PLOOF!

Ah! Of course, in this scorching, almost infernal heat a title such as this makes one dream of an infinity pool or the heavenly Mediterranean stretching on till eternity... A cliff jump into the holy Ganges or a still, backwater lake on a beach in Goa...

But Ploof! And there I was in Lodhi Colony, basking in the heady aromas of freshly baked breads that blended with the zesty lemon juice being squeezed onto the basa I ordered while enjoying the crunchy asparagus that every American kid would happily eat in this form...

Oh, wait! Let's start from the start!

And let's rewind to last Friday night...

When Delhi was being a dream thanks to Mr. Weather's graciousness -- and given that it was the end of May, I HAD TO COMPULSORILY hit the outdoors, for it is a sin to waste good weather days/ nights in this city, where they are anyway so few and far in between. Now when I get to do the picking, what better selection can I make than my favorite Central Delhi, at the quiet, green Lodhi, that boasts of the best sea-food restaurant in the city.

From the moment I entered, I think I was in love. Although finding the place was a task, given my brilliant sense of direction, it was TOTALLY worth the effort! An almost blink-and-you-miss presence in the Lodhi market, Ploof is a pretty, European style bistro/ restaurant that transports you to the continent in a jiffy. One enters and is ensconced in the delicious aromas of Foccacia and the Ciabatta and the Baguettes! *love struck smiley* and as if this weren't enough, what hits you is the pretty display showcasing an array of delicatessen items - mustards, and pestos, and cold cuts, and preserves and dips, and cheeses and even marinated meats --- SIIIIIIGH! (And yes, I know, that a deli in the city is no more a nouveau concept, but one in such a setting is still worth a million bucks, especially because they home deliver to mine!)

Cut to the terrace, that was nicely covered and air conditioned -- a clever move, for it felt like the outdoors but was a comfortable 20 degrees, and despite the good weather, the ACs were a blessing nonetheless.

So we sat in candlelight, drinking cold, mint flavored water, poring over the menu with such seriousness it almost felt like exam time. And while we sat and carefully examined the delightful selection, a basket full of freshly baked Foccacia, along with some fantastic, lip smacking tomato pesto was quietly placed on our table! Oh Goodness, Oh Gracious! How could anything so simple taste so darn gooooood beats me, and I know I use this phrase a bit too often, but really if ever there was a Heaven on Earth, that night it was right there in that pesto!

When we finally placed the order for our starters and then our main course, what impressed us was the speed of service. We called for a portion of Asparagus and Smoked Cheese Rolls served with a Pineapple Salsa (a Ploof specialty) and home made French Fries (no order of mine is ever complete without a portion of one. I judge a restaurant by its fries.), and for main course we had the Char Grilled Peppered Basa and a Duo of Pan Seared and Oven Grilled Chicken.

My Verdict: The fries were hot, not at all oily, well seasoned and CRISP how they should be, and the portion was perfect. Great fries = Happy Anka! :D

The Asparagus starter was unique, with half the stems encased in the most gorgeous medley of Gouda and Cheddar (60:40) cheese rolls, while the other half was a light, crunchy crunch that went perfectly well with the sweet pineapple salsa and the piquant mustard -- one bite into that cheesy portion and it made me reminisce the Alpine weather from my Swiss sojourn... Ah, life! *gets nostalgic*

By the time the main course arrived, I was so involved with my meal, I couldn't care two hoots about taking pictures. All I did was dig in with all my mighty greed and avarice! A Hedonist and I? Hell yeah!

The Basa was delicate and subtly flavored, just how I like most of my food, especially my fish. A distinct flavor of lemon and fresh pepper transported me to a world where dream food becomes reality, and the side of the lyonnaise potatoes -- oh man, I need to stop! I am gushing a bit too much!

And then that Duo of Chicken -- Basil Pesto vs Sundried Tomatoes, packed with flavor, and also quite healthy, like almost all our food that night. The only drawback in this dish was that one of the two breasts was slightly undercooked, but overall, a mighty dish!

Ploof! You were a pleasure! Your ambience, with the soft banter of the other guests that gently mélange-d into the restaurant music --  thumbs up! Your food -- more than thumbs up! And the pricing -- so well maintained in the days of Inflation and Economic crises! But what about dessert? Oh, I really couldn't get myself to indulge beyond what I already had, and so for the FIRST time I skipped!

So in all, the evening was my start of another love affair with the city I was beginning to dislike again. Delhi, you always do this to me, don't you? Weave that magic, just when you sense the previous dose is wearing off! No wonder I continue to stick on, and let your magic do its magic on me! :*

Tea-totally!

Dear All,

I used to be a passionate coffee drinker, never leaving my quarters without a beer-mug full of home churned cold coffee. As the morning would turn to afternoon and then evening, I would rarely shy away from cups of machine-spewed latte or a cafe's hot cappuccino. And any coffee with a hint of Irish Cream -- oh heaven! Big on regular coffee and bigger on the exotic kind (Read: Ethiopian Yergacheffe), I shared a special, warming-the-very-cockles-of-my-heart (literally!) relationship with this dark berry native to the African continent, through Summer, Winter et al. There was a time, two years ago, that I became such a coffee fanatic that I even stored a few beans in my drawer at work!

But then the earth twisted, and since every twist comes with its own set of turns that can be somewhat life changing, I found my turn: My mother FORCED me to try her latest find - the Organics Tulsi Tea. I mocked her, and I made faces. I laughed and I sipped, and by Jove, I took to it like a fish to water, and every night, like a healthy child, I began to partake of a cup just before sleeping. Stress relieving and slimming? Hell yea!

A few months into drinking this potent tulsi leaf concoction, and I already had a few more friends hooked -- I was literally Brand Ambassador, Organics Tea, India! And then this te'a'-amore became more serious and passionate, thanks to my colleague Tanya, who turned out to be a herbal tea zealot and who made me more than a slave to this green and healthy beverage, for we would now begin each morning at work not with the traditional cappuccino, but with a cup of steaming hot lemon tea!

As this relationship progressed beyond a few months, I took THE PLUNGE and got more daring with my new found love, while Coffee ji, oh he, he was as forgotten as can be, for the jasmines, lavenders, the licorice, the chamomile, peppermint and Earl Gray, ginger and masala, put together were too much for even Yerga boy to handle! From great sleep to heightened digestion and even improved skin, these various herbal permutations & combinations were working wonders on my system and how! And what fanfare surrounding the service of any of these great teas -- fancy crockery, fancier strainers and even pretty looking rock sugar sticks!! If this isn't pure luxury, then what is!?

Dear all, you must be wondering -- "What the #$%@$*# hell is the point of writing this post!? Is there nothing more she can cook now!? Is she feeling imperialist with this new British love or is the Tea Board of India paying her for this mini promotion (probably not, considering Orange Zest is almost a forgotten entity these days!)" No point, really, except that GO AHEAD, break out of the rut of things, try something new, savor life and LIVE!!! And you may just discover something that has you tea-totally addicted, whether for a while or for life!

My only clarification -- I do not, nor intend to in the future, ever EVER drink/ fall in love with the great Indian suuurrr surrrr chai...

But then again, never say never!!!