International Street Food Festival at L-14, by Renaissance Lucknow

Hey loves, what's happening? Is it just me or you too are excited about the fact that the weather in Lucknow has taken a drastic turn and cold waves have hit Northern India once again. Its been raining heavily here and the climate has become delightful with a hint of romanticism! People are planning long drives and enjoying. And, amidst that, the all day dining restaurant at L-14, Renaissance Lucknow Hotel has this on-going INTERNATIONAL STREET FOOD FESTIVAL welcoming foodies, giving them a chance to dig into global cuisine from India, U.S., China, Thailand, Mexico, Italy and the Middle East for dinner!

For many of you who keep asking me if I get bored going to the same restaurant again and again, let me tell you what keeps me getting back here is the newness and the innovation the F&B team at the hotel offers each time! LIVE food stations is just one of the many things I experienced this time, where you see the appetite for good food, cooked with passion and authenticity with the wide spread of the ingredients that offers you to choose your favorites, and for anyone who loves everything customised, its going to be really exciting for you!

STARTERS

The map (you see in the picture above) displays all the food stations as placed at the restaurant to help you find your favorite cuisine. Starting from the CHAAT COUNTER, which included everything that I could find at any random chaat hawker across the streets in town, but displayed in a much more beautiful setup with all hygienic contents. I tried the Paani Puri in 4 different flavoured water, along with Aloo Tikki, Matar Chaat, Aloo Chaat and Bhel Puri. All items served in recycled structured donas (banana leaf bowls) to keep the authenticity of the Indian culture as best known for reviving the age-old eco-friendly culinary traditions!

Around the world street food is one of the biggest, most loved, yet most unstructured culinary cultures. My second stop was the SOUP STATION where they served Soup with a variety of condiments and offered to choose between fried and boiled noodles, assorted veggies and types of breads! And, amongst other starters, I had some Nachos and Pita Bread with Salsa and Dips from the Mexican cuisine, and really yummy vegetarian Sushi rolled with rice, herbs and spices from Japan.

Asian Soup Station

Mexican Station - Nachos & Pita

Japanese Station - Sushi

MAIN COURSE

With variations within regions and cultures, street food vending is found across the world. Sold by vendors and peddlers, chief characteristics of street food is that it is reasonably priced and flavoured and easily available! And for all of you who might be thinking why would one go to a 5-star hotel to eat the same food that's available on the streets in less than half of the price, guys I feel you should know that there is much diversity in the raw materials as well as in the preparation techniques of dishes, which is much hygienic and healthier. 

The MONGOLIAN COUNTER opposite to the bar in the restaurant had an array of stuffed and regular Pasta including raviolis, spaghetti, bucatini, fusilli, fettuccine, etc. I ordered for some spaghetti in red sauce and assorted vegetables and it was indeed a lovely sight watching them prepare for me LIVE! From the ASIAN COUNTER, I picked some Veg Shawarma that was filled with some sauce and vegetables which of course was a very simple dish and tasted just regular salad in pita. Also, some Green Thai Curry, Gobhi Kebabs, Beetroot Kebabs, Momos, and Side Vegetables sauted and fried on the authentic Indian tawa. And one thing that came as a surprise was the Kottu Paratha from the SRI LANKAN CUISINE. Its basically a kottu roti chopped into waves and fried, served with vegetable curry or eggs, and tasted delcious!

Mongolian Counter - Pasta

Spaghetti in Red Sauce

Veg Shawarma

Thai Green Curry

Momos from Dehradun

Asian Counter

Garlic Butter Sauce Veggies, Garlic Mash Potato, Gobhi Ki Shami, Nawabi Chukandar 

Tawa Sabz

Srilankan Counter - Kottu Paratha

DESSERTS

Renaissance Hotel is a chalk full of desserts, and its vast array of options make it difficult to decide which ones to indulge in. At the on-going International Street Food Festival, you will get to discover the top delicious sweet dishes from different corners of the world that will win not only your heart but also your soul! 

At the restaurant, the CREPE STATION attracts you with the LIVE setup where you can opt for your favorite sweet condiments (chocolate bars/choco chips/brownies) that will be rolled into your crepe and layered with maple/chocolate/strawberry syrup, or honey. I chose chocolate brownie with strawberry syrup and it tasted exemplary! Next at the Dessert Theatre is a wide layout of Fresh Fruit Cakes, Truffle Pastries, Fruit Savarin, Baked Yogurt, Choco Tart, Strawberry Buns, etc. All in all, you cannot go without digging into each one even if its just a bite!

Crepe Station

Strawberry Choux Bun

Baked Yogurt, Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Fresh Fruit Savarin, Fruit Cake, Chocolate Truffle Pastry 

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I hope you liked going through this post. Don't forget to share it across and let people know that the International Street Food Festival is running up till 12th March, 2017 so you can go there and experience it yourself. Tip : Take the entire family along! INR 1350+ taxes per head. Make bookings HERE.

Photographed by : Azman Khan

~xoxo~

Winter Wardrobe Wind-up

Hi pretties! Hope y'all are enjoying the change in the weather. Yes, one can feel the change of season in the air. And, its true that the shift from one season to the other, affect our daily lives, the food we crave for and the clothes we wear. So yeah, seasons have a powerful potency in our lives, and with the rising temperature it's quite evident that the spell of winter is finally bidding adieu!

I've always been in love with the cold days and dressing up during the season was something I did put efforts in. With the season coming to an end now, I've got the last style share for you to take ques from to throw up before spring. This time in collaboration with some remarkably known brands, check out my entire look and some beautiful pictures below..

jacket : Naamcheen by Muskaan Agarwal | spaghetti : Forever21 | pants : Marks & Spencer

shoes : StreetStyleStore.com | scarf, sunglasses : Accessorize

It had been a while since I shared a fashion post with y'all and what could have been better than decoding the last of winter fashion with a pair of burgundy pants that made a statement this A/W season! Burgundy or wine colors have been one of the clear protagonists in recent fashion collections, and it is rare not to have one or more pieces of clothing in this shade in your wardrobe. I got my pants from Marks & Spencer while strolling at Phoenix Mall Lucknow, just because I love that color so much! But, with efforts to seek what to buy to pair it with, I could get nothing in the mall or even while searching online. Of course because contemporary outfits isn't my taste and I crave for something unconventional every time!

And that's exactly when I recalled a birthday present handed over to me by one of my designer friends Muskaan Agarwal, who owns a pre-couture label called Naamcheen. She had gifted me a beautifully designed sailor jacket, characterised by short length, broad lapels, single-sided-double-breasted fronts with slash pockets, and metal buttons. She somehow knew I'd love a sailor patch on it which I actually do because it makes the jacket look so trendy! With a combination of navy blue and white, the soft, light fabric jacket (perfect for the prevernal season) looked fantastic when worn over a black spaghetti, the burgundy pants and accessorized with a printed, silk scarf from Accessorize (once on my hair and then in the neck playing with it to see what looks better), and sunglasses from there as well. In my feet I buckled up a pair of oxford-cut shoes that I bought from StreetStyleStore that went perfect with the whole look giving a hint of formal and chic styling!

PS : You can add on a bracelet or a watch on your wrist, and can carry a sling bag or a foldable clutch bag along! If you missed seeing the same in the pictures above, it's only because I like accesorizing minimally, but yeah I should have added the watch I guess. Say wha'?

Anyway, I hope you liked the look with all that's there. Pairing options with burgundy bottoms are many (like grey, white, black, denim blue, etc) but it's you who has to decide what appears better! Apart from that, I would suggest you to keep your makeup subtle and hair lose for the day and glitter up the eyes for an evening event! If you have any other queries about this look or any add-ons, do mention them in the comments below or you can even drop a quick message on my facebook page. Rest I'm available 24x7 on instagram and snapchat and would love to connect with y'all. Until then, lots of love!

Photographed by : Saumya Kumar

~xoxo~

Meals On Wheels with Street Kart Lucknow

Greetings everyone! Hope you are all doing good! So, most of you know that being a foodie (and a food blogger), I love exploring food everywhere; and with so many new cafes and restaurants booming up in Lucknow, I surely needed something unconventional to gaze upon and try! Well, in this post I'm going to tell you about a food truck, namely Street Kart, that I recently came across at the newly developed River Front in Gomti Nagar, which has become a street food sensation amongst all generations. 

Street food is hardly a novel concept for Indians. Devouring plates of freshly cooked meals and savouries, right from the corner shop that serves them up hot without an iota of shelter is part of our culinary fabric as a nation. The need to be disruptive of the monotony to stand out and stand a chance of surviving has spread its tentacles to the food industry and some young vendors have brought that sense of uniqueness back to the streets with two words – FOOD TRUCKS! 

Vibhor Khanna, an IHM graduate and ex Marriott employee, started up STREET KART for his passion for cooking. He did immense studies on the food truck concept and presented a layout to his family to convince them to help him achieve his own dreams rather him working for someone else to help them achieve theirs. He always believed in designing a truck that looks exclusive and stands out on the streets of Lucknow to cater people who are ready to adapt to new concepts in town. As per Vibhor, quality food should be available to all, regardless of where they lived. And, truly believing in the merit of affordable meals for all, he sources ingredients from local markets, and charge just enough to cover their costs. Street Kart is a blessing on wheels as you can devour a range of delectable dishes without it burning a hole in your pocket.

These meals on wheels may seem to be a concept strongly associated with the west, but the need for mobility in this day and age makes food trucks a great candidate for just about any bustling city in the world. Which is probably why the concept is showing so much potential over here, despite being such a nascent industry. With 5-6 other food trucks spotted in Lucknow city, I found Street Kart different from them in terms of the machinery and cooking equipment set up all inside the truck just like you'd find in any restaurant kitchen! Its good to know that the chefs are superbly trained and take proper care of hygiene.

With that, Street Kart is licensed by FSSAI, and serves a wide selection of close to 30 dishes on the menu and they like to keep things interesting by constantly evolving their offerings, and regularly introducing new items. I tried Veg Shawarma, Veg Biryani and Paneer Sandwiches from the menu and it tasted just as good as any high quality restaurant food!

Food Trucks date back to 1930’s in the U.S. and are extremely popular with people who want a good meal in casual setting and lighter on the pocket! The movie 'Chef' glorified the way Indians saw food trucks. India has had food stalls and eateries serving lip-smacking street food, but it has revamped in a fancy avatar with food trucks in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and I'm so glad the concept has been brought down to Lucknow as well! Today, these trucks are slowly popping up and needless to say, serve delicious spread like their American counterparts.

For all the people who haven’t chanced upon, or even experienced the joys of eating straight from a food truck, you definitely need to check out the pretty looking Street Kart that is set at River Front, Gomti Nagar to sway you, and do let me know your experience with it. Until next time, happy eating!

Photographed by : Jaya Agnihotri

~xoxo~

My Stay Experience at Hyatt Place, Gurgaon - The Quintessential Business Hotel

Hey everybody, hope all's going good! The past 2 months have been crazy, not just because I've been travelling, but also because I'm kinda working on developing something new. And, for the same reason, Delhi/NCR have become my on-the-go stops. I have been frequently visiting the capital for work and during one of my recent visits, I stayed at HYATT PLACE in GURGAON (now Gurugram), only to experience one of the most uncomplicated stays beyond my own house! Strategically located in Udyog Vihar, the heart of Gurgaon, offering the ideal location for multi-tasking international travellers, the hotel is minutes' drive from the New Delhi International Airport via the Express Highway (NH8) and close to major business and shopping hubs like DLF Cyber City, M G Road, HUDA City Centre & Cyber Hub.

Wide View of the Hotel (picture taken from the hotel website)

Mostly when I'm in Delhi or around, I choose to stay at my own house with my relatives in the South, but this time it was a thoughtful decision to keep away from the family and enjoy hospitality in a smartly designed, hi-tech and modern environment. I took an Uber from the Delhi Airport and reached the hotel in 25 minutes to be precise, which with the Delhi traffic is very rare, so this ride was quick and hassle-free! Upon reaching the hotel, the bellman welcomed me and very sweetly carried my luggage in the gallery while I cleared the security and reached the reception to be greeted by equally welcoming gallery host! It was a convenient check-in with my reservation and I asked the gallery staff to send my luggage in my room until I explore the hotel a bit! 

Reception

Its no secret that I'm fascinated by colors. I like warm and stylish surroundings that appear sophisticated and edgy with a hint of creativity. At Hyatt Place Gurgaon/Udyog Vihar, aesthetic combines modern sophistication and casual comfort with a sense of style. They create an easygoing atmosphere for all their guests. Plenty of purposeful spaces, designed for constant relevance, each space functions to answer the evolving needs of both business and leisure guests with flexible options, whether it’s day or night, weekday or weekend. 

Complemented by the luxe touch in the gallery with prepossessing decor and furniture is something you cannot look away from! Be it the white couches with an outdoor view of the large scale parking area, or the running lobby with bright red sofa chairs for casual coffee meetings, the hotel also offers a cocktail bar and a cafeteria to take a moment to kick back and relax! What actually caught my eye was the outdoor seating near the gallery while walking towards the restaurant. Nicely done with climbers and shed, the morning walkers and coffee sippers have a very tasteful spot to chill!

Favorite Corner At The Gallery

Lounge Area Perfect For A Casual Meeting

Seating For Two At The Gallery

Bar Area/Cafeteria 

Outdoor Seating

By now, you must have already guessed that I wasn't tired at all because of course the flight was just 55 minutes so no jet lag! Though boarding and landing took time but I was still packed with energy, which eventually took me to the gym area at the hotel which is equipped with multi-functional sport machines with LCD screens to witness progress of workout. I loved how calling the interiors were with perfect lighting to keep you going! With that, the hotel also offers a huge swimming pool at the first floor to re-energize yourself to kick start a busy day. The city view from the pool area is breathtaking and the vibrantly done furniture around the pool is beguiling as well! 

Gym Area

Pool Area

I finally came to my room after checking out most of the corners of the hotel which looked lavish enough! Escorted by the gallery staff, I entered my room situated on the third floor only to realise that its one of those 176 guestrooms that Hyatt Place offers with a mix of contemporary and stylish furnishings including different plush bed options! I went in for a double occupancy room, consisting of twin beds, each having a side table and a lamp with comfortable space to walk around too! The hotel is about style and convenience. Their identity of chic simplicity seems best conveyed through their rooms that are spacious with a contemporary design that is not too stuffy. A cozy-corner sofa sleeper with a centre table, a work desk with in-built plugs for laptop & phone chargers and tea/coffee maker, alongside a swiveling 42" flat-panel HDTV with a fridge cabin and multiple drawers, attached to a wardrobe with an iron, iron pad & security locker inside, and free Wi-Fi made my room of complete convenience! PS : The textured window glass (with curtain pully) with that mesmerizing city view though!

The bathroom being of my utmost concern, looked stylish and tastefully done! A big wash basin with a wide length wall mirror above the toilet seat made it look comfortable and chic. Equipped with modern fittings, the bath area appeared easy and natural. Hyatt is best known for their thoughtfulness about the needs of their guests and it could be seen very well with the various number of towels and luxury hair care and skin care amenities present in the bathroom! With that, they even have the option to call at any hour and order any other bath amenities you'd want from their odd-items shop!

Wide Room View

Bathroom

Hyatt Place has been created for multi-blenders with 24x7 lifestyles. Being a night owl, I have a habit of digging into food at random hours! Thank god for the 24x7 in-room dining option available at this hotel due to which I could work stuffing myself with food of my liking. I had ordered Veg Sandwich with Fries, Alfredo Pasta, Tiramisu Pudding and Diet Coke. The order arrived in 20 minutes and I couldn't be happier. It seemed like one of those satisfactory moments you feel after a hectic day. Well, the food shop at the hotel offers multiple choices in snacks (like chips, sandwiches, hot/cold beverages, etc.) throughout the day to grab-n-go!

 3 AM Dinner Scenes in My Room

 Food Shop Located Behind The Reception

Talking of food, it finally brings me to share with you my experience at the Gallery Restaurant at Hyatt Place Gurgaon with an inviting ambience! The menu offers a plentiful & sumptuous variety of local and regional specialities to choose from based on their individual preferences. Guests looking for a lighter bite can enjoy a selection of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches and much more at the cafe, while the Gallery Kitchen serves hot breakfast every morning. With a wide variety of beverages to offer, you’ll never have to settle for anything less than a freshly made meal, cold or hot beverage, a selection of speciality beverages, or a delightful bite of your favourite dessert. The restaurant offers a buffet selection and also has an a-la carte menu with Asian and western dishes and desserts available all day. Well, I opted for the buffet lunch which included the starters, main course and a wide selection of salads and desserts freshly prepared by the chefs who put their hearts to present you the tastiest food for the foodie in you! Having said that, I was smitten by the fact that the chefs at the show kitchen are always eager to please, so one shouldn't hesitate asking them to whip up a dish you have in mind!

Dining Tables At The Restaurant

Absolutely Love This Creative Corner At The Restaurant

The Soup And Salad Counter

Starters & Main Course Counter

Dessert Counter

In all honesty, Hyatt Place is one of the best upscale business hotels in Gurgaon (Gurugram), offering modern product design, smart features, relaxed service model, fresh aesthetic, and thoughtful service for the best guest experience. Spread over a wide area in the city centre, the hotel has a huge lawn for wedding parties, more than 150 guestrooms and international luxury recreational activity rooms, meeting and conference rooms, large scale parking lot, a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, etc. and a highly trained staff to cater their guests 24x7 for a comfortable and convenient stay. At Hyatt, they strive to see the world through the eyes of their guests, which helps them to respond to their evolving needs, allowing them to deliver refreshingly uncomplicated experiences that feel authentic, intuitive and modern. By leaving out unnecessary formalities, the Hyatt staff helps all their guests get on with their day through friendly, casual service. Which reminds me that while checking out, the Gallery Host warmly engaged with me one last time, enquiring if my stay was a pleasant one and offering a friendly farewell along with an invitation back for future stays! And yes, my stay at Hyatt Place Gurgaon was definitely worth it!

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This post is partnered with Hyatt Place Gurgaon, with special thanks to Niyati Sharma. I'm definitely choosing to return soon to the hotel and stay for a bit more! In case my readers are wondering where to find more about Hyatt Place, you can opt to check out their website HERE and follow them on facebook and instagram to keep a tab of their latest getaway offers. Cheers!

~xoxo~