Length of Sweet

In the busy commercial center of Old Delhi, a worker outside a shop twists a length of syrup that will be used to make sweets

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Delhi Belly: 'Paranthe wali Gali'

In the heart of old Delhi's commercial hub, Chandini Chowk, lays a historical landmark since the time of the Mughals - the "Paranthe wali Gali." A very famous street, "Paranthe wali Gali" (‘gali' means street that sells ‘paranthas' - an Indian food delicacy, sort of chapatti) has seen almost three passed centuries. It houses descendants of the royal chefs of yore who make Paranthas that taste heavenly. So much so, that the Parantha is perhaps the only food in the world to have an entire street named after it!

The first impression of the gali is that of a bustling narrow by lane, crowds walking, bikes, cyclists' driving past, people browsing through the sari and jewellery shops! But as one strolls deeper into the street there begins an irresistible tingling sensation in the nostrils.

And one looks around sniffing the air for more of it and then you know for sure that you're in the right place. Sizzling hot paranthas are being fried here! Each day the dexterous hands of these chefs toss out the most amazing concoctions of a parantha.
Plain paranthas, salted or sweet paranthas, dal (pulses) ka parantha, gobhi ka parantha minced cauliflower), radish parantha, pudina parantha (mint), popadom parantha, cashew nut parantha - the variety is endless. You name it and they have it! All one is required to do is to knead some dough into small balls, roll it on a wooden base, addfillings ranging from cottage cheese, potatoes sprinkled with chopped ginger, and exotic Indian spices, fry it in ghee or butter and viola, it's the perfect recipe for a lip-smacking parantha.

At the moment there are about 40 varieties of paranthas and these chefs plan to add another 50 varieties in the coming years. The Paranthe wali gali caters only for the pure vegetarian - even no onion and no garlic!

What's different about the paranthas of Chandini Chowk is that they are fried in a kadhai, which is a griddle of sorts but very deep almost like an iron bowl. So the paranthas are doused in ghee or butter. The more oil used for frying the parantha the tastier it gets. It definitely is a satiating experience.

Earlier in the 1980s the gali had thirteen eateries cooking these sumptuous paranthas. But as more and more families are diversifying into other business ventures, only three families of Chandini Chowk are left in the field of parantha-making. It is their sixth generation that has taken on the endeavor to preserve the gali's name and offer the flavor of the past to the present.

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Super Fast Palak Paneer

Even though I try my hardest to make food using fresh veggies and make something interesting, there are those nights when I get home from work either too tired or too late to be bothered with trying to wrap my brain around anything too complicated. Last night was one of those nights.Since I still had a half block of tofu left over from making pasta the night before, I decided to make a bit of a vegan version of palak paneer. It's sort of the ghetto vegan version, let's be honest.

I love Palak paneer with a passion, so my convenience foods are typically cans or packages of Indian food of the just-heat-it-up variety. Yummy and fast. I especially love the Jyoti Madras Sambar and Delhi Saag.I just so happened to have a can of the Delhi Saag (mustard greens, spinach, ginger, lemon juice and spices) in my pantry yesterday. Armed with a can of that, some leftover tofu and some Indian basmati rice, a meal was born.

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Aloo Karare!!

The humble potato is Delhi's delight during the winter months. And aloo chaat, is the best form in which the potato can be consumed in this part of the world, at this time of the year.As the temperature drops to the season's lowest, I sit down and close my eyes. I see a photo slide of the various foods that I'd love to gorge on this winter (as any other). Aloo chaat, shakarkandi, jalebis from Chandni Chowk, mom-made halwa, kaanji (the blood red spicy drink made from bleeding carrots), and what not flash before my eyes.I happened to visit the Ham House (known to people as Hamilton House), aloo chaat wala twice in the past two weeks and thought of talking (read writing) about him here. As the name suggests, the chaat wala sits (in a corner) outside the Hamilton House, Inner Circle, Connaught PlaceI've been having the alu chaat made by him ever since I've been visiting Connaught Place. A visit to Connaught Place is rather incomplete without a nibble at this spicy snack, priced slightly high at Rs.20 for a plate.Vijay is the man who carries forward the legacy of his father and elder brother of selling the famed chaat.

And it has been 35 years since Delhiites have had the pleasure of gorging on it. Vijay also does a fruit chaat for you, if you want. During winters he also does the sweet potato or shakarkandi to please your tatse buds. But nothing beats the humble potato: diced, fried, spiced up (mild spicy to fiery hot) and served hot. Ahaaa! Yummm! And yeah he faced the axe from the Supreme Court when the street food vendors and stalls were asked to be removed. Later, everything fell in place (only for old players like these) and now he sells chaat to you legally. :)

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Whats cooking Delhi?

Singh Sahib at Hotel InterContinental Eros, Nehru Place, offers a royal treat this month with the traditional Balti cuisine. As the name suggests the food is traditionally cooked and served in “Balti” and is a popular cuisine in Mirpur an d adjoining Potohar region of North Pakistan. Some of the non-vegetarian and vegetarian signature dishes on offer include: Baalti Prawn Masala, Baalti Gosht, Baalti Paneer Mirch, Baalti Rajmah Lazzatdar and many more. Open from November 7 to 15.Delicious Sweets This winter you can turn the winter blues into sweet euphoria with delicious dolci at Urban Pind at N-4, Greater Kailash-I. You can try out the extraordinary chocolate brownie presented straight from the oven or the panna cotta with blueberry sauce. The dessert menu features many favourites from tiramisu to the bailey’s mousse cake, besides cheese cakes and soufflés. Open all through this month from noon to 1 a.m., priced Rs.150 onwards.

Kabab is king The Great Kabab Factory at the Radisson Hotel on National Highway has undergone a complete renovation, allowing their guests to relax and enjoy a very unique dining experience. The Great Kabab Factory (TGKF), which is found today across eight countri es, is one of the largest Indian restaurant chains in this category. Meraj-ul-Haque, Master Chef, TGKF talked of his life and recipes. “I was born in Lucknow, it is our traditional job and my forefathers were also involved in the same profession. I have worked with the Oberoi groups in Delhi, Mumbai and also in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia before I joined TGKF. I was part of former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s visit to Malaysia. I have received compliments from Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, late Pramod Mahajan and many other celebrities”. TGFK has approximately 400 varieties of kabab on offer. Some of their dishes are lamb galouti kabab, barrah kabab, vegetarian galouti kabab, kurkure paneer, etc. Gudh imli ki chaat, aloo hara dhania, cocum-kurry leaves ki machchi are some of the vegetarian specialities. The breads and desserts are another highlight.

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Delhi belly

Yes it is completely true! Eating out in Delhi is nothing short of taking a countrywide tour of India - from coast to coast, mountains to plains, valleys to islands. To top it all, even international flavors are available to sniff and taste in the city of Delhi. What's keeping you then from venturing on tours to Delhi and reveling in a plethora of cuisines that are waiting for you? You can choose from Indian, Mughali, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Bengali, South Indian, Kashmiri, Goan and North East Indian cuisines and beverages that are easily available in many leading restaurants and hotels. These eating joints also offer Continental, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Mediterranean and Italian recipes to make your eating out in Delhi experience a satisfactory one.

Another place where you can catch a comprehensive glimpse of the culinary variety in India is Delhi Haat. Besides multi specialty restaurants, there are specialty restaurants in Delhi where you get authentic flavors amidst ethnic décor. Mughlai, Chinese, Continental or food from the South… they're all available right here in Delhi. Recent years have witnessed a marked proliferation of eating places in New Delhi, along with bold introductions of different kinds of menus to cater to the sensitive palates and esthetic sensibilities of a progressively demanding public. Whatever one feels like having, the choices are wide. Mughlai, Chinese, Continental, food from the Northwest Frontier, South Indian food, delicacies from the coastal states of India, a variety of salads, fast-food creations, piping hot Punjabi makki ki rotis (flat bread prepared from corn) and sarson ka saag (prepared from fresh, green mustard leaves), bar-be-cued sizzlers, Turkish delights, the unusual flavors of cuisine perfected in beautiful Kashmir, Tibetan food, dishes from Japan-one just has to name it and it shall served, for, in matters of taste, Delhi offers the same, virtually unlimited choice as did Aladdin's lamp.

Between them, the deluxe and five-star hotels, exclusive and popular restaurants scattered all over Delhi, and the busy dhabas (the humble Indian forerunners of modern restaurants) provide fare that would tempt the most fastidious of Nawabs (noblemen) or gourmets living in times when the culinary arts had reached a peak and feasts had become a measure of class, style and social status.With rare exceptions, almost all of Delhi's top-bracket hotels offer specialized kinds of cuisine through a clutch of restaurants designed to stimulate even the most developed of taste buds.Both the Defence Colony and Greater Kailash I markets of New Selhi are happy eating grounds. Connaught Place in the center of Delhi has long been home to a kaleidoscopic variety of restaurants and cafes.

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Delhi's Night Life

Ssteel A Steely Hideout
50-B Chanakyapuri, Diplomatic Enclave,The Ashok Hotel,New Delhi, 110021
Huge steel doors leading to an atrium of Ssteel embossed on the panels of glass cylinders of bubbling water. With such a magnificent and enthralling entrance of the Ssteel bar, you are sure to anticipate something more. And you are not let down, as you enter this plush bar at The Ashok . Begin your evening with cocktails. With prices staked high, you are sure to find famous celebrities uncork a champagne or sip on premium scotches. Popular DJs churn out hip music, this place undoubtedly is the Mecca for the jet setting crowd.

Safari Bar Inexpensive Club
M-52, M-Block Market, GK-2Greater Kailash,New Delhi, 110017
Safari Bar has some curios that justify its name but nothing much else in terms of decor. It's a regular bar, with dim lights, serving regular drinks and playing loud and popular beats. Still, it's packed on weekends with long waiting lines. The lack of a dance floor is no deterrent for those wishing to shake a leg. Chairs are shoved aside and disco lights are turned on promptly. The management tries to ensure that everyone has a good time

Lizard Lounge Sheeshas and Shawarmas

E-5, South Extension Part IINew Delhi, 110048

Located in South Delhi's commercial district, Lizard Lounge is a Mediterranean food joint-cum-nightclub. Dimly lit atmosphere, Arabian music, exotic hookahs, potent cocktails and Mediterranean classics like shawarmas, shish kabab create a tavern like ambience. In the evenings, the restaurant turns into a club with the in-house DJ spinning tunes—mostly lounge and hip-hop. Lizard Lounge also features belly dancing once a week. The crowd is mostly young and hip and this resto-bar is apt for anyone who enjoys good food in an ethnic decor.

Delhi's Devils

It's Party Time E-3 South Extension - IISecond FloorNew Delhi, 110049
This club has all the attractions. A hint of sleaze, plenty of devil masks, tattoo artists, ear shattering bhangra and hip-hop, and flowing spirits. It's like a theme park replete with house of horrors. To sober up, there is an all night cafe on the ground floor. The prices of liquor has been kept down; the best marketing move. The place is packed on Wednesdays and weekends.

Capitol ,Best Nightclub

50-B Chanakyapuri, Diplomatic Enclave,The Ashok Hotel,New Delhi, 110021
A good imitation of a European club with its artsy lounge decor containing colored lights, wood, glass and steel; Capitol is a riot. Located within Two separate dance floors, juggling bartenders and popular DJs add up to a classy evening with a cosmopolitan twist of lime and a drop of deadly liqueur. This is a major hive for the young, rich and beautiful on weekends. The dance floor is always packed; there are usual casualties from accidental poking of pointy heels into the feet, lack of air and bruises while trying to get a drink from the bar, but nobody ever complains. Probably one of the finest club in town. It is housed in the classy Ashok

Agni ,Five Star Bar

15 Parliament Street, The Park New DelhiNew Delhi, 110001
Clear away the glass bead curtains and walk past the bronze firewall to enter Agni (fire). The bar is surrounded by dark wood and is lit with soft lights. The keyword is RELAX. There are low leather divans with golden pillows, a shocking orange wall at the end of the bar, leather tub chairs surrounded by glass tables, and the music is thankfully grown-up. The DJ will play anything as long as it's not techno or kiddie rock. The bar is 35 feet long and the dance floor looks as if it can accommodate a small procession. A lot of thought seems to have gone into the look of the place. The killers are the feisty graphics and the contemporary arrangements. Also, no rich school kids on a night out here, but whoever walks through its door better have some dough. It is housed in the Park.

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BTW

Bittu Tikki Wala-Bittoo's story is a bit of an inspiring one. Form one cart to two little shops, Bittoo has got there by sheer dint of hard work. His Tikkis and Dhahi Bhalle have a huge fan following and are pretty good, even if I wouldn't drive all the way to that part of town to partake in their popularity. In short, recommended only if you live in that part of town.

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Delhi Belly

From the by lanes of the walled city to the swanky hotels and restaurants, Delhi has the taste of all. Delhi gives you the option of choosing from the wide variety of cuisines, which is a mixture of regional and international food. Delhi loves its food which is a blend of North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental and American lifestyle fast food. All these varieties are readily available in every parts of Delhi. International chains such as McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, Wimpy and TGIF have a good strong chain all over Delhi.

Some of the places worth visiting are: Berco's and Fa Yian, for Chinese food Karim's and Nizam's, for Mughlai food Nirula's for a mix of Indian and western fast food Sagar, in Defence Colony for Udipi food English Dairy, a popular dhaba in Connaught Place for inexpensive vegetarian food However, if you are a food lover and want to spend an evening with your friends and lovers in a rich ambience then these are the places to look for:

• Delhi ka Aangan (Hyatt Regency)
• Darbar (Ashoka Hotel)
• Corbetts (Claridges)
• Bukhara (Maurya Sheraton)
• Frontier (Ashoka Hotel)
• Baluchi (The Hilton)
• EI Arab (Regal Building)
• Dum Pukht or the process of slow cooking developed in
• Awadh (Maurya Sheraton)
• Kashmiri food at Chor Bizarre (Hotel Broadway)
• Thai food at Baan Tahi (The Oberoi) Sukothai
• ( Hauz Khas village)
• Japanese food at Tokyo (Ashoka Hotel)
• Osaka (Haus Khas village)

Market), Angeethi (Asiad Village) and Degchi (Regal Building). To add to that, there are a number of famous road side "dhabas", which are highly sought for by people from all sections of the society. Some of these are roadside eateries around Jama Masjid and Nizamuddin where kababs, rotis and biryani are the order of the day.

VARITIES OF FOOD IN DELHI Chinese Food: Chinese food is available in every five star hotel in India while most restaurants in Delhi do serve Chinese food. Chinese food is very popular among the people of Delhi, which goes to show the reason why we have large number of Chinese cuisines in the city, not to mention the road side fast food with delicious Chinese food.Continental Food: Continental cuisines can be had at five star hotels like La Rochelle (The Oberoi), the Orient Express (Taj Palace) and Captains Cabins (Taj Man Singh). Continental food is also available at various multi-cuisine restaurants within the city.Desi Junk Food: you can have the taste of various desi food available at every nook and corner of the city. Among the very popular and widely available are chat, gol guppe, paranthe, bhelpuri, chaat papri, etc. These stuffs can be found at places like: Bengali Market near Connaught Place in the center of Delhi. Haldiram's stores located at every parts of the city offer chat, sweets and other spicy items. Ashok's near Chawri Bazaar in Old Delhi is famous for Chaat.

Indian Cuisines: The most popular and one of the delightful offerings of Indian cuisines can be found at Delhi Haat, where you can have the taste of real India. Delhi Haat has food stalls from almost every state in India, which offer cheap and quality food. The place has special importance in the sense that quality food is coupled with swanky market depicting arts and crafts culture of India. For food lovers, eateries such as those at Pranthe wali gali, or chaat at Bengali Market and sunder Nagar, bhelpuri at Greater Kailash and sweetmeats from Annapoorna and Ghantewala can be a part of the gastronomical tour of Delhi. Italian: Italian food is very popular all over India and especially in Delhi where people love to have Italian food. Most of the restaurants and Hotels in Delhi serve Italian food with some specific Italian restaurant serving quality food. Among the most common Italian restaurants, we have:
Little Italy, Defence Colony Market
The West View at Maurya Sheraton, Olive near the Qutub Minar, Diva at Greater Kailash Pt.2, San Gimignano at Imperial Hotel and La Piazza at Hyatt Regency offer some of the best authentic Italian food in the South-Asian continent.
The Big Chill, Khan Market and East of Kailash, is popular with a young crowd for great smoothies, ice creams, cheesecakes and Italian food.
Flavours of Italy, near the Moolchand Flyover. Thai Food: If you are a lover of Thai food, then you must visit:
EGO Thai at Friends Colony Market
Culinaire at GK2
Chilli Seasons at Lodhi Colony market
Ban Thai at the Oberoi hotel NWFP & Tandoori Food: Some of the popular Tandoori destinations in Delhi are:
Moti Mahal Deluxe and Havemore at Pandara Park.
Bukhara at Maurya Sheraton.

This restaurant is featured in the book, "1001 Places to Visit", which is the best in terms of taste, ambience and quality.
Others notables include Chor Bizzare and Punjabi by Nature.

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Foodies is just another name for Delhiites

That’s right. Gluttony is no sin for these food lovers who don’t shy away from letting their taste buds try out different kinds of food—national or international. Till a few years back what Delhiites were hooked on to, when it came to food from beyond the national boundaries, were fried rice, chowmein, momos, and, of course, manchurian. Then came pizza. And it has stayed on. Not just has the pizza been there, it has also brought along its cousin from Italy, pasta. The effect of these is for all to see. Today it is the pizzas and pastas that have got South Delhiites rolled in. Vinu Kaul, a resident of GK-I, Block S, was an avid Chinese food lover till some time back. She claims she couldn’t but eat Chinese fried rice. Today, however, she can’t resist the smell of oregano and the taste of olives. "I am a big foodie and love to try out new cuisines. Only sometime back I developed a taste for pastas. Now I am just hooked onto it. Though there is a lot of cheese in it, I still like its taste," says Vinu. Cheese isn’t that big a problem, especially for Delhiites who love to have their food creamy in taste and rich in look. Italian food scores a perfect 10 on that front. With multiple and generous layering of cheese in almost every dish, no wonder South Delhiites are rolled into their love for pastas and pizzas. Says Rajiv Ranjan of Kasbah at N Block in GK I that houses Spago, the Italian fine dining restaurant, "Indians do like to experiment with their cuisine, that is why they try out so many different varieties of food. However ultimately they come down to something that’s very basic to their nature, rice and flour. And Italian food has both as its basic ingredients. So it is more close to Indian food." Quite an interesting fact, isn’t it! That said, it does not mean that Chinese food fares badly when compared to Italian food. The good old manchurian still has its loyal clientele. Right from Lajpat Nagar to South Extension to every popular market in the city, either there are Chinese stalls on the roadside selling the ever popular Punjabi version of the platter in the form of Chinese chaat or there are exclusive standalone restaurants of the cuisine. What has now also got South Delhiites addicted to it is Italian food. Though Aseem Grover of The Big Chill, one of the pioneers in bringing Italian food down from being an expensive fine dining option to a more affordable category, doesn’t consider Italian food a threat to Chinese or vice versa. He does believe that Italian food is here to stay. "The best thing about Delhi is that it is very receptive to any kind of experiment or change. Any new cuisine from anywhere will be accepted here. One kind of food can never be a threat to another one. In fact Chinese comes soon after Indian food in terms of its popularity."So, while exclusive Italian restaurants in the city are still less in number, the fact that they are increasing, speak for the food’s popularity.

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Preet Vihar Complex a foodies’ paradise

Besides its coaching institutes, language institutes, mobile, watch and computer repair shops, property dealers and several other offices, Preet Vihar Shopping Complex is also known for its eating-out joints that see a huge draw everyday. Some East Delhites are almost regulars at these joints for they offer them good fare at affordable rates. The complex has several educational institutes and their students can often be seen relishing the food provided at joints like Dominos and Bikaner. These joints provide a host of options for visitors to the market. There are also some dhabas like Rama Foods and Gupta Eating Point that go down well with people working in various offices of the complex. Anil Saxena who works with a language institute says: "I am not from Delhi but have come here for work. I have nobody to cook food for me at my place and I do not know cooking. However, I do not have to worry as there are some dhabas that offer food at reasonable prices." A stone’s throw away from the Complex are Nirula’s and Berco’s. Priyank Srivastava, pursuing a French language course at an institute in the Complex, says: "I am very fond of ice-creams and with Nirula’s nearby I go there almost every day. There is quite a heavy rush most times at this Nirula’s." So, if someday you are planning to visit the Complex, don’t miss treating yourself and your friends at these joints

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Delhi: Hub for awesome food

We all have heard and read enough about those uber hip restaurants and joints. They are chick but you need a ham in your pocket to be there. This is for all those who are not restricted to any class, are different and ready to take a chance..
DELHI UNIVERSITY is full of students from all over the country and as we all know, a student life gives way to some of the best days of our lives. Here, I have tried to chalk out the most accessible, cheap and wonderful places to hang around. You need not have a pocketful of asharfiyaan (gold coins) to be here, but only a heart full with friends and the spirit to enjoy.
Tom uncle’s Maggi : This is almost world famous! This guy doesn’t have an air conditioned restaurant, but still you will find people flocking for his maggi from all over the campus. Tom uncle has his little mobile thela, fixed in front of Miranda House and opposite to Khalsa college. Maggi, with a slice of butter on top of it, makes all your worries melt away with the melting butter. It is definitely worth a try.
Moving a little ahead, you will find Kamla Nagar (K Nag’s), the hub for students of north campus. Chacha’schole bhature are cheap and lip smacking! All you girls can sin for this one, it is sure going to leave you with a heavenly taste.
Just round the corner, you have Maurice Nagar police station, this is one place you can bank upon even at two o’ clock in the night. Exams, late night studies, paranthas and tea and one can have a wonderful day the next morning.
Now moving from north campus towards Purani Dilli (Old Delhi), you find a place called Majnu Ka Tila (MKT). It is a Tibetan habitation, and you can get awesome non vegetarian food here. Biryani, beef, pork...if you are a non vegetarian foodie, this place is a must. Its by-lanes lead you to food, which would leave you with a taste that will make sure you do visit here again.
And then of course who doesn’t know about Purani Dilli ki paranthe wali gali, chaat and gol gappe. These congested lanes, and the rich food remind you of the times that were, maybe that as a student of history, I tend to attach a historical sense to these ruins but I am sure that you all will have something to notice in these almost white turned black juxtaposed houses. The paranthe wali lane smells of ghee and the aroma takes over you as dope.
Just then, coming to Paharganj, a place where you can find more foreigners than Indians. You will find lanes full of restaurants, flooded with white crowd (mostly Italians). Moving ahead, there is a place called Sam’s cafe, don’t go to the basement but take the stairs leading to the terrace. It is an open restaurant. One place where you can find all kinds of Italian food and in reasonable prices. Try the Cheese larzarnia...it’s priceless.
Moving off to south, your very own Dilli Haat serves a variety of cuisines. And reasonable enough. Try the Hyderabadi biryani. Moonlit ambiance of the place makes it a special day to be there.
Saket remains the undisputed champion for chilling out. Open, not crowded and with just enough people you would like to have a look at. Again here, the open air restaurant Hari Chatni serves pretty good food. Good food and an entertaining movie would surely make your day.
These are few of those places, which have a distinct aroma and ambiance of their own. They give you enough space to cherish the memories of your college life

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KB Coffe Day...

One of the most popular shopping destinations in Delhi goes by the name of Karol Bagh, one of the busiest, bustling market areas situated right in the heart of the city. I have seen the market and the way it has changed with time over the past couple of decades, not only because I have been frequenting the place ever since I can remember but also because I live in close proximity to the place. Karol Bagh is not as planned as Connaught Place, as specialized as Chandni Chowk or as export-surplus oriented as Sarojini Nagar and this fact is exactly what works for its favor. This market, also known as KB for short, is a treasure trove for the keen shopper and those who have an eye for details and a knack for haggling with vendors.
The Karol Bagh market has fond memories in my mind when I used to accompany my mother to her shopping haunts for the most random household items like utensils, towels and upholstery. Most Delhiities are aware of the famous Monday-bazaar, which, as you might have guessed it, takes place on the first day of the working week. Don’t visit KB on a Monday if you want to shop in huge, glassy showrooms because they are closed for the day. But street vendors selling all sorts of merchandise take over the streets of the market on the same day and the place is submerged in a sea of humanity. Trust me, you have to experience this once in your lifetime. The vendors shout creative one-liners animatedly (no point writing them here, you have to hear them) at the top of their lungs to attract attention from their potential customers. Aunties, uncles and quite a few people from the younger crowd jostle each other to pick up a pair of sandals for Rs 100, pillow covers for Rs 30 each and imitation jewellery for even lesser amounts.
Till about five years ago, Karol Bagh was seen as a not-so-hip shopping haunt for fat, Punjabi ladies who came to buy their salwar-suits and gold jewellery. But the image has been continually changing with big brands opening up their flashy stores in the market. As far as I can remember, this metamorphosis actually started in 2000 when the Tata Group launched the first store of their Westside chain in KB, and that changed the image of the market over night. Since then, brands have been making a beeline to acquire showroom spaces at good locations in the market. If you are looking for branded exclusive shopping, Westside of course takes the top spot; but there are other good choices like Jainsons Westend, Miss Players, Spykar and the recently opened Fabindia, Peter England’s People and Benetton. If you are shopping for footwear, KB will leave you spoilt for choice. Whether you’re shopping on the streets or in the stores, you will find the exact match for your feet. Though there is nothing much to say about the quality of the shoes sold on the street, you can find decent quality in the shops, especially Venus Steps, Bata and Vansons.
Karol Bagh is widely known for its bridal trousseau offerings (remember Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Monsoon Wedding?). RCKC, Zohra Emporium and KBSH are some of the places in Delhi synonymous with gorgeous ethnic wear. Check out the numerous jewellery shops in KB (the maximum number for any place in Delhi) for beautiful designs at competitive prices. If you’re planning to do up your house, be sure to visit one of the most famous furnishing shops in Delhi, Jagdish Store. The prices may be a bit steep, but the exclusivity of the goods ultimately gives you value for money. The place also has a great option for people looking to buy second-hand books, though it is nothing compared to Darya Ganj on Sundays. Visit the pavement side of Arya Samaj Road to get a feel of what I’m saying.
Ghaffar Market, one of the biggest electronic market places in India, is a must-visit for any electronics connoisseur. Your eyes will be blinded, even in the evenings, by the gleam and flash of metal on gadgets. Knock-offs of designer watches and sunglasses, latest mobile phones and accessories, Chinese mp3 players and even imported cosmetics are widely available in the wide and narrow alleys of the market. If you’ve wanted to unlock the iPhone your cousin got you from the States for a long time, then Ghaffar is the place you’ve been looking for.
How can we talk about Karol Bagh without mentioning about its food joints? KB is truly a gastronomist’s delight and there is something to suit everybody’s taste buds. There is the famous Roshan Di Kulfi, known for its delicious kulfi-faluda and chhole-bhature among others. Taste the kulfi at Roshan’s and there’s a slim chance that you’ll ever like the kulfi elsewhere ever. Then there is Punjab Sweet House, popular for its delectable fare of dishes like paneer tikkas and sambhar dosas. Then there’s the usual McDonalds and Pizza hut for the not-so-adventurous. Oh! I also have to mention this place called Raffles, with a bake shop called Anjlika, which has an amazing icecream soda menu and some of the best baked dishes ever like chicken croissants and paneer rolls. Also, don’t forget to have a taste of the fruit-chaat and golgappas from the road-side chefs; most of them are finger-licking good. I used to miss the presence of a Café Coffee Day in KB and used to wonder why they hadn’t opened a shop there as yet, considering the number of footfalls the market gets. It seems like God, or rather CCD heard my prayers. Within the last six months, two coffee chops of the same chain have miraculously appeared out of nowhere in the shopper’s haven. I’m already drooling here, aren’t you?

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Get a taste of Puja, head for stalls

Being a food festival, housewives prepare authentic Bengali delicacies at home which they then sell at nominal rates in different stalls at the pandals.
With Anando Mela, Feasting Sets The Note For Durga Puja Festivities To Begin The Anando Mela marks the beginning of all the fun and excitement that revolves around Durga Puja.

While most pujas will hold the mela on Sunday, welcoming the goddess on Mahashashti, there were a few which put up the stalls a day ahead on Saturday. ‘‘The enthusiasm among women in the community is remarkable. There is a huge turnout for this fair. It’s such an essential part of the festival, that we actually look forward to eat the delicious food at the pandals. During these four days, most Bengalis, like me, don’t cook at home and enjoy eating here with family and friends,’’ says Debashish Saha, head of the organising committee at Matri Mandir, Safdarjung Enclave. Most puja samitis also give out prizes for the best stall at their pandals. ‘‘We’ve organised for around 100 stalls. Of these, we will award the best one considering the presentation, hygiene and of course, the recipe and preparation,’’ says Anjan Mukherjee, convenor of Durgotsav at Shiv Mandir, CR Park. The stalls offer some lip-smacking snacks and sweets — Ghugni, narkol nadu, pithey, paatisapta, luchi-chhola, taal gurer payesh. And for those who crave for spicy food, the stalls also have vegetarian and non-vegetarian items — Mughlai paratha, fish curry, chicken curry, biryani, egg roll — the list is endless. Besides, there are North-Indian preparations also on offer.

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Lassi Vs Cola

Lassi Vs. Cola It is interesting to note that the good old lassi has competition from the colas today. Concurs chef Dean, "The colas are convenient and one need not worry about the hygiene standards." But the trend is largely area specific. Anshuman Chawla of Amritsari Lassi Wala says, "Lassi is more in demans in areas like Chandni Chowk as compared to a posh locality like Greater Kailash II. People who prefer junk food generally go for cold drinks."

Considered a front runner among summer coolers in the searing heat, the humble lassi has come of age in its new avatar. This modest thirst quencher is no longer confined to the traditional curd base as the new-age lassiwala are presenting the drink with innovative flavours. The more popular ones being strawberry flavoured almond lassi, saffron with almonds, banana, chikoo and the seasonal mango. Thought lassi enthusiasts can be seen flockin the innumerable kiosks in the city, the purists prefer the traditional frothy variant.

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Power of Paratha

We ate twice at Pt. Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan on Paratha Wali right off Chandni Chowk. They were very good and very filling... but we managed to share six the first time and then four the next. Paratha wali Gali (Paratha Street), Chandani Chowk, Delhi, India is a very old foodies destination. One can relish the test of more than 25 varieties of freshly prepared Paratha. This food destination is more than 100 yrs old and People from different part of world come to have the taste of different Paratha. Watch this video from Parathe wali gali.

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Not So Fair

Delhi Book Fair has invariably been a much-awaited event with hundreds of students and book lovers thronging Pragati Maidan ever year. But this time, the response was quite thanda as the majority of the stall owners didn’t get many customers Even though the book fair had started a week back, many could spare time to visit the fair only on the last day. It was neither negligence nor a laidback attitude that led to their delayed visits. Kavita Virat, who had come to the fair to get books for her friends said, “It has been an hour now and I haven’t been able to find the book I need. Since my budget is just Rs 1500, I will try to strike the best bargain.”

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JALEBIS AND REST....

I went out shopping one Saturday, was unimpressed with what i called the “refined” taste of air-conditioned mall chaat. “If you want street food you go to the street,” was my friend's verdict. She dug instead into a platter of fried bread and vegetables.Street foods in the mall do not immediately threaten the street food of Delhi, but the roadside vendors may well have to change the way they do business. A court order earlier this year directed the city to ban the cooking of food outdoors, though not the sale of precooked foods. The city has yet to issue final rules, but it is likely to usher in changes to chaat-making.

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Chandni Chowk

The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. It is said that it was once lined with beautiful fountains. However, with time, it grew as crowded as it is today. Situated opposite the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk houses the Digambar Jain Temple, Fatehpuri Mosque - built by the wives of Shah Jahan - and Sunheri Masjid. It was from here that the troops of Nadir Shah started their mission of plundering and massacring the 'infidels' at Delhi. One of the most prominent wholesale and retail markets of India, Chandni Chowk is more than 300 years old. It was established in 1650, when Mughal Emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, as an accompaniment to the fort. Jahanara, the Emperor's favorite daughter, is credited with designing this market, where an arcade of shops was built in a half-moon shape around a pool.It soon budded into a prosperous trading center and branched into a number of by-lanes and soon stretched from the Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque. A canal known as Faiz Nahar, renovated by Ali Mardan Khan, is said to have run through the entire length of Chandni Chowk, providing water for both drinking and irrigation, but it went into disuse later. Besides the Red Fort situated nearby, one can also visit the famous Chawri Bazaar.

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DELHI HAAT

Shri Aurobindo Marg, Opposite INA market, New Delhi. In the hub of South Delhi lies Delhi Haat. The place which has been developed by the Tourist Dept. of Delhi, to enhance the craft manship of our country. This gives them a platform to show their skilled work and launch themselves from here. As the area is filled by tourists who would not miss the sight in the evening which is lovely. One can get goods at a very nominal price. The place has great food stalls with cuisine from different tastes of India, making it a place for everyone.

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