Review: Izu Brasserie and Bakery, City Walk

Food: 5/5
VFM: 4/5
Ambience: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Veg Friendly: 4/5

An extremely delightful restaurant that I was glad to have experienced. Everything here was so delicious, I can't wait to tell you about it!

Mocha Coffee - It was so cute, with teddy bear latte art. It tasted pretty good too - strong and not too sweet, just the way I like it. Great to laze over, sitting in the shade, on slow afternoons.

Raspberry Iced Tea - With bits of fresh raspberry, this was uniquely refreshing. I love trying out different kinds of iced tea and trust me this was one of the better ones. Writing this is making me think about it again.

Burrata with Peppers and Pesto Sauce - This was served with a generous drizzle of olive oil over the whole dish, and freshly baked bread on the side. The fresh greens made it better, as did the pesto sauce. And the burrata. So creamy and delish. I think I will always fall in love with burrata a little more, everytime I try it.

French Toast - with fresh berries, berry compote and chocolate cream. Hands down the most delicious French toast I've had the pleasure of trying. On some days, it still comes back to me in my dreams.This was delightfully soft, enchantingly chocolatey, and all round delicious.

Eggs Benedict with Spinach - Beautiful runny yolk, which we mopped up with aforementioned fresh bread. The presentation was delightful as well, and I love that they added spinach so generously. Adding greens and herbs to any dish will always do the trick for me.

Izu Burger -An amazing, meaty burger that was delicious and filling and the only thing on the table I refrained from, being a vegetarian. But I am told it was absolutely amazing with great sauces, too.

Rigatoni with Cream Sauce and Truffle Paste - Rigatoni isn't my favorite type of pasta (hello, Tagliatelle!) but it worked here because it had so much space for sauce - and the sauce was kickass. The sauce was super creamy, and the truffle was just right.

Tiramisu - Soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu! They made this fresh too! The ladyfingers were soaked in very strong coffee, and the combination was just beautiful.

VFM: The ingredients were so good and fresh that I believe it was absolutely worth the price.

Ambience: A beautiful place with great decor and cozy, homely elements. We didn't even realize how we spent so much time there!

Service: Attentive staff, and very helpful with suggestions and recommendations.

Veg Friendly: More than enough vegetarian and vegan options, I did not find it lacking in the slightest.

In this world of processed food and fake ingredients, Izu stands out by their commitment to real food, made fresh.

*This review was on invite, and the meal on the house. However, all views are unbiased.*

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Nine Healthy Foods for Sugar Cravings

Who doesn't love sugar? It's a very common craving and a lot of us deal with it on a pretty regular basis.

However, as we are well aware, sugar isn't good for our bodies. It's okay to give in sometimes (we are human, after all) but if you're going overboard with your sugar intake, it's wise to look for healthy substitutes that will satiate your need for the white stuff without affecting your health too badly.

Here's a list of nine healthy foods that'll help you beat your sugar cravings!



1. Dark Chocolate

This is one of my favorite options so I've put it at the top of the list! It's naturally delicious (it is chocolate after all!) and is full of antioxidants. Dark chocolate does get slightly bitter for some people, and some find love at first bite. If you are in the first group, I'd suggest starting at a lower percentage and work your way up. Choose a bar that's at least 70 percent cacao, eventually. That is your best bet of optimum nutritional value. Raw, dark chocolate provides magnesium, vitamin B, and essential fibers.
We've all read about the studies showing chocolate is good for you. So go on, indulge in a square or two! Just don't eat the whole bar.

2. Fruits
Self explanatory, really! Fruits are a great source of natural sugar. But honestly, fruits today are very much sweeter and lower in fiber because the fruits have been domesticated so much. Check out this article about what fruits really were like in their wild forms. So, too much fruit isn't great for you, either. This is not to say you shouldn't eat fruits. Just to say you mustn't binge. Snack on them with nut butters or add them to a fruit-and-vegetable smoothie.

3. Dates
Plant based and high in fiber, there's no way you can go wrong with this. Dates are also a good source of potassium - which can prevent osteoporosis, stroke, kidney stones and high blood pressure. Dates also contain high levels of soluble fiber, which helps fight off sugar cravings and even stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
You can add it to a smoothie, have them with some nut butters, or much on them straight out of the bag.
An old Indian snack that a lot of Indian kids have been having for a long long time - dates with a dollop of plain ghee on top. It tastes wonderful and it's great for your health. Something we have gotten used to eating in winters. I don't know if this is something that people around the world also do, but I'm sure Indians know of it.

4. Bliss Balls
A quick healthy snack made of dates as a base - to which you can add any combination of things such as pecans, tahini, cimmanon, flax seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, maca, spirulina, cacao powder, cacao nibs, turmeric. Add coconut oil for a creamy consistency. You can switch up the ingredients and make it suited to your cravings at the time. This is a great on the go snack and stays firm when refrigerated.
You can find my favorite recipe here.

5. Nut Butters
Nut butter provide proteins + healthy fats. You should make sure you're buying healthy nut butters because some nut butters are available with added sugar. Make sure you buy the ones without any added sugar! Your body does require healthy fats. And proteins are a great way to reduce sugar cravings. Nut butters also contain sulfur - a mineral found throughout your body - muscles, bones, skin - you name it. It contributes to keeping your skin, muscles and joints healthy. A lack of sulfur can lead to stiff joints and sagging skin.
Combine nut butters with bananas, toast, berries, celery sticks, apples, etc. Get creative with the dipping!
 
6. Organic Honey

 Honey is a natural sweetener and makes for an excellent sugar substitute. It is packed with health benefits - from supporting the immune system to treating everything from a hangover to a sore throat. You can add it to tea, drizzle it onto smoothies, yogurt, nice cream, or toast. Or just eat a spoonful!

7. Green/Herbal/Fruit Teas
Green tea has widely touted benefits, but herbal and fruit teas are no less! A lot of them have specific effects on the body and can really be used to provide situational benefits. In this case, to curb sugar cravings. For example, hibiscus tea is naturally sweet. Take it up a notch with some cinnamon. Chocolate teas are great because they're sweet but also full of antioxidants and nutrients. Licorice tea is another oft recommended tea because it's naturally sweet - plus it fills you up, and satiates thirst as well. Check out this link for more tea options.

8. Yogurt
Sometimes  a sugar craving is often actually your bod requesting other vital minerals that it lacks. Yogurt is a great way to provide your body with phosphorus, calcium, and probiotics. And this is just from plain yogurt. You can add berries, granola, or (healthy) trail mix for a creamy satisfying dessert. Alternatively, you can also blend it into a smoothie.

9. Cinnamon
Yes, a spice can help too! Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels, which in turn reduces sugar cravings. Cinnamon minimizes insulin spikes after you’ve eaten, which means your blood sugar stays relatively stable, keeping the sugar cravings at bay.

I must say, this list is in no way comprehensive and there are a lot of other different combinations of foods you can try. Plus, I am also a major sugar craver, and you know what? Sometimes it's okay to give in. We're only human. Sometimes we want that doughnut or cupcake. Don't beat yourself up if you give in once in a while. It just shouldn't be on a daily/regular basis.
In those cases, pick one of the substitutes above. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Photo Credits:
shape.com
glamour.com
womenshealthmag.com

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My Top Six Uses of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is something the west discovered fairly recently, but we in India have been swearing by it for ages, millennia actually.
Coconut oil is deep rooted in Indian traditions and for very good reason.
Indian heritage uses many natural herbs and oils that are very useful in order to heal the body and provide nourishment and good health. I use organic cold pressed coconut oil, and that is the kind I would recommend.
Coconut oil is one such magical oil that provides so much! Read on to know my top six uses:

1. Moisturiser and lip balm - You can use this as a lip balm and as a body moisturizer. I have personally tried this and I am absolutely satisfied with the results! Your skin will very well moisturized without any of the harmful chemicals.
In a tropical climate like ours (India), it is almost always liquid, so in summers, you can use it at home before bed. When it's colder outside, it turns solid so you can carry it around in a little tub and use it during the day as well.

2. During and post shower - In the shower, use coconut oil as a shaving cream substitute. After your shower, apply coconut oil liberally all over your body. Coconut oil will hydrate dry skin, and helps to soothe skin after shaving. Coconut oil also has a natural SPF and is a great and easy way to protect your skin from harmful rays and sun damage.

3. Hair leave in conditioner - After you wash your hair, let it air dry or use a cotton t-shirt to absorb the water. After hair is fairly damp, or semi dry, apply coconut oil to the ends and part of the length of your hair. There is no need to apply to the roots. The ends need most nourishment so be most liberal here. Instead of using chemical laden conditioners, it is best to use a natural product like coconut oil. Your hair will thank you. This works best for thick/coarse hair. If you have fine or limp hair, don't use this as it will weight down your hair.

4. Vegan substitute in baking - It is a great substitute for butter, milk, eggs, shortening and so many more. Check out this link for comprehensive information. That website on the whole is a wonderful resource for learning more about your journey towards veganism.

5. Anti acne - Although people do believe that acne and pimples are caused due to oil and sebum in skin, and that oil would make it worse, they're wrong. Coconut oil has anti bacterial properties, and it will work to combat the harmful bacteria, which is the root cause of these skin issues. If you feel it is more severe, you can also mix it with a little bit of tea tree oil, as it has strong purifying and antibacterial properties. Just dab on a little, leave it overnight, and you will see a change in the morning!

6. Boost Nutrients in Smoothies – Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to any fruit smoothie for a boost of cholesterol fighting compounds. Side benefit? It improves the texture and taste of smoothies, while adding healthy fats to your diet. Over time, if you enjoy the taste, you can add it to vegetable smoothies as well. It'll help make it more palatable as people do take some time to get used to the taste of vegetable smoothies!

These are just a few of the awesome results that you can get from coconut oil. It is truly a versatile ingredient with uses from skincare to food to healing to being a part of your vegan/vegetarian journey! Would you like to see more articles about healthy, DIY and organic skincare? Let me know in the comments below!


Photo Credit: Well-beingsecrets

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Review - 63 By Lane, Kandivali

Food: 4.5/5
VFM: 5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Service: 5/5
Veg friendly: 5/5

First off, I'd like to mention that they have an open kitchen and all dishes are freshly made right in front of you. Also, they don't use preservatives in any of their sauces, they are all disposed of if not consumed within a certain time period. Also, when they say Nutella, they use real Nutella.

They also have an assortment of oils and condiments so that you can flavor your food as per your liking.

Chilli Oil, Garlic Oil, and EVOO:

Also, fresh sauces:

Okay, now on to what we had:

We first ordered a watermelon and feta salad. There was basil, arugula, roasted walnuts, honey, all topped off with a balsamic reduction. What a great medley of flavors! I love watermelon and feta, but it isn't often combined with greens, so it was a risk on their part which pretty much paid off.

All their food is served in cute, well designed containers!

Next, a variety of pizzas. The sizes you'll see are small, they also have an option of large pizzas. Also, here there are two varieties in one pizza so that we could taste more of the options. These are only tasting portions, anything you order there will be twice this size.

On the left: 99 - Tomato sauce, mozz, caramelized onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, black olives; but without green chillies and mushrooms in my order, as I don't prefer those. It was really good. I love zucchini and caramelized onions, and of course, lots of cheese!

On the right: 91 - BBQ paneer, mozz, capsicum, onion, BBQ sauce! I don't usually like paneer on my pizza, but here I actually liked it. I think it was the addition of BBQ that actually made it better. Would definitely try this again.

On the left: 89 - tomato sauce, mozz, and basil. Classic Italian thin crust pizza. Loved it.

On the right: 04 - Four Cheese! Mozz, cheddar, gouda, and Monterey Jack cheese! I adore cheese and of course I loved this pizza, and the Alfredo sauce was a good choice.

We also had these amazing things to drink:

I preferred the lemon tea, because I'm a fan of teas and love experimenting with different kinds, except, strangely, masala tea. This one was real nice, and I loved the cute bottles.

Lime water was nice and refreshing, with chia seeds floating on top. I love chia seeds in anything so this was also a definite yes. Must try!

Next up, something I love - ravioli. This again is a half portion, so you will get twice as much when you order. Red sauce, with stuffed ravioli. The stuffing was cheese and spinach, and it was wonderful. Not many places get ravioli right, maybe the ratios are off or the casing is undercooked, but here it was perfect!

Next up, pesto risotto. This was quite heavy and filling, and the consistency was just right. Really nice, and a definite order if you are a rice-lover. I am not and still I really liked it. This place gets each and every order right. I was really amazed!

We finished the meal with some amazing Nutella Pizza! They usually add caramelized banana but I requested it to be made without. Maybe next time I will try it with the banana.

It was absolutely divine, with a generous amount of Nutella, topped with dark+white chocolate chips! A great end to a great meal. Would wholeheartedly recommend this place to everyone!


VFM: Really good quality ingredients used, fresh and without preservatives. In accordance with the focus on health and organic ingredients, I think the prices are definitely worth it.


Ambience: When I went, they were still working on an AC installation, so there was no AC at the seating area and hence it gets a tad uncomfortable. However, they are fixing it up soon, so that will not be an issue. They are also very prompt in home delivery and takeaway, so either way, no worries!


Service: Really good, and really attentive servers. They were also very knowledgeable about all the ingredients and processes.

Veg friendly: Absolutely! This is a pure veg place so of course full points for that.

*This review was on invite, and the meal on the house. However, all views are unbiased.

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Review - Mantraa Restaurant, Thane

Food: 4.5/5
VFM: 5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Veg friendly: 4/5

Mantraa is a newly revamped restaurant from the owners of Family Tree, which is now one of my favorites. So I was excited about visiting Mantraa because I already had really high expectations because of Family Tree's awesomeness.

We started off with some broccoli soup.

It had the perfect temperature and flavor, and it tastes amazing! I'm a broccoli fan, so it wasn't very difficult for me to love it, but even someone who doesn't love broccoli would definitely take to this soup, I'm sure.

Next, Pita Pocket Falafel.

Pita bread pockets filled with hummus and falafel, topped with julienned veggies and microgreens. This was exceptional, and felt very healthy, specially the microgreens added quite a crunch to the dish and I was sorry when it got over. Wish this place wasn't so far off in Thane, but yeah, people living in Thane, you MUST visit as soon as possible! This dish alone would be worth it.

Now, Spinach Squares.

A very creative dish. I wondered if it would taste good, but it allayed all my fears quite easily. It was ostensibly a square, so one would assume it would continue with the same texture throughout. But it was filled with spinach mousse inside, topped with fried garlic and chilli flakes. For the Indian palate, it would have been bland without those toppings. So that was much needed for the audience they are catering to. Good decision there, for sure.

Spinach and Kale fingers, which fast became a favorite at the table.

Spinach and kale, wrapped around cheese, which in turn is all wrapped in a phyllo roll of sorts. Super cheesy, you can also tell yourself that you are eating healthy because it has spinach and kale. And it is served with a delectable herb mayo, which makes for a great dip.

 And it looks so pretty too! Yummy. Craving it again now!

Paneer Achari now.

I've always thought it would be very spicy, after all the name is Achari, and I would probably have a small bite or so I could write about how it tastes for this review. But that is so not what happened! I actually really liked it, and it was not as scarily spicy as I thought it would be. I suppose it was because they got the Achari flavor perfectly balanced and of course, it was paneer, so it worked out great for me and my tastebuds!

Now it was time to move onto the mains, and I was already sorta full by then. By the way, that is exactly what happened at Family Tree too. We ordered pesto fusilli.

Really yummy and the pesto was just perfect! Pesto is very simple, with a minimal ingredient list, and I am surprised at how many places tend to mess it up. So I was quite happy when there were no extra unnecessary ingredients added, and they pulled it off really well. Also, I love bread in general, and the bread here was soft and yet crusty. Perfect accompaniment, really. 

On to dessert now, because although we were quite full, we also couldn't pass up dessert!

Apple Tart a la mode!

Perfectly made, warm, green apple tarts, topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and mint, with a generous drizzle of caramel. God, this was decadent. I loved it absolutely! One of my favorite desserts till date, and probably the only one without a hint of chocolate. And yet, I was crazy about it! So you can imagine how delectable this was. Temperatures, textures, flavors, all combined to create a spectacular dish.

Last but so definitely not the least, chocolate fondue.

Looks like white chocolate at first glance, and then when you start dipping, you see the vast amount of dark chocolate underneath, For dipping, there's marshmallows and strawberries. My God, if the apple tart was great, this was equally awesome. And of course, me having a huge weakness for chocolate, I felt this was even better. Also, I'm a strawberry fan, so that worked out great for me too. Sigh, I can almost taste it again.

VFM: This place gets major VFM points. What you see in the pictures are mostly all half portions. Yes, if you order the same things, you'll get double the quantity (For most, not all. Some were full size). Definitely value for money.

Ambience: Nice and welcoming, I would have liked a more well lit place, but I did choose a table near the huge windows, with an amazing amount of natural light. So it worked out great for me.

Service: Pretty good, with the manager personally attending and answering all my queries about the dishes! Our server was pretty knowledgeable too. As always, discreet yet attentive is my favorite kind of service, and Mantraa manages that, as well as Family Tree had done.

Veg friendly: Yes! So much! Recommended for vegetarians, even with the multitude of non veg options on their menu.

*This review was on invite, and the meal on the house. However, all views are unbiased.

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Fabelle Chocolates Launch at ITC Maratha, Mumbai

ITC has come up with a new range of Premium Chocolates called Fabelle. Fabelle Chocolates have been in the making for a decade now, with extensive research and innumerable trials in the company's pursuit to craft the finest luxury chocolates in India. They knew what they wanted, and God, they have succeeded! A ten year research and sourcing chocolates from the very corners of the world, just to ensure the best premium ingredients. 

Fabelle was created by international chefs working in conjunction with ITC master chocolatiers to craft the finest quality chocolates. The taste just proves that their efforts paid off. Each offering was unique and exquisite.

We were first given a presentation by Mr. GK Suresh – Vice President, New Category Development, ITC Foods. We learnt a lot of interesting things, for example, that their ganache is conched for 12 hours to give the perfect melt-in-your-mouth feeling.

Let's start with the Fabelle Elements. They're intricately crafted pralines inspired by the elements of nature - Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Wood.

From L-R: Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Wood

Chef Prashant Sabne suggested I eat them in this order - Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Get a box of this, go ahead, treat yourself! Amazing stuff. I couldn't get enough of these. My favorites were Wood and Fire. Wood combines coffee chocolate and cinnamon. Classically favorite flavors for me, so this one was obvious. But Fire was a surprise. Made with Ancho chili and candied mango, this was an exquisite experience to say the least. You definitely will need the Air and Water after this one!

Next up, Fabelle Ganache - velvety soft cubes of exotic cocoas delicately churned with butter and fresh cream. There were three variants - Creamy Milk, Rich Dark, and Dark with Apple and Cinnamon.  

I am a huge fan of Dark Chocolate, and I loved that ganache. But when I met the Apple and Cinnamon, it was love at first bite. I never thought I would like it so much, because I am generally wary about flavors barging into my dark chocolate, but this one did a great job! I had so many of those. I regret nothing.

Fabelle As You Like It – personalized chocolate cup creations offering myriad possibilities of fillings and toppings, with endless combinations that you can experiment with.

I had so much fun creating my chocolate cup. We all named our cups after ourselves, so mine is called 'As Myra Likes It'! Do you guys wana know what was in my personalized chocolate cup?
It’s a dark chocolate cup, the first layer of filling inside it was a berry preserve, topped with a generous layer of dark mint creme, topped off with a powdery layer of arabica coffee. Everything I loved, and it was so awesome! I wasn't sure if berry would go well with dark mint creme, but then I remembered what surprises the ganache gave me, and then I felt better about making this chocolate cup!

Fabelle Single Origin Cacoas – single origin bars, crafted using cocoa from different countries (Madagascar, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, Sao Tome and Ghana), each asserting its own distinct flavour and hence adding a unique flavor to each bar.

 
Fabelle Gianduja - This is a recreation of a tradiitonal Italian delicacy from the Napoleon era fashioned with an infusion of hazelnuts into rich, creamy milk chocolate. Not usually a fan of nuts in my cocoa love, I was quite impressed with these delectable bits. I tried it very hesitantly, but I shouldn't have been worried, it was really good. Even someone like me loved it, so of course people who like nuts in their chocolate would go absolutely mad about it.

After all this, there was still dessert! God, I was already on a sugar high by now, and then I see dessert. Space creates itself in one's tummy when faced with chocolatey goodness.

White chocolate cheese cake jars -

The goodness of Philadelphia cream cheese and white chocolate caught in a delicious house cheese cake recipe, embellished with berry coulis. The rich creamy cheesecake with the tart fruits - what a play of textures! Foodgasm right there. Also, it's eggless. That was probably the most amazing part. To get that smooth creamy texture without using eggs; wow.

 84% signature dark chocolate petit cake with fleur de sel -

Signature dark chocolate (84%!) with fruity and intense undertones explored three ways - a pure ganache, a citrusy chocolate cream and a rich chocolate mousse, on a textured sea salt-nut sablé, enrobed in cocoa glaze. Now, I love anything that uses fleur de sel. It just adds so much texture. So I knew this was going to be a treat, but even then I was underestimating it. It was just that perfect. Look at it. Even the glaze is perfect.
Vanilla cremeux bar with St. Domingue chocolate mousse -
  

Single origin 70% Saint-Domingue chocolate with strong cocoa notes, paired with a light cream of Madagascar vanilla and fortified with an almond hazelnut crunch, this was bliss. I thought nothing would ever match up to the petit cake and I was wrong. This was so so so good and rich, I was just done. This was a very very fitting last bite for such a scrumptious, chocolate-filled day.

Mind you, the three desserts shown here are all tasting portions. The actual menu items are larger in size but equally rich. You can just imagine what that would do to your dopamine levels. 

Heartily recommended!

Bloggers Lunch at Peshwa Pavilion, ITC Maratha

I was so happy to be a part of the Bloggers Table at Peshwa Pavilion. The invite was for the launch of their new menu, The Luxury Collection. ITC has a huge focus on Responsible Luxury and has revamped their menu to reflect this. They are also big believers in local, organic, and sustainable produce, at the same time ensuring that still maintain the luxury, perfection and attention to detail that ITC is known for.



I was super excited about this meet because I couldn't wait to see what they had come up with. Imagine how my expectations were raised when this was in front of me:

I couldn't wait to try all these! Being vegetarian, I was glad there were an equal number of options for veg and non veg. Not too many places do us the courtesy of an equivalent number of options.

We met Chef Sourabh Rai, who is the junior sous chef at ITC Maratha and also oversees the operations at Peshwa Pavilion, has been with ITC since 2014. He explained to us each of the terms below.

Sattva - Food marked with this tag is made in a quarantined area away from contact with all non vegetarian items

Swasthya Cuisine - Sustainable + Healthy! For example, salmon contained a rich quantity of omega-3, which is a good fat and hence good for your body as it does not negatively affect your cholesterol levels. 

This ties in perfectly with their 'Choose Wisely' initiative. This was created in collaboration with WWF and Central Marine Fisheries Institute. Did you know ITC is the first company in India to adopt the Choose Wisely program with WWF? To illustrate this, Chef Sourabh Rai told us that the per capita consumption of fish in India has increased from 9.9 to 19.2 - from the 60s to now. More people need to be aware of this issue.

Also, there is an emphasis on local produce, and hence regional specialties like kokum are extensively used in their new revamped menu. Another example would be the use of local nuts like cashews instead of hazelnuts in a recipe.

The very first thing on the list were the Swasthya Beverages.

The first one was Carrot and Mono Floral Honey. This was just the right amount of sweet and high in vitamins and antioxidants. In case you didn't know, Mono floral honey is that which is made by bees which collect it from solely one plant.

The next was the Jamun and Mint Muddle. I liked this one a lot, and I don't even usually like Jamun! Sharp, tangy but still quite sweet. It had a slight astringent taste, which for some reason I liked. The mint leaves were extremely fresh, and added in no small measure to the flavor palette of the drink.

Last, but in my opinion best, the Date and Tender Coconut Blitz. The taste of both comes across strongly. An amazing combo, which was elevated in no less measure by the addition of black salt.

Chef Sourabh suggested Crusty Bread for the table, for something to munch on between courses. 

This crunchy bread was made of pearl millet(ragi), rye, rajgira (amaranth) and sundried tomatoes. Served with classic basil pesto. The bread was quite nice, and of course, super healthy. But I believe the pesto could've been a tad thicker. Otherwise, it was pretty good.

Next up, Molten Brie with Pretzel Crusts.

This was an entire wheel of cheese, breaded with pretzel crust. I mean, do you really need me to tell you that this is amazing? It was served with roast beet and spiced apple chutney. The spiced apple was a tad too tangy for my taste when I tied it solo, but no doubt it went really well with the apple chutney. I also paired it with the crusty bread, and the contrasting textures made it so gooood! It was also served with dill, mint and parsley mayo. What a great play of flavors! I just couldn't stop eating this. 

What was next? A Seasonal Squash and Carrot Puree.

This was served with melon seed. green onion, sambal, and flat rice noodles. I am a fan of flat noodles anyway, and I was not let down at all! It was amazing! I wanted more. Yummy, thick, and hearty. All the ingredients complemented each other so well. A dish I would definitely come back for.

The Green Burger BOP (BOP = Best of Pavilion)

Then buns are 'Good for You' rye and sunflower seed buns, served with a side of greens and fries. What's green?

Look at the patty! So Green! Zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, green peas, with some ricotta and oats. This was super yummy! Oats and crumb on top to complete what is possibly the healthiest burger I've ever had.

Next, Vada Pav. Now, I do love street food, no two ways about it. However, I don't much like Vada Pav, but I was willing to give it a shot here.

Served with teekha chutney, meetha chutney and the dry powder that they usually sprinkle on the bun before putting the vada inside.The chutneys were served in a pipette, which was something that all of us found super cute.

Last of the mains, Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi.

Embellished with amber butter, dates, and charoli nuts, this was absolutely fabulous! The medley of flavors were to die for. And the amber butter, oh God. Such delightful flavor combinations. I had never even thought pumpkin and ricotta would work so well with each other before I had this dish.

On to my favorite part of every single meal - Dessert!

First, Pavilion Chocolate Fudge, served with jaggery caramel sauce.

Served with berries, nuts, mascarpone and ice cream. Absolutely delectable. I was not sure how jaggery and caramel would fit, but it fit beautifully. And the fudge was just the right amount of sweet. Even with the ice cream and mascarpone, it didn't get cloyingly sweet. The berries added a much required tartness, too.

Next and last dish of the day, White Chocolate Cheesecake, served with spiced forest berry compote.

Being a major chocolate lover, and a dark chocolate fan at that; I was so surprised when I loved this more than the Chocolate Fudge! With white chocolate shavings on top, and the citrus freshness, there was already a flavorful bite right there. But the addition of the spiced berries took it to ecstasy levels.

One of the best meals I've had at a bloggers' table, I heartily recommend this place to everyone! Their food is not just tasty and healthy, but truly does follow their concept of Responsible Luxury.