Found a lovely store for Japanese ingredients (mirin, sushi rice, sushi and sashimi grade fish etc) in Delhi. Yamato-ya are at least 20% cheaper than Nature's Basket and INA market.
Their branch in Delhi is at
B-6/9 Local Commercial Complex
Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi 110029
Tel: 41650164 / 65
They have a branch in Gurgaon too. Here's the address:
Yamato-ya
SCO 19, HUDA Market
Sector 56
Gurgaon 122 011
Tel 0124- 4238377
I have only been to the Delhi branch and its pretty easy to navigate if you have the time and patience. Items are labelled in English on the shelves on which they are placed. The staff is also very helpful and there is someone who can speak English, Hindi and Japanese around at all times.
If you can't read Japanese, make sure the jar/bottle you buy, has a note on it in English as to what it is. Else you may reach home to find them unlabelled and wondering between the mirin and sake
Showing posts with label Recommendation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recommendation. Show all posts
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, October 8, 2010
Master Creation 2010 @ Dilli Haat, (INA Market)
Dilli Haat is a must visit for anybody who wants to pick up handicrafts directly from the artisans who create them.
An innovative concept that keeps changing and reinventin itself, so each visit feels new. This gated market (for want of a better descriptor) is built to resemble a traditional village market place (or Haat) with little individula stalls that are rented to artisans for a week or so at a time. Artisans from across the country come here to sell their wares.
As part of the CWG experience, Delhi Tourism has organised Master Creation 2010 at Dilli Haat. Plenty of artisans who have won National Awards for their intricate work have set up stalls and are selling exquisite wares. While textiles dominate (saris, shawls, stoles, salwar kameez, bedsheets) there are rugs, stone and metal carving and other crafts on display too.
They were also showcasing a different state each day, but I think this is now over. The day I visited, Arunachal Pradesh was in focus.
The Entryway:
The whole place is festive with beautiful colours
Metalwork
A Rajasthani Stall
Puppets from Andhra Pradesh
An exhibition of some of the National Award Winning pieces
White metal work and an intrciate Madhubani painting on the right.
Soft wood carving of Ma Durgaji from West Bengal
You can also try out a variety of food from across the country at this venue.This time I ate at the Assamese Stall.
Do visit if you are looking for exclusive items of clothing. The master craftsmen have some beautiful and unique handworked items on offer.
An innovative concept that keeps changing and reinventin itself, so each visit feels new. This gated market (for want of a better descriptor) is built to resemble a traditional village market place (or Haat) with little individula stalls that are rented to artisans for a week or so at a time. Artisans from across the country come here to sell their wares.
As part of the CWG experience, Delhi Tourism has organised Master Creation 2010 at Dilli Haat. Plenty of artisans who have won National Awards for their intricate work have set up stalls and are selling exquisite wares. While textiles dominate (saris, shawls, stoles, salwar kameez, bedsheets) there are rugs, stone and metal carving and other crafts on display too.
They were also showcasing a different state each day, but I think this is now over. The day I visited, Arunachal Pradesh was in focus.
The Entryway:
You can also try out a variety of food from across the country at this venue.This time I ate at the Assamese Stall.
Do visit if you are looking for exclusive items of clothing. The master craftsmen have some beautiful and unique handworked items on offer.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Yodakin - Hauz Khas
Yodakin
2 Hauz Khas Village
New Delhi 16
Ph : 011 41787201 or 26536283
Yodakin is an offering from Yoda Press, for book lovers who are looking for more than just bestsellers and chart toppers.
Yoda Press is an independent Delhi based publisher focussed on non-fiction writing. As an independent publisher they had to struggle to place their authors in the big bookstores - who look at books as a purely commerical venture. Realising that other independent publishers also faced the same problem, they decided to work backwards and create their own bookstore where independent publishers and first time novelists could place their books and at least have a chance at reaching and audience. Yodakin is that bookstore. It also stocks alternative books, periodicals, music and cinema by independent publishers, record labels/musicians and filmmakers.
Yodakin stocks books from Yoda Press, Zubaan Books, Navayana, Tulika, Westland, Roli and Wisdom Tree among others.
They also offer Foreign Independents and books for children and young adults.
Set in the picturesque Hauz Khas Village, the store is small at 400sq ft, but this seems to be the norm for Delhi bookshops. It is well lit and yet has a cozy feel. There are a couple of bamboo modhas that you can sit on and browse before deciding to buy.
The store personnel are warm and friendly and don't mind you browsing.
If you are looking for alternative books or to make a new discovery, this is the place to go.
The store is open from 10:30-8:00 Wed - Mon and 2-8 on Tuesdays.
They do accept major credit cards.
2 Hauz Khas Village
New Delhi 16
Ph : 011 41787201 or 26536283
Yodakin is an offering from Yoda Press, for book lovers who are looking for more than just bestsellers and chart toppers.
Yoda Press is an independent Delhi based publisher focussed on non-fiction writing. As an independent publisher they had to struggle to place their authors in the big bookstores - who look at books as a purely commerical venture. Realising that other independent publishers also faced the same problem, they decided to work backwards and create their own bookstore where independent publishers and first time novelists could place their books and at least have a chance at reaching and audience. Yodakin is that bookstore. It also stocks alternative books, periodicals, music and cinema by independent publishers, record labels/musicians and filmmakers.
Yodakin stocks books from Yoda Press, Zubaan Books, Navayana, Tulika, Westland, Roli and Wisdom Tree among others.
They also offer Foreign Independents and books for children and young adults.
Set in the picturesque Hauz Khas Village, the store is small at 400sq ft, but this seems to be the norm for Delhi bookshops. It is well lit and yet has a cozy feel. There are a couple of bamboo modhas that you can sit on and browse before deciding to buy.
The store personnel are warm and friendly and don't mind you browsing.
If you are looking for alternative books or to make a new discovery, this is the place to go.
The store is open from 10:30-8:00 Wed - Mon and 2-8 on Tuesdays.
They do accept major credit cards.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bread Talk, Gurgaon
I was first aquainted with Bread Talk 5 years ago when they opened their Bombay branch at the Inorbit Mall in Malad. A semi innovative concept allowing the picking of your choice of savoury and sweet breads on a tray with a pair of tongs (a la Hot Breads). The innovations were in the myriad shapes and stuffings available.
The Gurgaon outlet has more of the same although their premises are much smaller than what I remember in Bombay, hence the varieties on offer also seems much less. But the taste and quality are as high as ever.
Stuffed breads filled with flavored, chicken, vegetables cost about 60rs each with tax. One piece would be enough for a snack and 2-3 would make a light meal.
I also recommend the Japanese Cheese cake (Rs 250 + tax) which is as light as a souffle.
Try it out when you want to stock up on some fresh baked bites.
The Gurgaon outlet has more of the same although their premises are much smaller than what I remember in Bombay, hence the varieties on offer also seems much less. But the taste and quality are as high as ever.
Stuffed breads filled with flavored, chicken, vegetables cost about 60rs each with tax. One piece would be enough for a snack and 2-3 would make a light meal.
I also recommend the Japanese Cheese cake (Rs 250 + tax) which is as light as a souffle.
Try it out when you want to stock up on some fresh baked bites.
Spencer's Hypermarket, Gurgaon
Located in the basement of MGF mall in Gurgaon (the CTC plaza signage may mislead you into thinking that, that is the name of the mall), I have finally found what I've been looking for.
After searching all over Delhi for a half way decent supermarket its a real relief to find that I do have options. Even if it entails a 2 hour drive back and forth.
The pleasure of being able to find everything in one location and pile it into a shopping trolley has no match.
I agree that Delhi has wonderful local markets, but I like to be able to go to one location and buy 5 kilos of rice, 5 kilos of atta, toothpaste, deos, fruits, vegetables, oil, masalas, meat. biscuits, paneer, frozen food, wine etc without having to ask anyone to carry my load on their head or try and juggle multiple paper bags and rummage in my purse for change in yet another shop before I can get to the car.
Also this Hypermart has way better quality, range, service staff and cleanliness than their smaller Delhi operations.
It is small where Hypermarts go, but at least I can find 90% of the items on my shopping list in one place.
Between Godrej Nature Basket and Spencers Hypermart, it looks like I'm finally set in the Grocery Shopping quest.
After searching all over Delhi for a half way decent supermarket its a real relief to find that I do have options. Even if it entails a 2 hour drive back and forth.
The pleasure of being able to find everything in one location and pile it into a shopping trolley has no match.
I agree that Delhi has wonderful local markets, but I like to be able to go to one location and buy 5 kilos of rice, 5 kilos of atta, toothpaste, deos, fruits, vegetables, oil, masalas, meat. biscuits, paneer, frozen food, wine etc without having to ask anyone to carry my load on their head or try and juggle multiple paper bags and rummage in my purse for change in yet another shop before I can get to the car.
Also this Hypermart has way better quality, range, service staff and cleanliness than their smaller Delhi operations.
It is small where Hypermarts go, but at least I can find 90% of the items on my shopping list in one place.
Between Godrej Nature Basket and Spencers Hypermart, it looks like I'm finally set in the Grocery Shopping quest.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Red Moon Bakery
Finally, I have found a bit of heaven in Delhi. Even if it is located in Sarita Vihar.
I first had a taste of their brownies at Godrej Nature Basket which I found extremely addictive. And then I saw the sub branding of Red Moon Bakery. A foodie on a quest was I. If this bakery could make such amazing brownies, what other goodies did they have to offer?
So, I turned to my trusted friend, google.in and found their website, facebook fan page and an ADDRESS!
Red Moon Bakery
Shop #32,
Local Shopping Complex
Pocket D and E
Sarita Vihar
New Delhi, 110 076
011 4053 4797
It was a little tough to locate, but once I was in the right community market within Sarita Vihar (I visited 3 before I found the D/E Market), I just had to follow my nose from the parking lot.
The premises are tiny, but the goodies on offer are better than those, from many a 5 star coffee shop/pattiserrie.
The bakery was started and operated by a Canadian couple - David and Anna Hambly and has some unique items which are not yet available in other city bakeries.
Looking at the prices here, I realised that GNB has a slight mark up on each item, which I wouldn't mind if it meant avoiding the drive from this side of town to Sarita Vihar. But Red Moon Cafe does offer delivery service to most parts of the city on different days of the week, provided you bill at least 400/-
The husband loves their mutli grain bread (60Rs) loaf. They will slice it for you to your desired thickness for 5rs extra. I highly recommend that as the bread is so soft, it crumbles when you try to slice it at home. Regular brown bread is 45Rs. They have a host of flavored Bagels, pitas, buns and breads.
I picked up a chicken curry pocket(50Rs) and a Chicken Pot pie(50Rs). Loved the pocket, its a complete tea time snack for one, the pot pie had a little too much potato for me, or maybe it was just the piece that I picked up.
The rum balls(20Rs) are a mouthful of sin! Highly highly recommended. I've already mentioned that I'm a huge fan of their walnut brownies(30Rs) which are much darker than any I have eaten before.
The cupcakes are 30Rs, I found the butter icing a bit too much for me, but my cat loved it :) and I'm sure most kids would too. Its just a little too much sugar for me on top of a cupcake, but that's just me.
Their muffins are 30Rs and the carrot bran is supposed to be a healthy one. The piece I bought, has been reserved for breakfast in the morning.
Lots of cookies in the 100-150rs range for a dozen. I have loved the chocolate chunk and the chocolate gingerbread.
I have a few other goodies that I picked up today, that I have had to force myself to stay away from. The temptation is quite over powering though.
They also have birthday cakes, cheesecakes and others from 6" to 14" (600gms - 4kg) which you can order ahead.
I'm definitely going to be ordering from them pretty often. They also deliver upto Gurgaon.
I first had a taste of their brownies at Godrej Nature Basket which I found extremely addictive. And then I saw the sub branding of Red Moon Bakery. A foodie on a quest was I. If this bakery could make such amazing brownies, what other goodies did they have to offer?
So, I turned to my trusted friend, google.in and found their website, facebook fan page and an ADDRESS!
Red Moon Bakery
Shop #32,
Local Shopping Complex
Pocket D and E
Sarita Vihar
New Delhi, 110 076
011 4053 4797
The premises are tiny, but the goodies on offer are better than those, from many a 5 star coffee shop/pattiserrie.
Looking at the prices here, I realised that GNB has a slight mark up on each item, which I wouldn't mind if it meant avoiding the drive from this side of town to Sarita Vihar. But Red Moon Cafe does offer delivery service to most parts of the city on different days of the week, provided you bill at least 400/-
The husband loves their mutli grain bread (60Rs) loaf. They will slice it for you to your desired thickness for 5rs extra. I highly recommend that as the bread is so soft, it crumbles when you try to slice it at home. Regular brown bread is 45Rs. They have a host of flavored Bagels, pitas, buns and breads.
I picked up a chicken curry pocket(50Rs) and a Chicken Pot pie(50Rs). Loved the pocket, its a complete tea time snack for one, the pot pie had a little too much potato for me, or maybe it was just the piece that I picked up.
The rum balls(20Rs) are a mouthful of sin! Highly highly recommended. I've already mentioned that I'm a huge fan of their walnut brownies(30Rs) which are much darker than any I have eaten before.
The cupcakes are 30Rs, I found the butter icing a bit too much for me, but my cat loved it :) and I'm sure most kids would too. Its just a little too much sugar for me on top of a cupcake, but that's just me.
Their muffins are 30Rs and the carrot bran is supposed to be a healthy one. The piece I bought, has been reserved for breakfast in the morning.
Lots of cookies in the 100-150rs range for a dozen. I have loved the chocolate chunk and the chocolate gingerbread.
I have a few other goodies that I picked up today, that I have had to force myself to stay away from. The temptation is quite over powering though.
They also have birthday cakes, cheesecakes and others from 6" to 14" (600gms - 4kg) which you can order ahead.
I'm definitely going to be ordering from them pretty often. They also deliver upto Gurgaon.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Godrej Nature Basket opens in Delhi!
I've been so envious of my friends in Bombay for their easy access to Godrej Nature Basket stores, that I was very excited when they opened their first Delhi outlet 2 days ago.
With its lack of Quality Supermarkets, I felt compelled to drive all the way to Gurgaon for my one-stop shopping. I visited Godrej Nature Basketat Defence Colony yesterday, and came away impressed and elated that I now have some place nearby to pick up all my consumable kitchen needs.
The first outlet is located at D-15, Defence Colony (Between BP Petrol Pump & Def Col Flyover) Ph:+91-11-4669-8777 and they promise to open soon in M Block Market, GK II.
The Def Col store is split across 2 levels and is quite spacious for a store in this area. There are baked goods, cheese (imported), fresh vegetables, cold cuts, meat, ready to cook meat products and imported ingredients from across the world. The advantage of Godrej Nature Basket over my other favorite food store in Delhi, "Le Marche in DLF Promenade Mall" is that prices are much more reasonable and locally sourced ingredients cost almost the same as it would in the market, without the hassle of bargaining.
There are lots of shop assistants who are very helpful with bagging, tasting and carrying your groceries around the store (if this is what suits you, I prefer pushing my own trolley) without being over-pushy.
Since they had just opened a day before, they said that there would soon be more items in stock. The shop assistants encourage you to taste the cheese and cold cuts before buying. The fresh cold meats were really good and I did pick up, quite a few varieties. My favorite would be the spicy chorizo. Slices are cut while you wait to your desired thickness.
Plenty of Italian and South East Asian cooking ingredients are available across multiple brands and price points. They also deliver within a 3 km radius.
They stock Haagen Daaz and London Dairy ice cream too. The next time I visit, I will have to carry my insulated bag with me to bring home some ice creams.
I loved the cleanliness and layout of the store as much as I loved the range of products and brands. The air conditioning was working well and the whole experience was pleasurable.
The only 2 problems I faced were : billing was slow as the cashiers were double checking every bar code entry vs the result that popped up. I hope this is just an initial teething problem. The second problem is not really their fault, but because of compliance issues, they can only bag products in paper bags which are a pain in the b&!! to manage when buying in large quantities.
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