Tag archives for Indian food

Restaurants In Ooty Providing The Finest Food to The Tourists

Ooty is a popular hill station located in Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Udhagamandalam and has got the credit of being the ‘Queen of hill stations’. Ooty tourism is known to have such elements, which makes it the best place to visit for the tourists across the world. The picturesque beauty of this place has always been a special thing for the people who visit this place.

As you travel to this place, you can enjoy the pleasant sight of lush green vegetation, the beautiful tea gardens and many other elements of God’s invention, which will make your tour a worthy one. Ooty tourism has all such essentials that will definitely make you fall in love with this place.

What makes Ooty a special hill station?

Ooty travelYour journey to Ooty is sure to be an exciting one. If you love nature, want to explore various historical monuments and even if you are a Shopaholic, then this place is greatly suggested for you. There is an annual Tea & Tourism Festival, which is known to be a great event that is celebrated here every year and this attracts huge number of crowd. Apart from this, The New year celebration is also known to be wonderful here. As it is a hub for tourists, there is no doubt that there are sufficient hotels and resorts, which facilitate a comfortable stay.

The hotels and resorts here have such facilities in place, which will suit the needs of different tourists. Depending on your necessity and budget, you can go for the kind of staying option that you need. The in house restaurants in Ooty of specific hotels are also known to be amazing.

Darjeeling-Tour-Packages-RK-PuramRenowned restaurants in Ooty

The restaurants in Ooty are known to be filled with perfect ambiance and they always serve delicious food. The multi-cuisine restaurants are sure to relish your taste buds. The below mentioned restaurants in Ooty are known to be the best restaurants of this place.

Earls Court – This restaurant is at the outdoors of Hotel Kings Cliff. The experience of dining in this restaurant is sure to be incredible. The average price of the dishes should cost somewhere from Rs.350 to Rs.400 here. Even though this sounds a little expensive, it is totally worth. This restaurant is known for its finest variety in the whole of Ooty.

Dominos Pizza – Dominos Pizza in Ooty is located in the commercial street market. They deliver the choice of your pizza anywhere in Ooty and even to various hotels. However, hotels like the Holiday Inn Gems park and the Fortune Sullivan Court will not allow pizza delivery within their premises. You will be required to walk up to the main gate for collecting your pizza.

Shinkows Chinese Restaurant – This restaurant serves the authentic Chinese cuisine. The chicken rolls and chicken fried noodles that you get here are truly amazing. If you want to have food that is priced the least, this restaurant can be an ideal choice for you.

By visiting the above restaurants, you can definitely get introduced to delicious cuisine. Visit Ooty for an incredible experience and enjoy your tour with your loved ones.

This guest post was by Stephenleuis, a Travel enthusiast and has written on restaurants in Ooty. Hope this information will help you to plan your trip to Ooty.

London on a plate- Top 5 restaurants to taste

Places change and so do favorites, cuisine change and so do dishes but still there are some evergreen restaurants which have managed to maintain their glory and presence in the culinary culture of the city. Star chefs have been targeting the city to spread the aroma of their signature dishes. It would be correct to proclaim London as a city having some of the world’s best restaurants.

I present to you a list of top 5 restaurants which I personally found to be the best and are a must try while you are in England. I am sure if any of the readers have been to London, they would easily be able to relate to this.

Gordon Ramsay

Situated on the Royal hospital road, the restaurant requires prior booking. Now that is something common but what would be your reaction if I said the reservation has to be made a month before? This says it all about the restaurant. Even though the Chef has expanded the chain of restaurants, it makes no difference to the quality and elegance which the restaurant has on offer.

The Chutney Mary

The Chutney MaryWithout a doubt, this restaurant is one of the most sumptuous Indian restaurants in London. The restaurant was opened in the year 1990 and continues to dominate others in the league of Indian curries.

I opted to try out the curry platter which gives you a mini version of all the popular dishes of the restaurant. Other things which one should also try from its inventive kitchen are crab claws, seared scallops, tandoori platter along with the exotic chutneys. Make sure you also try out the signature cocktails out there, ‘Bombay Blush’ and ‘Goa on the Rocks’. The restaurant is run by Masala World, which also runs other famous Indian restaurants like Veeraswamy, one of the oldest Indian restaurants in London.

The Wolseley

The Wolseley is one of the most popular restaurants of the city. Even this requires booking well in advance. Fortunately, we got a table after making a spontaneous booking and waiting for about half an hour. The restaurant, which was transformed from an art deco car showroom is now a plush cafe cloaked in the European traditions. Be it a quick bite for breakfast, corporate lunch or a family dinner, the food and ambiance is just perfect for everything. Celebrities like Jack Nicholson are a common sight there. However I was quite unlucky not to spot any of them.

Galvin at Windows

Grab peerless views of the attractions that the English capital has on offer from the 28th floor of the London Hilton. With the likes of Chef Chris Galvin and company, the restaurant has recently earned a Michelin star which helped it become a part of our yummy itinerary.  I got to eat one of the finest dishes from the French haute cuisine like the Marinated Loch Fyne Salmon, Dorset crab and Foie gras and truffle. As a chocoholic, I would personally recommend you the Valrhona chocolate fondant for oodles of chocolate.

Quilon Restaurant

The Michelin starred Quilon restaurant is situated in the Taj 51 Buckingham gate suites and residences. You certainly feast like a king here. I was lucky enough to have this restaurant within my hotel. The Quilon serves South West coastal Indian cuisine and has various progressive and ethnic dishes to taste.

If your palate craves for South West coastal Indian cuisine, Quilon is one of the finest places to eat in London.

These restaurants are synonymous to the city’s culinary traditions. So make a point to visit these top shots and take a gastronomical tour of the city. I would love to hear your experiences and explore them the next time I visit the city.

Sightseeing Options in Agra

Agra is a historical city that needs no introduction. While Taj Mahal is the shining crown of this city, there are several other sightseeing options that deserve to be seen and admired. Here are some popular tourist destinations and places to visit near Taj Mahal with historical importance that must be seen every time Agra is visited, as they present an altogether new vista on every sight –

Agra FortAgra Fort

Agra Fort, one of the significant places to visit near Taj Mahal, symbolizes the royalty and grandeur of Mughal era through every tower, rampart, bastion, and gateway that stands there. Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar between the years 1565 to 1571 AD, is visited by mostly every tourist coming to Agra to feel and witness what Mughal magnificence was all about. This fort was started by Emperor Akbar but was completed by Shahjahan, his grandson. Expansively stretched alongside Yamuna River, this fort is built of red sandstone and has several mini-monuments within its enclosed vicinity such as –

  • The Jahangiri Mahal – This part of palace was built for women inhabitants and has reflections of Hindu architecture such as domes and jutting balconies.
  • Khass Mahal – This palace has beautiful paintings made on marble, an example of Persian-Islamic architecture.
  • The Sheesh Mahal – Made up of colorful glass bits, every wall and ceiling in this palace resembles a unique mosaic.
  • The Musamman Burj – This monument is a tower in the shape of an octagon that has been set amidst an expansive area. History says that Shah Jahan lay over this tower at the time of his death, with his eyes gazing at Taj Mahal.  

Mausoleum of Akbar

Akbar’s Mausoleum is situated in Sikandra, nearly 10 kms away from Agra city and another of the places to visit. It is made up of marble and red sandstone with an amalgamation of Indian and Mughal architecture highlighted by fine and intricate carvings. There is a colossal gate over here that is well-known by the name of Buland Darwaza. This mausoleum is open for tourists from dawn to dusk with reasonable visiting charges. Tourists can also take a ride in a rickshaw or a horse cart that allows them take a round of the whole vicinity.

Chini Ka Rauza

Close to Itmad-ud-daula’s tomb, there is another tomb by the name Chini-ka-rauza. It was built in the year 1635 and oversees Yamuna River. This is the only showcasing of pure Persian architecture in the whole of Agra. Though in a slightly dilapidated state now, it still manage to exude the glory of it’s bygone era with its numerous colorful enamel tiles. This tomb was made in memory of Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah, a Persian scholar and poet. He also served later as Minister of Shah Jahan.

Taj mahalTomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah

Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah was built by Mughal queen Noor Jahan in commemoration of his father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. He was also the chief treasurer (Itmad-ud-Daulah) of Mughal Emperor. This monument was made much earlier than Taj and was first of its kind of monument that was made over the bank of a river.

This post by Stephenleuis, a Travel enthusiast, currently working with ixigo.com, an online India Travel Guide helps you to plan your trip. This time he has written on Taj Mahal India. Hope this information will help you to plan your trip to Taj Mahal.

5 Tips to Feeling at Home When Traveling Abroad

Does it take a certain skill to feel at home when traveling abroad?

We’ve heard people say home is where the heart is. Thing is, falling for a place – so much so you’re thinking about extending your stay – may take time. The process might even take longer if you keep searching for the familiar.

Homesickness is then inevitable especially for those going overseas the first time. You cannot remain blue throughout though. Your trip is temporary and soon you’ll be going back to ‘real’ life. So live in the moment, and indulge yourself in your new environment.

tourist with local

Here are few tips how you can do so.

Travel on foot. Going to your next stop? If your schedule allows, walk your way instead of riding vehicles. Do your homework about possible routes and tag your travel buddies along for safety purposes. There’s nothing wrong asking locals for directions but do not panic when you feel you’ve lost your way. Surprises come in unexpected packages. You might just experience the best of your trip during this time you’re uncertain where you and your friends are heading to.

Commute with locals. Ditch the cabs and cars for rent, and commute with locals. If you are going to an island destination, take the passenger boat instead of the private ones. If you must hire a vehicle to navigating the town, consider two-wheels instead. If there is no issue with any of your travel buddies, then check out public transportation utilities available in the area. They’re generally cheaper, plus, you get to mingle with locals. People might throw you occasional glances but let it go. You’re the new kid in town, that’s why. Smile back at them.

Go where people eat. Refrain from eating in chain establishments. While the menu may have been altered for a more local appeal, still, nothing beats food served in local eateries. This is even more favorable for budget travelers. If you notice people flock to a food stall or restaurant, chances are items sold there taste great and come cheap. You also would not have to worry about food safety. The fact that patrons gather around is one indication they trust the establishment. Dine in these places. Take out your phrasebook for some help deciphering the menu.

Stop by neighborhoods. Who says tourist attractions are the only places you can check out when traveling? Even non-touristy sites could turn out interesting. Exploring neighborhoods is one way you can witness and experience for yourself, the local culture. If you’ll limit your stops to particular sites recommended to travelers, chances are all you will encounter are foreign travelers like you. That is not what you signed up for.

Visit in time for festivals. Yes, this is considered as among the peak seasons when the price for everything soars. But with adequate planning you can successfully go over trips right at this time, without spending a fortune. Even locals encourage travelers to visit because festivities lend for a perfect timing for socialization. The atmosphere is fun. Food is everywhere. Locals are celebrating their culture. And the more exciting it becomes when you are taking part in activities the place is known for such as “Holi” or the Festival of Colors in India.

Going to a place you’ve never been gives you that sense of confidence and fulfillment. When you get back home, then you can start a conversation with friends or write my essay online about memories you’ve created abroad. You might just appreciate your original home even more, and realize it’s possible that you survive on the other side of the world.

Nettie Gray hasn’t experienced extending trips abroad although she felt the urge to do so many times. Family and work always make her come back home as planned.

Well Renowned Indian Restaurants in London

London is the capital of Britain and a very busy city at that. There are many Indian restaurants to choose from, which can lead to a difficult decision when you are looking for a great place to eat. If you are a fan of Indian cuisine, then the recognized restaurants are the best. Eating out is as much about the experience as it is about the food, otherwise you would simply opt for a takeaway, right? So, to avoid disappointment on your night out, here are some of the most renowned Indian restaurants in the capital?

Amaya is a great choice, especially if you are dining with a number of people with different tastes. The menu is diverse in that you can enjoy traditional Indian dishes, kebabs, and the most delicious grilled dishes. This restaurant is unique in that it focuses on the various styles of grilling and has a choice of menu greatly suited to those with a range of tastes. If you are eating with the family or a group of friends, you can guarantee that there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes. Apart from being a great Indian restaurant Amaya has also held a Michelin star since 2006. So, you can enjoy exceptional dishes, a great experience, plenty of options, and beautiful decor. It is popular amongst many people from those that love Indian cuisine to even those that aren’t so keen, simply because of the menu with a twist.

Chutney Mary is a sister restaurant to Amaya and is equally renowned with a different experience on offer. This is one of the best Indian restaurants London offering a great environment and experience whilst you enjoy a meal out. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxing so you can enjoy your food to the maximum. The dishes on offer are diverse in a different sense to Amaya. You can enjoy the traditional authentic dishes from the Indian cuisine. This gives you a great variety of real Indian cuisine to choose from. The restaurant is so specific in the standard served that each dish served is only prepared by a chef from that specific region that the dish originates from to give you no less than a truly authentic dish. If you want to make the most out of your experience and enjoy Indian cuisine with a twist, then Amaya is a great option being a bar and grill. If you want traditional dishes and a true taste of Indian, Chutney Mary is a great option for you. London is the home to hundreds of Indian restaurants, so choose the restaurant that suits your preferences and the preferences of those you are dining with. You can be picky and find somewhere close to home offering delicious food and amazing atmosphere, so make sure you find the best so you know where to go and where to recommend in future.

You can enjoy some of the most renowned Indian restaurants London when you know where to go. Each and every one can offer you a different experience, so find the experience that you and your fellow diners are looking for.