Keep your taste buds cleaned and your stomach empty as the annual Annotasav 2009-10 food festival and consumex will start on January 24 and will end on 31^st January 2010.

The venue is Sardars Ground College road and opens in evening.

The rotary club of Belgaum is organizing this event.

It’s a night for Families, Bachelors & youngsters of all ages.

Dj Allwyn will make your feet dance to the tunes of Bollywood tunes both new and old at the Jade Hall at Hotel Eefa, Club road.

Venue: Eefa Hotel at Jade Hall from 7:30 – 11:00 pm on the 28th of November 2009.
Tel. : 0831 – 2498777

“Those days when I was in school were the most wonderful days of my life.”

This is a general statement which will fit for one and all.  The scene in front of most schools hasn’t changed much with hawkers lined up outside the school gate. Nothing much has changed now either. 

Take for instance the hawkers in front of St.Pauls and St.Joesphs or St.Xaviers. Many might say eating food on open is bad, agreed but tell me who did not eat at least once. Form Shenga (groundnuts) Lal Vattane, sweets and candies, tamarinds, Aavla to even Bhel and bahdang you get it all. 

Mr.Santosh Purohit a foodie by himself is always encouraged to photograph food stuff that anything else and seeing the photos here it’s inevitable that this kind of eating habits haven’t changed. 

The photos have been clicked near St.Pauls when the Royston memorial football tournament is going on. All those away from Belgaum live you selves with those memories. Many elders make it a point to come to see such matches and relive those old moments.

Disclaimer: Eating on road side and eatables which are not well preserved can lead to illness; this blog does not support or encourage this.

Belgaum is famous for eating places and has a range of cuisine to delight the taste buds. No doubt we still don’t have Italian, Mexican or similar cuisine in town but with time new hotels and young entrepreneurs come up with something unique the city hasn’t seen or tasted.

Here is the newest arrival, Chilly n Herbs at Kolhapur Circle Belgaum.  The name itself is very tempting and food must be tasty as well.

Chilly n Herbs is the only restaurant in that area which has a terrace garden and a bar. They specialize in Indian, Kababs, fish Goan and Malvani style & lovely crab tandoori.

The ambience is simple and elegant looking and the foodies of Belgaum who always want to taste new can visit here for a treat. The prices to me look on average similar to others in town. 

Hotel Address:

Chilly n Herbs, Kholapur circle, PB road next to Adeshwar electronics Belgaum.

Phone: 9986019152, 9738467255

People who go in to taste don’t forget to tell you heard about the hotel on AllAboutBelgaum.com. (I am not getting a commission)

LG Electronics have recently launched the “Stars of India” a series of world class products specially designed for India. Equipped with advanced features, these ‘Stars of India’ products will prove to be a real advantage in every sense of the word for the Indian consumer.

To highlight the essence in these products this Exhibition aptly named “Stars of India Festival” is taking place at Mahaveer Bhavan, Hindwadi, Belgaum from 31^st July to 2^nd August 2009.

About “Stars of India”

While you always enjoyed big and clear picture on your LCD TV, your wish for an equally incredible sound was always unfulfilled. Promising you a wholesome entertainment experience LG came out with Jazz with 500 watts PMPO of great sound, “Stereo Center Speaker” with 3.1 channel effect for live sound effect & speakers which slide out smoothly from the left and right side when you turn it on, Adding to the audio delight further.

Promoting the cooking Art of India especially when it comes to Indian food LG introduced LG Microwave Oven’s upto 56 Indian Auto Cook Menu to feast on your favourite recipe options. The tandoor and multi cook menu further add on to the utility of the oven making it ideal for baking and barbeque

Making the daily washing procedure simple LG’s unique Top Loading Washing Machine comes with the first-of-its kind audio assistance speech technology. The feature available in both Hindi as well as English guides one through the entire washing process.

For the health conscious consumer, LG has come up with new range of frost free refrigerators which has a vegetable storage box  called vitamin plus which constantly releases vitamins ions preserving Vitamin C up to 70% in vegetables and fruits compared to an ordinary Veg Box. Adding more utility value are features like ‘one touch ice tray’, separate Beauty & Care compartment, freezable microwave box and a additional Convertible box which gives the consumer a flexibility for storage of fresh vegetables as well as frozen food items hence giving more space for storage.

In the process of making all your celebration loud even when you are mobile LG GM200 comes with the ‘Star Feature’ 2.1 Ch Stereo Woofer with Dolby sound. For uninterrupted conversations your perfect partner is KP199 with 11 hours of talk time. So be it an important discussion, a spiced up gossip or simply chatting through the night, one can just go on and on and on.

To avoid waking up in the middle of the night to switch between the AC and the ceiling fan LG has introduced the Aero Comfort System. The remote control is programmed to regulate both the AC and the ceiling fan. Switch off the AC and speed up the ceiling fans flow when the desired temperature is achieved. Apart from convenience this also cuts down the electricity bills.

Inflation has gone negative but the prices of food items have risen above expectations. Vegetables are now at an all time high.

 With all this behind, the Pop in restaurant near Military Mahadev has started this Monsoon special offer. Vada Pav for Rs.3 and Tea for Rs.2.

A make shift stall has been erected just at the corner of the Kagal cross on Congress road. The stall is very picturesquely situated as there is the pond of water which is full now in the back ground and coconut trees on one side. This offer is catching up on passersby and day one there was not much response but now there is good response to the offer. The same is also very visible from the numbers of vehicles seen in the photo. The Vada pav stall runs from early morning to late evenings and is catching up with the passing crowd.

I could not go to taste the same, but many of you can do and let us all know about the taste as well. Happy eating.

Traditionally known as the ‘sugar bowl’ of Karnataka, Belgaum has been one of biggest producers of sugarcane. Perhaps, this ‘sweet production’ must have prompted many businessmen in the region to prepare various kinds of sweet products over the years. The number of sweet shops in Belgaum is in the house of over 200. So you can imagine the turnover in sweets.

Kunda is produced in large quantities everyday in Belgaum. Belgaum kunda, a sweet prepared from milk and khowa, is a clear favorite and is produced by several local sweet merchants besides the Purohits.

Belgaum's Famous KUNDA

Belgaum kunda also has an interesting history that can be traced back to the times of Gajanan Mithaiwala in Vitthal Dev Galli, Shahpur who set up his sweet shop six decades ago in Belgaum. Referred to as Jakku Marwadi Mithaiwala, he came from Rajasthan and set up a sweet shop at Shahpur area. (The shop is still there and running and serving great Kunda)

Kunda is prepared purely from milk and khowa. A correct quantity of khowa and sugar has to be mixed in milk before boiling it. Once the mixture starts boiling, it has to be continuously stirred until it takes a solid form.

The discovery of this sweet was quite incidental. Once, Jakku Marwadi was boiling milk in his kitchen. In a hurry, he forgot to switch the stove off and the milk continued boiling for a long time. Gradually, the milk had taken a solid form by the time Jakku Marwadi came back to switch the stove off.

When he tasted the solid form of milk, it tasted sweet. Then, he mixed some khowa into the milk and started boiling it for long hours. This time the taste was even better. A happy Marwadi gave the sweet a name — calling it Kunda.

After Jakku Marwadi discovered it was followed up by the Purohits and the one camp became famous for its cleanliness and good quality.  With time the packing of the Kunda has changed over time. From the old box packing to the latest canned Kunda with a shelf life of up to 6 months to the tetra pack. Now Sugar free Kunda is also available at Camp Purohit and Kalyani Sweets.

All those visitors who come to Belgaum must have to take back this KUNDA with them. During the recent assembly session held in Belgaum more than 6000 kgs of Kunda was sold in 10 days time.

The prices of Kunda normally range in between Rs.150 to 200. The sugar free costs a bit more.

My bet for the best Kunda in Town: Gajanan Mithaiwala in Vitthal Dev galli, Shahpur, Camp Purohit on High Street and Kalyani Sweets in Camp & Atul Purohit, College Road.(not in any particular order)

Never freeze or store the Kunda in a refrigerator as it tends to become hard and it loses its tastes.

Kunda Recipe Ingredients:

Milk 2 liters, sugar according to taste, cardamom powder 2 teaspoon, curd 1 cup (which is not too sour), dry fruits chopped 1 cup.

Method:

First of all boil the milk and bring it to the 1/8th quantity till it is cooked to make a nice paste of the milk. Now add the sugar and stir it well. It turns to a nice golden brown color and now add the curd and stir well. When it is cooked enough finally add the cardamom powder and also the chopped dry fruits and pour it in the serving dish and serve it chilled.

Belgaum Vits now EEFA

The much hyped about hotel the VITS of Vithal Kamat group has said good bye to Belgaum. It was opened about 18 months earlier.

Now it will be known as “EEFA”. The said hotel is now being managed by the owner of the land.

Al of you must have asked this question to some one or must have answered it.  Belgaum is getting ready for the New Year bash.

All hotels big and small have made massive arrangements in form of tables, special lighting and few even special menus.

There are those fixed venues where you have the New Year bash. Millennium Gardens is one of them with DJ, etc etc. Hotel Shankam also has a DJ, Dance Floor to welcome the New Year. Hotel Adrash Palace is also not behind; there is DJ there also.  VITS has its own plans on the poolside.

All the smaller only food restaurants are busy getting the food ready for tomorrow. Niyaz’s pick and pack has made special arrangements at its outlets.

All th0se planning to booze out by drinking will have to get in their stocks tomorrow only as the liquor stores were shut for 2 days including today o account of accounting of by polls.

So, all must have planned to go somewhere with someone for the New Year, Have a safe and Happy New Year 2009. All those consuming liquor I request you not to drink and drive, if you have to drink, then drink but do not drive then.

To all my readers a Happy New Year 2009!

Glory to God in Heaven, who unto man his son hath given; while angels sing with tender mirth, a glad new year to you and Belgaumites, India and the world.

The Rotary club of Belgaum organizes the Annual event Annotsav from the past many years. This time the fete is organized at Sardars High School Ground, opp Old REX College Road.

About 105 different stalls serving various delicacies are there to give those old taste buds some rejuvenating flavor.  Right from Pani puri, ice cream to Vada Kombda, Bhaji etc.

You have to be there and enjoy the lovely atmosphere while your nostrils fetch some nice aroma of a Tandoor or a Biryani. All the major hotels like Niyaz, Zaika have their stalls. In addition, some very good homemade food is available which is great.

Aslo see in the image VOTE FOR VAYAVYA LABS is the main banner behind the live show. So Belagum is now getting much more aware about getting Belgaum on the IT map.

In addition, there are the car stalls, solar water stalls etc etc etc.

Again, the live music shows and various competitions held during the fete are a topping on the cream.

Parking facility is good enough, but I point I noticed was lack of security. After the Mumbai terror attacks something must have been put in place, but I could hardly see two police officers that too on the main road entrance and no one else. May be some other security arrangements should have been done, I am not aware of it. But it feels secure enough to roam about with your family and kids seeing all those new food being made and enjoying the atmosphere. The entry fee is Rs.5.

The fete, which opened on 7 Dec, will be open until 14 December 2008. So, if you are in town in that period you know one dinner is fixed at some stall in there.

Rawool Ka Fried Rice, AMBIKA ki Pani Puri, NEW GRAND ki Puri Bhaji, Swamy ka Pizza, SUKHI ki Chai, MOHANLAL ke Pastries, Balu ka Vada Pav, AMRAPALI ki Ice Cream, ROYAL ka Mango Milk Shake, COOL TOP ki Lassi, DAATU ka Pan, Samadevi Galli ki Mancuri, GREENS ki Chilled Beer, SUN N SAND ka Reshmi Kabab, NIYAZ ki Dum Biryani, PUROHIT ka KUNDA, SAMADHAN ki Pav Bhaji, Paratha Corner ka Pratha, Only Fish ka Fish, KHYBER ki chicken chilly AJANTA ka Dosa, Prakash ki Mutton Thali, Adinarayan ki Fish curry, MUTHU ke Kabab, Top in town (terrace) ka cheese cherry pineapple, Himalaya ki bread Bhaji   aur Sheetal ya SANT ka Ali Paak.

Yeh hai Belgaum ka SWAD, Be a proud Belgaumite

This is a very old Email or SMS circulating around, but it is worth it I guess.

Thanks Anand Nargundkar.

Zaika, a multi cuisine restaurant will make its debut in Belgaum on 31 August 2008 at Church Street Belgaum.  Zaika intends to offer amenities any typical multi cuisine restaurant does, like a relaxed atmosphere and setting that would indulge many but in an unorthodox fashion.

Zaika, is conceptualized and developed by Ahson Bandukwala. Zaika is a fine dining 70-cover restaurant. Cuisines of all over the world are severed at Zaika and taste here is complimented by unmatched ambience.

The food served at Zaika is authentic Indian food, which draws its tastes from the multi-cuisines of the various Indian states. The mouth-watering food served at Zaika includes peas pulao freshly cooked and simmered with our green masala for vegetarian food freaks.

For Chinese buffs, our master chefs suggest sweet corn soup as a delicable start – it isn’t quite the usual sweet corn soup that you’ve had oh-so-regularly. We have brought in authentic Chinese chefs to give you a taste of real China.

The curries in the restaurant come in the vegetarian as well as the non-vegetarian varieties. The chicken varieties served in the restaurant bring innovation in terms of food to Belgaum by serving never before tasted kebabs like strawberry kebabs – cooked in tandoor.

The salads served in the restaurant work as the digestives. Zaika also intends to cater to the taste buds of spicy food lovers with the lip smacking Mexican snacks.

Chilgoza murg chicken is prepared with pine nuts in a creamy mint sauce – chef’s specialty.

Zaika, Belgaum offers highly sophisticated and intimate settings. The interior of the place has been set with immense window bay windows that overlook the shimmering Church Street, bathed in the mysterious moonlight or the blazing gold of the sun.

The sheer location of the place makes it a great venue for candlelight dinner. In Belgaum, often finding an airy and free space is difficult but at Zaika it is not just airy but you will also feel fresh.

Bottom line, at any hour, if you want the best food, best place and best atmosphere Zaika will surely be an ideal place to visit and give you taste buds a new ZAIKA.

Zaika 
97, Church Street,

Camp, Belgaum. Phone: 98455-50695