sure to please all of the people around the table.
The V-Spot Café
What could be better than brunch on a beautiful outdoor patio? The V-Spot Café is 100% vegan, which is a great news for Brooklyn that unfortunately falls short to Manhattan with regard to its veggie fare. And while you might feel that you have "seen it all" with regard to breakfast wraps, there is something about the one at the V-Spot that cures my jaded breakfast burrito heart.
Being vegan does not mean that you have to give up one of New York's favorite meals. Now that you know where to go, grab some friends and have some weekend fun!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Kubersky
Yet Sunday brunch is one of my favorite meals, and it's always fun to join friends for a relaxing meal. And since it's one of my favorites, I made sure to find places that I really enjoy. There are tons of places in New York where you can find great vegan fare, but these are just a few that I really do love.
Sacred Chow
This great downtown restaurant features a bistro-fare of organic beer, wine & herbal elixirs, mouth watering soups, stews, salads and heroes, enticing desserts & hot drinks, delicious, hearty plant proteins, complex carbohydrates and luscious frozen smoothies. But for me, the number one reason for going to Sacred Chow for lunch is their biscuits. I love their breakfast sandwich which comes on a flaky, savory biscuits which is just wonderful Also, Sacred Chow has the best tasting mimosas made with the freshest orange juice ever. The restaurant is also almost completely vegan and the staff is always really nice, which means you get great service.
The Organic Grille
Located on First Avenue between 7th Street and St. Mark's Place, this inviting café offers vegan omelets that look like what omelets looked like before you learned the horrors of the egg industry. While not fully vegan, they do have a substantial brunch menu that is sure to please all of the people around the table.
The V-Spot Café
What could be better than brunch on a beautiful outdoor patio? The V-Spot Café is 100% vegan, which is a great news for Brooklyn that unfortunately falls short to Manhattan with regard to its veggie fare. And while you might feel that you have "seen it all" with regard to breakfast wraps, there is something about the one at the V-Spot that cures my jaded breakfast burrito heart.
Being vegan does not mean that you have to give up one of New York's favorite meals. Now that you know where to go, grab some friends and have some weekend fun!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Kubersky
Got the Munchies? Clubs That Keeps the Kitchen Open Late
The New York City nightlife is famous worldwide for its events, fast paced fun and energetic, excited people. The NYC comprises of the trendiest clubs that offers great service, delicious cuisine and is vibrant with activities and events organized daily. There are many night clubs in New York City that keeps the kitchen open till late hours of night. These clubs are a regular hangout place for people. They offer great food and are regular spots for celebrity sightings. The dance floor along with the VIP treatment at some of these clubs makes the atmosphere electrifying.
There are many nightclubs in New York City that keeps the kitchen open till late. Some of the most popular among them include: Room Service, Suzie Wongs and Tenjune/STK.
Room Service is among the premier nightclubs in the New York City. It is located in the Flat Iron district and offers high class service with plush atmosphere. There are private rooms within the club equipped with television system, DVDs and concierge service to fulfill customer's needs. There is a mini bar with stocked snack and the VIP treatment makes the atmosphere electrifying.
Suzie Wongs is a professional, stylish destination with deep crimson and black interiors which sets a classy tone with easy, low slung seating. Suzy Wong's has a great romantic vibe and is very crowded particularly on the weekends. The outside patio offers fabulous sights of the Atlanta skyline. The wine list is particularly popular with great cuisine that can be ordered throughout the night.
Tenjune offers complete VIP treatment to its customers. The inside decor is electric with sexual texture-wavy wood grains, zebra prints and marble accents with walls of violet velvet. The dance floor is horse shoe shaped with the DJ both strategically placed to keep the energy flowing. This is a spot for regular celebrity sightings like Lindsay Lohan and Diddy. The service is great with delicious cuisine that runs till late at night.
New York City clubs are famous worldwide. The nightlife is electrifying with vibrant atmosphere.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
There are many nightclubs in New York City that keeps the kitchen open till late. Some of the most popular among them include: Room Service, Suzie Wongs and Tenjune/STK.
Room Service is among the premier nightclubs in the New York City. It is located in the Flat Iron district and offers high class service with plush atmosphere. There are private rooms within the club equipped with television system, DVDs and concierge service to fulfill customer's needs. There is a mini bar with stocked snack and the VIP treatment makes the atmosphere electrifying.
Suzie Wongs is a professional, stylish destination with deep crimson and black interiors which sets a classy tone with easy, low slung seating. Suzy Wong's has a great romantic vibe and is very crowded particularly on the weekends. The outside patio offers fabulous sights of the Atlanta skyline. The wine list is particularly popular with great cuisine that can be ordered throughout the night.
Tenjune offers complete VIP treatment to its customers. The inside decor is electric with sexual texture-wavy wood grains, zebra prints and marble accents with walls of violet velvet. The dance floor is horse shoe shaped with the DJ both strategically placed to keep the energy flowing. This is a spot for regular celebrity sightings like Lindsay Lohan and Diddy. The service is great with delicious cuisine that runs till late at night.
New York City clubs are famous worldwide. The nightlife is electrifying with vibrant atmosphere.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
Monday, October 13, 2008
Most Romantic Spot to Propose to Your Loved One
Choosing the perfect restaurant for a special occasion can make all the difference. Especially if you want to propose to your special one, choosing the right place can do wonders. There are almost thousands of romantic restaurants in NYC. These restaurants offer a romantic atmosphere with great services and quality food.
The most important thing about a romantic dining is privacy. Nowadays the restaurants are so crowded that people are almost sitting on top of the person next to them. Therefore choose a romantic restaurant which offers privacy for one of the most important days in your life. These New York restaurants offer romantic music to dine by, candlelight, spectacular views and crackling fires.
Some of the most popular romantic restaurants in NYC include: Blue Water Grill, Aureole, and Gramercy Tavern.
Blue Water Grill is known for its fashionable offerings. It's been rewarded with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This place offers an elegant atmosphere with live music. The Blue Water Grill features a raw bar, private rooms, fine wines and brunch. This place is open till late and is a regular hangout place for couples. The food is excellent and the service is great.
Aureole is renowned worldwide as an intimate and ultimate destination for excellent American food prepared with big flavors in soothing combinations. Aureole is the kind of fashionable restaurants which the people in NYC love. Aureoles offer a stylish environment with soft music, supreme service and freshly cut flowers.
One of America's most well known restaurants, Gramercy Tavern is a spectacular American version of a warm, lavish restaurants found regularly in the European countryside. Inventive cuisine from Chef Michael Anthony, wines and great service are the mark of this antique filled, wood beamed restaurant. The soft music while you dine in makes it the perfect place to propose to your loved one.
There are many romantic restaurants in New York City which offers the perfect atmosphere for one of the most important days in your life. Take your loved one at one of these romantic restaurants and she would be thinking of you for hours. It creates the right mood for you to propose to your loved one.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
The most important thing about a romantic dining is privacy. Nowadays the restaurants are so crowded that people are almost sitting on top of the person next to them. Therefore choose a romantic restaurant which offers privacy for one of the most important days in your life. These New York restaurants offer romantic music to dine by, candlelight, spectacular views and crackling fires.
Some of the most popular romantic restaurants in NYC include: Blue Water Grill, Aureole, and Gramercy Tavern.
Blue Water Grill is known for its fashionable offerings. It's been rewarded with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This place offers an elegant atmosphere with live music. The Blue Water Grill features a raw bar, private rooms, fine wines and brunch. This place is open till late and is a regular hangout place for couples. The food is excellent and the service is great.
Aureole is renowned worldwide as an intimate and ultimate destination for excellent American food prepared with big flavors in soothing combinations. Aureole is the kind of fashionable restaurants which the people in NYC love. Aureoles offer a stylish environment with soft music, supreme service and freshly cut flowers.
One of America's most well known restaurants, Gramercy Tavern is a spectacular American version of a warm, lavish restaurants found regularly in the European countryside. Inventive cuisine from Chef Michael Anthony, wines and great service are the mark of this antique filled, wood beamed restaurant. The soft music while you dine in makes it the perfect place to propose to your loved one.
There are many romantic restaurants in New York City which offers the perfect atmosphere for one of the most important days in your life. Take your loved one at one of these romantic restaurants and she would be thinking of you for hours. It creates the right mood for you to propose to your loved one.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
Top Ten Dinner Restaurants in New York City to Go With Friends
New York City offers you some of the best restaurants in the world. You get the priciest as well as the cheapest meals in the NYC. The restaurants in NYC remain open all the time were you can enjoy with your friends. You can stay out and relish your food late at night as having dinner early may sound strange, unless you have some other plan.
The Celebs keep visiting some of these best restaurants in NYC as these restaurants serve the finest cuisine and is the best hang out place. Some of such restaurants are:
Buddha Bar: From the moment you enter, you will be delighted. The help, the décor, the services and most significantly the food are excellent. It can be the best place to be with friends.
Gramercy Tavern: The Tavern can be the finest place to meander late at night. The awesome food, comfortable services and the great martinis can be the best restaurant to have dinner with friends. The mouthwatering pork with the implausible parsley sauce is the best cuisine served their.
Sapa: If your friend circle demands fun and noise, Sapa can be the best restaurant in New York City to visit. The dinning room is always crammed with fresh flowers. The steak frites offered by this restaurant is an unforgettable cuisine.
Lattanzi: This is a classy restaurant that serves food very similar to the home made stuff. It is always very crowded, so it's advisable to book your table well in advance in order to avoid last minute hassle. The décor is awesome with high quality food.
Tao: It is an excellent restaurant for the people who love sea food. The drinks served are among the best and selected ones from all over the world. The desserts like giant cookie overflowing with milk chocolate mousses can be a real treat.
Few more restaurants like, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Mr. K's, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Tavern on the Green and Rosa Mexicano are also very famous. They serve the best cuisine with a perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy with friends.
New York is blessed with a lot of restaurants that have its own unique style to represent a classic décor and leaves you missing a word as you enjoy the food which is oh, so tasty!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
The Celebs keep visiting some of these best restaurants in NYC as these restaurants serve the finest cuisine and is the best hang out place. Some of such restaurants are:
Buddha Bar: From the moment you enter, you will be delighted. The help, the décor, the services and most significantly the food are excellent. It can be the best place to be with friends.
Gramercy Tavern: The Tavern can be the finest place to meander late at night. The awesome food, comfortable services and the great martinis can be the best restaurant to have dinner with friends. The mouthwatering pork with the implausible parsley sauce is the best cuisine served their.
Sapa: If your friend circle demands fun and noise, Sapa can be the best restaurant in New York City to visit. The dinning room is always crammed with fresh flowers. The steak frites offered by this restaurant is an unforgettable cuisine.
Lattanzi: This is a classy restaurant that serves food very similar to the home made stuff. It is always very crowded, so it's advisable to book your table well in advance in order to avoid last minute hassle. The décor is awesome with high quality food.
Tao: It is an excellent restaurant for the people who love sea food. The drinks served are among the best and selected ones from all over the world. The desserts like giant cookie overflowing with milk chocolate mousses can be a real treat.
Few more restaurants like, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Mr. K's, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Tavern on the Green and Rosa Mexicano are also very famous. They serve the best cuisine with a perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy with friends.
New York is blessed with a lot of restaurants that have its own unique style to represent a classic décor and leaves you missing a word as you enjoy the food which is oh, so tasty!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_Stewart
Lansdowne Street - A Boston-style Pub in Bonita Springs, Florida
Almost everyone from Massachusetts knows Lansdowne Street is the road running behind Fenway Park.
Bonita Springs now has it's own Lansdowne Street. And while it's not located just a few footsteps from the legendary home of the Boston Red Sox, it sure feels like it from inside.
Located inside the Bernwood Design Centre, near the corner of Old 41 Road and US 41, Lansdowne Street is a new restaurant and pub that recreates the experience of sitting in a Boston Bar. Modeled after the well-known Beacon Hill watering hole, The Sevens, Lansdowne Street oozes gritty Northeast charm. The interior is all brick and rich, dark wood. At one end of the establishment, there is a Green Monster scoreboard and an "old-school" dartboard. At the other end, there is an antique stained-glass window from a Cambridge church and a working fireplace. Between it all there is a veritable museum of Red Sox memoribilia, lots of flat-screen TV's tuned to New England sports, and a stately bar serving over 48 different types of beer. Some of the stand-out brews are Lefthand Brewery's Milk Stout, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, and the hard-to-find-in-Florida Boston-Favorite - Harpoon IPA.
The food Lansdowne Street serves is lighter-style pub fare. Their menu revolves around the concept of gourmet sandwiches. They've got everything from vegetarian panini offerings to fully decked out grinders. All of Lansdowne Street's signature sandwiches are named after well-traveled Boston roads...The Mass Pike, Newbury Street, Yawkey Way. They've also got a full selections of salads, chili, clam chowder, Boston baked beans, and a not-to-be-missed lobster roll.
Juke box music blares from the corner. Live music passes through on occasion.
"On St. Patricks Day, we had a block party outside with a tent set up. We had an industrial-sized grill set up, live music...the bartenders were pouring green Pabst Blue Ribbon," says Lansdowne Street proprietor, Michael Maurer. "Thousands of people showed up, you could barely move through the crowd, it was incredible."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Taubert
Bonita Springs now has it's own Lansdowne Street. And while it's not located just a few footsteps from the legendary home of the Boston Red Sox, it sure feels like it from inside.
Located inside the Bernwood Design Centre, near the corner of Old 41 Road and US 41, Lansdowne Street is a new restaurant and pub that recreates the experience of sitting in a Boston Bar. Modeled after the well-known Beacon Hill watering hole, The Sevens, Lansdowne Street oozes gritty Northeast charm. The interior is all brick and rich, dark wood. At one end of the establishment, there is a Green Monster scoreboard and an "old-school" dartboard. At the other end, there is an antique stained-glass window from a Cambridge church and a working fireplace. Between it all there is a veritable museum of Red Sox memoribilia, lots of flat-screen TV's tuned to New England sports, and a stately bar serving over 48 different types of beer. Some of the stand-out brews are Lefthand Brewery's Milk Stout, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, and the hard-to-find-in-Florida Boston-Favorite - Harpoon IPA.
The food Lansdowne Street serves is lighter-style pub fare. Their menu revolves around the concept of gourmet sandwiches. They've got everything from vegetarian panini offerings to fully decked out grinders. All of Lansdowne Street's signature sandwiches are named after well-traveled Boston roads...The Mass Pike, Newbury Street, Yawkey Way. They've also got a full selections of salads, chili, clam chowder, Boston baked beans, and a not-to-be-missed lobster roll.
Juke box music blares from the corner. Live music passes through on occasion.
"On St. Patricks Day, we had a block party outside with a tent set up. We had an industrial-sized grill set up, live music...the bartenders were pouring green Pabst Blue Ribbon," says Lansdowne Street proprietor, Michael Maurer. "Thousands of people showed up, you could barely move through the crowd, it was incredible."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Taubert
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
New Years Eve party food
New Years Eve Party Food
Appetizers, along with cocktails, are one of the most popular food options for a New Years Eve party. You should plan on providing at least five different appetizers for your party to ensure your guests will get to taste a wide variety of items. A mixture of sweet and savoury appeitzers is best. Try choosing appetizers that are not messy to eat, especially when your guests are likely to be dressed elegantly.
We have listed some appetizer recipes that are sure to go down a treat with your guests and can be prepared in advance, so you can also enjoy yourself on New Years Eve.
Cheese & Olive Bruschetta
1/2 cup mayonnaise (or salad dressing)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
2 medium tomatoes, seeded,finely chopped
1/4 cup black olives, chopped
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (preferably freshly grated)
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 baguette, fresh, about 2 1/2" round and 27" long
1/3 cup butter, softened
Mix the first 8 ingredients (this can be done the day ahead and refrigerated). Cut the baguette into 1" slices. Butter one side. Arrange on a cookie sheet, buttered side up. Divide the mixture among the slices and spread. Bake in 350F oven for about 15 minutes and the cheese has melted.
Tortilla Pinwheels
1/4 Cup Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Salsa
1/4 Cup chopped green onion tops
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
4 Flour Tortillas, 6-inch
In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese with a fork until the cheeser is incorporated. Stir in the salsa, green onion, and chili powder. Spread the mixture evenly on the tortillas. Roll up and chill. Slice into rounds.
Deviled Eggs With Crabmeat
6 hard cooked eggs, peeled
3 1/3 tbsp. mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 1/3 tbsp. finely chopped celery
2 tsp. (dijon) mustard
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. onion powder
few drops Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (6 oz) salad crab meat, drained
Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks. With fork, mash yolks; add mayonnaise, celery, mustard, parsley, oregano, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Add crab meat, mix well. Refill whites with yolk mixture and garnish as desired.
Serve immediately or store covered in refrigerator. Use within 3 days.
Chocolate Truffles
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
1-1/2 teaspoons instant-coffee crystals
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup butter
Sifted cocoa powder
In a bowl, combine whipping cream, Irish cream liqueur and coffee liqueur. Stir in the instant-coffee crystals; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Remove from heat; gradually stir in cream mixture until blended.
Transfer to a bowl; cover tightly and chill in refrigerator about 2 hours or until completely cool and smooth, stirring occasionally. Mixture will be slightly sticky.
Shape tablespoons of candy into balls. Roll each in cocoa powder. Place on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Chill until firm. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you like, roll in additional cocoa powder before serving.
Cream Puffs
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set. Preheat oven to 425F. In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry. When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.
Sesame Chicken
24 chicken tenders
1 cup sesame seeds
4 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tsp. onion powder
2 cups mayo
1 cup honey
Grease baking sheet. Preheat oven to 450.
Combine dijon mustard, onion powder, mayo and honey. Dip chicken tenders into this mixture and then into sesame seeds. Place chicken tenders on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Marinated Mushrooms
1 lb. fresh mushrooms
1 tsp. chives
1 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp. tarragon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. garlic powder
Clean and dry mushrooms. Mix all ingredients together. Let marinate in refrigerator for 8-12 hours and serve.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
Appetizers, along with cocktails, are one of the most popular food options for a New Years Eve party. You should plan on providing at least five different appetizers for your party to ensure your guests will get to taste a wide variety of items. A mixture of sweet and savoury appeitzers is best. Try choosing appetizers that are not messy to eat, especially when your guests are likely to be dressed elegantly.
We have listed some appetizer recipes that are sure to go down a treat with your guests and can be prepared in advance, so you can also enjoy yourself on New Years Eve.
Cheese & Olive Bruschetta
1/2 cup mayonnaise (or salad dressing)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
2 medium tomatoes, seeded,finely chopped
1/4 cup black olives, chopped
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (preferably freshly grated)
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 baguette, fresh, about 2 1/2" round and 27" long
1/3 cup butter, softened
Mix the first 8 ingredients (this can be done the day ahead and refrigerated). Cut the baguette into 1" slices. Butter one side. Arrange on a cookie sheet, buttered side up. Divide the mixture among the slices and spread. Bake in 350F oven for about 15 minutes and the cheese has melted.
Tortilla Pinwheels
1/4 Cup Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Salsa
1/4 Cup chopped green onion tops
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
4 Flour Tortillas, 6-inch
In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese with a fork until the cheeser is incorporated. Stir in the salsa, green onion, and chili powder. Spread the mixture evenly on the tortillas. Roll up and chill. Slice into rounds.
Deviled Eggs With Crabmeat
6 hard cooked eggs, peeled
3 1/3 tbsp. mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 1/3 tbsp. finely chopped celery
2 tsp. (dijon) mustard
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. onion powder
few drops Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (6 oz) salad crab meat, drained
Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks. With fork, mash yolks; add mayonnaise, celery, mustard, parsley, oregano, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Add crab meat, mix well. Refill whites with yolk mixture and garnish as desired.
Serve immediately or store covered in refrigerator. Use within 3 days.
Chocolate Truffles
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
1-1/2 teaspoons instant-coffee crystals
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup butter
Sifted cocoa powder
In a bowl, combine whipping cream, Irish cream liqueur and coffee liqueur. Stir in the instant-coffee crystals; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Remove from heat; gradually stir in cream mixture until blended.
Transfer to a bowl; cover tightly and chill in refrigerator about 2 hours or until completely cool and smooth, stirring occasionally. Mixture will be slightly sticky.
Shape tablespoons of candy into balls. Roll each in cocoa powder. Place on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Chill until firm. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you like, roll in additional cocoa powder before serving.
Cream Puffs
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set. Preheat oven to 425F. In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry. When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.
Sesame Chicken
24 chicken tenders
1 cup sesame seeds
4 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tsp. onion powder
2 cups mayo
1 cup honey
Grease baking sheet. Preheat oven to 450.
Combine dijon mustard, onion powder, mayo and honey. Dip chicken tenders into this mixture and then into sesame seeds. Place chicken tenders on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Marinated Mushrooms
1 lb. fresh mushrooms
1 tsp. chives
1 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp. tarragon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. garlic powder
Clean and dry mushrooms. Mix all ingredients together. Let marinate in refrigerator for 8-12 hours and serve.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
The Absolute Best Recipes on the web! Free Quality Recipes!
When looking and deciding the correct and most appropriate recipe for the right event or occasion, you must search where all the best and diverse recipes are located. This will give you the upperhand for preparing that dish that everyone will remember and ask about!
There is one thing that is a give: all people have different taste and preferences. Free Quality Recipes recognizes this fact and represents every kind of food or dish that you could possibly want: from ethnic food to desserts or vegetarian dishes to appetizers, I'm sure we'll have what will satisfy your appetite!
With so many recipe sites online, what makes Free Quality Recipes different? All our recipes are organized for you to find them easily. Search alphabetically or by the type of dish you're looking for, whether it is seafood, soup, salad, or meat.
After you've tried a recipe, you can rate it. You can even e-mail your favorite recipes to your friends. And if you sign up for our e-mail list, you'll be getting delectable recipes in your inbox.
The site is a clearinghouse for good recipes that will lead to delicious dishes and memories shared around the table. Using Free Quality Recipes is meant to be fun. If you love to cook, this site is for you! The next great recipe for your dinner table is waiting for you right here.
If you're tired of spilling food all over your cookbooks while cooking in the kitchen, we don't blame you at all. That's the nice thing about our Free Quality Recipes. You can just print them out one page at a time for use as you cook. If you spill on it, it's no big deal. You can always print out another.
People visiting and posting their recipes or remarks are growing every day! As you use our site for whatever you're looking for in terms of recipes, we hope that you find the site user friendly and noticeably high in quality. This site might be free, but we will expend much effort to make sure quality is ever present!
Customer service is not something that is secondary or "nice to have", it's completely and undeniably essential and must be blatanly obvious in all aspects! I will work hard to see that this site is providing you with tools and services to make your visit and time productive and enjoyable. If you have question, comment, or opinions regarding this website or its operation, please don't hesitate to contact me!
We're doing our best to make sure great quality recipes are being uploaded daily and will stop at nothing to make sure the site is constantly evolving. We have a lot to offer consumers who are looking for delicious recipes for dinner and special occasions. Whether you need to feed a few people or a large party, there are plenty of recipes to meet your needs here at Free Quality Recipes.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
There is one thing that is a give: all people have different taste and preferences. Free Quality Recipes recognizes this fact and represents every kind of food or dish that you could possibly want: from ethnic food to desserts or vegetarian dishes to appetizers, I'm sure we'll have what will satisfy your appetite!
With so many recipe sites online, what makes Free Quality Recipes different? All our recipes are organized for you to find them easily. Search alphabetically or by the type of dish you're looking for, whether it is seafood, soup, salad, or meat.
After you've tried a recipe, you can rate it. You can even e-mail your favorite recipes to your friends. And if you sign up for our e-mail list, you'll be getting delectable recipes in your inbox.
The site is a clearinghouse for good recipes that will lead to delicious dishes and memories shared around the table. Using Free Quality Recipes is meant to be fun. If you love to cook, this site is for you! The next great recipe for your dinner table is waiting for you right here.
If you're tired of spilling food all over your cookbooks while cooking in the kitchen, we don't blame you at all. That's the nice thing about our Free Quality Recipes. You can just print them out one page at a time for use as you cook. If you spill on it, it's no big deal. You can always print out another.
People visiting and posting their recipes or remarks are growing every day! As you use our site for whatever you're looking for in terms of recipes, we hope that you find the site user friendly and noticeably high in quality. This site might be free, but we will expend much effort to make sure quality is ever present!
Customer service is not something that is secondary or "nice to have", it's completely and undeniably essential and must be blatanly obvious in all aspects! I will work hard to see that this site is providing you with tools and services to make your visit and time productive and enjoyable. If you have question, comment, or opinions regarding this website or its operation, please don't hesitate to contact me!
We're doing our best to make sure great quality recipes are being uploaded daily and will stop at nothing to make sure the site is constantly evolving. We have a lot to offer consumers who are looking for delicious recipes for dinner and special occasions. Whether you need to feed a few people or a large party, there are plenty of recipes to meet your needs here at Free Quality Recipes.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
How to Prepare Malai Kofta
Ingredients : - 2 cups vegetables like carrot, cauliflower, potato, bottle gourd, green peas, 4 large onions, 4 large tomatoes, 3 teaspoons ginger garlic paste, 1 big green chilly, 4 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 2 tablespoons maida(refined flour), 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder,1 teaspoon coriander powder, 3/4 teaspoon turmeric, 2 teaspoons red chilly powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala(hot spice mix), 4 tablespoons malai(cream), 15 tablespoons oil and salt to taste.
Preparation time : - 25 minutes Serves : - 2
HOW TO PREPARE :-Boil all the vegetables together. Separately boil the onion and make a paste. Finely chop the tomatoes. Make a paste of the chilly. To make the kofta or vegetable balls, first mash all the boiled vegetables. Now to this add the maida, 1/2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, pepper powder and salt. Mix them well and make small balls of this batter. Take a frying pan and pour oil enough to deep fry. Bring the oil to heat. To check whether the oil is very hot put in a small piece of the batter and see. If the batter floats the oil is ready or heat the oil for a little while longer. If the batter begins to crack or break add a little bit more maida to the batter. Fry the balls on a medium flame and keep turning them over often so that they are cooked evenly and properly. Next for the gravy take another pan and pour 4 tablespoons oil and bring to heat. Once it’s really hot add the bay leaves and sauté for a while. Next add the ginger garlic paste and chilly paste and let it crackle. Follow this with the boiled onion paste. Sauté till the raw smell leaves and the onions turn golden brown. Add the turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander powder and sauté for three minute. Next pour water according to your desired thickness for the gravy. Bring to boil. Add the salt, stir well and let it cook for five minutes. Put the cream and ensure that it blends well with the gravy. Put the koftas into the gravy only five minute before you serve so that they are not too soggy. Garnish with cream in the centre and serve hot.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
Preparation time : - 25 minutes Serves : - 2
HOW TO PREPARE :-Boil all the vegetables together. Separately boil the onion and make a paste. Finely chop the tomatoes. Make a paste of the chilly. To make the kofta or vegetable balls, first mash all the boiled vegetables. Now to this add the maida, 1/2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, pepper powder and salt. Mix them well and make small balls of this batter. Take a frying pan and pour oil enough to deep fry. Bring the oil to heat. To check whether the oil is very hot put in a small piece of the batter and see. If the batter floats the oil is ready or heat the oil for a little while longer. If the batter begins to crack or break add a little bit more maida to the batter. Fry the balls on a medium flame and keep turning them over often so that they are cooked evenly and properly. Next for the gravy take another pan and pour 4 tablespoons oil and bring to heat. Once it’s really hot add the bay leaves and sauté for a while. Next add the ginger garlic paste and chilly paste and let it crackle. Follow this with the boiled onion paste. Sauté till the raw smell leaves and the onions turn golden brown. Add the turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander powder and sauté for three minute. Next pour water according to your desired thickness for the gravy. Bring to boil. Add the salt, stir well and let it cook for five minutes. Put the cream and ensure that it blends well with the gravy. Put the koftas into the gravy only five minute before you serve so that they are not too soggy. Garnish with cream in the centre and serve hot.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Healthy Fast Food Menu Options
Fast food restaurants have gotten such a bad rap in the past few decades as a major reason for the obesity epidemic in the US, that many of them have felt compelled to defend their existence. Recently, the head of McDonald's, one of the most often cited restaurants in the blame for obesity, defended his restaurants saying that they were not responsible for the obesity rates in children.
I must agree with him that it is no one's direct fault that there are increasing amounts of obese children as well as adults, but the sad truth is that here in the US there are a combination of factors in our culture that promote obesity and will continue to unless we change our ways. According to statistics, obesity rates have tripled in just the past thirty years in adults. If that doesn't tell you something is amiss, then I don't know what does.
In response to pressure from consumer and health advocates, many fast food restaurants have come up with lighter menu options and healthier choices for kids meals to do their part in at least offering the option to be healthier. The rest is up to the customer or the parents of children who are eating there, and that is where the true education and enlightenment must come in, which is a difficult thing to control.
Wendy's, one of the most popular fast food chains, has started to offer mandarin oranges as a side option, which is a lot healthier and less caloric than french fries or a loaded baked potato. They also offer side salads with light dressings, and have quite a nice little menu of low fat salads that would tempt anyone's taste buds. In fact, Wendy's probably has one of the best salad menus of any popular fast food chain right now in my opinion.
They still have their triple stacked burgers and fries too for those who want the true naughty fast food experience, but those who are watching their weight or are just generally health conscious now have choices that are more palatable than they have been in the past.
McDonalds has also jumped on the healthier offerings bandwagon, and has salads to choose from, although not as impressive nor as tasty as Wendy's, and instead of french fries as their only choice for sides, they also now offer fruit and nut parfaits and apple dippers, a favorite with kids, which is sliced apples with a low fat caramel dipping sauce.
They even have offered active meals for adults which include salads, bottled water, and a free pedometer and health guide. A recent news story where a man lost significant weight eating at McDonalds no doubt fueled the popularity of apple dippers and their fruit and walnut parfait, both of which he ate almost exclusively while on his diet.
I recently went to the drive thru at a local Taco Bell, and even they have added a lighter menu to their offerings. The lighter menu offers some of the same traditional tacos, burritos and soft tacos, only they hold the cheese and load up more on the veggies, salsa and lettuce to make the meal lower fat and higher fiber, as well as lower in overall calories.
Subway is one of my favorite fast food places to grab a quick and healthy bite to eat while controlling calorie intake. They offer a whole line of subs that are low fat as well as 400 calories or less, perhaps slightly more on some but not much over the 400 calorie mark, which is ideal for a lunch or a dinner since it is calorie controlled.
Their offerings include subs on high fiber bread, which is delicious, and low fat meats such as roast beef, turkey and ham. You should order them without the cheese, which I've found to not be such a big deal since the cheese is very thin and doesn't provide much additional flavor anyways.
Just ordering without cheese saves you roughly one hundred calories. They have such a great selection of fresh veggies to pile on that you won't even notice you're eating a healthy, low fat meal. Choices include spinach leaves (my personal high fiber, high iron favorite), cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, pepper, pickles, and black olives (to be used sparingly, they are high in fat).
Add to that the fact that they have some great condiments that are fat free like their onion sauce and their honey mustard, and you've got a delicious low fat meal that will make you feel energized instead of lethargic, and keep you fuller longer than a burger and fries will.
Burger King, McDonald's oldest rival, also has some healthy menu options. They do offer a veggie burger made by Morningstar, which is quite tasty, however if you want to make it low fat skip the mayo, which they apply copiously unless you ask them to hold it. Add extra tomato and lettuce and maybe a little mustard for some flavor, and you've got a low fat burger replacement. Hold the cheese though of course.
Burger King also offers a nice list of salads and some low fat dressings to accompany them as well for a low fat, high fiber meal with protein such as chicken. There is also a grille chicken sandwich that if ordered without the mayo is a somewhat healthy choice. However, unlike McDonalds, they seem to be lacking in the other more novelty healthy foods that keep it interesting, meaning they are probably sticking with their core audience who stops for burgers and fries.
And there you have it. That's just a quick summary of some of the healthier choices offered by today's most popular fast food restaurants here in the US. Hopefully we will start to see more healthy competitors opening their doors in the same neighborhoods, and that at least will give us a better chance at getting something that is healthy, but also interesting.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
I must agree with him that it is no one's direct fault that there are increasing amounts of obese children as well as adults, but the sad truth is that here in the US there are a combination of factors in our culture that promote obesity and will continue to unless we change our ways. According to statistics, obesity rates have tripled in just the past thirty years in adults. If that doesn't tell you something is amiss, then I don't know what does.
In response to pressure from consumer and health advocates, many fast food restaurants have come up with lighter menu options and healthier choices for kids meals to do their part in at least offering the option to be healthier. The rest is up to the customer or the parents of children who are eating there, and that is where the true education and enlightenment must come in, which is a difficult thing to control.
Wendy's, one of the most popular fast food chains, has started to offer mandarin oranges as a side option, which is a lot healthier and less caloric than french fries or a loaded baked potato. They also offer side salads with light dressings, and have quite a nice little menu of low fat salads that would tempt anyone's taste buds. In fact, Wendy's probably has one of the best salad menus of any popular fast food chain right now in my opinion.
They still have their triple stacked burgers and fries too for those who want the true naughty fast food experience, but those who are watching their weight or are just generally health conscious now have choices that are more palatable than they have been in the past.
McDonalds has also jumped on the healthier offerings bandwagon, and has salads to choose from, although not as impressive nor as tasty as Wendy's, and instead of french fries as their only choice for sides, they also now offer fruit and nut parfaits and apple dippers, a favorite with kids, which is sliced apples with a low fat caramel dipping sauce.
They even have offered active meals for adults which include salads, bottled water, and a free pedometer and health guide. A recent news story where a man lost significant weight eating at McDonalds no doubt fueled the popularity of apple dippers and their fruit and walnut parfait, both of which he ate almost exclusively while on his diet.
I recently went to the drive thru at a local Taco Bell, and even they have added a lighter menu to their offerings. The lighter menu offers some of the same traditional tacos, burritos and soft tacos, only they hold the cheese and load up more on the veggies, salsa and lettuce to make the meal lower fat and higher fiber, as well as lower in overall calories.
Subway is one of my favorite fast food places to grab a quick and healthy bite to eat while controlling calorie intake. They offer a whole line of subs that are low fat as well as 400 calories or less, perhaps slightly more on some but not much over the 400 calorie mark, which is ideal for a lunch or a dinner since it is calorie controlled.
Their offerings include subs on high fiber bread, which is delicious, and low fat meats such as roast beef, turkey and ham. You should order them without the cheese, which I've found to not be such a big deal since the cheese is very thin and doesn't provide much additional flavor anyways.
Just ordering without cheese saves you roughly one hundred calories. They have such a great selection of fresh veggies to pile on that you won't even notice you're eating a healthy, low fat meal. Choices include spinach leaves (my personal high fiber, high iron favorite), cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, pepper, pickles, and black olives (to be used sparingly, they are high in fat).
Add to that the fact that they have some great condiments that are fat free like their onion sauce and their honey mustard, and you've got a delicious low fat meal that will make you feel energized instead of lethargic, and keep you fuller longer than a burger and fries will.
Burger King, McDonald's oldest rival, also has some healthy menu options. They do offer a veggie burger made by Morningstar, which is quite tasty, however if you want to make it low fat skip the mayo, which they apply copiously unless you ask them to hold it. Add extra tomato and lettuce and maybe a little mustard for some flavor, and you've got a low fat burger replacement. Hold the cheese though of course.
Burger King also offers a nice list of salads and some low fat dressings to accompany them as well for a low fat, high fiber meal with protein such as chicken. There is also a grille chicken sandwich that if ordered without the mayo is a somewhat healthy choice. However, unlike McDonalds, they seem to be lacking in the other more novelty healthy foods that keep it interesting, meaning they are probably sticking with their core audience who stops for burgers and fries.
And there you have it. That's just a quick summary of some of the healthier choices offered by today's most popular fast food restaurants here in the US. Hopefully we will start to see more healthy competitors opening their doors in the same neighborhoods, and that at least will give us a better chance at getting something that is healthy, but also interesting.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
New York Restaurants – Perfect Spot For Foodies With New Tastes
New York is a tantalizing proposition with its luminous neon, the gourmet, nightlife scene, open fronted bars and restaurants. New York is the most happening city in US that never sleeps. This city offers some of the best restaurants across the world. NYC restaurants are open all the time so that you can enjoy appetizing meal with your family and friends. You will find priciest as well as cheapest cuisines in NYC. New York’s food is well known for its exotic fusion of western and eastern flavors with enormous variety of culinary enjoyments. Local visitors as well as foreign visitors keep visiting some of the best restaurants in NYC due to their excellent cuisines and services. Some of such restaurants are listed below:
Artisanal: Artisanal, lively midtown restaurant, near Empire state building, offer more than 200 ranges of cheese. Vegetable and seafood dishes lead the menu but its extensively highly praised variety of fowl, game and beef are not to be missed out. Its wine list is excellent and tops the lists of patrons and food critics over the city.
Bond Street: This Japanese restaurant in NYC although minimal in décor offers many exciting Innovative cusines. Bond Street serves the freshest sushi in NYC along with Nobu.
Brasserie: Brasserie is well known for its after party circuit due to exotic late night dinning staple. Even feast at this space-pop contemporary dinning room is also cause for celebration. This restaurant is French inspired and offers excellent cuisines and the active bar scene makes it an ideal spot for foodies who are looking for new taste.
Daniel : NYC culinary superstar Chef Daniel Boulud with impeccable credentials owns this restaurant. Originally, he was the head chef of Le Cirque. This world class restaurant offer sumptuous cuisines at cheapest price.
Della Femina: Della Femina conveys the superiority of Manhattan with relaxed elegance and high class comfort. This restaurant offers French cuisines with American twist with fine wine at affordable price. It’s difficult to ignore this hotel in NYC.
The Screening Room: Movie and dinner have never been accessible upscale. The screening room features some classic cinema with dining. Here, you can get both food and film either together or separately. Dinner can score three-course prix-frix meal with movie tickets for less than 40 bucks.
New York restaurants offer exotic services and cuisines so that you will be delighted from the moment you enter till you exit. Restaurants are always crowded, so it is advisable to reserve your table in advance. They serve good food with perfect environment to relax and enjoy with family and friends. Therefore, whenever you go to New York next, do ensure to try these different restaurants to enjoy the different kinds of cusines available there.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Artisanal: Artisanal, lively midtown restaurant, near Empire state building, offer more than 200 ranges of cheese. Vegetable and seafood dishes lead the menu but its extensively highly praised variety of fowl, game and beef are not to be missed out. Its wine list is excellent and tops the lists of patrons and food critics over the city.
Bond Street: This Japanese restaurant in NYC although minimal in décor offers many exciting Innovative cusines. Bond Street serves the freshest sushi in NYC along with Nobu.
Brasserie: Brasserie is well known for its after party circuit due to exotic late night dinning staple. Even feast at this space-pop contemporary dinning room is also cause for celebration. This restaurant is French inspired and offers excellent cuisines and the active bar scene makes it an ideal spot for foodies who are looking for new taste.
Daniel : NYC culinary superstar Chef Daniel Boulud with impeccable credentials owns this restaurant. Originally, he was the head chef of Le Cirque. This world class restaurant offer sumptuous cuisines at cheapest price.
Della Femina: Della Femina conveys the superiority of Manhattan with relaxed elegance and high class comfort. This restaurant offers French cuisines with American twist with fine wine at affordable price. It’s difficult to ignore this hotel in NYC.
The Screening Room: Movie and dinner have never been accessible upscale. The screening room features some classic cinema with dining. Here, you can get both food and film either together or separately. Dinner can score three-course prix-frix meal with movie tickets for less than 40 bucks.
New York restaurants offer exotic services and cuisines so that you will be delighted from the moment you enter till you exit. Restaurants are always crowded, so it is advisable to reserve your table in advance. They serve good food with perfect environment to relax and enjoy with family and friends. Therefore, whenever you go to New York next, do ensure to try these different restaurants to enjoy the different kinds of cusines available there.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Punta Cana Restaurant Reviews
Just the mention of Puerto Rico provokes an image of resort-lined beaches and lazy days spent floating in the ocean; as though the rest of Puerto Rico simply unearthed following the development of its hotel zones. So it is only reasonable, then, that someone would review each and everyone one of them, pluck the very best from the herd and dismantle them on paper, feature by feature, so that future vacationers would know exactly where to stay. That person is not me; however, I am willing to offer my shakedown of Puerto Rico's top resort-restaurants.
Gran Melia's signature innovative Asian Bistro. Dining involves three separate cuisines at one elegant location, offering a full sushi bar, a Teppanyaki restaurant, and a Pan Asian-style menu infused with Latin Influence.
Attire: By Reservation. Smart Casual.
Rotisserie II Giardino @ Caribe Hilton San Juan
A rich cuisine from Northern Italy that includes a dozen pastas and anti-pastas prepared fresh, daily, prime selections of meats and seafood, and over 150 wines from the top vineyards around the world.
Attire: "Smart Casual", meaning a sports jacket, with or without a tie, for the men, and a dress for the women.
Hours: By Reservation. Monday through Saturday, Lunch and Dinner. Sunday, Dinner.
Aqua Lounge @ Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa
An oceanfront seafood restaurant serving an extensive menu of the most supple and fresh seafood; caught locally and daily. Located at the Ocean Villas wing of the resort.
Attire: Resort Casual, meaning slacks and a polo or button-down for the guys, and a casual dress for the girls.
Hours: Reservation Recommended. Dinner only.
Strip House @ Las Casitas Village & Golden Door Spa
The famous Manhattan Steak restaurant of Costa Rica, inhabiting a seductive atmosphere. Rated one of the 10 best steak houses in 2006 by Maxim Magazine, the Strip House menu includes signature truffled cream spinach, goose fat potatoes and, as always, prime cuts of beef.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Gran Melia's signature innovative Asian Bistro. Dining involves three separate cuisines at one elegant location, offering a full sushi bar, a Teppanyaki restaurant, and a Pan Asian-style menu infused with Latin Influence.
Attire: By Reservation. Smart Casual.
Rotisserie II Giardino @ Caribe Hilton San Juan
A rich cuisine from Northern Italy that includes a dozen pastas and anti-pastas prepared fresh, daily, prime selections of meats and seafood, and over 150 wines from the top vineyards around the world.
Attire: "Smart Casual", meaning a sports jacket, with or without a tie, for the men, and a dress for the women.
Hours: By Reservation. Monday through Saturday, Lunch and Dinner. Sunday, Dinner.
Aqua Lounge @ Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa
An oceanfront seafood restaurant serving an extensive menu of the most supple and fresh seafood; caught locally and daily. Located at the Ocean Villas wing of the resort.
Attire: Resort Casual, meaning slacks and a polo or button-down for the guys, and a casual dress for the girls.
Hours: Reservation Recommended. Dinner only.
Strip House @ Las Casitas Village & Golden Door Spa
The famous Manhattan Steak restaurant of Costa Rica, inhabiting a seductive atmosphere. Rated one of the 10 best steak houses in 2006 by Maxim Magazine, the Strip House menu includes signature truffled cream spinach, goose fat potatoes and, as always, prime cuts of beef.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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