Category: Food and Travel

  • Starbucks finally opening stores

    After I had mentioned on my blog earlier about Starbucks coming to India, yesterday it was announced that the iconic coffee chain will be opening 50 retail outlets by the end of this year. If memory serves me right, its been more than 6 years since Starbucks started thinking of putting up their chain in India. Nonetheless, its time has come. I am more than eager to see what they have to offer. The partners this time they have are already experienced in the coffee joint business in India, the Tatas (Barista).

    Tata Starbucks Ltd., a joint venture (50:50) between Tata Global Beverages Ltd. and Starbucks, will own and operate the coffee chain and would be branded as Starbucks Coffee -A Tata Alliance. Starbucks is a global leader in coffee chain business, with close to 17,000 outlets. I am not still sure about the business model that will be followed, but this influx will certainly pump up competition for enterprenurs for a franchisee of Starbucks in India. Tata will also be selling its brand of coffee named ‘Tata Tazo’ as retail via these outlets.

    What needs to be seen is how this changes things for the current market leader, Cafe Coffee Day, the branded coffee chain of Amalgamated Coffee Bean Company. Its also been romured that US based coffee chain, Dunkin Donuts is coming to Indian shores as well.

    Tatas are well set to bring a fresh change for Tata Global Bevergaes. Go go go…

  • Onions are made for ever!

    This one is an interesting photoshop edit that I had come across today. Directly aimed at the frustration of Indian consumers, the Onions are bringing tears to every one without peeling off even a single layer of its charmed skin.

    Onions are made for ever
    Onions are made for ever – This came as a Mail Forward

    The humble King Onion has become a strong political pot-boiler of late thanks to its price of over Rs. 70 per Kilogram. Now this image classically displays that how costly the Onions have become. Onions are a must for more than 80% of dishes in India and Indians simply just need Onions with their Food. The last time I remember Onions reaching this price levels were in 1998.  You have to believe that, many a times the poor often only have Chapati, Onions with salt as Lunch and Dinner. Hence, price of Onions matter to Indians so much more.

    The news came in that Petrol prices are also going northwards, with Rs. 2.53 increase in petrol prices per litre by mid night of 16th January. This will surely add a lot up to the pressure a common man is going through.

    Onions, on the other hand can be very bad for health. As “Keep Write” writes, Onions can be hazardous too and many a times can even cause Food Poisoning. A recommended read.

  • Starbucks coming to India

    The Coffee retail gaint Starbucks is now coming to Indian shores with in next seven months. This is a news for many who flock to the coffee joints like CCD and Barista for two sips of coffee. So now we have the best brand representing coffee in India. The “tea loving” Indians have been turning to Coffee as more youth preferring Coffee to Tea. Consumption of Coffee in India has more than doubled for past decade.

    Starbucks have also signed an agreement with Tata Coffee to source beans and explore opening stores, the companies said in a statement yesterday. The first Starbucks store in India will open in about seven months as said by the company management on a leading Business Television network. The stock of Tata Coffee has hit a had its biggest Intraday gain in last 17 months.

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  • What is your favorite topping for a Pizza?

    Fascination of fast food in India is ever growing and am sure almost every one who will be visiting my blog would have had some day or other ordered a Pizza at least once in their lives. Except my mom, coz I always had ordered it for her :P.

    Having said that, there are many who live now only to eat pizza and just go mad and crazy when they are offered a piece. With so many toppings and different layer crust available today, I just went online to search of the most loved Pizza topping in India. I havent found anything thats Veg and hence I wont include that here.

    I swear by Dominos when it comes to Pizza and like their Veg Extravaganza and Deluxe Vegie the most. Golder Corn, exotic Black Olives, crunchy Onion, [crisp Capsicum,  succulent Mashroom, juicy fresh Tomatoes – that i don’t like and remove it from the pizza :P)] and Jalapeño wit extra cheese to go all around.

    For me an ideal topping list for a Pizza is as follows.

    Panner (Cottage Cheese) with Black olives, Double Extra Cheese, Golden Corn, Onions, baked Beans, Jalapeño,  all on one platter of pizza which has a cheese crust.

    Addition: I had forgot to mention, lots of Oregano

    What is that you would like to have? What is your Favorite Pizza Topping?

  • The Sahyadris – Some pictures II

    The Sahyadris – Some pictures II

    This as promised is the second part of the series of pictures that I had taken on my trip to Konkan. I hope you enjoy the pictures. These are the snaps that I took early morning from the train. I hope you would enjoy them.

    I had earlier posted The Sahyadris – Some pictures – Part I and these are the remaining pictures. If you like them, please leave a comment. Thanks 🙂

    IndiBloggers can promote this post via IndiVine here.

    The gallery is available to be viewed on the post page so please click on read more if you are on home, posts, category or tag page. Ignore if you are on the same page.

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  • The Sahyadris – Some pictures

    The Sahyadris – Some pictures

    I had been to a short trip down in Konkan and these are the snaps that I took early morning from the train. I hope you would enjoy them.

    Update: There are many more sequence shots that I have taken while the train was moving and I would be uploading them by this weekend. You can watch out for more 🙂

    These pics were taken on my E63 and while the train was moving and hence, the pics wont reflect the best of the quality.

    Related Post: The Sahyadris – Some Pictures II

  • Not so Meter Jam!

    I had read in the Mumbai Mirror about this initiative called Meter Jam.

    Because strikes need a strike back!  We’re tired of meter that always reads more than it should, drivers who refuse to ply and demand return fare whenever they want. And if all that wasn’t enough, now we have to deal with strikes too, any time the ‘unions’ decide!

    Everyone is holding the janta to ransom. How much more will we pay? It’s time to turn the tables.

    So on 12th August, shake your head and say NO if an auto driver offers a ride!

    Meter Jam
    Meter Jam
    Meter Jam
    Meter Jam

    Very true to the core, this initiative is much appreciated for all the trouble we face in our day to day lives. Everyday I have to travel by rick and each day, I get a different meter reading. On an average, I have to pay Rs. 40 for one way travel but at times, the meter reading exceeds it and I end up paying Rs. 75!!

    When I question it, he directly shows the meter and there is no way I can protest. The police too are hand in glove and others of the same fraternity rush to rescue. With this, you hardly have a voice to speak up to. While I go back, I have to ask atleast 10 to 12 Rickshaws to know if they can take me or not.

    According to rules, they have no option to say no to any distance which is permissible according to RTO regulations. There are a lot of cases where Auto / Cab drivers are come up with innovative ideas of avoiding ferrying passengers.

    There is a sect who are also on the softer side, who asks us to think why would a Auto Rickshaw driver earning in ’10s would not ferry any passenger. Well, to all of those who think this way, come to my place and try to hire a rick.

    However today I saw a lot of people ferrying ricks, a lot of professionals doing the same. Its not because they don’t care, its because they don’t have an option.

    For example, for me to get into a BEST bus from Kanjurmarg is next to impossible. I see a lot of people standing on the foot board and traveling since there is no way to get in. The buses are jam packed already. What Meter Jam should also have promoted it as a protest against the government utilities too, and not only against the Rickshaw walahs and Cab walahs. This way we could spread the message that we need better transport alternatives than facing these rowdy rickshaw walahs and cab walahs.

    I hope more protestants join the force and get along with this initiative.

  • Kerala Ahoy!

    Folks,

    I will be on a Two week long vaccation to Kerala. It means a good time away from work and a welcome break.

    I will publish events as I come across in Kerala. A lot of Pics to be taken and shared.. Watch this space.

  • Breaking Story: Trains services disrupted on Western Railway, protesting for ease of commuting

    Breaking Story: Trains services disrupted on Western Railway, protesting for ease of commuting

    At 9.27 my friend was waiting to board local for Church Gate.

    The moment the train got on the platform a huge crowd got down on the track to stop the train. After a lot of slogan bashing, all understood that this is a protest against the recent increase in the frequency of trains plying between Church Gate and Virar.

    Trains on the slow track were stopped after the group of people refused to allow trains to operate as they were demanding more frequency for locals between Borivali and Churchgate. My friend reported that a few arrests were being made and the GRP is clearing the tracks. This move put others turn violent. Train services affected for most regions include the Borivali – Virar line. There are conflicting reports where some have reported that Fast trains are working as normal, some are reporting that no single train has left the Borivali Station since 9.20 am. The protests started after the announcement made that the 9.10 AM train to Church Gate has been cancelled.

    BEST has announced special buses to enable people to travel to Goregaon from where they can catch a train for Church Gate station. People can travel to Goregaon showing their Railway passes. At the time of this post update at 2.00 PM IST, train services continue to be hit.

    The whole Western Railway, considered as Posh by many people, is getting crowded by the day and travelling between their homes and work is increasingly painstaking. There are lot of people who went back to their homes, perhaps for the day. People do not want to see these silent protests turn violent. Some people missed important appointments, some may miss their daily wages.

    All this is being done in the hope that they would get a quick resolution.

    The Mumbai Sub Urban rail transport carries more passengers in a day than any other in the whole world, and have a distinction of being effciently managed one at that (considering the number of people travelling). Western Railway has lesser number of trains plying (local and long distance) than Central Railway. There is a need for effective commuting planing to be implemented.

    The protest shows the misery of people and there is a increasing demamd of a easy and confortable travelling experience.