Exploring Indian Streets With The Masala Trail...

The Masala Trail is the brainchild of Osama Jalali who is a well-known food critic and chef. Located at 52, Janpath, right next to the famed Sarvana Bhavan, TMT has been done up in vibrant hues with trinkets exploring the street-smart charm of India.

The diversity in Indian street food is immense as each region has its own specialties to offer. Street food is a symbol of the regional soul, a reflection of diverse cultures, a meeting point for people from different religions, and staple diet for the multitude. The Masala Trail is a pure vegetarian restaurant and makes an effort to bring traditional regional food in its authentic flavor from North, South, East, and West under one roof for its patrons.

Catering to an all-vegetarian palate, TMT, in its concept, is much like India On My Plate, exploring delicacies from all over the country though The Masala Trail concentrates on gems from the streets from the four regions - North (उत्तर), South (दक्षिण), East (पूर्व), West (पश्चिम). 

The decor has been done in vibrant hues with a life-size scooter and cart hanging from the ceiling and their branding with two Autos on both sides standing out on one of the walls. The Masala Trail attempts to bring to the plate, regional delicacies that most of us must have relished as a child.

At the entrance itself, on one side, there are shelves stacking jars of reminiscences from kiddie world in the form of Kismi, Gems, Mango Bite, Phantom, et al.

There were quite a few dishes that we relished from each of the four regions on a recent visit to The Masala Trail. Each dish on the Menu has a one-line or two-line explanation so that even a layman can connect to the tastes prevalent in a region that they may not have been to or experienced. 

Each region has its Appetizers and Main Course demarcated as नाश्ता and खाना respectively. The Menu has been painstakingly curated to revive even rarest of the rare dishes that a person akin to a particular region would only be aware of. 

The stewards are attentive and service is quick. That is a plus considering TMT has gradually become a favorite among the crowd. Quick service also corresponds to the fact that tables are cleared faster, thus amounting to the reduced waiting time for patrons. On the other hand, their immediate neighbor loses out owing to the fact that slow service corresponds to enhanced waiting time. Also, Keventers is a franchise outlet located inside The Masala Trail, and it has a distinct customer base.

Here's what all was relished at The Masala Trail. 

शरबत: 

Jigar Thanda, which had गोंद mixed with ice-cream and Rooh Afza.

Mumbai Royal Rose Falooda

Bihari Namkeen Sattu

Neer Mor or Masala Buttermilk

Regional Combos: 

Idiyappam & Shappu Style Korma

Malabari Paratha & Nilgiri Korma

Rajasthani Dal Bati Churma

उत्तर का नाश्ता: 

Sooji Gol Gappe

Dilli Ke Ram Laddu

Banarasi Tamatar Chaat

Tower Chaat

Purani Dilli Ke Chole Bhature

Ashok Vihar Ke Matara Kulcha

दक्षिण का नाश्ता: 

Banana Poori

Dahi Vada

दक्षिण का खाना: 

Chalukya Dosa

Ginni Dosa, which had a striking resemblance in their presentation to Imly's Cheese Burst Dosa.

पूर्व का नाश्ता: 

Chowrangee Paneer Kathi Roll

Cheese Momos

पश्चिम का नाश्ता: 

Gujarati Dhokla Papdi Chaat

Chowpatty Pav Bhaaji

मिठास: 

Gulab Jamun

Phirni

All in all, The Masala Trail comes across as a must-visit place for anybody who wishes to explore India by means of our culinary heritage. The concept comes across as a breather in the hospitality industry which is today, engrossed in experimentation with food, somehow losing its connect with the true form and feel of what was once put on our plates. :)

Live Grill And Molecular Thrill At A Grill Company...

As I have always opined, Molecular Gastronomy is one of the new trends on the food block and is a fad that has caught pace with the times. It gives a new rendition to the plating of dishes and adds an aesthetic appeal. I have had my tryst with this concept twice in the past (at Addam's House and Indus Flavour), but this time was meant to be different.

One of the newest establishments on the block is A Grill Company situated quite strategically in Logix Mall, which is at a stone's throw from Noida City Centre Metro Station on the Blue Line.

It was an exclusive Media Invite that led me to be the first few to witness the launch of this restaurant, which is spaciously done in vibrant hues, with some archaic trinkets like a life-size gramophone and classic Bollywood film posters adding to this place's aesthetic appeal.

A Grill Company goes by the tagline - Live Grill and Molecular Thrill - and thus brings to the fore, two core elements - a BBQ on-table Grill and Molecular Gastronomy in conjunction with Street Food. 

The Main Course and Dessert part of the meal abide by a buffet system here at A Grill Company but more about that later. 

The Appetizers feature a Gastro Grill On-The-Table comprising of an Amuse Bouche in the form of Cotton Candy, with some nicely grilled delicacies paired with dips (for the veggies) and bastings (for the meat).

There is the interesting concept of a Molecular Chaat Bar comprising of Golgappe with Paani in five variations (Roohafza, Green Apple, Blue Curacao, Aam Panna, and Shikanji) presented with Chutneys in syringes, Mini Raj Kachori with foam and frozen yogurt spheres on the plate, a deconstructed Dahi Vada Sundae, and Flavored Yogurt Spheres served in four variants (Chocolate, Green Apple, Banana, and Strawberry).

On the other hand, there is a Molecular Chaat Trolley that is more like a Live Kitchen on wheels as Chef prepares the dishes right before one's eyes. The fare savored from this section included Palak Patta Chaat and Nachos Chaat served with yogurt that is frozen using Liquid Nitrogen.

Also, Dragon Breath Popcorns came in a bucket and were supposedly frozen using Liquid Nitrogen yet again.

Among the mocktails and shakes, I tried Saffron Foam and Paan Martini, both were prepared well.

The Main Course Buffet here presents a considerable amount of variety and the fact which works in their favor is that they have a regional menu which is going to change every day so that patrons would have something new to look forward to, each time they visit A Grill Company.

The Desserts are a class apart on the palate. From the Berry Custard to the Coffee Mousse, to the Brownie, Gulab Jamun, and Sugar-Free Phirni, that's a nice amount of variety as far as these sweet conclusions are concerned.

I had a nice time at A Grill Company, and am of the opinion that with their dual-theme concept of BBQ and Molecular Gastronomy, the entire feel and look of the well-done place, and attentive service, A Grill Company is going to go places in the long run. :)