Grab and Grub- Few days left to sate your soul

 

Bangalore- a city known as the Silicon Valley of India and is famous for its street food. This city has welcomed majority of newcomers and tasted varied cultures all over the world. On the other hand, the silvers try to hold their heritage and linguistic integrity. Bangalore has not only witnesses a wide range of people and their cultures but also celebrates each and every festival with great pomp and show.

 

The holy month of Ramzaan has given the city one more reason to come alive. Bangalore is in full swing. The streets are lightening up with stalls decorated with rice bulbs and the ambrosial smell of meat has blended all over. The lanes of Shivaji Nagar, Mosque Road and Frazer town gears up with the onset of this festive season. Unlike last year, this time I have chosen to walk down the streets of Tilak Nagar. Even though the area is not so familiar but it has almost all the savouries ready to get burst into your mouth.

I have first met a young lad, who is churning the “Seekh Kababs” over the burning coal in his stall. On being asked, he introduced himself as Irfan Ali from Raiganj, West Bengal who has been residing in Bangalore for past 8 years and works for Bismillah Restaurant. The hot Hariyali Mutton Kababs is served with diced onions and half a piece of lemon to squeeze on. It is juicy and the tanginess adds more flavour to the spicy kababs.

 

Next in line is the fish stall. The owner is serving instant fried fish, cut fresh next to his stall which sets apart from the rest. You say-“Pomfret” or “Bangra”- they have it all and you will be served fresh and hot. Forget those calories and watch the fish getting fried into a generous amount of oil. My eyes get rolled into the other section of the stall where the owner’s nephew is frying “Beef Balls”. Since, the owner is from Kolkata, West Bengal- he is describing them as “Bora”- means small sized “Pakoras”. The “Beef Balls” are perfect in their texture and are friendly to my palate.

 

The streets are seen not only rejoicing with an array of food stalls but also seen with stationary carts as well. The shops are seen flocked with women, trying out gold –plated jewellery, bangles and stone fitted sandals. Men are seen trying kurtas and loitering in the streets. 

 

The Ghousia hotel has opened their outlet and has a wide range of “Kababs”, “Parathas” and “Desserts”. Chicken Flat - a deep-fried, crispy flat chicken served with mayonnaise and mint chutney is great to have. For sweet tooth, one can pick different types of Badusha here.

 

 

Our trail leads to Kormangala- the heart of Bangalore and the most picturesque 

boulevard-is a place to savour. The streets of Kormangala seem to be filled with eclectic crowd of the city. Few are seen enjoying the famous “Haleem” and some are seen stop by to par take the visual experience of preparing “Beef Kheema”.

The Empire Restaurant has their separate stalls lined up under a white linen tent house. The space is stacked with hearty eaters. My pick of the lot, however, is “haleem”- a slow cooked dish made of minced meat or beef, lentils and spices. It is creamy and gets dissolves in the mouth. My taste buds started teasing by then and I covered almost all, “Tiger Prawns”, “Crabs”, “Kebabs” and “Camel Meat”.

 

Options available for desserts are mind boggling-“Jalebi, “Matka Phirni”, “Shaahi Tukda”, “Falooda”, “Badam Milk”. For the health Conscious people, lemonades are available in different flavours viz, strawberry, lime, mint and blue ice.

 

 

 

 

Indeed whole Bangalore is in festive mood. The Gastronomic trail has come to an end. It’s another 2 days, so grab and grub to sate your soul if you haven’t done so far. Bon Appetite!