Aero India 2009

Every two years Bangaloreans are treated to a wonderful Air Show. Haven't been to past couple, I decided to check this one out. We didn't have the tickets and made the mistake of assuming that we can get the tickets at the Venue. When we reached the venue we didn't find the tickets but found the pointer to it.





The only option to not buying tickets was find the place on the sign board like these people did. Looking at them and the available space, we decided to make extra efforts and buy the tickets. The tickets were available on the Gate which is a bit of a drive away from the main road. Finally bought the tickets only for the airshow and got in. All this confusion resulted in us missing initial part of the show. Anyway, we caught the Sukhoi and Suryakirans Check them out.













This time there were no breathtaking maneuvers by Suryakiran. They used to make a heart and then a single plan would go through like an arrow and also no high speed crossovers. Also disappointing was the fact that choppers did not take off in the afternoon so we missed the chopper show which is actually pretty good.

Anyway, hopefully it will turn out to be better next time!!

Restaurant Review: Sri Krishna Cafe - Finally a sambhar which ain't sweet

I have been hearing a lot about Sri Krishna Cafe being the perfect destination for authentic Tamilnadu food and today I got the opportunity to check the place out. If aren't really looking for it, chances are you will miss this place. This place is right next to G K Vale and above Kairali and the narrow entrance is right beside Kairali. Check out the pic below.




The staircase were narrow enough that we had to wait to go up because a couple of people were coming down. The restaurant is on both I and II floor. They serve meals on both the floors however tiffin (Dosa etc) is available only on II floor. Our focus was on meals so we found an empty table on I floor and sat ourselves.

A few minutes later banana leaves were placed in front of us and the efficient meal-machinery went to work. Myriads of curries and kozhambus were served. I loved them except for the beans curry (dry with coconut) which tasted weird. However what took the cake was the wonderful drumstick sambhar and not an iota of jaggery/sugar in it, unlike other places in Bangalore. Finished it off with curd rice/pickle/fried-chilli combo and it was perfect.





The only gripe is that coffee isn't available after those wonderful meals and yes, the place could be a little cleaner but those are minor nits to an otherwise perfect place for Tamilnadu sapaad.

Restaurant Review: Gangotree - Best Jalebies in Bangalore

I was born and brought up in MP where Jalebi and Poha breakfast is as ubiquitous as Idli/Vada and Dosa in Bangalore. In the morning, one could go to any sweet shop, wait for a few minutes and eat piping hot Jalebies. When I moved to Bangalore long time back, I found that though Jalebis are available in sweet shops, they were prepared some time back and served cold (like any other sweet in the sweet shop). I always longed for those piping hot Jalebies fried in Desi Ghee.

Almost 6 years back, I discovered Gangotree (Jyothi Nivas College road in Koramangala) in Bangalore and eating Jalebies in Bangalore was never the same again.

I like my Jalebies thin, crisp, small and fried a little longer so that they are crunchier. Thinner Jalebies absorb less syrup and hence are not too sweet. When one goes to a place like Gangotree, Jalebies can be customized to one's taste because they are being prepared on the spot. I have always found fascinating to watch the whole process. Check out the following video that I made.




There are several places that I know in Bangalore which make fresh Jalebies but in my opinion Gangotree is still the best. My only nit, they used to add saffron to the syrup which they don't seem to anymore, I really miss that!

If you know a place which can make better Jalebies than Gangotree, please let me know.