Tag Archives: food

Eat Stay Love | High on style: Hong Kong

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There is something special about Hong Kong: a city that offers a slick mix of top-end Western lifestyle, vivacious energy of the East and friendly people from all around the world. The city’s food and drink culture is amongst the finest in the world with quality as high as those towering structures all around. You have to be really unlucky to walk into a place that didn’t do a super job. No matter how often I visit this city, I am always surprised by just how many bars there are and how busy they all get on most nights. Here are a few of my favourites:
Sevva: Modern equivalent of traditional diyas wow guests as they
enter this rather fashionable destination situated in the penthouse
of the iconic Princes Building in Central. The bar is swish and the
outside deck offers brilliant views of the city. sevva.hk

8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA: Head to the three Michelin-starred
Italian restaurant for great food, tasty cocktails and its fantastic
wine offerings. The bar is headed by one of India’s top mixologist,
Devender Kumar whose popular drink—Optimist is a must-have.
It is an exhilarating mix of Bacardi Carta Blanca, ginger and honey
syrup, lime juice and basil, which goes well with the authentic Italian
flavours served here. ottoemezzobombana.com

Stockton: Thanks to its extensive whisky collection, this space is
ideal for whisky aficionados, but its menu also features great cocktails that are named after some of the greatest writers of our time. The Persian rugs and deep sofas add to its classic charm. stockton.com.hk

Quinary: Helmed by ‘Diageo World Class Hong Kong’ and ‘Macau
Champion,’ Antonio Lai, this bar has made it to ‘Asia’s top 50’ and
the ‘World’s 50 best bars’ list multiple times. It showcases a rotary
evaporator and other equipment used for redistilling and slow cooking their own flavoured spirits. quinary.hk

J.Boroski: Give your adventurous side a treat at this invitation-only
bar hidden away off Hollywood Road. A brainchild of New York
mixsultant Joseph Boroski, the bar does not have a cocktail menu.
Here the bartender asks for your preferences and creates a cocktail in front of you. Ezra’s Ln, Central, Hong Kong

Iron Fairies: Designer extraordinaire Ashley Sutton’s highly
anticipated bar is also perhaps the most whimsical place I have
ever been too. It is inspired by Sutton’s experiences in iron
ore mines in Western Australia. The décor transports you to the
set of Mad Max Fury Road with countless iron butterflies floating
over your head. I go there for a couple of drinks before
wandering down the rabbit hole. LG, 1 Hollywood Road, Central,
Hong Kong

Lily & Bloom: The two-storey restaurant and bar has consistently
been awarded dining and cocktail accolades. This is the city’s hottest
modern American restaurant that turns into an intimate lounge on
the weekends. The cocktails are fantastic and the bartenders are at
the top of their game. lily-bloom.com

La Cabanne: I chanced upon this cosy wine cellar & bistro when our
group of sommeliers decided to go in after a long day of tasting. The
bar focuses on wines from all over the world. While the spotlight is on French wines, drops from small artisan growers throughout Georgia, Australia, Chile, Spain and Italy are also scattered throughout the list. lacabane.hk

Eat Stay Love | Tapas Treats with Chef Omar Allibhoy

Eat Stay Love teamed with All Things Nice for an exclusive dinner in Mumbai and Delhi.

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Earlier in June this year, critically-acclaimed Chef Omar Allibhoy, of Tapas Revolution, London, was brought down to India by All Things Nice to give epicureans a taste of his famous contemporary tapas styled cuisine at two exclusive dinners hosted at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu and Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity. The young chef collaborated with Vishal Atreya, Executive Chef of JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, and Ajay Anand, Culinary Director of Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, to offer an eight-course meal in each of the two cities. During the course of the evening, Allibhoy kept guests entertained with stories from his childhood. He also spoke about his own evolution as a chef, and of his family’s connection with India— his great-grandfather was originally from Mumbai.

The scrumptious tapas was complemented with wines from France, Argentina and Chile, selected and paired with the courses by Sommelier Nikhil Agarwal, CEO—All Things Nice, who co-hosted the evening with Chef Omar Allibhoy. The menu featured Jamon Iberic Con Pan Con Tomate (melt-in-your-mouth Iberian acorn-fed ham that Allibhoy had especially brought with him); Arroz Negro (black seafood rice cooked with squid ink); Pulpo Fritto (fried octopus leg served with mash, smoked paprika and olive oil), and Chuleta de Cordero Moruna (grilled marinated lamb cutlet served with grilled spring onion with nuts and tomato sauce). The menu for vegetarians did not disappoint either. There was the beautifully-plated and delicious Paellas de Verduras (saffron-infused vegetable paella), Berenjenas Rellenas de Pisto (baked aubergine filled with pisto and gratin with béchamel) and the simple yet tasty Pan Con Tomate (grilled bread with garlic, tomato and evoo). The dinners were attended by guests like Christian Rummel, Ignacio Ducasse, Sunil and Krishika Lulla, Sanjiv Walia, Sarika Shetty, Naveen Chawla, Gaurav Gupta, Gagan Rai, Prabodh Agrawal and Sharad Puri. Also seen at the event were: Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Jose Ramon Baranano, Ajit Pai, Tarun Khattar and Tristan Beau de Lomenie. The wines for the evening were courtesy of Flipsydee, ASPRI, Agnetta International and Grover Zampa and included wines from producers like Robert Giraud’s, Chateau Timberlay, Mythic Mountain, Valdivieso, Bodegas Sierra Cantabria and Concha Y ToroV. Remy Martin VSOP Cognac Fine Champagne was served with Cream Catalona for dessert to round-off the intoxicating evening. Presented by All Things Nice, the event was held in collaboration with Media Partner – Eat Stay Love, Luxury Mobility Partner – BMW Navnit Motors, Airline Partner – Qatar Airways, Wine Partners – Flipsydee, Agnetta International, Aspri Spirits, Grover Zampa, Cognac Partner – Remy Martin, Hotel Partners – Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, JW Marriott Juhu Hotel, and Glassware Partner – Lucaris.

The Bombay Canteen

Walking into Bombay Canteen in the evening is like stepping into a yesteryear ghetto pub. The people, the jabber, the unending bar, the music and the vibe all within the quite compound of Kamla Mills is invigorating. The restaurant offers you an eclectic mix of Mumbai’s favourite food and the city’s incomparable hospitality.

Undoubtedly, the best part about Bombay Canteen is the food. The menu is well thought through and has an item that every community in the city can associate with. The Crunchy Dried Shrimp reminds you of a walk past Colaba Market while the Methi Thepla topped with Pulled Pork Vindaloo presents a perfect combination of two very different cuisines. We also enjoyed the strong but smooth spice of the Kejriwal eggs and the well-plated Black Pepper Prawns.  Main course was a mix of Prawn and Kairi Biryani, some greasy-in-a-good-way Kheema Bheja Ghotala and a very comforting Uncle’s Coconut Mutton Curry with buttered pao.  A meal at Bombay Canteen isn’t complete without their signature cocktails. The Tar-Booz is my favourite; the kala namak or black salt brings the water-melon based drink to life! Another great accompaniment to the food at Bombay Canteen is Gateway Brewery’s selection of craft beer. Nothing compliments greasy, spicy, flavour loaded Bombay food like a chilled glass of beer! The desserts were unconventional and interesting, from Old Monk soaked gulab jamuns to masala chai popsicles. My favourite was the Jackfruit Tan-ta-Tan!

Whether you’re a thorough bred local or new to the city, Bombay Canteen must be on your check list for the next month. It’s a melting pot of Mumbai’s culinary joys under one (big) roof!

Bombay Canteen

Beyond The Bar by Grey Goose at Asilo

ONDREJ POSPICHAL AT GREY GOOSE BEYOND THE BAR 3A couple of All Things Nice members and us went to Asilo a few nights ago on invitation from Asilo’s Sanam Sippy and Grey Goose. We were there to taste cocktails prepared by internationally renowned bartender Ondrej Pospichal for Grey Goose’s Beyond The Bar programme and to indulge in Asilo’s ambience and food. Situated on the top of the Palladium hotel, Asilo is Bombay’s highest bar and is truly spectacular.

asilo

Any night with a seven drink minimum on the itinerary is destined to be a fun night. Ondrej went on to present his ‘Signature Seven’, a series of seven cocktails made especially with Grey Goose, inspired by spices available at local markets. One of the cocktails was named after the capital city, ‘New Dilli’, inspired by the DilliHaat souk where different flavors of India blend in. Nope, no drink named after Bombay but we forgive him.

Programmes such as Beyond The Bar are super because it gives bartenders in India training to be creative with cocktails and flavors which are different from the usual concoctions some of which we are getting tired off.

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Folks I could go on about the drinks and food but you’ve got to go to Asilo for yourself and soak it all in, my personal favourite was the New Dilli and the Martini (my 8th drink, on my 9th I attained what I call “The Wisdom”) that Ondrej made specially for me. You can try making them on your own if you like, see below for how…Happy Drinking….

Nikhil –  All Things Nice.

ONDREJ POSPICHAL AT GREY GOOSE BEYOND THE BAR 5   ONDREJ POSPICHAL AT GREY GOOSE BEYOND THE BAR 3

Signature Cocktail recipes:

  1. NEW DILLI
  • 50 ml     Grey Goose Vodka
  • 5 cm       stalk Fresh Dill
  • 25 ml        Apple Juice
  • 25 ml       Fresh Celery Juice
  • 15 ml       Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 15 ml        Sugar Syrup
  • 2 dashes   Celery Bitters
  • Method    Shaken/ Straight
  • Glass       Martini glass

Inspired by the DilliHaat souk where different flavors of India blend in. the same way, this cocktail will take your senses on a journey where popular flavors of India like fresh dill, celery, fennel seeds will add distinct native flavor.

  1. L’APERTIF 
  • 35ml       Grey Goose Vodka
  • 15ml        Lillet Blanc/Martini Dry
  • 2dashes    Green Chartreuse
  • 25ml         Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • Method     Stirred/ Straight
  • Glass         Martini Glass

A French based pre-dinner cocktail inspired by the liking of James Bond. Infused with the strong and aromatic tonkabean which adds a hint of sweetness on the palate and leaves a refreshing sensation.

  1. WELCOME PUNCH
  • 50ml        Grey Goose Vodka
  • 15ml         Campari
  • 35ml        Homemade sage & white wine syrup
  • 30ml        Pineapple Juice
  • 25ml        Fresh Lemon juice
  • Top up     Sparkling wine / Soda / Tonic water
  • Method    Straight/ Big blocks of ice
  • Glass        Tea cup / wine glass

A cocktail which defines your personality by the choice you make between sparkling wine, tonic water or soda. Instilled with fresh sage, softened in white wine it complements the bitterness of Campari and silkiness of Grey Goose vodka.

  1. SENSE OF GOOSE
  • 40ml           Grey Goose Vodka
  • 1 big slice   Fresh ginger
  • 10ml           Tequila Blanco
  • 15ml           Honey water
  • 20ml           Lemon Juice
  • 6 pieces      Green cardamom
  • 25ml           Mozart Black (or Crème de Cacao Dark)
  • Method       Shaken / crushed ice
  • Glass           Rock Glass

Every ingredient in this cocktail gives your sense of taste of taste an imaginative run. A heartfelt blend of Grey Goose, tequila, honey water and green cardamomwhich is not so sharp on the palate but surprisingly sweet in the end.

  1. WORLDWIDE SWEET 
  • 4ml            Black pepper infused Grey Goose L’Orange vodka
  • 30ml          Crème de Peche (Peach Liqueur)
  • 30ml          Coffee liqueur
  • 10ml          Sugar syrup
  • 2tsp           Cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch      Sea salt
  • Method     Shaken / cubes
  • Glass        Rock glass

The world at your table. This cocktail brings together different varieties of chocolates from around the world. With a hint of peach and coffee flavor, you are sure to experience the finesse across your palate.

  1. HINT OF GREEN
  • 40ml        Grey Goose Le Citron vodka
  • 30ml        Homemade pineapple-coriander syrup
  • 20ml        Fresh lemon juice
  • Top up     Sparkling wine
  • Method    Shaken/ straight
  • Glass       Champagne glass

The name says it all. A refreshing mix of cocktail made with pineapple-coriander syrup, lemon juice and some freshly picked coriander leaves to garnish it. Very sophisticated welcome drink to suit any occasion and time of the day.

  1. LORD OF THE DOGTOWN
  • 40ml        Grey Goose vodka
  • 20ml        Agave water
  • 25ml        White Grapefruit Juice
  • Top up     Sparkling wine
  • Method    Shaken
  • Glass        Champagne Glass

A signature blend of five hand-picked spices (cinnamon, stevia, peppermint, grapefruit & black tea) is combined with the exotic flavor of Assam tea. Infused with Grey Goose vodka, this concoction is mixed with Agave and white grapefruit which makes it the best seller cocktail.