Be it Awadhi Biryani or Keeree kabab to Chinese food and let alone the bengali cuisine that itself is very rich ; Kolkata has been the meeting point of a host of culinary cultures from time gone by .When the last nawab of Lucknow settled down in MetiaBruz area of Kolakta in 1850-60s he brought with him the chefs from his kitchen back home . The Chinese settlers made Chinatown famous . the more recent revival of the Bngali cuisine has also made riples in the alrady rich gastronomical options avaialble in the city. Things to set it apart - Egg/chicken/mutton roll shops in every corner of the city . Mughlai Cuisine (Awadhi style)being regular part of the tables in city restauants and bylanes. Check out Tangra for chinese food -- especially Beijing restaurant , Nizam - Moghul garden for mughlai food , Aheli -- for bengali cuisine .
I am giving two most ancient places in Gujarat Balasonoir---90 km from Ahmedabad on Indore ahmedabad highway .20 km from city RAOLI ,a small beutifull village covered with small hillocks ,lush green paddy field .On top of the hill ,fossils of Dionossurous are found plenty lying here and there .Feel the moment of 65 million years ago when these reptiles used to roam freely in this land .After 2 hrs trip to this land ,come back to the city Balasonoir and have Nawabi lunch with the Nawab of Balasonoir .Ms Alia babi ,the owner of this heritage hotel will explain in details of Dionossorous as she is author on this subject .You can also take her help .Excellent foods are served in Nawabi style in Nawabi dining room specialy 400 years old preparation of Byriani(Non Veg).One of the rare tourist moment of life
Lothal =90 km from Ahmedabad on ahmedabad ---rajkot highway .From DHOLERA just 20 km further You will discover the 5000 years old civilisationm of Harappa .Still the ancient river ,ruins of modern archtectures of the city can be visible .One small resturent and a well maintained Museum is available for knowledge of the place .Explore whole day and see the most scientific city system prevailed 5000 years old there and see the beutifull sunset from the ruins of Harappa .Once in a life time experience
this article is not intended for Indian viewers. Even with globalisation, we have not had the kind of revolution in food and beverages. In India, we are - as with all other things - extremely rigid and parochial about food and intolerant about food of other regions.
We have started espousing the west in unhealthiness and have embraced eating out in large numbers. However, when we eat out we are very conservative and eat the same things we do at home in a different ambience. Our home cooking has suffered and cooking at home is now considered a menial sub optimal task for a young lady who is an MBA and handling a staff of 50 at her work place.
With vegetarianism becoming more popular worldwide, India can actually become a global culinary hotspot if it properly showcases its veg food. We can also make fruits and vegetables and other food items cheaper if we build proper cold chains and supply these at cheaper prices.
Going by many comments here one can understand the average reader here. They are typically lower middle class people, who have know experience of anything outside their homes. They spit venom against everything which is not lower class. Be it against Muslims or world best dishes. silly
RE:Funny Comments
by Atul Sharma on Apr 06, 2008 10:41 PM
I am sorry man , but I do not see any reference to muslims in the comments below..... And about the lower middle class thing , that's what india is made up of middle class people they constitute major part of the population, sooner rediff realize that the better, I enjoy every kind of food (only vege though) But to say that food in the west is the greatest than i strongly disagree
I think you should visit some more places in india rather than abroad than you will realize what foodie cities are .. places like Amritsar Hyderabad Delhi Mumbai , Lucknow to name a few have some of the best eating joints available .. . but info about them won't be available on forbes.com , one has to actually research for that!
I was and still a jet setter and had attened many parties and ate many types of food in various big cities in the world. But let me tell you my experience.
Food is culture specific. What is great in other culture may not be palatable to an Indian.
Secondly I deeply regret now (I was diagonised diabetic) that rich food was one the main reasons for my diabetes.
in the western big cities they really dont cook much at home. either they heat up ready-to eat food ,get food delivered at home or eat out. they have huge restaurant industry and they are richer than us and spend lot more on food. we indians basically eat home-made food ,thanks to our mother/sister/wife/daughter or even cook. most of us can hardly afford to spend too much in restaurants. it is important to remember the diffrences. but it is also well accepted that home-made food is more healthy. the forbes article is for rich people living in rich and famous cities, at any rate from a third world country perspective. no need to get upset for an indian.
Going by the comments below, may I add how comfortable we can feel at these places?
One can eat at company expenses in fancy restaurants, but do we enjoy? One has to keep up pretences, eat while our guests or hosts partake with us and are mostly strangers. Their ways are also foreign upto the use of cutlery.
I remember when a foreigner made remark about our eating with fingers, my friend made a cutting remark. If everone starts eating with fingers, the food will taste so much better that food available will not be enough for all.
In the same way, if all become vegetarians, there will be enough food as we do not require so many animals to rear & butcher, we can save also on enormous water for preparing the meat, fish etc. Also the land for pasture can be used for our needs.
But let us accept the diversity. (at least to save my skin, as I do not want to give another opportunity for some to go bonkers & butcher me instead!)
