Tushar Mangl Media

If memory serves me right, the good people at Yum Yum Cha launched a new food home delivery brand Noshi last year. But although we have a YYC outlet here in Gurugram, Noshi's services were limited to South Delhi. The delivery kitchen was being coordinated through the Zamrudpur center. The good news is that Noshi is now in GuruGram as well. And the delivery brand has come at the right moment. Pan Asian Food is something that I was missing since the lockdown started. And YYC is an all-time favorite for this. Gurugram has seen several high-end Pan Asian brands coming down, especially from South Delhi like Enoki, Asian Haus, etc. Others like Ah So Yum and Auntie Fung's have also impressed the citizens. Varun Tuli's Yum Yum Cha is already a famous name in Delhi and Gurugram for its Pan Asian Cuisine. Served amidst an Origami-inspired setting, the outlets are often filled in with regulars. The Yum Tree group also has a catering division called Food Inc and Noshi is th...

About a decade ago, Yum Yum Tree, a Sushi restaurant in South Delhi, became the talk of the town for its innovative Sushi service. The Sushi would roll down a conveyor belt and added delight to the dining experience for its patrons.  Restaurateur Varun Tuli has come a  long way since. He opened the first Yum Yum Cha eatery at the bustling City Walk Mall in Saket, way back in 2014. The origami themed Pan Asian restaurant with vibrant colors, served a variety of Sushi, Stone Bowls, and desserts, which are a specialty in themselves.  The chain at present has four outlets, three in South Delhi ( Khan Market, Saket, and Vasant Kunj) and one in Gurugram ( DLF Cyberhub).  The success of Yum Yum Cha has led to a specialized catering unit (Foodinc, originally started way back in 2012) and a delivery brand Noshi ( currently operational in South Delhi). Ingredients to Success There is no doubt that Yum Yum Cha has turned out to be a hugely successful brand. ...

Nelson Wang's China Garden defines the evolution of Indo Chinese Cuisine in India. Spread across India, the restaurant chain as two outlets in the National Capital, Delhi. Recently they opened up their doors at Trillium Mall, Gurugram, a short distance from the City's district center and the famed Gymkhana Club.  In fact, Mainland China used to be located a couple of miles down at the famous Sector 29 market before it shut down. The locality also used to boast of Unlimited by Golden Dragon, which has also been shut down since.  Rising amidst the demand for Chinese Food in Gurugram, the place does impress. It has been beautifully decorated in shades of gray and blue. I visited it recently for a Duck and Dimsums fest curated by Plates2Miles, a community of food lovers with an active Facebook group. They organize a variety of food events across Delhi NCR, and this was the first time I was invited to attend. The best part of the evening apart from the great com...

Organic produce is the food that is made by using as much as natural products as possible. This is done to keep any chemical trances even though said safe is not all-natural, which will cause the food to grow to lose some of its natural nutrients. This type of growing produce is called inorganic produce. This is done by adding some chemical fertilizers and pesticide during the growth for making a high-breed or to make it look more vibrant and have shine to it on the outside. This adding of chemicals will also cause for the food to grow to lose some of its taste due to the faster growth process. Especially with animal products, they are fed with hormones, drugs, etc., for further growth of the tier body and increase the quality of the meat. Non-organic food items are usually cheaper compared to the organic counterpart because farming and growing methods yield more food per acre. There is minimal loss due to insect damage, and shelf life is often longer. According to ...

Just where the Golf Course Road ends to meet up with its Ext. Road, DoubleTree by Hilton stands tall, one of the most reputed hotels in the area. Spiritual Gastropub, the Hotel's bar has opened up its doors once again after a brief dormancy. The management is roping in some of the best disc jockeys in the industry to up the nightlife of Gurgaon and I visited the place the other day to experience the place. The first thing about the bar which you notice is the expansive collection of spirits they have. They also a pizza oven to complement that drink with a Pizza munch. They make some great pizzas especially the non-veg ones with a thin crust and ample toppings. But in food what, I liked the most were the Indian stand-alone dishes like Murg Atishi Tikka and Dahi Kebabs. Absolutely brilliant. The lounge starts filling up as the evening moves on but the courtyard is a chilled-out space in itself to party in the open. The management is engaging top musi...

As temperatures soar high, so does the urge to have an icy cold drink to beat the scorching heat for an instant relief! And sometimes a boozy yet healthy chiller is all required to slurp-on all day long. And what can be more interesting than sipping an alcoholic beverage out of a watermelon or coconut that will transport you straight to an island/beach! Pier 38- An Indo Arabic Kitchen & Cocktail Bar has rounded up some of the most amazing summery cocktails with a 'healthier' twist like, Tipsy Watermelon, Coco Bae, Hawana Dreams, Blushing Lady and Mr Gintastic! Presented innovatively in shells of fresh fruits- watermelon, pineapple and coconut, these creations are perfect to make you feel refreshing for keeping summer blues at bay - A conversation starter indeed!  Starting at INR 795+ Taxes, avail the offer of buy 1 and get 1 on these fruity drinks.  So, keep your cool, pick your poison- be it gin, wine, or vodka and check out the curated collection of flat...

Honey & Dough, a premium bakery brand from SDA, Delhi, opened up branches around the Nation's Capital as its name flourished. One region still not covered by them was Gurgaon and I often wondered why? Recently, to my surprise, an invite popped in, for the launch of their outlet in Gurgaon at Golf Course Road, or if you prefer new names, Gurugram at Raghvendra Marg. Amazing place, good cold coffee and bakes, couldn't find much to complain about the place. Here are 5 top things I liked about the place. 1. The Location - The ground floor of the upscale office tower, Two Horizon Centre at Golf Course Road, is already occupied by Foodhall and Cha Bar.  The area is easily approachable and the whole office and residential area around makes up for a lively crowd. 2. The Menu - For a long time now, Gurgaon has been wanting for a true blood coffee shop and bakery which goes beyond the cocktail and Beer thing. The menu is filled with all the usual baked goodies, ...

Olive Bistro has had a great presence in DLF Cyber Hub and also for a long time. The place has reinvented itself as Olly and I am glad that they have retained their original charm and great service intact. The interiors have gone for a huge makeover with more sunshine and white ceilings. (The hand pump is gone). The menu has only gotten better and my favorite Jar of Tiramisu is still here.                                             Prawns Pil Pil is one of the best dishes on the menu. The food bowl is healthy, filling and a great meal for any time of the day. I also had bite of the Huevos Rancheros, a better way to enjoy fried eggs. I would suggest if you are trying out this place for the first time go for their Italian options. The pizza is hand rolled and made right in front of you. Similarly the Sole fish is just great. The Banoffee Pie is the best w...

Impeccable service is the impression I got after my luncheon experience at Burma Burma the other day. The staff is not only well equipped and knowledgeable to serve patrons, they are also excellent at their job. From the very top, leaders like Ashu and staff members like Vikas go that extra mile to make your dining experience better. This place is a vegetarian's paradise with some amazing options for the veggies. I went with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised that even if no meat or chicken my meal had a variety and great taste. And the fact that they didn't offer me the traditional veggie treat of Cottage Cheese and Potatoes further enhanced my culinary experience. The food we had Samosa Soup - Samosa crispies in your soup makes for an excellent idea. Raw Mango Salad - The raw mango flavor mingles with the crunchiness of the peanuts for that great salad taste. Healthy too. Tea Leaf Salad - Highly recommended. These guys import choicest tea leaves for...

I have had a great experience at the UCH Rewind Gurgaon and so obviously visited this place with high hopes. An iconic restaurant this is one of the old school fine dining restaurants in Central Delhi. But the service is plain pathetic. The managers and staff are so smug and haughty that they serve you as a favor. Even the artificial smiles they may put up show scorn and contempt. They have ruined a perfectly good place with decent food. I say decent because there is nothing very special about the food if I compare the costs.  The Mathur Chicken Chaat has a good dressing but it was after 3 bites of capsicum and onions that I actually found a piece of chicken. The Ajwaini Mahi Tikka is a recommended dish. I found it be perfect. Well cooked and well presented. Next, we ordered Almond Crusted Chicken Strips but the manager overruled the decision. Yes, it was available but the manager strongly recommended the Stroganoff and canceled the fried chicken order. I don't like Str...

Bo Tai Qutab comes from a family of some great restaurants like the Made in Punjab, Farzi Cafe, Pa Pa Ya and Masala Library. Barring Pa Pa Ya I have had the chance to visit at least one branch of the other properties. One thing which has constantly remained common in their DNA is their remarkable service and attention to innovation with food and drinks. Bo Tai inherits the same and has done a lot to live up to its parent's goodwill. The road which leads to Bo Tai is exceptionally narrow but is dotted with some up coming fashion brands and specialty restaurants. One one hand we have the majestic Qutab Minar and its greens, the other side is shallowly developed with loads of greens. The building which houses Bo Tai on the second floor has a huge Peepal Tree in its compound and some top notch fashion labels on the lower two floors. Bo Tai has a U shaped structure with an Island Bar and generous open sitting. The furniture is wicker and as I browse through the leather...

On a neat corner of Baani Square, lies the White Bricx Cafe with uber cool interiors and an outdoor seating space with artificial grass, palms and swings. They have a great menu with Continental, Indian and Chinese options. They make their own Chicken Nuggets and I would recommend it definitely. The Nutella Shake is another thing which they make great. Fish n Chips is not that great but The Peri Peri Pizza and the Lasagne are quite good. Go for the European stuff here. And don’t forget the brownie and the fried ice cream.  The ambiance is very comfortable and the seating perfect for close private group or couple settings.  The service is very good with a smiling staff with the right recommendations and happy to serve attitude.

Its been quite many months since I last traveled down to Delhi and on the insistence of so many recommendations to try out this small little eatery. Andrea's Eatery does serve okayish food but that's where the story ends. The place is cramped, service is horrible and the menu overpriced. Imagine, I am about to eat my main course (Literally cutting it with my knife ) when the server finally asks "sir regular water or mineral water?"That is not surprising as every server seems to be serving every table. I had to repeat orders and instructions to five different people.  The management was arrogant and least bothered.The place does look filled up which is because the layout is like old school tea shops outside bus stands and railway stations. You are sitting so close to other guests that you can even hear someone whispering a table away.Its predecessor of sorts was so much better. At least the customer service didn't ruin your day. And the menu was more streamli...

My past experience with Nagai, the Japanese/Asian restaurant next to Gymkhana Club in Sector 29 had always been great. So, when I heard that they had converted the basement into a bar called Boho by Nagai, I marked my calendar for a visit. The team at Nagai basically has blended the goodness of Nagai with Bohemian vibes making this a great cocktail bar. the music is not so loud, the lighting is so perfect and the sitting so private yet open. The walls adorn some very creative paintings which I am told are put with collaboration with artists who have put them on sale. The service is quite good as expected. Nagai is one of the best Japanese/Asian restaurants in Gurgaon, partly due to its perfect service and Boho doesn't disappoint either. The recommendations of the staff are always worth heeding too. So this time too, I nudged the guy to help me with the menu. The menu itself is great. I am not a big fan of Menus which look like tomes of archeologists. Some ea...

An authentic effort to serve top-notch Italian food is what makes this place so special. The team has made an honest effort to bring a slice of Italy to Gurgaon. I went their for a quite lunch. The place is warm and inviting with pink roses on every table and white rose bushes outside the place. They even have an outdoor seating plan but liquor and wine is not served outside. At Artusi Ristorante the food which is served to the guests is cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region, a beautiful part of north-eastern Italy. It is the home of famous products used in fine dining around the world. While the original Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma) and Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano) are produced in the city of Parma, the original balsamic vinegar comes from the city of Modena, and the Bolognese sauce from the city of Bologna, all located in the Emilia-Romagna region. Core to the cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna are its home-made outstanding pasta creations. Endless varieties includ...

As you enter the Supermart- 2 building in Sushant Lok in Gurgaon, the fancy yellow board carrying the distinct logo of Wah! Amritsar catches your eye. Since past 4 years this place has been treating delightful Punjabi and North Indian cuisine to its clientele building up excellent goodwill in the region. I have had heard many good things about this place in the past, especially about the famed chicken dishes so I decided to visit the outlet and taste some of their delicacies. The place is mostly known for its quick home delivery service and takeaway but I found a few comfortable seating options too. They even have some tables outside if weather permits outdoor seating. The menu is quite vast and has a lot of options but its the Punjabi dishes or the dishes done with the Punjabi touch that leave a mark. Case in point is the Tawa Chicken. Its cooked well in spices with chunks of chicken with a thick gravy. If one is looking beyond the usual Butter and Karhai Chicken...

Getting our kids to eat healthy and nutritious meals is probably one of parenthood’s biggest challenges. It would seem that children have some innate aversion to vegetables and anything green (except green candy, of course). So before you start driving yourself crazy trying to find creative ways to sneak veggies into their diet or spending precious minutes cutting up their food into fun shapes in the hopes of tempting them to give it try, the solution may actually be a lot simpler. You. Your example is what your children will follow. Just as this appeals to behavior and making good choices in life, so will your child’s food preferences depend on you. You are your child’s most important role model! Our society as a whole is moving in the direction of healthier eating and making healthier lifestyle choices. The use of dietary supplements has increased as we try to make sure we are getting the very best and consuming the necessary vitamins and minerals we need to function. Rese...

I visited this newly opened cafe recently and was welcomed by a fresh change from the convention of most of Gurgaon's eateries. The music was not loud at all, and the ambiance cool and inviting for a warm conversation over great Blue Tokai Coffee. Add to that some very innovative dishes which do not vary much from the basics and yet surprise you with their flavors and taste. Drinks The Campa Wala Doodh invokes nostalgia and even though Campa is a dead brand, they use Coca-Cola to blend it with milk and ice for a great cooler. I really liked Masala Imli Thumbs Up, which just bettered the regular Thumbs Up. Food A recommended try is their scrambled eggs. It's extremely light and creamy. I am told that they have a unique way of scrambling the eggs which ensure added creaminess. The goat cheese and the bread which accompanies this is good too. Ragi Upma is healthy and filling and scores high on taste. For vegetarians, Mushroom Vol-au-Vent is a must try. The Sumac a...

UCH Rewind has achieved quite a fame in NOIDA and has been on my list since it opened its doors in Gurgaon a few months ago. They have outdoor as well as indoor seating, but indoor is quite better. The interiors are all done up with loads of wood and blues and it gives a warm feeling to the place. The Mushroom Cappuccino is a delightful soup but with a milk froth on top, which might dip its temperature. The menu of the place is a quite old school with a mishmash of Indian, Continental, Chinese, Italian and Mexican dishes. And that is perhaps too overwhelming. Considering the fact that they are good at almost everything they do, a thick menu can be confusing. Makai Malai Seekh is one of my recommended vegetarian starters on the menu. It is a seekh version of corn rolls and tastes absolutely great. Especially because they have the goodness of cheese and corn and like corn rolls, they are not fried. Patiala Paneer Tikka is our routine Paneer Tikka but if you like a tinge o...

Lohri away from Punjab is not a Lohri et all for me. So this time around I was delighted at the prospect of spending the Lohri night at Smaaash and the newly opened Gurgaon Pub Exchange. About Gurgaon Pub Exchange Trade like a pro is the underline theme of Gurgaon Pub Exchange. Like many other speculation driver bar exchanges in the city, Smaaash has got itself its own version of stock market like pub exchange. The place is tucked away at the back end of Smaash which is famous for its games. The bar has a comfortable and lounge setting with live music playing throughout the evening. TV screens adorn the walls of the place. These show you the ticker, a live mechanism showing fluctuating prices of drinks and liquor based on demand. And as it often happens in the stock market, here too market crashed. So at times, when prices go very unstable, the market just crashes and rates are reset. The Food The food is quite good and surprisingly I enjoyed the vegetarian fare ...