mita56 - Tumblr blog

[mita56]

If I laugh at silly things, it's his fault. If I learn every day from everyone, it's his fault. Happy Birthday. This is how I will always remember you Baba, our last holiday together in the house (Whitehall) and city you loved (Darjeeling). I hope I live up to your expectations and will continue to extract joy from everything, as long as I live. #dad #friendship #anniversary https://www.instagram.com/p/B2vvelkJpNE/?igshid=4l0wev7g3zow

[mita56]

Checking out the outside deck as we head to sharjah https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ieWRAJGXB/?igshid=1ekqll4rv30l7

[mita56]

Yojit tested out the human claw machine at the VGX show hosted by @techradarme. My little geeky grandson and his cousin are in seventh heaven (at Expo Centre Sharjah) https://www.instagram.com/p/By-ObYjH5Nd/?igshid=1m70b1wsbafve

[mita56]

Ready for summer: very pleased to have been the training model for @michellecoelho82 to demonstrate the "pixie" cut to some of her other hairdressers at @thegrovesalons. Love my new look. #summer #pixiecut #salon (at The Grove Salons) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxbj0r6pp79/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fxxtsgdj7ymg

[mita56]

Had a fabulous day in the #Capitalcity exploring The Maze. It was quite simply done but there was so much to keep the little one engaged. Walking around trying to solve puzzles, finding clues while walking the course. We were rewarded with a 3d puzzle and a certificate of completion. We ended with a meal at Yas Mall where a giant Optimus Prime was set up. #myuae❤️🇦🇪🇦🇪❤️ #funwithkids #kidsofinstagram #puzzles #TheMaze (at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtGiS7tH3-Z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oj5mfuwazfut

[mita56]

This photo of my dad was taken from our house in Darjeeling (Whitehall) one of two his father built. It was taken 3 months before he died. It was a father daughter holiday that gave us so many opportunities for us to learn from each other, share his childhood memories including visiting Ray Villa, North Point. He died in 1989 at age 62 and 16 years later, his youngest brother (my Kakamoni) died on the same day. Both men taught me to try everything, don't judge and learn from everyone. Love you and miss you both everyday. #memories #anniversary #family https://www.instagram.com/p/BsudtTNnnr6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18vlc09hbttv

[mita56]

Discovered a new breakfast place in #Ajman @bezaruae that had a great cosy feel, good food, passed the munchkin's hollandaise test, delicious fresh khameer bread. A true find and a hidden treasure. #breakfast #Emirati #fooddiscovery (at Bezaruae) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsAHOBHnQov/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=icai653sz93r

[mita56]

A visit to the Rain Room was magical. We did not get a thumbs up from the munchkin because he had 20 drops of rain but we had to pry him away #Rainroom #Sharjah #art (at Rain Room Sharjah) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br23tnVHGNW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16jmsspf31aue

[mita56]

Finally made it to @springbamboorest with Bish, @wasibaby and tasted authentic Chinese, surrounded by a sea of Chinese folks. I think we were the only non-Chinese folks there and Wasila certainly turned a few heads. Favourite today has to be the braised chicken liver (forgot to take a photo) but will be back to try more (at Spring Bamboo) https://www.instagram.com/p/Brw-Q02HXBp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lzifnaqiy1jd

[mita56]

Had fabulous morning driving out of Dehradun (not too far) amid lush greenery courtesy of my cousin, meeting a family of langurs who were sunbathing, and checking out the valley and hills away from tourists followed by lunch and catch up with my aunt and her brood #dehradhun #hills #family (at Dehra Dun, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrKa1sOgdkG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cn0kvp8we14g

[mita56]

Good morning from Debra Dun. It was cold last night - single digit - thank God for heating. Lovely shots from the train ride up through the forests with hidden streams. (at Dehra Dun, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJgo-wgLjU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g7je9mityf8p

[mita56]

Had a fabulous evening with #Sufra team tasting the dishes from #Korean to #uzbek #Fryingpantours (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates) https://www.instagram.com/p/BorQAF5lDsg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jqarc16i783s

[mita56]

Sufra: Exploring the Silk Road

So my adventure with the team at Frying Pan Adventures continues with the journey into Sufra, a new experience they have launched for us residents specifically to help us see new sides to this city. Its great for anyone but if you are going to do a lot of new stuff regularly (and they have a fabulous lin-up), then Sufra is definitely the way to go.

Anyway, the first curated event was earlier this week - their Silk Road or Stalin. I was curious about the link between Korean and Uzbek food and this evening was a revelation. We started with the Korean restaurant where we tried some of their key dishes that we were to find “equivalents” of in the next one. Curious? So was I and I am glad I went. Unlike the normal Frying Pan food tours, this experience is not just about eating or listening but a discussion on the ingredients, the taste, the changes and the influences etc.

At Koreana, our first stop, we had sharing platters of Tteokbokki (fish cakes, rice cakes in a spicy seafood sauce with melted cheese), Banchan (assorted pickles including the ubiquitous kimchi), Mul Naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles with cold meat and pear juice broth) and Guksu (wheat noodles and vegetable broth). I did not even try to pronounce the names but I was a bit dubious about the combination of seafood and cheese - it was spicy but not fishy enough to clash with the Korean cheese but not one I would rush back for. Wasn’t sure about the texture of the rice cakes either. My favourite had to be the cold meat soup. The flavour combinations of sweet, salty and cold were a revelation. Would definitely go back for this and the pickled cucumber.

We had the first hint of the link to the next restaurant when the owner of the Korean hinted at war and displaced Koreans moving to USSR (as it was known then). Apparently, a lot of Russians go to Korean restaurants looking for the version of Korean food they are used to. So we went to the next restaurant, UZB Avenue.

Here we were served with dishes that used similar ingredients so we started with “kimchi” (it was more pickled cabbage but not how the Koreans make it) served with a flaky layered break (Katlama-Patyr). Since it wasn’t traditional kimchi - it tasted quite nice with the bread which was suitably light, flaky and delicious. This was followed by Kuksi (a cold broth and their take on the Mul Naengmyeon), Lagman Soup (beef broth based on Guksu) and a Spicy Korean Chicken that was their take on Tteokbokki. Once again, for me the cold broth was delicious. The “Korean” take by the Uzbeks was a more mellow and meaty version and, in my opinion, was a disservice to the Uzbeks but it certainly wasn’t Korean.

I do like authentic food and love some of the fusion stuff too. I would not pick one side over the other as long as it is tasty. I think I am more authentic than evolution (it was the choices we had to make) though these days (as the conversation went), everything we eat is an evolution and an amalgamation of our circumstances, what we can find and influences of the community around us.

So if you want to explore and discover, and you love food, try one of their next Sufra events. As a member, you get special options, but its still a fabulous experience. I highly recommend it.

[mita56]

Waxing lyrical

Most people that know me or meet me know that I am the eternal optimist. Even at 62. I am not ashamed of being enthusiastic about new experiences, of good customer service, people, food, family.

One of my favourite things to enthuse about is local initiatives. Today I am talking about two businesses - both favourites - that epitomise what customer service is about. In my opinion, this customer service is not about perfect service but about transparency, and the ability to know that they will take care of you. You forgive the smallest mistakes and sometimes overlook them.

WildPeeta

I am helping my friends, the Al Awadhi brothers, relaunch WildPeeta.  I love the way they involve us in every step, on every decision. They did that the first time around but they're doing it again. They are at the taste phase and are in the process of about to open. So, of course I am lending them my taste buds (you have to sacrifice for the good stuff!!!) along with others in #GoamPeeta to test out their systems, the food, service. At the moment, it's through Instagram DM and messaging apps.

Since I don't live in Dubai, I have been ordering and picking up. I can tell you with great confidence that the experience has been brilliant. You know that they are going to do a great job when the service is good even when they are not there. The communication channel is quick and clear. The sandwiches, in my opinion, is better than they used to be and the juice (that I can happily claim I named along with fellow Tweep, @shelo9) is as good and thirst-quenching as it was before. I love the new Pita taste and the new dressings in each sandwich. Don't take my word for it, follow them and ask them for a taste. And do pre-buy the meals.

Fruitful day

I first started supporting them when they started out a while ago and I lived in Dubai (I'm based in Ajman now). When I shop for fruit, I usually stick to 3-4 staples and not very good at recognising or selecting fruit. Fruitful Day offer a subscription box and the option of sizes. I personally love the Discovery box that gives me the option to try something new every week. They have just expanded their deliveries outside Dubai and its the best thing to have my delivery of fruit every alternate week. Because its a lot of fruit. All of the fruit is carefully selected, cleaned and ready to eat. It comes with a list of what is in the box and how to store in case you can't eat them all (and trust me there is a lot of fruit). My box lasts me a little more than a week so I do need to supplement with a few staples like bananas. If you want to start, do use my referral link so you can get 60 Dhs off the first box.

If you have a problem, they resolve it quite quickly and it's all online. Go on - it could be your five a day easily.

I don't think I will ever be less enthusiastic even as I grow older since I find something new to embrace and love every day. That's just me. Do you have something that excites and enthuses you?

[mita56]

The generosity of the @alawadhibros giving us (me, my brother and my sister-in-law a taste of their new sandwiches and reuniting us with #magicjuice knows no bounds. The sandwiches were generous, delicious and filling. We had the zesty tahina (my new favourite), the desi, and the chimichuri one. The beetroot sauce is as delicious and we had been hyping this to Wasila who's reaction to the two new tastes - sauce and juice - says it all. Can't wait to go back. #goampeeta #neverstopbelieving (at Wild Peeta)

[mita56]

Had a sublime meal at @follydubai with my friend Carol of @littleleavesuae recommended by Victoria starting with Schezuan cattle fish dumplings and mushroom with curry leaf and cashew nuts followed by sweetbreads and mushroom puree as well as monkfish cheeks with paprika, finishing with halibut and lamb. The chervil root and leeks was a revelation. The sign off was a cheese platter for me and rhubarb and custard for Carol. #divine #gastronomy (at folly by Nick & Scott)

[mita56]

Celebrating birthdays - cousin mania

I love birthdays. Not that I always do anything special or go overboard but occasionally others do that for me. My celebrations this year started last weekend (22nd) in Chennai where an impromptu plan kicked off on a Whatsapp group (don't they all do that these days?). We were using our excuses for birthday celebrations to really meet and spend time and get reaquainted with a cousin I hadn't seen in a while. And get to know him and his family. 

It was a fabulous but food-filled weekend which it usually is with Bengalis (especially) and when it involves my very foodie cousin Bikramjit (Tanu to the family - yes we love our nicknames), it most definitely is an extravagant feast. So a special thank you to him, his company and the lovely PR ladies/guys, and F&B teams that went out of their way to make this a very special celebration. 

The first day was spent with my cousin, Nirup and his family at their home as we introduced ourselves to them, reminisced about childhood, aunts, uncles, mayhem, carefully skirting around any cagey family dynamics (no family is without them). It was wonderful and Mrinalini (or Malu as she is called) served up her home cooking with some very special Coorgi (not the dog but the people from the Coorg hills of South India) cooking - simple, delicious and utterly satisfying. With a bit of a sleep in the middle (as I caught up on much-needed zzzs), we started with a belated celebration of my cousin Nirup's birthday (it was on 20th) with a few shots of Abelour which I carried from Dubai (yes the irony is not lost) as a birthday present. A wonderful spirit that Tanu introduced me to and I thought it would be perfect for my malt-loving cousin. The evening dinner involved (muslims - please move swiftly on) Pandy curry made with her grandma's handwritten recipe. 

Day 2 if I had to simplify started with a lovely 'picnic' lunch by the bay at Vivanta once again hosted by Nirup (why do we do this jostling for the bill but opt to share instead) but orchestrated by Tanu that got us a lot of attention. Had the most delicious seafood lunch - king prawns, crab curry, red snapper for us non-vegetarians and ravioli and veg curry for the vegetarians. All of it washed down with some wheat beer (can't remember the name) that was quite light and refreshing.

The epic celebration was at night - organised by Tanu (of course) and hosted by the ITC Grand Chola's Avartana restaurant. The 14-odd course was curated and created by the very deft and clever chefs and overseen by Chef Nikhil Nagpal. I could not even begin describing the experience - the menu was definitely South Indian inspired flavours taken from everyday home-cooked meals and streetfood that was elevated and sublime. It played on taste, textures, smells. As Tanu always insists - good food, well presented is complete art because it appeals to all five senses. I love Indian Accent, but this menu would give him a run for his money. If you are in India and in Chennai, make this one of your stops. Until then, enjoy the photographs.

My real birthday was yesterday (26). And it was spent the way I like it - with a good friend, Sunita, transitting through with her son, introducing them to some gorgeous Iraqi food along with Bish and Wasila, "cake cutting" with my daughter-in-law and my favourite man who apparently "can't wish me for my birthday without cake". 

All in all - I did quite well. 

Enjoy the photographs on Facebook.