A summer time madness at 11th Avenue

By

-

July 3, 2018

I skip my breakfast and settled for a tall ice-cold glass of watermelon juice. Summers have become awful in Guwahati. I cannot even devour my favorite cappuccino or an awakening masala tea. Sigh!

Smoothies and juices have made my buds bland, sunscreens don’t work, damn! Why can’t winters stay forever?

“You hate winters as well, remember?” Prasanta poked.

As he gets ready for his office, I decide to switch off all my communicating devices and lie flat on the floor. I crashed, mulling over where to sabotage my fatigue; only to wake up at the scream from my tummy.

But sadly, the gloomy fridge has only butter and mayonnaise to chomp. And going to the kitchen means shoving myself into an oven. Instead of getting baked, dining out seems a better idea, and 11^th Avenue, an intelligent one. Not just because they cook wonderfully flaky crust pizza but also serves the purpose of brimming one’s gut with contentment.

A heavenly delight awaits in the new menu

My tummy is screaming louder than the honking horns. I don’t know if Guwahati’s rise in temperature is directly proportional to its congested traffic. As I scroll my Instagram feed, I stumble up a post that describes how succulent their tortillas were. Tortillas, oh! I can die for a good bite.

The traffic blink green. I park my scooter and raced inside the café. Something is different. I gawk, watching the menu parade with its new makeover in every table, proudly. And I watch her flaunting and getting hold of people’s interest.

It is now my turn to appraise her.

Whoa!

TORTILLA.

My thrill jumps in joy. While I wished for Thai Green Curry Pasta, my Tortilla tooth was seeking Roast Chicken Tortilla. Hence, a nod for both.

Laughter is brightest where food is best

Waiting for food to arrive is probably one of the world’s difficult tasks. Phew! I could barely wait for my order to walk from the kitchen.

About 20 minutes later, my order walked in. The Thai Green Curry Pasta, escorted by two pieces of garlic bread, rests elegantly on the white plate. My pasta plate looks gorgeous.

It boasts a blend of mellow yet a robust smack of its varied spices. The recipe embraces an assortment of ingredients like coconut paste, vegetables, spaghetti, chicken, and Thai sauce.

The Tortilla, on the other hand, recounts a superior touch of taste and texture. Besides, the chicken bites were ladened with crispy and soft chicken sautéed in aromatic spices. Crumble of tomatoes garnished with chives and cheese added a refined feeling to the crunchy corn base. The sour cream and salsa dips, on the other hand, were goodness added to the glory.

Contentment contained and restored

While the service is friendly, they seem to have sauteed their food a bit “more” gently. I thought my order lost its way. 😀 But it was worth the wait. I was literally lost, amid the lush Thai Green Curry Pasta and Chicken Tortilla.

Post Script: The new menu has a number of tongue-teasing cuisines to munch on. Until I hit here for some Lamb Bolognese and Ramen Noodles next time, keep supporting for my next review.

Lavazza- Redefining the aroma of Guwahati

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

May 27, 2018

0

A coffee mug is something that always stands on my desk, irrespective of whether I am at home or at my workplace. I wasn’t a coffee fanatic until the caffeine rush hit me during my finals one day. And since then, it has been my favorite choice of beverage.

Growing café culture of Guwahati

While Guwahati is blooming in the different spheres of trade, communication, and lifestyle, advancement in its sub-categories, too is rising rapidly. In the last two-three years, Guwahati witnessed a massive growth of cafes, restaurants, and hotels. But often it is disheartening to discover that behind those gracefully crafted cafes, its visitors could barely track down a good cup of coffee. Only a spattering of cafes like 11^th Avenue, Kalita Café, or Café brew bakes tends to serve an aromatic cup.

In the quest to procure a pure cup of caffeine, oftentimes, people here, dive into a puddle of pesticides and chemically preserved coffee. I realized that the veil draped by instant coffee is hard to tear when my mother complained about the freshly grounded coffee packet that I brought from Nagaland. To my horror, she said she had replaced the packet with a Nescafe jar.

An aromatic entrant in the city

Beyond the flawed practices like brewing coffee in boiling water or drinking plain premixes, Guwahati brewed a neat aroma on 24^th May. Lavazza, since 2008, has been cultivating better coffee brewing culture in India. Consequently, with a brisk upsurge in café trends in Northeast India, the company hosted its first-of-kind coffee workshops in Guwahati and Shillong.

Baristas, chefs, café owners, and coffee fanatics from the eight states, are connected to brew an impeccable essence in the region. It was rewarding.

Coffee connoisseur and Training Manager of Lavazza, Mr. Abdul Sahid Khan, adroitly persuaded the participants to brew luscious aromas all over Northeast. He narrated how by playing with different techniques, procedures, and equipment, one can experiment and invent recipes of their own. Besides guiding to attain flawless shots of espresso, he also demonstrated frothing milk and supervised latte art.

Cooking with chemicals

Coffee Cavier, prepared using the molecular gastronomy method

Among those numerous coffee recipes that he exhibited, what thrilled me the most was the molecular gastronomy technique. A concoction of my curiosity and fate mingled with astonishment when I ate espresso. Coffee Cavier is an exclusive recipe of Lavazza. It is prepared by converting liquid to a solidified state. This process is done using calcium chloride with alginate.

The workshop was a pure indulgence of bliss and contentment, in particular. This workshop was a much-needed grasp for the region that believes in pouring a fantastic cup of coffee.

About Lavazza

Ruling for the last 120 years, Lavazza is one of the biggest manufacturers of coffee products from Italy. The company combines coffees from different parts of the world. These are then harvested, processed, mixed, and roasted to create several different and balanced blends, as well as satisfy the coffee-tooth of every fanatic.

Here are some of the pictures from the Guwahati as well as from the Shillong session.

Lavazza workshop in Guwahati — Participants from different states of Northeast India

Note: If you are in Northeast India and wish to get hold of some finely roasted beans of Lavazza, you can ping Jyoti Brothers (Jyotishman: +91 9864311100) or Sumon Bora (Area Sales Manager: +91 9707639828).

Also, feel free to knock us for any queries or questions related to coffee/coffee making. Until then, like this article and don’t forget to share it in your circle.

For busy people: Easy and effective hacks to stay healthy

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

April 7, 2018

0

Sedentary lifestyle, hustling schedules, and the race to stand tall among other competitions has disturbed numerous lives. Competitions have killed the world’s sleep and eating habits more than an outbreak. Lack of time is a major account why people buckle under unhealthy eating and sleeping patterns. As a result, prevalence rates for the number of ailments and afflictions have increased rapidly.

The body achieves what the mind believes. Thus, it is essential to watch out both the mind and the body in order to maintain the balance.

Highlighted below are some of the easy and effective ways that will help one engage in a healthy state, physically as well as mentally.

Exercise it out:

Source: BBC

Engaging in physical exercise is a great way to eliminate toxins from the body. Besides toning the muscles and tissues, regular exercise also helps in the release of the brain’s reward chemicals, the ones necessary to enhance one’s state of mind.
Cut off the intake of caffeine

The widely used mood-altering drug in the world, caffeine, when consumed in moderate proportion can yield a number of health benefits. Unlikely, heavy intake, more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day, on the other hand, can lead to health issues like insomnia, nervousness, irritability, an upset stomach, restlessness, aggravated anxiety, and muscle tremors.
Switch to chamomile tea

Source: Medical news

Chamomile tea possesses a number of health benefits. The beverage is stacked with antioxidants that cut risks of life-threatening diseases like cancer and diseases of the heart. Additionally, chamomile tea treats sleep disorders, promotes digestion, better skin, controls blood sugar, boosts immune health, as well as helps one to relieve from mental clutters like anxiety and depression.
Expose to sunlight:

From regulating the level of insulin to maintaining cardiovascular and lung health, Vitamin D plays numerous roles in keeping the body hale. Exposing to sunlight, at least 15-minutes every day can also help in breaking-free from stress
Listen to good music

Music has the ability to influence one’s mental and physical state. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) announced music therapy as a therapeutic and effective means to combat problems of the mind. Distinguished philosophers like Plato, Confucius, and the kings and monarchs pronounced music as an effectual medium to heal aggravating conditions of their mind.
Replace your regular cup with green tea

Source: Prehab

Green tea has been known as an effective agent to treat issues of the stomach, skin, and brain. Besides, green tea also helps to curb blood pressure and drop an escalating heart rate. Amino acid or L-theanine present in green tea is an important agent required to abate stress and anxiety.
Yoga and meditation:

Source: Woman fitness org

Accepted since ancient times, yoga, and meditation are powerful antidotes for a healthy body and mind. Pranayama (breathing techniques), asana (body postures), meditation, and the ancient yoga philosophy, has strengthened millions of people with positivism and a new perspective on life.

It is not always possible to maintain a healthy diet. In such, balancing with alternatives can work wonder as well. Keeping alongside ditching smoking and drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day, sleep is an important factor to grasp while considering one’s health.

Albeit there are numerous ways to stay healthy, practicing a few simple and basic steps can prove beneficial in retaining one’s health in the long run. So, which are you going to adopt? Let us know in the comment section below.

Also, don’t forget to share this article in your circle.

You may also like to check out Asanas For Weight Loss.

Best places to indulge with Pizza in Guwahati

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

June 24, 2018

0

With a vast variety of eateries and cuisines, Guwahati has surfaced as one of the fastest growing and diverse cities in India. Whether the ethnic flavors, aroma brewing cafes, region specials, continental or oriental exclusives, each restaurant carry its own set of flair to appease its admirers. Besides, one can not just indulge in flavor but can also relish a quality stretch with live music, football or cricket.

However, amid the lavish cuisines, pizza found its way to every person’s heart. Be it someone’s birthday treat, increment party, 4 pm lunch, or football snack, pizza has remained as a forever favorite.

Here are some of the most admired pizza stops of Guwahati one must visit:

1. Pizza hut:

pizza hut guwahati- pizza in guwahati — Source: Trip Advisor

Ever since the Carney brothers opened its door in 1958, Pizza Hut became every countries’ favorite guest. The two outlets located in Ganeshguri and Dona Planet (Christian Basti) are the best takeout places. One can cool one’s heels over a Tangy Mary or a frothy glass of Hazelnut Cold Coffee without spending a tidy sum. Besides those aroma-floating magical hand-tossed pizzas, the Spicy Baked Chicken Wings are worth preying for.

2. 11th Avenue:

Both the cafes (of Rajgarh and Dighalipukhuri) rejoices to serve its guests a trail of pan-healthy tempting pizzas. This is one of the bustling cafés of Guwahati that offers an assortment of better alternatives on food as well as beverages. Porkizza and Smoky Chicken Pizza are the unsurpassed lust that will arouse your pizza tooth with excitement.

I know I must not praise Burger in this context but it will be selfish to not edify people about a juicy and luscious view. Their Classic Burger is one of the most beautiful things to indulge in, trust me.

3. Foodie’s world:

Located in Rehabari, this pizza paradise offers a pizza fanatic, a range of veg and non-veg options to delve into. The menu reflects a kind of comforting percept. As the spices, veggies, and meat infuse in cheese, ahhh…haa… (pick some assured notes from me), they burst in the aroma. Just succulent.

4. Kalita Café:

Even a hip-hop fan, a Bollywood follower, a metal head, or an electronic devotee will romance with pizza in this K-pop styled café. Big Bang’s Feast and Monster Margherita are likely to console a cheese-starving soul with great comfort. Also, don’t forget to smooch their tantalizing smoothies. My God, Cheery Bomb was indeed a BOMB.

5. The Boho Roots café:

Just like their every wall that narrates a unique tale, this artistically designed café has abundant of exclusive pizzas to tempt a visitor. Whether you take a plunge into their Roasted Pork Pizza or Sicilian Pizza or Roasted Bell Pepper Pizza, you are certainly going to take home a bouquet of flavors to cherish, until your next visit.

6. Chicago pizza:

Ever since I started to grow dissatisfaction for Dominos’ pizza, Chicago Pizza stood as a rescue, to rejuvenate my dying taste for cheese pizza. Located in Central Mall (G.S. Road) and Bharalumukh, their pizzas are sure to release great levels of dopamine in you.

Sharing is caring. But sharing pizza is a pain that no medicine could heal. So, eat pizza, be happy.

What is your city’s best pizza stop? Drop your answers in the comment below.

Step-by-step guide to a perfect cup of cappuccino at home

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

January 30, 2018

0

Ask the coffee freaks how challenging it is to get hold of a perfect cup of cappuccino. It may seem as easy as boiling an egg; mixing all the ingredients—sugar, coffee, and milk—in a pan; bringing it to a boil, and bam! All done!

Nay!

That’s how boring people drink coffee. Because obtaining that perfect cup of happiness is no child’s play. Even for many coffee connoisseurs, equating to an apt proportion is a big struggle. With a slight imbalance, the entire indulgence can be thrown into an unpalatable cup.Thus, a perfect cup has an agreement with sheer chary.

But don’t worry, you won’t have to end up drinking machine blends all your life. This step-by-step guide will help you brew your own aromatic cup with pride.

All you need is:
1 cup milk
2 teaspoon instant coffee powder
2 teaspoon sugar
10 minutes of dedication

1)

You can take any brand of milk. Here I am opting for Amul Taaza. (Tip: For better results, use powdered milk. Preferably Everyday milk powder. I found it helpful)

2)

Pour milk into a pan and bring it to a boil.

3)

Meanwhile, take 2 teaspoons of instant coffee powder in your favorite mug. For instant coffee powder, I use Nescafe.

4)

Add another 2 teaspoons of sugar.

5)

Mix both ingredients using a spoon.

6)

Take one teaspoon of milk from the boiling pan and mix well.

7)

Consistency is the key. If the mixture is too dry, try adding a few more drops to it. But remember, each DROP counts. A slight imbalance can douse the entire mixture.

8)

After you have mastered the consistency stage, whip the mixture, faster, slower, and at regular intervals, until the sugar dissolves, leaving no lumps. The blend should look thick.

9)

Once the milk starts frothing, switch off the burner. Now is the time for magic. But hey, wait. There is a rule involved in dribbling milk into a coffee mug.

10)

Make sure you pour milk from at least 15cms above and watch the blend form that desired froth.

11)

Stir slowly making circular moves around the cup.

12)

Whoa! There goes your aromatic cup of cappuccino.

Want to share your recipe? Write to us at [email protected]

A new addition to the neighborhood: Rigbyz Café

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

November 7, 2019

0

A city that is bloomed with Mexican, Chinese, American, Cantonese, Korean and different other cafes, Rigbyz stirred as a good grace to the addition. An amalgamation of Mexican, American, and Indian, the café intends to cater to people of all age groups.

Strategically located on Bhangagarh, Guwahati, Rigbyz reaches out to office goers as well as students. From quick bites to corporate meetings, the café has earned quite a number of eyeballs. For it is a comfy little brightly-lit space, drawing the attention of the passerby has turned to be a favorite thing of the cafe.

Into the cafe

New incorporation into the neighborhood, Rigbyz Café opened its doors at the advent of autumn. As one walks in, the vibrant wall on the left decked with acrylic paintings on the plate is sure to enthrall the person.

Co-owner Parshita Chowdhury is fascinated with colors. When she’s not occupied with any work, she loves to utilize her hours splattering on the canvas. The vivacious shades of her creation reflected on the wall are worth-admiring. Capture some abstract perspectives or some cute yet peppy detailing that define the bistro’s atmosphere.

What’s in the menu

A dribbling menu marks the presence of an array of pasta and pizza choice, a great variety of rice bowl options, a trail of sandwiches and burgers, and more. The bistro is designed for people with varied tastes; for it offers a series of quick bites preferences to an assortment of combos. To sparkle up the evenings, the menu announces its “sasta, sundar, tikaooo” part which narrates to a bunch of combos with coffee and tea.

This café in Guwahati also offers plenty of possibilities for meals. Right from breakfast to dinner and some quick grabs in between, this is a full-flavored classic choice. The “sticky rice bowl” segment has a great variety of chicken and pork options to pick for a packed lunch or dinner. The “Pulled Pork Rice Bowl” is another exclusive choice by the cafe.

The best cafe in Guwahati for pork lovers

However, for a pork fervent, Rigbyz has an exclusive number of dishes to tempt. Creamy smoked pork pasta, pulled pork rice bowl, and pork pizza is to mention a few among others. The carefully selected ingredients measure the zest and are seared to perfection. Furthermore, to enhance its flavor, the chefs make sure to pour love in every meal they serve.

Hovering on budget and more

Relatively, this café is quite budget-friendly. Whether you are a student with limited pocket bucks or have exhausted your monthly budget, Rigbyz still has plenty of options open for you. This is an apt place for someone who is searching for a space to work or have plans to schmooze with some new pals.

Cost for two: Rs. 300-400
Smoking / Outside sitting area: Yes
Location: Bhangagarh, Opposite Sohum Emporio

Keiko’s Japanese treat to the people of Guwahati

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

January 19, 2020

0

With Guwahati sprawling through the magical loops of nightlife, numerous establishments are adding to the growing competition. Chic parties, groovy music, and bustling eateries are adorning the city with their hip elements. One of such electric and happening place is the Keiko Ultra Lounge, a Japanese themed restaurant cum pub in Guwahati that is brimmed with surprises for its visitors.

For someone looking out to snuggle cozy moments with oneself or with a partner without much hustle and shrilling music, Keiko is the place to be. It’s not much hassle finding this pub for it is situated on the busy road of Christian Basti’s Kamakhya Towers, near Sohum Shoppe.

Let me take you inside the lounge

Keiko japanese restaurant in guwahati — Glimpse from the entrance

As I walked in, a beautiful smile greeted me to the large lounge arranged in an elegant fashion. There were tall-large-short-comfy-loungy sitting arrangements spread across the area. Added, the industrial decor complimented the overall theme of the restaurant.

As you approach, the smart balance of urban, psychedelic, and rustic ambiance will join to thrill you; and gradually cuddle you as you take your seat. Embraced by a mellow vibe, this is also an absolute place for all kinds of get-togethers, corporate dinners, or family occasions.

From the menu

The aroma of the herbs and spices paving its way from the kitchen is tempting enough to elevate one’s mood

An array of choices- starters, soups, curry bowls, desserts, and quick-eats are arranged on the menu. However, for a Japanese food lover, Keiko has an assortment of succulent meals to devour. Ho wang tong soup, barbeque bao dimsum, tekka maki sushi, golden fried veg wasabi are few of the delectable picks among others. Besides, the pizza, pasta, and the sandwich section too hold a thick spread of fresh ingredients.

Another noteworthy section of the menu is the Bento Box and the Hot Pot. While Bento Box offers an “only delivery” option, Hot Pot makes the visitors cook its own food in the restaurant. The concept of Bento Box addresses the Japanese’s way of carrying a lunch box to the workplace that mostly consists of healthy meals. On the other hand, the Hot Pot part allows guests to choose its add-ons which are then put on the broth and placed on an induction. This is a popular eating habit across restaurants in Asia and Keiko is the first restaurant in Guwahati to adopt this culture.

Why you should consider Keiko

I have my own reasons to call this place amazing; for it gives me a café-like daze, a fine-dine restaurant, a loungy place with friends, and a go-gaga with food and drinks pub. If you want to experience food, music, and ambiance in one place, then Keiko should mark your list first.

This is undoubtedly the only pub in the city where I can rely on great music, sumptuous food, and warm hospitality. Drooling over the munchies to shaking a leg to the cherry acoustic, this space has so much to offer.

Well, these are my reasons to label this place amazingly-interesting. Let me know what are your favorites about Keiko in the comments below.

Summary

Location: Ground Floor, Sri Kamakhya Towers, Christian Basti, Guwahati
Theme: Japanese
Cost for two: 800-1000
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Parking: Yes

Pin it

Stories from the Kalita Spectrum Kitchen

By

Madhuri Saikia

-

August 2, 2018

0

A rainy evening subsided the rising humidity of the day. Looks like fresh sheets of carpet have been flopped across streets and lanes. The old-tiring trees stretched and fluttered once again with the gentle breeze. Aha! A perfect evening to chomp some fries and coffee.

As I scanned for a parking space, the distinctly lit branding of “Kalita Café” grasp my attention. I indicated toward the left to park my scooter. Lucky are those who find a space in G.S. Road (Guwahati) to park their vehicle. I was one, for the evening.

I walked up the staircase, only to divert my attention to the exquisite looking glass doors of Kalita Spectrum, located in the same building. It was around 7 O’ clock. The restaurant was crowded and most of the tables were booked for dinner. As I scan for an empty seat, one from the staff guided me to a vacant table near the AC. Before slipping me the menu, a glass of aam panna followed by a plate of panipuri rested on my table.

My previous craving for coffee and fries dwindled after a good scrutiny at the menu. Resisting Italian bite seemed painful. Hence, I settled with Chicken Bruschetta, Chicken Enchiladas, and Crispy Mexican Tacos. The waiter suggested cocktails or mocktails blend great with Italian, not merely coffee.

Phew! I had to ditch coffee for a Malibu Beach. Oh, I didn’t regret at all. The tall glass sparked an impression of a smoothie bursting with flavors. A decent blend of pineapple, cream, and berries gladly embraced my sweet buds.

Crammed with creamy chicken, olives, onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, basil and other herbs, Chicken Bruschetta was charming. The firm base of the toast quite handsomely complimented the soft and cheesy concoction.

Tortilla and Tacos here are one of the finest I have tasted in Guwahati. The creamy and sour salsa dip balanced the cheesy zest quite delicately.

While there were few hits and misses in the service corner, a thumbs up for an exquisite essence-filled evening and friendly indulgence with Italian flavors.

Food

A heavenly delight awaits in the new menu

Laughter is brightest where food is best

Contentment contained and restored

Growing café culture of Guwahati

An aromatic entrant in the city

Cooking with chemicals

About Lavazza

Exercise it out:

Cut off the intake of caffeine

Switch to chamomile tea

Expose to sunlight:

Listen to good music

Replace your regular cup with green tea

Yoga and meditation:

1. Pizza hut:

2. 11th Avenue:

3. Foodie’s world:

4. Kalita Café:

5. The Boho Roots café:

6. Chicago pizza:

Into the cafe

What’s in the menu

Hovering on budget and more

Let me take you inside the lounge

From the menu

The aroma of the herbs and spices paving its way from the kitchen is tempting enough to elevate one’s mood

Why you should consider Keiko

Summary

Pin it

Phew! I had to ditch coffee for a Malibu Beach. Oh, I didn’t regret at all. The tall glass sparked an impression of a smoothie bursting with flavors. A decent blend of pineapple, cream, and berries gladly embraced my sweet buds.

Crammed with creamy chicken, olives, onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, basil and other herbs, Chicken Bruschetta was charming. The firm base of the toast quite handsomely complimented the soft and cheesy concoction.

Tortilla and Tacos here are one of the finest I have tasted in Guwahati. The creamy and sour salsa dip balanced the cheesy zest quite delicately.

While there were few hits and misses in the service corner, a thumbs up for an exquisite essence-filled evening and friendly indulgence with Italian flavors.