Ten-Second Takeaway
If you're a fan of all things chilli, the Smoke Fire And Spice food festival is just for you. So get ready to set your tongue ablaze with cuisine from Asia, Africa and Latin America
Of Spices And Sauces
The offerings on the limited-edition menu come with platters of chicken and prawn skewers with sauces from North Africa, Morocco, Latin America, Thailand and South Africa. I'm not a huge fan of chilli, but the Moroccan Harissa sauce, which is a mix of dried chilies, coriander, caraway seeds and garlic, was impeccable to the tongue. Another favourite was the North African Charmoula sauce with prominent flavours of parsley, cilantro, paprika, cumin and lime. This tasted a lot like a basic pesto sauce, minus the basil. Unfortunately there were no prawns available, so I had to make peace with the chicken that was served.
Chipotle fans, you won't be disappointed. Apart from the platter, you can order a whole sizzler, with options of sauces on the meat {as on the platter} that comes with a thin pita bread, almost like a paratha, and something called a "sesameslaw" {like coleslaw?} that has lettuce, cabbage and carrots tossed in sesame and olive oil, and the way to eat this sizzler is stuff the bread with all the goodness and twirl it like a roll.
To Drink Or Not To Drink?
Considering the theme of the menu, I was expecting some cocktails with a ton of Tabasco, chilli and peppers to set my tongue on fire, but well, that didn't happen. The cocktails weren't extraordinary, but if you're not very particular, the Sangria Rosa, which is a mix of Rose wine, Bacardi rum, orange liqueur and sangria with strawberries and blueberries, is a safe bet. Special thanks to the blueberries for saving the drink. The rum-based Shocking Shandy is also good, if you like beer in your cocktail.
So We're Thinking…
I'd go back for those piquant sauces, but not for the amount of time they took to serve us the main course {a little over an hour}. Sadly, there was no dessert on the menu — even a sizzling brownie or a chili chocolate mousse would've been a great addition to the theme. That said, this menu is still definitely worth a one-time try.
Where: No.40, St. Marks Road, Opp LIC Building
When: Until September 30
Timings: Noon-1am; Sundays 8.30am-1am
Price: INR 2,000 for two
Contact: 080 49652492
Check out their website here.
Find them on Facebook here.
Photo Courtesy: Hard Rock Cafe