77 Veggie Boutique - Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

[caption id="attachment_2200" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 77 Veggie Boutique interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2206" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with my vegetarian guest Mr. Tejas Shah at 77 Veggie Boutique[/caption]

Enough is Enough. I've been eating a lot of mutton, chicken, beef and all the other innocent animals :p . It's high time I add some vegetables to my diet. Hence I visit this veggie only restaurant located next to my office in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Tiffany tower. It's a little difficult to notice this restaurant if you've never been here before but the Tiffany tower is very much visible.

[caption id="attachment_2201" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Drinks - Avocado Flair - Dhs 32, Alfresco - Dhs 34[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2210" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Roma Tonic - Dhs 27[/caption]

For the drinks we had:

Alfresco: Mixture of Parsley, green apple, celery, cucumber and ginger with a touch of pure honey. Calories:204

Avocado Flair: Avocado with use of low fat milk to balance your fatty acids. Calories:175

Roma's Tonic: A refreshing blend of Aqua water, fresh orange juice and mint. Calories: 182

Through out their menu you would find the amount of calories you were about to consume. So if you were a health freak then you obviously count and eat. Since my mathematics is pretty bad I just didn't bother to count calories and eat :D . After all more than wealth that's one thing I collect more than most of you :p

My original drink was Alfresco. I thought I shouldn't try their heavy smoothies cause it would get me too full and yes the Alfresco was just right drink for me. Light and refreshing. The Avocado wasn't actually giving much flair until she added more honey to it and then it was all glowing to me :D We ordered the Roma's Tonic just because we saw the owners name on it. But honestly when i read the ingredients it didn't look very convincing but my guest thought we should give it a try and believe me Roma's Tonic is the one drink to order. It was a pretty drink with a beautiful taste. I give 5 stars to Roma's Tonic.

[caption id="attachment_2202" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Molly made much bunch bakes - Dhs 35[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2203" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Molly made much bunch bakes - Dhs 35[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2204" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Lentil Soup - Dhs 22[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2205" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Light Tofu Salad with veggies - Dhs 32[/caption]

From their healthy appetizers section we had the

Molly Made much Bunch Bakes: Delicately sauteed cabbage, carrots balls designed in manchurian style in tangy sauce trickling your taste buds with the touch of spring onions. Calories:126

Lentil Soup: Boil and cooked red lentils and yellow peas combining in spices, tomatoes garnished with curry leaves and coriander. Calories:191

Light Tofu Salad with veggies: Roasted vegetables with baked tofu on green beans readily served with herb and mint. Calories:175

The lentil soup was standard as expected. The breads that come along with their soup is a little different and interesting. Molly made munch had that tangy sauce which gave me a problem to give it a high mark but otherwise you know your eating a nice ball of baked vegetables ;) This light Tofu salad was my favourite out of my whole dinner. Vegetables were juicy like never before.

[caption id="attachment_2207" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Red Bistro Sizzler - Dhs 52[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2208" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Tejas Shah going for the Red Bistro Sizzler - Dhs 52[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2209" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Red Nice noodles - Dhs 34[/caption]

Red Bistro Sizzler: Fresh veggies flaunted with mushrooms, broccoli, french beans, cabbage garnished with spring onions and cutlets. Calories:580

Healthy Red Nice noodles with veggie chilli sauce: Low fat rice noodles sauteed in veggie chili based sauce. Calories:425

Wow I was never expecting a sizzler in a vegetarian restaurant. It was sizzling but after eating tofu salad I felt it was a repeat show of more vegetables. The addition to the red bistro was the veggie cutlet sitting on top of the sizzling vegetables. The low fat rice noodles was well made and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[caption id="attachment_2212" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Brownie - Dhs 20[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2211" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Low fat cheese cake - Dhs 29[/caption]

Normally desserts that are made calorie conscious are less in taste than the originals. But believe me this Low fat chocolate cheese cake tasted better than the original chocolate cheese cake. They are also free from butter, eggs etc. It was really good and on my next visit I surely will have this piece of cheese cake once again. It did have a different texture but it was jolly good. I took one home too and everyone was of the same opinion. Brownie was impressive as well. Though it wouldn't beat the taste of their chocolate cheese cake but I enjoyed the brownie too. It was not a boring brownie for sure.

[caption id="attachment_2213" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Spiced Chai with Herbs - Dhs 18 along with wholewheat cookie[/caption]

You know after heavy days work. I am now here having this wonderful dinner and now I need to drive back home all the way to Deira from JLT. My eyes are closing and I thought it was not a bad idea to have a milk tea. By the way I am a die hard fan of strong milk tea if you haven't realized as yet. Thankfully their masala chai was good enough to keep me awake for the drive back home. The cookie that came along with it was wholewheat but this one didn't have the flare of the dessert. Not necessary everyone should enjoy it.

[caption id="attachment_2214" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with 77 Veggie Boutique staff[/caption]

Overall our time at this veggie boutique was worth a visit. You can read more about them on their website: http://www.77veggie.com/

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Taste of Fame - Jumeirah Sunset Mall - Jumeirah beach road, Dubai

[caption id="attachment_2164" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Entrance to Taste of Fame[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2175" align="aligncenter" width="705"] At the red carpet waving to my fans along with Saurabh(famous Indian Villain)[/caption]

The Oscars just got over. I was in the perfect restaurant watching the Oscars at the Taste of Fame restaurant. The theme for the night was 'The OSCARS After Party'. At the entrance of Taste of Fame is the famous red carpet with king size trophies waiting to greet you and for the Oscars night special there were paparazzi around you busy taking snaps. I guess it was an Oscar night special arrangement but surely it did give me a wonderful experience of being a star.

[caption id="attachment_2166" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Will Smith with Dwayne Johnson in the background[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2167" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Will Smith and me sharing a joke[/caption]

Inside this restaurant they had wax models of famous celebrities. It reminded of the famous place Madame Tussauds. You could find these wax models on different corners of the restaurant. There were more hollywood actors than any other. But this restaurant just doesn't promote hollywood, it is a celebrity themed restaurant. I was told very soon they might have a wax figure of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum :)

[caption id="attachment_2173" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Interiors of Taste of Fame[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2174" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Juice Bar in Taste of fame[/caption]

The interiors of Taste of Fame is really nice. The Lightings are very special. They have Elton John playing piano at the center of the restaurant. You will find wide screen LCD on all sides of the restaurant. So no matter where you sit you should get a television to watch. Tonight it was all oscars playing.

[caption id="attachment_2185" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with Daniel Craig[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2187" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Saurabh Ail with Amitabh Bachan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2186" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Hulk just arrived for dinner[/caption]

At Taste of Fame you generally find Italian and Asian cuisine. I was here to try their Oscar set menu which was priced at Dhs 249. Since it was a set menu once you start they would just continue to bring one after the other as I finish each plate given. At the end of the day their food has been very satisfying.

[caption id="attachment_2176" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Mocktails - Dhs 40 - Ipanema and Virgin on the beach[/caption]

Virgin on the beach - Cranberry juice, Orange juice, Peach Juice and Grenadine
Ipanema - Lime, Brown sugar, Passion fruit juice, Ginger Ale

The mocktails are always refreshing with each restaurant have it's own mixes. I was very much impressed with their mocktail called Ipanema. Even though my order was the 'virgin on the beach' I just couldn't resist going back to Ipanema. Its a must try if you are at Taste of Fame.

[caption id="attachment_2177" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Buckwheat blinis with ossetra caviar, creme fraiche. smoke salmon pizza, Hamachi "yellow tail" Tiradito, Scampi with truffle vinaigrette[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2178" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Watermelon, Feta and Pine nuts salad[/caption]

It was a little of everything on their plate for starters/appetizers. They make good food for sure. Whatever came in was really nice. There wasn't anything on the plate that we could complain about. Every bite was golden :D

[caption id="attachment_2180" align="aligncenter" width="705"] At our dinner table[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2179" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Black Angus Tenderloin 'Diane'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2165" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Balcony view at Taste of Fame[/caption]

The steak was juicy and tender. The sauce that was on top of the steak made the steak even more good looking and tasty. By the way you can also eat out in fresh air in their balcony facing the sea. But the sea is a little too far to enjoy the view but it's there.

[caption id="attachment_2182" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Blueberry cheesecake and lemon meringue[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2181" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Macaroons[/caption]

The desserts were 50 50 in taste. There were good looking macaroons which didn't taste great. This one item they need some improvement. I mean if you've eaten the macaroon at La Mainson Du Chocolate you know what I am talking about. But desserts like their cheese cake was lovely in taste. The below chocolate item was also good. It came with a chocolate mousse filling in it.

[caption id="attachment_2183" align="aligncenter" width="705"] chocolate dessert[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Can you give me the formula that gets me to the Forbes rich list[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2168" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Birthday cake - Despicable me - minions[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2172" align="aligncenter" width="705"] famous ios game - subway surfer cake[/caption]

They make fantastic looking birthday cakes. I am not sure how well they taste but surely they design well. You can get any kind of design for your birthday celebration. I've taken few shots for you to see. That game subway surfer is my son's favourite game on the ipad. I think it's high time i get him this cake for his birthday. The cakes would cost around Dhs 400 - Dhs 500 depending on the weight of the cake.

[caption id="attachment_2171" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Edible oscar trophies[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2169" align="aligncenter" width="705"] cakes - chanel bag, Nikon slr camera and pillow[/caption]

To see their menu and more details of the restaurant you can visit their website: http://www.thetasteoffame.com/

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House of Curry - Mohd Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai

[caption id="attachment_2136" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Interiors - Dining at House of Curry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2128" align="aligncenter" width="705"] House of curry - Interior[/caption]

This one's a new restaurant inaugurated just a month ago and located at Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown. One of the most beautiful restaurants that you could find in that area. Really matches to the name of boulevard. The interiors were mind blowing. I was a little surprised to see an indian restaurant dressed this way. It actually gave me more of a feeling entering a british home in an invaded India. You can find traditional indian bicycle parked in there along with Mona Lisa dressed in a sari. I think she looked prettier in a sari ;) Nice wooden flooring with artificial trees inside the restaurant. I specially loved the tree that had rose flowers on it. Not sure what's the actually name of the tree. My little one had a great time walking around the restaurant. He specially enjoyed feeling the cold air from the AC below as the cooling came from the floor :p

[caption id="attachment_2127" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Daddy look I can stand on one feet[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2135" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Some of the Chairs at House of Curry[/caption]

The 3 sides of the restaurant is surrounded by tall glass and so the experience you have during lunch is really nice with sunlight shooting in from all directions and yet you don't feel the heat from the sun but you enjoy the light coming from it and that does glow the restaurant too. I am not sure how the night would look like in here but I think you should be here atleast once for lunch. By the way the exteriors of this glass restaurant is often a site on all magazines, newspaper or even their website. So I thought I should save my photos for something else that you don't often see.

[caption id="attachment_2133" align="aligncenter" width="705"] House of curry silverware[/caption]

One thing is for sure they've very well taken care of the ambience. It's an excellent restaurant for families and specially a restaurant where you can impress your guests and when it's new it's even better. The earlier you visit the the better, as you get to use everything that's brand new like their silverwares which were all shining and pretty with no scratches on it :D

[caption id="attachment_2126" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Pappad starters on the house with mint chutney, pickle and tamarind chutney[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2149" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Monsoon twist(Dhs 20) and Mango Lassi(Dhs 22)[/caption]

As expected from an Indian restaurant we got pappads and chutneys to begin with. My son ofcourse took this opportunity and ensured he ate as much as pappad as he could before the main dish came in. The drinks we ordered were:

• Monsoon Twist: Appe, carrot, beetroot with a dash of pomegranate syrup.


• Mango Lassi: Buttermilk based on mango flavour

Both drinks had it's own taste. As for me I enjoyed the Lassi more but the monsoon twist was a unique one which I tasted for the first time. It was interesting that I could enjoy the drink even though it was mainly just apple, carrot and beetroots. I guess it was the pomegranate syrup doing the trick.

[caption id="attachment_2129" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Paneer Tikka - Dhs 40 - 8pcs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2131" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tandoori Lamb Chops - Dhs 60 - 6pcs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2132" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tandoori Lamb Chops - Dhs 60 - 6pcs[/caption]

For me the most favourite part about the lunch at their restaurant were the grills. It had the color, taste, softness, smell to entice you by just sitting their on the plate.

• Panner tikka: Cottage cheese cubes marinated with spices and cooked in tandoor.


• Tandoori Lamb Chops: Lamb Chops marinated with dry spices and grilled over charcoal.

First came the Paneer Tikka and yum yum. It was actually my starter at House of curry along with those deadly Lamb Chops. Let me tell you out of all the grills we ordered the Lamb chops was my favourite. Infact everybody was of the same opinion. Really tender and was literally melting in the mouth. A must try if you are here. By the way, for those of you who count how many calories you intake they do have a calorie counting menu which again is a rare section for an indian menu.

[caption id="attachment_2130" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tandoori Prawns - Dhs 140[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2134" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Murg Achaari Tikka - Dhs 45[/caption]

• Tandoori Prawns: 4 Tiger prawns steeped in a marinade of fresh ground spices, cooked over glowing embers. A speciality from Amritsar.


• Murg Achaari Tikka : Chicken pieces marinated in a combination of chilies and other aromatic spices.

Tandoori Prawns was really big in size. I haven't eaten in a long time such a big prawn. It definitely tasted fresh and just out of the sea. I really regret not taking this picture with me lifting them so you get to actually see the real size of it. Ahh what can i say sometimes you lose your focus especially when you see prawns looking like tigers on your plate :p. They could have been better with the Murg Achaari Tikka though. Somehow the spices on it just didn't rub with my taste well. The chicken could have been tender too.

[caption id="attachment_2138" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Garlic Naan - Dhs 9[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2139" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of Roti - Pudina(Dhs 7), Roomali Roti(Dhs 8) and Garlic Naan(Dhs 9)[/caption]

The Rotis we ordered:

Pudina Roti: A simple wheat flour based round flat bread
Roomali Roti: A large round flat bread tossed to make very thin and cooked on a dome.
Garlic Naan: A triangular thick flat bread cooked in a tandoor giving it crisp edges and a soft center

They made good rotis here but i'd pick Garlic Naan as the man of the match from this section. Thin, soft and easy to chew.

[caption id="attachment_2137" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Curries - Black daal Makhani (Dhs 40), Mutton Rogan Josh - Dhs 60 and chef special chicken curry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2140" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mutton Biriyani - Dhs 55[/caption]

You know, the name of the restaurant itself is house of curries. So it wouldn't be fair If we didn't try their curries. We had 3 curries on our table and one came complimentary as chef special.

Black Daal Makhani: Ancient rich and creamy recipe of black lentils cooked over a long period toped with a dash of cream.
Mutton Rogan Josh: Aromatic Lamb in rich red gravy. A signature dish from Kashmiri cuisine

Black Daal Makhani is one of my favourite vegetable curry so I try to order whenever I find it. My guests enjoyed the Black Daal Makhani the most. I enjoyed the Mutton rogan Josh. Both these curries came thick. Even the mutton that came along rogan josh was tender good. The chef special was a green chicken curry which I felt was a little too thin.

Mutton Biriyani: Flavoured rice with array of spices and slow cooked mutton.

Mutton biriyani was on par with taste and didn't disappoint any of us. The masala and the mutton was nicely packed with flavour and taste.

[caption id="attachment_2141" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts at House of Curry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2142" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Gulab Jamun - Dhs 30[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2143" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Gajar Ka Halwa - Dhs 35[/caption]

Desserts were the typical Gulab Jamun, Gajar Ka Halwa and Kulfi ice cream. Out of these 3 I'd prefer to say Gulab Jamun was the better one. Big and little bit of pista filling in it. The kulfi ice cream even though enjoyed it, I was disappointed it was not made in house. It was similar to the kulfi ice creams you get from super markets. Dessert section is one area I think they need to catch up to make an impression.

[caption id="attachment_2144" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Gulab Jamun - Dhs 30[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2145" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Masala Chai - Dhs 6 - unlimited refill[/caption]

I did enjoy their masala chai. One interesting part about having tea at House of curry is it's unlimited refill! Hehe I haven't seen that perk before anywhere for tea. By the way it's a nice tasting masala chai.

[caption id="attachment_2146" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with Restaurant Manager and Team[/caption]

From pricing perspective it's a little on the higher side and you can see where they recover the cost of their interiors :p Parking is a little tricky in this area. You take the first right after Dubai Mall cinema parking and then go straight until you find PARKING 2 on your right. That's where you need to park your car and it's on floor 11. The standalone glass restaurant should be right in front of you once you come up the underground parking.

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