Samarkand - The North-West Frontier Express

We were due for Birthday Parties since 2 months .So on 03 Nov 2009 we headed for Samarkand - The Land Of Rugged People .It offers North West Frontier Express Cuisine .Apart from Bangalore the Restaurant has its presence in Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Kazakhstan , Tajikistan and Xingjiang .

HOW TO REACH THERE :
Address:Gem Plaza, 66, Infantry RoadLady Curzon, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Bengaluru, Karnataka .

Phone Number : 080 41113366

While coming from Trinity Circle on M G Road towards Anil Kumble circle , take the right from the Redlight of (Brigade Road<>MG Road) Crossing .Then take first left from the Redlight.Then Take the right turn .On the left hand side , towards the end of the road one big complex will come on the left hand side . Take the left turn adjacent to it.Then continue uptill the crossing and turn left on the road towards the Bowring Hospital and then ask for the Gem Plaza.Samarkand resides inside the Gem Plaza .


HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST : I think this is the most expensive restaurant in my List Of Restaurants up till now .You may Look at the Menu .




In case the Menu is not clear . You can download the Images of the Menu , and store it as .JPEG file .Then you may Zoom the image to see the rates .


HOW ABOUT THE AMBIENCE :The Ambience is OK . It has very well placed tables , but somewhat conjusted .The main attraction are the Painting on the Walls .The bar section is seperated by good ambience . It has 2 different sitting area .One offers country side Ambience where you can dine too and other looks like a mordern day pub .

HOW IS THE FOOD :We started with the MAIN COURSE, since we reached too late at the restaurant .We ordered :-

1. Murg Peshawari . This chicken preperation is rich in spices with brown gravy , roasted garlic and fresh red chilies .The quanity was average .I did not like the dish .

The dish costed us Rs. 335

2. Lagan Ka Murg - This has a yogurt based white gravy with cinnamon , Cardamom and Cloves .This is also boneless preperation.I didnot liked the dish .

This dish costed us Rs. 345

3. Palak Paneer - which is good and sumptuos .Quantity is average .

This dish costed us Rs. 230

4. Dal Afgani - This is kind of Dal Makhni ( Black Lentils ).The quantity of Dal Makhni is good .Dal was good .

This costed us Rs. 215

BREADS : We ordered three different types od breads :-

1. Khameere Ki Roti(Afgani Roti) : Rs. 45 / Roti

2. Tandoori Roti : Rs. 50 / Roti

3. Roomali Roti : Rs. 50/Roti

HOW IS THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE :The location pissed me off initially because it is in the Shivaji Nagar , near to commercial Street .Though Vegetarian was good . But the Non-Vegetarian Dishes disappointed me .Most of the people were foriegners there, probably the "Incredible India" tourists .It seemed to me that the all the dishes were according to the Foriegner's taste . All were low in Spicy factor .I donot liked the ambience too . Some part of the restaurant was good with beautiful paintings while other tables lacked that touch . Bar is Good .The majour factor is the cost of the Dishes . If we are paying good , we need the ambience also to be of that level .

RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN Food : 5

RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN Ambiemce : 6.5

RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN Overall Experience : 6

Punjabi Rasoi - Punjabi By Nature

I think this is the Best Restaurant in Bangalore , if your tongue is really Punjabi By Nature .The restaurant offers authentic Spicy Punjabi Dishes .In my recent memories , I didnot had any bad experiences about any of its dishes .When I was living in Indiranagar, it was my favourite restaurant .Now after coming to HSR Layout . The association with this restaurant has become special .I would like to share my experiences Of the HSR Layout Branch , where I recently visited .

HOW TO REACH THERE : If you are coming from Silk board towards Sarjahpur (on the extension of outer Ring Road) . Take right from the first big Red light , known as HSR Signal.You will get a big BDA complex of HSR Layout on the right hand side .Move ahead 20 steps , you will reach a crossing .Again Move ahead 5 steps , you will get a left turn opposite to McDonalds . Take left on that turn . As soon as you take left , you will get to see the Punjabi Rasoi .
http://thepunjabirasoi.com/

Phone Number : 080 23339171

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST : If I Compare its ambience+quality+taste and the rates , I think its NOT AT ALL COSTLY .The Menu , it offers is truly justified against the rates .

HOW ABOUT THE AMBIENCE : Ambience is Ok. They have some tables arranged outside and some inside .I would recommend that , if you get a chance to sit outside , you should not miss that chance .If a group of 7 or more is there , you may sit in the balcony besides the Big Aquarium .

HOW IS THE FOOD : I generally come here after taking Apetizers in my home , since it is very near to my home .I normally start from Main Course . This time around we ordered :-

1. Murg(Chicken) Punjabi - which has a nice spicy , tomato based gravy with 6 barbequed chicken pieces .

If you have taken Apetizers and starters prior to the main course .The Quantity is Ok and enough for 2 people .

The Dish Costed us Rs.200 .

2. BREADS :I took Wheat Tandoori Roti This costed us rs. 10 / Roti .

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS :Dal Makhni , Pudhina Chicken and kadhai Paneer for people with really spicy tounges .

HOW IS THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE : The Overall experience is very satisfying whenever i visited this restaurant .Generally , i rate the restaurants keeping in mind their rates and Menu .The service is little slow here , but the service factor gets fade behind the Food .

RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 in Food : 9
RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 in Ambience : 5.5
RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 in Overall Experience : 8

GUFA- Colossal Cave Dining Adventure

If there hadn't been women we'd still be squatting in a cave eating raw meat, because we made civilization in order to impress our girlfriends .

I felt the above thought might be true , and went to the Restaurant Gufa to Inspire myself , on my wife's 25th Birthday . This offers North Indian, Peshawari and Afghani on the Top Floor of the President Hotel , Jayanagar .

HOW TO REACH THERE : Address : Diagonal Road, 3rd Block Jayanagar, Bangalore-11

Suppose You are Coming from the Jayanagar 4th Block Petrol Pump towards the BHS first Grade College .Keep Staright and Cross the Redlight on BHS First Grade College .Take right form the next redlight after BDA Complex , go straight till you see the ICICI Bank after the Redlight . President's Hotel is Just Adjacent to the ICICI Bank .
Phone Number : 080 41808777 .

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST : I think its a costly Restaurant . 1 round of wine , 1 starter and 1 main course costed around Rs.1200 .

HOW ABOUT THE AMBIENCE : Best Ambience ever experienced .The Restaurant is in the form of a Cave .If you are a Nature lover , then It will add to your mood .The AC was chilling and the fountain next to our chair was making the experience more realistic .

HOW ABOUT THE SERVICE : Service is OK . I liked the fact that they treated us very respectfully and with very nice gesture .But somehow the starters came very Late , after the drinks .I expected it to come with the drinks .Rest was good .One of the staff members , came personally to take the feedback after the billing.

HOW ABOUT THE DINING EXPERIENCE : -
DRINKS : Drinks are costly . I ordered two wine based Cocktails :- 1. Ritz Hitz - White Wine + Orange Juice + Blend of Flavour - Rs . 250 (I liked it the green coloured drink , topped with the Orange slice ) 2. Mimosa - White Wine + Orange Juice - Rs. 250

STARTERS : I ordered 1 Plate Ruzwali Kebab which were Damn Tasty . It had 6 pieces of Fabulous Tandoori Murg (chicken) .Pieces were little bigger than average size of chicken Tikka . It costed around 195 .

MAIN COURSE : By the time main course started , we felt like half stuffed .We ordered Murg Patiala . The murg pieces were stuffed in the sheath of egg . Personally , I donot like egg dishes ,but this one was good .Egg lovers can surely go for it, others avoid .It costed us -Rs. 225
BREADS : We ordered Noni Rotis which costed -Rs. 70/each .This is a special roti with Khameera , probably the bread of North West Frontier provinces.
Tandoori Rotis costed us - Rs. 40/each .

I would say the overall experience was great . I went with a mood to dine in a different ambience .Along with the ambience , the food was also good .Yes............. , you can surely take your girlfriends , wives for a surprise dinner with dim lights .No candle lights ...............

RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN FOOD : 6.5
RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN AMBIENCE : 9
RATE THE RESTAURANT OUT OF 10 IN OVERALL EXPERIENCE : 8.5