Khyber for Authentic Indian Food

It started in 1958 with a small place, which presently is the ground floor section of 'Khyber' but over the years it expanded to accommodate 200 seating at a time. The only Indian cuisine serving restaurant at Kala Ghoda among the bee line of restaurants that have come up in nearby buildings, Khyber has become a brand in itself with no other branches anywhere.

As you stand outside a wooden door frame, the real sense of the quality of the resto is hardly forthcoming. But as you enter the marble flooring, exclusive paintings by late M F Hussain and Anjolie Ela Menon take you into a new world of 'experience'.

Climb up the stairs and the open seating as well as corner seating for larger groups with huge tables welcomes every dinner. In 1986 the restaurant was engulfed in fire and had to be shut for three years, after that the owner decided to keep the rustic look of the walls as it is, then it would have been a decision very hard to take but the vision has paid off now. As the look with bright lighting brings warmth to the area.

This was my second visit to Khyber, first one was in 2006 when we celebrated a friends birthday party. Recently three of us decided to have a feast, before the Ganpati visarjan, long holiday for the high court began. Two of us were non-veg and one vegan. So we started with Tandoori chicken.

My vegan friend Urvi, ordered a mix pakora, it took eternity to come as the chef overcooked them in the oil, (a confession which only a good restaurant does to hold on to their customers) but when it arrived we all loved every bit of it. For main course we called for Panner Makhnwala, the quantity was sufficient for three of us, to go with Roti, Nans etc. We ended with a malai kulfi which was perfect.  

The experience of enjoying a meal was complete to add to it was an over attentive staff many of whom have been with the resto for years, we were told one staff was due for retirement after serving for over two decades. The staff was also very forthcoming to gives us a peek into the history of the entire property which not only houses Khyber, but a continental restaurant and pub (now shut). 

Of course there will be a lot of food recommended by the staff and of your personal choice. As for me i can say have anything at Khyber and be rest assured that it will be top quality. As for the prices, it is a little on the higher side, but an experience is always priceless, Isn't it? 




  

Rain Tree only if you get over Coorgi food

If your in Coorg and staying in Madekeri or nearby areas of Siddapur, Dubare and not feasting on Coorgi food. Then I pity you if you really find this place and not tasting the awesome food the warrior clan (Kodavas). Be it Chicken, Pork (they can have it in all of their meals), then as an alternative a better one than those available, step into, Rain Tree.
Seriously why would you want to eat at a hotel, when you should be eating at Coffee Estates of Coorgi's in their ceramic plate and bowls, surrounded by coffee plantation sitting in gazebos with kingfisher and mainas picking on the flowers surrounding the plants nearby.
Anyways this is an alternative to those souls, who are missing on a heavenly experience. Rain tree is situated in Madekeri town, near the town hall. The two year old place has a very limited menu it boast of catering to all taste buds. Be it Chinese Indian and Manglorean dishes, both for the vegans and non.
I was recommended to this place by a Kodaval because we were going to be in the town area, away from his hospitality. So we started with a hot and sour soup, as the weather demanded it. Continuous rains, and little bit of foggy made us have a one by two. Then it was time for a veg starter Corn Kebabs, a delicacy i came to like very much.

The main course had to be Manglorean Chicken curry and Kerala Parotha. The hotel which is open for lunch and dinner with no alcohol served is house inside an old bungalow. It has four areas, the porch, two rooms for large groups, one inside and a coffee house. The staff is courteous and welcoming, though they do ask for you to order all at once but don't mind it, go ahead and do it as food is served late.
An overall a good experience but i still pity you to be there and not savoring the Coorgi food.

Modak-Bappa's favourite Sweet

If modaks could talk they would say don't make me in one more flavour please. The 11-day ganpati season is when you get to enjoy these delicacies, but the sweet shops across Mumbai sell Modaks which are made of Mawa. Unlike the original home made yummy ones made of rice, jaggery, coconut, elaichi which are either steamed or fried. The one that is steamed will be white in colour while the one that is fried will be in brown. These dumpling look alike are to be crushed from the top, add a bit of pure ghee and savour the taste of these mind blowing sweet. Stopping at one wont be easy but having more than two will make you sleep immediately.
In the marketplace this time there are N number of flavoured modaks. A visit to the sweet shop on Saturday was a horrible experience. There was a time when the famous Gauri Shanker in Parel would only sell the three standard falvours---Kesar, Mawa, Coconut. Among the three the first two would run out of stock quickly. Now days, you think of a flavour and you shall get---Butter scotch, chocolate, Anjeer, Kaju, Kandi, Strawberry. Some restaurants even serve, Carrot modak. For those who are witnessing Ganpati festival for the first time and want to taste the original sweet, i suggest head for a maharashtrian house, restaurant or the nearest Kutum Sakhi joint to taste the Bappa favourite Sweet.