Tag Archives: Hard Rock Cafe

Food tasting at Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai | New additions to the menu

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Saag paneer at Hard Rock Cafe

Saag paneer pocket at Hard Rock Cafe

Photographs: Salonee Gadgil

Now for some fun reading. As you already know, this Hard Rock Cafe tasting was going to involve the company of a person who shot my HRC glassware collection. As a matter of happy co-incidence, it was Salonee Gadgil of bellyfirst.

Given the number of ‘new’ items on the menu and the large portions of the dishes, it was a tough decision to make. For starters, the chef recommended saag paneer and we went with it. Now, as a vegetarian, I love paneer! Saag, not so much. So I was pleasantly surprised at the preparation and presentation of this dish. Served on a fajita plate, the paneer cooked in a Tunisian sauce is accompanied by a generous quantity of spinach. The idea is to let the spinach keep cooking as it rests on the table. This rich paneer is to be coated in a yoghurt dip, stuffed in pita like bread and had as a pocket. Quite the bite!

Saag paneer on a fajita plate

Saag paneer on a fajita plate

Needless to say, you have to try it on your next visit.

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Some memories cause a change of heart | A tale from Edinburgh

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Hard Rock Cafe glass from Edinburgh | Photograph: Salonee Gadgil

Hard Rock Cafe glass from Edinburgh | Photograph: Salonee Gadgil

“Memory has its own special kind. It selects, eliminates, alters, exaggerates, minimizes, glorifies, and vilifies also; but in the end it creates its own reality, its heterogeneous but usually coherent version of events; and no sane human being ever trusts someone else’s version more than his own.” – Salman Rushdie, Midnight’s Children

It is never easy breaking ties with someone. Especially, if the ties were of intense (shall we say) love? And then what do you do with the memories? Share them?

It was a cold winter. Him and I hadn’t spoken in a fortnight. There was no way I could reach him. We were separated by continents. When it was decided by my girlfriends, a local trip would be made to a nearby city. I remember this clearly. I guess certain events are vividly recorded in your mind. We had stopped at a McDonald’s en route when he called. A flurry of emotions crowded my voice. I managed a hello. In response, I heard him say, “I’m at a Hard Rock Cafe in Edinburgh. They have this Hurricane glass. I don’t think you have it. You know the one that looks like an inverted 8 with its head cut off? Should I get it for you?” I smiled, not so much because I was going to have a glass but because of everything it represented. We were speaking, he remembered something special, he was going to bring me a souvenir (that made it his memory as much as mine) and he missed me. Weeks later, when I did see him, there were 2 glasses. Of course, my joy was doubled. More on that later.

Things are very different now. And I’m a little surprised I’ve poured my heart out to you all. But I guess I was bottled up and like a hurricane, I had to let it all out. :)

P.S. - A Hurricane Glass, typically used for frozen and blended cocktails, holds between 10 and 12 ounces. The distinct pear-shaped curve of this glass is reminiscent of vintage hurricane lamps.

Stopover for dessert in Paris | Just the glass will do

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Dessert Glass from Hard Rock Cafe Paris

Dessert Glass from Hard Rock Cafe Paris | Photograph: Salonee Gadgil

Early 2010, in Europe’s freezing winter, the sister and I were going to spend exactly 2 nights in the city of Paris. While we did spend most of the first day sleeping, we decided to make as much of the night as we could to cover up. We booked ourselves onto the night ferry across River Seine, a walk around the Eiffel tower at night and a show at the Moulin Rouge. But we were in Paris and I had to get a souvenir glass from Hard Rock Cafe. We had rented a private cab and with a lot of hope, we asked the driver if it would be possible. He agreed but on the condition that we would spend no more than 5 minutes at the shop. We were sold. We literally walked in and picked up the first glass we saw. To our surprise, it was a dessert glass. Unique to the Paris store, it made perfect sense why it would be so. We were outta there in no time but it’s so much fun recounting the story. :)

A story each from 9 cities across the world that stock Hard Rock Cafe glasses

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Margarita glass | HRC Pattaya | Photo: Salonee Gadgil

Margarita glass | HRC Pattaya | Photo: Salonee Gadgil

Circa 2009, while on a junket in Pattaya, it seemed I was doomed. I was either breaking my back and camera, losing money and phone credit or seemingly all alone on a film set. When the schedule had wrapped up, the crew had flown out and I was one of two people from the unit still at the hotel, we decided to let the last night act as saving grace. A recce of the main street later, I was pointing at the Hard Rock Cafe hotel and hearing myself say, “Let’s sing along, get some grub and make a night to remember.” 15 minutes later, seated at a table with the right view of the local band’s performance, I was ready to order a margarita. The fine print said I could order a souvenir glass from the rock shop. I was thrilled. After the date, I wasted no time in letting the one who took me out buy me my first Hard Rock Cafe collectible. Stored in a brown paper box, I literally clutched it on the flight and all the way back home. Little did I know, in 3 years, I would be flaunting a collection, looking for photographers to shoot it and sampling the new menu at the local Hard Rock Cafe.

I’m so pleased with the way the shoot turned out. Every day I’m going to update this post with a story and a picture of a glass (shot by Salonee Gadgil of www.bellyfirst.wordpress.com) . Soon, you’ll know 9 stories, 1 each on collecting Hard Rock Cafe glasses from across the world. Promise to follow?

Also coming up: A tasting of the new menu at Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai. :)

Lafangey Parindey outfit | Go green

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So, what did I wear to the press screening of Lafangey Parindey?
We had a couple of minutes to take some quick shots.

In several YashRaj films, there is a serene shot of the heroine,
looking at herself in the mirror as she gets ready.

I didn’t imagine it would happen to me too. I love it!

I chose to wear this dress because it is simple. And yet it makes a statement with the bold flowers. I love the clean visual impact thanks to the straight lines and symmetry of the dress. The way a garment is cut makes all the difference.

You don’t need anything more than a dress, earrings, tote bag and striking heels to make an impact and keep your outfit minimal. These shoes, worn previously here, go well with Indian and Western ensembles.

The tote bag was actually picked up by the sister at Hard Rock Cafe, Paris. The graffiti is striking as is but is accompanied by a message on a tag, ‘Save the Planet’. The bag is made from natural cotton and only water-based inks are used.

I love the green of the flowers on my dress. The green of my earrings is so soothing. And of course, nothing beats being ‘eco-friendly’. xoxo

Dress – Golmaal, Lokhandwala, Mumbai, India | Tote bag – Hard Rock Cafe, Paris, France | Earrings – Golmaal, Lokhandwala, Mumbai, India

Photographs: Aniruddha Guha