Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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Mango Mousse
It’s mango season!!!
Being quarantined at home has brought out the hidden chef in me, I have always been an enthusiast when it comes to trying out new cuisines and restaurants and analyzing their interiors, but this rare pandemic led me to actually switch places with the staff in the kitchen. I decided to surprise myself and everyone around me and started looking up recipes and realized it’s actually quite easy and fun!
This led me to amend my content on this page temporarily, so stay tuned for some delicious recipes!
So let’s appreciate this mango season and dive into some succulent mango recipes!
Today we are going to make the delicious Mango pudding
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe alphonso mangoes (+1 for garnish)
- 1/4th cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 5 gms or 2 tbsp of china grass/ gelatin
- 1/2 cup fresh cream
- 1/4 cup of milk
Step: 1
Peel the mangoes and cut them in cubes
put the mango cubes along with 1/4 cup of sugar in a blender
blend until it becomes a fine puree
Step: 2
Heat a pan and strain the puree into it
stir it for about 2 mins
Meanwhile, add 1/2 cup of water in another pan
add 2 tbsp of gelatin and stir until it’s dissolved
Step: 3
Add the gelatin mixture to the mango puree
(strain it if you have used china grass)
mix it evenly!
Step: 4
Add 1/2 cup of fresh cream
Add 1/4 cup of milk
Mix everything evenly and let it cool down to room temperature
Get 2 jars or glasses you want to set it in
Pour the mixture into it,
Let it set for about 5-6 hours or preferably overnight
Take it out and garnish it with some mango cubes and mint leaves
And it’s ready to be served!!!
Bareburger, Dubai
The locations are really well selected, most are by the water, and gives it a very ‘beach-shack’ vibe.
AED 160 for 2 (approximately)
Food quality
Service
Ambience
It is placed at 3 locations across Dubai – La mer (Jumeirah 1), City Walk (Al Safa), Palm Jumeirah (The Pointe)
Global Village, Dubai
Global village is one of the tourist attractions in Dubai held during the Dubai Shopping Festival (November – March).
As the name suggests, it is a place that brings all the countries of the world together to form 1 large village. They have divided the entire space into different countries and continents and tried incorporating their cultures into the dedicated areas of the countries respectively. They have native sellers within the country selling their local products. It can be considered a mini world tour!
Want to try the street food for various countries? This is the right place to visit! They also have a food-lane consisting of all the cuisines across the world.
Traditional Arabic cuisine: Legamat with date syrup & Borek.
Stuffed baked potato and Potato twister.
Thai: Raw mango with salt and spice
They have rides for all age groups for your kids’ entertainment.
They also have dance shows and fireworks according to their schedule.
Chin Chin Chu, Mumbai
They serve an authentic Asian menu. Despite the fact, that I personally am not a fan of Asian cuisine, I enjoyed the food at Chin Chin Chu and would surely recommend it to all.
This place had the privilege to witness my first sushi experience (haha!). Earlier I found the concept of sushi quite odd but surprisingly, I actually loved it. Their plating quite adds to the experience too.
Note: Instagram worthy!!
Food quality
Ambience
Service
It is placed at 2 locations across Mumbai – Lower Parel and Juhu.
Olive Wheat Grape, Pune
I personally find this place worth going to once for sure. They have a very scrumptious and versatile menu. Their food is very tasteful and delicious served by a very affable staff.
The only unenjoyable bit of my experience here was that half of the items on their menu were not available at the time I visited, and had to place a whole new order based on the availability. We can give them a benefit of doubt and assume it was because I visited it a little early for it to be “lunch time”.
It’s a must try anyway as they serve great food!!
Food quality
Service
Ambience
The interiors are quite basic and comfortable with an industrial accent.
It is located on Prabhat Road, Pune
Click for directions : https://www.google.com/maps/place/Olive+Wheat+Grape/@18.5140177,73.8317134,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3bc2bff19711cf87:0x2a9954a99142a6c5!8m2!3d18.5140177!4d73.8339021
Bayroute, Mumbai
I was very excited to go to this place and finally got the chance. As I personally love the middle eastern cuisine, it was worth it!!
They have a good variety of Hummus and Khubs options along with the traditional Moutabbal, Labneh and Zatar, and many more delicious options.
Their teas and flavoured milk are worth a try too!
Based on what I tried at this restaurant, I was quite impressed. Their kebabs are very tender and well cooked.
Their Baklava is a must try, they have added a twist of crushing lotus petals to the authentic baklava which is something you should look forward to.
₹₹₹₹
Rs. 3000 for two (without alcohol)
Food quality
Service
Ambience
Their ambience has a middle eastern charm that makes you feel like you’re in an Arabic Majlis.
They have 5 outlets across Mumbai – Cuff Parade, Lower Parel, Powai, Bandra Kurla Complex, Juhu.
Urbo, Pune
This place comes of as quite intimidating at the entrance but gradually gets comfortable as you go further inside. They provide indoor as well as outdoor seating, both equally comfortable complementing the not-so-hot weather in Pune.
They have cute seating arrangements, and a very basic cute wooden interior, Instagram worthy!!
Live performances are conducted over the weekends depending on the availability of the artists.
Their food is tasteful and they serve a good quantity.
I personally love the options they have to offer in drinks, they have very refreshing options.
Heads-up: Always book a table and not just show up as there are high chances, it is going to be full!
₹₹₹
Rs. 1200 for two (without alcohol)
Food quality
Service
Ambience
They have only one outlet in Pune – Baner
The Cheesecake Factory, Dubai
This place has consistently been my favourite for the longest so far. You literally could pick any dish on their menu and without a doubt it is going to be outstanding. I’ve been visiting this place for over 5-7 years and haven’t changed my opinion.
In addition to their vast lunch and dinner menu, they also have an amazing breakfast menu with varieties of waffles, pancakes, egg and sandwiches.
They also serve a diet menu with varied diet foods, haven’t tried it as yet, but I’m sure it will be just as amazing as the rest of it
Starters:
Main Course:
Beverages:
As the name suggests their cheesecakes are exceptionally good, and of a great quantity. People I know of, usually face the challenge of finishing the cheesecake after a heavy meal prior. Their portions for all the items are quite filling. which makes the situation worse when it comes to entirely consuming the cheesecake.
But trust me, it’s worth it!!
AED 250 for two (approximately)
Food quality
Service
Ambience
Their locations enhance their ambience. Most of their outlets are situated by the water, may it be the beach or an aquarium. They have their outlets spread out across the city of Dubai – Dubai Festival City, The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
The Nutcracker, Mumbai
I visited this place during the festive season of Christmas so it was all decorated which enriched my experience that exhorted me to revisit the place and its other branches, I loved the vibe of the place.
Their pancakes topped with strawberries, served with maple syrup and Nutella are to die for. I also tasted their avocado on toast, and a warm Lebanese sandwich which were tasteful too!
They also have an amazing choice of desserts to offer. Their platter of minis is a combination of a blueberry cheesecake, an apple crumble pie and a chocolate tart. All the three are delicious, cheesecake being on top of the list as usual.
₹₹₹
Rs. 1500 for two (without alcohol)
Food quality
Service
Ambience
It is placed at 3 locations across the city of Mumbai – Lower Parel, Bandra and Fort
I have visited all the outlets across Mumbai. The interior of the one in Fort and Bandra is similar opposed to the one in Lower Parel. The one in Lower complements the surrounding ambience of Palladium (mall). It has a very elegant old school dining mixed with a hint of modern interior design whereas the other two outlets have a very raw and wooden look to it.
Le Plaisir, Pune
This place is my all time favourite. I have been loyal to this place and their cheesecake for over 4 years now. Visited at all hours of the day, and is always a good place to chill. Their menu and interiors have changed over the years only to get better.
Their breakfast menu is also worth a try. They offer a good variety of drinks, from teas to milkshakes. One of the best is the chocolate milkshake. As regards to their teas, they serve are very fancy, especially the apple cinnamon tea.
Their Pannacotta and New York baked cheesecake are undefeatable.
₹₹
Rs. 900 for two
Food quality
Service
Ambience
They have only one outlet in Pune – Prabhat Road.
Meals on the Table 