chicken biryani – Jellybeans in the City

A taste of authentic Indian cuisine at Annapoorna, Quezon City

For a long time, I thought that Indian food is not for me. Having grown up with an aversion to spicy viands, as well as a strong bias towards my mom’s Pinoy home cooking combined with Western fare courtesy of movies and TV shows, South Asian cuisine to me was as exotic and almost alien as food can get.

Thankfully, I later developed a more adventurous palate, thanks largely to my husband who, over the years, took the necessary pains to introduce me to food items that have a little more kick to them.

It just so happens that one of his favorite cuisines is Indian food.

So when Annapoorna opened its branch right across my office building, I was more than ready to give it a try.

Indian cuisine is a celebration of diversity, with each region boasting its own unique culinary traditions and signature dishes. Fortunately, when Annapoorna serves up these diverse options, it makes them fresh upon order so that spice levels can be customized. This way, aside from bringing an authentic taste of home to its loyal clientele of Indian nationals residing nearby, it also allows us Pinoys who are unfamiliar with Indian food to easily expand our culinary horizons with its offerings.

Curious on delicious dishes that await at Annapoorna? Check these out:

viber_image_2024-04-26_22-05-30-557 — A sumptuous array of flavors at your fingertips at Annapoorna!

From personal experience, exploring new and unfamiliar cuisines may seem daunting at first, but, if my foray into Indian cuisine at Annapoorna is anything to go by, the delicious discoveries you’re bound to make are definitely well worth the effort!

Here are some tips to prime you up for this extraordinary gustatory experience and make your dining journey at Annapoorna even more memorable:

Start mild. Indian food may be known for its myriad of spices but it does include milder dishes like Butter Chicken and Malai Chicken tikka to get you started. Ask the staff for recommendations or request for milder versions of the spicier dishes.
Use your hands. Annapoorna’s naans are great for scooping up meats and dipping into flavorful sauces.
Enjoy the accompaniments. You’ll notice that most of the dishes are accompanied by dips and sauces that add a whole new dimension of flavors to the dishes.
Bring your friends and fam along. Most of Annapoorna’s dishes are good for two to three people so go ahead and share the experience with your loved ones.

Head over to Annapoorna’s branches for a taste of delicious and authentic Indian cooking, open for dine-in and orders from 11am to 1am:

Unit 4, Gateway Regency, Robinsons Pioneer, Mandaluyong (Tel: +63 966 1443154; Follow on Facebook and Instagram)
Mother Ignacia Avenue across ELJ Communication Center, Quezon City (Tel: +63 977 0642263; Follow on Facebook and Instagram)

Photo Credit: Selected individual food shots courtesy of Glenn of The Adventures of Jogpen.

From Samosas to Lassis: A Culinary Journey at Swaadisht Manila, Uptown Mall BGC

Swaadisht is a Hindi word that means “delicious” or “tasty.” The term is often used to describe the flavors and spices of Indian cuisine. Indian cuisine is known for its wide range of flavors, aromas, and textures, and is heavily influenced by regional variations, religious and cultural practices, and historical events. Swaadisht is an important aspect of Indian cuisine, and is a reflection of the country’s diverse culinary traditions.

India has a rich culinary history that dates back thousands of years. The country’s cuisine has been shaped by a variety of factors, including religion, culture, geography, and climate. The cuisine of each region of India is unique, and features a diverse range of ingredients and flavors. Some of the most popular ingredients in Indian cuisine include rice, lentils, vegetables, spices, and herbs.

If you want to explore the flavorsome possibilities of swaadisht, then head on to the Indian restaurant aptly named Swaadisht Manila and feast on these must-try dishes:

Vegetable Samosa (Php207). These crispy and savory triangular-shaped pastries are filled with a delicious mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, and onions. Served with tamarind and mint chutneys, they make for a perfect appetizer or snack.

Paneer Lababdar (Php537). A vegetarian delight, paneer lababdar is a popular Indian dish made with cottage cheese cooked in a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy. Served with plain naan or rice, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings for comfort food.

Plain Naan (Php163). A staple in Indian cuisine, naan is a type of flatbread that is cooked in a tandoor oven. At Swaadisht Manila, you can enjoy freshly baked naan that is soft, fluffy, and perfectly complements any dish.

Chicken Biryani (Php581). A fragrant and flavorful rice dish made with long-grain basmati rice, succulent chicken, and a blend of aromatic spices, this dish is a perfect example of the rich and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine.

Mango Lassi (Php196). This sweet and refreshing drink is made with ripe mangoes, yogurt, and a touch of sugar. It’s a perfect beverage to cool down your palate after enjoying some spicy Indian cuisine.

Swaadisht Manila serves authentic Indian cuisine, known for its rich blend of spices and unique flavors, that is sure to tantalize your taste buds, taking you on a gastronomic journey to the diverse culinary traditions of India from classic vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, biryanis, tandoori items, and bread to unique appetizers and desserts. The restaurant takes pride in using fresh and high-quality ingredients to ensure that every dish is flavorful, healthy, and delicious.

This Swaadisht Manila branch is located at Third Floor, Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open daily for dine-in, takeout and delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79431373 or +63 926 6529598.

Another branch is located at Citywalk 1, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 85184405 or +63 995 5552485).

Stay updated on its menu and offers by following Swaadisht Manila on Facebook and Instagram.

Authentic Indian cuisine at New Bombay, BGC

Considering that Indian cuisine has always been cited as one of the most delicious in the world, it is a wonder that it is not listed among my favorites.

I would probably blame it on a particularly spicy curry dish which was served to me when I was young, which then turned me off the entire culinary tradition for quite some time.

Articles from various food mavens attribute the appeal of Indian cuisine to its healthy ingredients (lots of vegetarian dishes!), its use of a wide array of fresh spices and its practice of combining contrasting flavors in its dishes.

Well, Hubby is an Indian food fan, who for over fifteen years marriage, has been largely unsuccessful in converting me to Indian food.

Until recently, that is.

While we were running some arounds around Bonifacio Global City, Hubby took the opportunity to introduce my daughter #ExhibitA and I to Indian cuisine at New Bombay.

Here, we enjoyed a flavorful lunch which consisted of:

Vegetable Kadai (Php355). Delicately spiced North Indian dish made of assorted vegetables cooked in a red gravy using the Indian equivalent of the wok, called the kadai, from which the dish gets its name.

Butter Naan (Php95). A butter-infused yeast-leavened white flour bread baked in a clay oven called tandoor.

Chef’s Special – Mutton Dry (Php395). Mutton sauteed in various Indian spices and served dry with a special desi gravy on the side. I paired this with the butter naan by wrapping mutton morsels in pieces I tore off the naan.

Chicken Biryani (Php395). Delicious Indian rice dish made with basmati rice layered with chicken pieces and spices then steamed together to produce an aromatic and flavorful viand with a subtle heat.

Lassi (Php125). Sweet blended drink made with fruit, yogurt and spices.

Since we were able to request the kitchen to set the spiciness of the dishes to very mild, we were able to enjoy their exotic flavors and the slight tickling sensation of heat in palates.

Now, I wouldn’t mind trying out more of Indian cuisine in my future foodie adventures.

This New Bombay branch is located at the Second Floor, Crossroads Building, corner 32nd and 7th Avenues, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (beside MC Home Depot). For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82451609, +63 939 1142481 or +63 916 2291470.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Sagittarius Building, HV Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City (Tel: +63 2 88192892 | +63 2 88043788 | +63 939 1197794 | +63 906 2711300)
Ground Floor, Glorietta 3 Ayala Center, Makati City (Tel: +63 2 89868622 | + 63 916 2291445)
Fifth Floor, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City (Tel: 63 2 86374367 | +63 939 1108623 | +63 916 2291445)

Timberland Highlands Resort’s Ridge Cafe introduces Arabic Dinner Buffet

Would you like to give in to your flights of fancy and embark on an exciting journey?

A journey among extraordinary flavors, that is. 🙂

Well, head on then to Ridge Cafe at Timberland Highlands Resort up in the mountains of San Mateo, Rizal. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the fresh mountain air as you dine in style, thanks to its opulent interiors and al fresco area overlooking the metro.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Resort — Ridge Cafe from outside

Here, your tastebuds can certainly go on a flavor tour, thanks to its recently unveiled Arabic Dinner Buffet.

Expanding gastronomic possibilities in the Rizal area

Every Saturday, from 6m to 9pm, you can eat your fill of flavorful and nutritious viands that boast of having Arabic, Mediterranean and South Asian origins, as well as free-flowing iced tea, all for just Php980++.

This exciting culinary curation is the brainchild of Timberland Highlands Resort’s new Executive Chef, Ranuka Hettiarachchi, who sought to include healthy Mediterranean dishes in Ridge Cafe’s buffet, as well as providing guests with vegan and vegetarian diets with suitable options.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Buffet — A preview to the Arabic Dinner

Also, given that restaurants offering Arabic food are not that common in the Rizal area, local residents now have a new convenient destination if they want to expand their food horizons.

Representing exotic flavors from the Mediterranean and Arabic regions

Ridge Cafe’s Arabic Dinner Buffet presents travel-hungry foodies with the opportunity to enjoy signature dishes of regions such as Greece, the Middle East, Egypt and South Asia, all cohesively curated and mouthwateringly presented in their respective stations.

Carnivores will be (quite understandably!) drawn to the carving station where beautifully roasted beef striploin and leg of lamb take pride of place, accompanied by roasted veggies and a variety of sauces to choose from.

Those seeking healthier fare can always go to the cold section and check out the fresh salads comprised of crisp greens and veggies as well as filling proteins.

Then diners can hop from station to station to sample distinct tastes from various countries in a virtual food trip across the Mediterranean, Gulf and Indian subcontinent with these flavorful offerings:

Dessert lovers can also look forward to sampling the popular desserts from these regions as well as their favorite sweets in the dessert station.

While you can always take this journey by yourself, it’s best to experience it with family and friends!

Ridge Cafe also offers other buffet meals including:

Top of the Morning Buffet: intercontinental breakfast menu and classic Pinoy almusal favorites at Php650 net per person (weekends from 7am to 10am)
Filipino Buffet: favorite Filipino dishes with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (lunch from 11.30am to .30pm | dinner from 6pm to 9pm)

To reserve a table, email timberlandfbm@timberlandresort.com or message 0999-889-2659 | 0995-840-3206 | 8891-8288 local 1030 and 1032.

Ridge Cafe is located at Timberland Highlands Resort, inside Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines.

Book your room via Klook today to enjoy great savings!

To know more about Timberland Highlands Resorts latest updates and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Timberland Highlands Resort: