Sunday, December 5, 2010

i think now, i sea.

Okay, these relatives of mine have come over from Kolkata and they insist that we go out for at least one meal every day. And let me just say, it’s been a weekend of seafood galore! I’m not a seafood lover by nature, cause I hardly get the opportunity to experience its brilliance. My parents are strict chicken and mutton people, and my friends and I, well we simply can’t afford it. So my expertise remains put only in the sphere of the birds and four legged beings. The sea as they say in its vast expanse has a lot more to offer than you and I can imagine, and it’s true! I only realized it three days ago and thus the excitement. I stay very close to Chittaranjan Park, and no offence to any culture or community, but it smells awful there. I only logically assumed that something that smelt like that couldn’t have tasted nice. But I was horribly wrong. It’s just the nicest, lightest, softest meat that fills you up yet doesn’t give you a feeling that you may throw up.
We went to Diva, the Italian place in GK2, owned by the insatiable Ritu Dalmia. White walls, impressive wine cellar, green plants and low lights. I love what plants can do to a space, it makes it less serious and so much earthier. My parents played very safe and ordered the lamb chops. It was flawlessly cooked and was juicy with tender flavors of garlic topped with shitake mushrooms. My aunt and I split the Gamberoni al vapore, which would basically be prawns poached in aromatic broth with a simple butter and herb sauce. It was served with spinach and crunchy salad leaves in this wonderful balsamic vinegar and red wine dressing along with a few pine nuts. This was the first time I was eating prawns and let me just say, they are delightful. Who knew something that looks so convoluted and spiky would be so mellow and supple. The thing with prawns is that they absorb the entire flavor making them light and perfect for an evening meal. My uncle was very clear about fish. He ordered the Pesce “san pietro” con asparagi e funghi shitake. Haha, this was the Australian John Dory wok-fried Shiitake and asparagus garnished with almond dressing. Since I hadn’t really ordered anything for myself, I got to try a modest bit of everyone’s. Oh, we also had a risotto with thyme. For desert we shared, okay I don’t remember what it was called but it was a lemon cheesecake with a kiwi sorbet and it was so bright tasting. I love chocolate, like I finish 3 bars a day but these days something makes me crave fruit more than anything else. This satisfied me entirely.
The next evening we went to Mainland China, and to my delight, their sea food festival was on. This had to be a sign from above, YOU NEED TO START RELISHING SEAFOOD was the only thing I thought God was trying to tell me .This side of the table went fish and shrimp and lobsters and that side of the table was chicken and chicken and more chicken. Generally I would’ve been on that side, but I was enthralled to be on this side. We started off with lobster dumplings that to my surprise were topped with tiny bubbles of caviar. I felt so fancy, it was unreal! Then came the garlic chilly prawns which were as promising as the last time. These were spicy and full of heat yet spongy and gentle.  The fish was in yellow bean sauce, a little dry but nicely cooked and extremely appetizing. I cant write about the chicken, as I really didn’t taste it, my side had a spread of its own! Daarsaan for desert, it the one thing that never disappoints me.
Tonight we’re off to an Indian place, I promise to write soon J