Rose Festival

For all those youngsters settled abroad, February is the time of the year to remember the days spent in the open lush-green Rose Garden.   I remember spending afternoons going over from one stall to another, making children participate in various competitions, and then wait for the prizes. 

February 24-26 would be the time again for the blooming varied-hued roses to welcome hordes of tourists and people from the city and surrounding areas to enjoy the 'mela'. 

There is an official estimate of over 3 lakh footfalls at the Rose Festival. 

Do you know Rose Garden spread in a sprawling 30 acres campus in the middle of Chandigarh, is probably the largest in Asia, having 40,000 varieties of rose plants of over 800 rose species from all over the world.  

Spread in 30 acres, Rose Garden was conceived by the visionary bureaucrat, Mr. M.S. Randhawa, who was the first chief commissioner of the city, whose contribution is unparalleled in giving this city a unique character of the garden city. 

The Rose Garden has been divided into 10 sections. These sections are not only for roses but also for a children's play area, scrubs, medicinal plants, a hillock and musical fountains.

Some of the roses at the garden have been named after international and other personalities - from Britain's Queen Elizabeth and former US president John F. Kennedy to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and M.S. Randhawa.

My Hangout

Congratulations to a great writer and friend Amit Roy, who has started his new blog 'My Hangout'.  It is a well designed and well thought out website that everyone would fall in love with it.  The bright vibrant colors and layout is inviting...and so is the enriching content.
More than anything else, it is engaging. And why not, each one of us have our favourite hangout. Or should I say hangouts, because over a period of time we keep changing them. In my school days, the tuck shop was our favourite inside the school premises.  During university days, it was the canteen behind the English department that was favourite for hot cup of tea, and bread 'pakoras'.
During short stint in journalism with Patriot in Delhi, it was the coffee shop outside UNI office, and another  snack bar on Janpath.  Back in the city, over the years, many of us have evolved from the Indian Coffee House, to Mandrin restaurant in Sector 11, and now to Barista or CCD (Cafe Coffee Day).
And the girls had their own special hangouts especially the golgappa wallas in Sector 23, Sector 22, Sector 18, and the like.
Do you remember which was your favourite?  
My Hangout has prizes to offer you for participating in their contests. Time to check that out too. 

Spread the fire!

Nando's is in Chandigarh . . . and truly it's 'spreading the fire' in the town. Nando's is truly a different genre of restaurant and foods. No wonder it's a preferred destination in 34 countries around the world.  And now, when it has arrived in India starting its journey literally from Chandigarh (though it had been around in Mumbai for two years), the legend has truly landed in the country.
It's not only about chicken but a lot more veggie stuff laced with super-delicious peri-peri.  Forty percent of its menu would cater to the veggies here.  You cannot have everything in one visit and it requires repeated visits to savour the meals here. And everytime, to appreciate and enjoy your food, you need to eat slowly, savour each morsel, enjoy the juices, roll it over, feel the peri-peri tinge, and feel everything melt in your mouth.  Superbly marinated and flame-grilled, every item in the menu is 'peri-peri' exclusive.
You can pick from a wide array of salds, including couscous, mediterranean or caesar, and spice it up a little with 'Appeteasers' which would delight every pallet. For the main course there is an array of veg and non-veg grilled fare, and the food lovers can go for something out of the world meals that includes a Espetada (also available for the veggies), Espedtada Rustica or Chicken Steam. The ones in the hurry can pick up burgers or wraps, while the family can select a sumptuous platter.
And nothing beats Nando's desserts, which are a treat to watch and eat...Caramel Cheese Cake, Chocolate Cake, Fruits of Fantasy, The Chcolate Crunch Roll, etc. etc.
Well, it's great fun, sitting in the restaurant with classy ambiance, enchanting artifacts, and its signature Nando's music.  One would love to wait for the order and enjoy the cosy surroundings while sipping Crimson Cola, Lemon Drop or pomegranate lemonade - Madeira Red, or the Citra.
It's great place to chill with friends, family and business associates.

Heat Wave is coming!

Chandigarh is becoming foodies delight. The people who enjoy good food, a great evening out, and celebrate life with their family and friends, can be found in some of the choicest restaurants around town. And many new international brands are already here from Pizza Hut to Domino, to the Peddlers, KFC, rubbing shoulder with our home-grown chain of restaurants, Hot Millions, Gopals, etc.etc.

The newest addition is going to be another 'peri-peri' hot brand, Nando's. An international cuisine of flame-grilled peri-peri chicken! The Heat Wave is going to hit the city in Sector 35B next month, early November, just after Diwali.  So brace yourself to taste the best and log on to Nando's Chandigarh facebook...and you might get lucky to win Free Lunch!