How to break a writer’s block?

If you’re a writer of any form or shape, you have most likely been plagued with this dreaded disease known to mankind as ‘Writer’s Block’. Especially if you write to an audience, there is an implicit pressure to deliver and impress. not tear apart every line you write immediately after you write it. I think I have cracked the code and I have decided to share it with you. If it helps you like it helped me, I would be the happiest person on earth. It is honestly normal tips which we forget sometimes in the frenzy.

1. Always write on paper

We are all so used to our gadgets. Sometimes I even write on my phone notepad and mostly prefer a laptop. Honestly, nothing can compare to the feel of holding the pen and the words flowing freely on paper. I’m sure there is a scientific study linking our creativity to holding the pen on one’s hand. If you’re stuck on what to write exactly, just open a book ( I’m a stationary connoisseur and have like a million unused journals crying from disuse ) , more often than not your pen will have something to say. Let your consciousness wander and jot down everything.. even if it is nothing.

2. Choosing a GOOD SPOT

Sometimes, it comes down to the ambience and your environment. Look around you, if you all you see is a cluttered room , despair and unwashed dishes, that’s how your mind will feel too. I would suggest you go out for a walk and sit under a tree or on a beach or go to a cute little cafe or stop being lazy and clean your room. And it always helps if it is raining. Just sit by the window and you will find yourself awash with words.

3. Picking a topic

Usually, the main symptom of the writer’s block is that you feel like you have nothing left to say to the world or if you have a topic you are already given, you feel like there is nothing unique you could add to it or that you cannot personally relate to it. I recommend that you stay in that comfort zone, this is not the time to experiment. Write about something which moves you deeply, your pet peeve , your favorite show. Just write fervently about anything which is on your mind right now and that will clear the smog and give you the clarity to move forward.

4. The first DOSA

I firmly believe that the first dosa/ pancake is never good but it just paves way for better things to come. You can read more on that philosophy here lol (click the link you doofus) So do not put pressure on yourself to deliver a masterpiece right off the bat. Take your time, play a dot. More than anything, do not write for anyone but yourself. Write something you would enjoy to write / read.

5. LISTICLE

IF NOTHING WORKS MAKE A LISTICLE ON HOW TO BREAK YOUR WRITER’S BLOCK AND PRAY IT WORKS

Steady Meandering, 2022

Tager – Restaurant review

We recently checked out the newly opened restaurant Tager in Nungambakkam and had a good time there. Since I had adequate amount of photos, I decided to go ahead with a full blown review.

Location

It is located in Wallace Garden 2nd Street in Nungambakkam. You cannot find a more prime location than that. Small grievance – when you drive from the main road the restaurant board isn’t visible.

Menu

We walked in on a weekday afternoon, so there was not much rush. The staff were courteous. The name name ‘Tager’ is a blend of Tacos and Burger and the menu suitably reflected that. They had an impressive range of Coffee items as well. Vis a vis the ambience, we couldn’t help noticing that the lights were pure white and a bit sharp but maybe it goes with the minimalistic appeal, I’m not too sure.

PFA the important pages of the menu below 😛

COFFEE

For our drinks we went with a Cold Chocolate and a Mocha Espresso.

The Mocha Espresso was especially delicious with a solid chunk of chocolate inside. Brownie points to the waiter for advising me to mix the coffee with the chocolate before consuming!

Starters

Nachos and Dips Sampler

This was an interesting tasting. The nachos were freshly made and we had a big sigh of relief that it wasn’t store bought doritos masquerading as nachos as is often the case in Chennai joints. The green dip in the back had a smoky eggplanty flavour and was my favorite! The sour cream dip was good but nothing extraordinary, the third one is a bit sweet and pineapple flavored and grows on you over time and is the funkiest of the lot. The red sauce is the classic chilli/ schezwan type sauce which will definitely be a crowd pleaser.

Habanero Chilli Toast

Inhouse Vegan Bread, habanero Chilli, Tager cheese blend, Jalapenos and ketchup.This was my friend’s favorite and looked and ate quite well! I personally would have loved a bit more spice but overall a very solid dish.

tacos

Tortillas, oriental paneer, bell peppers, pickled onion, sesame , lemon wedges and sour cream

We were leaning towards panko fried cauliflower filling for our tacos, however the waiter suggested that we give the oriental paneer a try. The textures and the taste was definitely very interesting. The sauce was black soy based. It definitely was an oriental mexican fusion but I personally prefer more classical combinations.

Overall, we had an excellent time in Tager. The food was good , the service was excellent and the ambience was good also. I would definitely recommend this place.

Valsi by Zilicious : Simply sambastic!

Photo credits: A.P.Srimathi

After trying out Hickies by Zilicious the last time around, my family and I had officially become Zilicious converts. Then we got to know that more than continental, south indian was the brand’s forte. We just had to try it!

The menu reflected that it is a more hardcore non vegetarian place. My family being more vegetarian, we tried more veg food. It was still awesome lol. Let’s take a brief look at their menu

Samba Biryanis

I have to admit here that becoming a biryani veriyan in Pune has made me more of a basmati enthusiast rather than a samba fan. Yet the chicken and paneer biryanis had the masalas blended so fine that i completely forgot my initial apprehensions. Shout out to the salna with capsicum in it! It was a surprising mvp. Usual accompaniments to biryani are made so thoughtlessly. but the raita and the capsicum salna deserve a special mention for perfectly complimenting the biryani without overpowering!

Kozhi kari Biryani

Paneer Biryani

Palkatti pattani urundai aka paneer peas balls

These little fingers of heaven (:P) just melt in your mouth. I liked the fact that they underlined the texture of paneer rather than kill its flavor and texture by making it taste like something it is not!

MUSHROOM SUKKA

Mushroom sukka

They were so yum and flavor packed that i was convinced that it was mutton and it was sooo convincing that my mother refused to eat it Lol ( they also mistakenly labelled it as mutton 😛 still doesn’t take away from the fact that it REALLY tasted so meaty and umami for a veg dish)

Elaneer Panacotta / Tender coconut panacotta

Hands down, the best dish of the day! We are a family which doesn’t eat any sweet but chocolate. I especially detest sweets. but this tender coconut panacotta was just PERFECT. Just the right amount of sweetness, with a slightly bitter caramely flavor. and the jelly like texture was on point. I would happily have this dessert every day of the week.

I really enjoyed Valsi by Zilicious. It is the perfect place to order a family dinner. None of the items felt oily and that is a huge achievement for a south indian place. I would go on record and say it is a safe bet for a comfy family dinner.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review

Hickies By Zilicious : A Food Review!

Hi Guys. Been a looong time! Chennai is in the middle of a strict lockdown, thanks to an intense second wave. But no virus or circumstance will make me overlook my hunger for good, yummy food and my search this week led to a restaurant called ‘Hickies by Zilicious’.

So Disclaimer. I came to know of this place because it is owned by my dad’s friend. However I was not sponsored in any way to make this post 😛

The restaurant is opened in Nungambakkam and available on Zomato.

So let’s take a look at the menu

Cheap, affordable and incredible variety! We decided to go with a fried mushroom ravioli, Fungo Di Mais Pizza and a chicken Shawarma.

Fried Mushroom Ravioli

The Ravioli themselves were pocket dynamites full of flavor. They were creamy cheesy and had an umami kick thanks to the mushroom and were the perfect appetizer to start the meal. However, maybe it was because it was delivered but the fried vadam like thingies weren’t very crunchy and just ruined the focus from the dish. But, overall a very yummy starter.

Fungo Di Mais

Next was the Fungo Di Mais pizza which had parmesan, thyme, corn , mushroom and cream toppings. Firstly, I would like to point out that when i actually ordered this (which was like a few weeks before the date of the review) the menu mentioned that it served 2-3 people when in reality it served only 1-2 people. But i was pleasantly surprised to see that the said description has been removed from the menu now.

The Pizza itself was delicious. It tasted like a marriage between a white sauce pasta and a thin crust pizza – and for our family it was a match made in heaven ( I am aware that it is not everyone’s cup of tea though) The Vertical shape of the pizza and the unique packaging it came in also added to the allure and paying Rs.210 for this pizza is just a steal for it’s quality!

Chicken Shawarma

Finally, came the dish of the day for me. I didn’t honestly expect to taste such a flavorsome shawarma from this place! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the toppings were all an explosion of flavor and the quantity was very good and I was super full and satisfied after having the shawarms :’)

Overall, I would say the food really impressed me and I would love to try more items of the menu and visit the actual restaurant once the lockdown restrictions ease in the near future! 🙂

Let’s talk Bigg Boss Tamil!

After not writing an article/ opinion piece for over a year, I am finally going to write one! On a topic which is considered ‘cringe’ by most of the watching population yet the numbers state otherwise. I am going to write on Bigg Boss Tamil .

This is the cue for those who don’t like it to quietly close the link and walk away. This is not going to be a piece where I defend the merits of the show. By this time you either like it or hate it. I don’t consider it scripted but I do feel that the content is manipulated by the production team wherein they give tasks to either bond the housemates or cause problems – depending on what they feel is necessary for the show’s viewership.

Where do I rate this current season?

Well, Season 1 was in hindsight the most genuine one as the  contestants came in with little or no clue as to what to expect. They came in because Kamal was hosting the show , they played the tasks well, didn’t know much about how they would be portrayed on TV and most of them (Gayathri, Julie, namitha etc.) paid the price with their reputations being maligned temporarily. It also gave unprecedented fame to Oviya who at one point was getting crowd pull like mass film stars who have acted over 50 films. While, it can be argued that she hasn’t utilized this fame to its full potential – Oviya still makes cameos and news by her mere presence thanks to Bigg Boss. This season also throws light on the fact that while there is a temporary spike in fame and glory, your career still depends on the choices you make thereafter. Harish Kalyan and Raiza have made the right career choices and the results are there for all to see. A highlight of this season post oviya was the spirit of game upheld in tasks wherein the games were played with a high level of commitment and involvement by contestants like Arav , Snehan , Ganesh Venkatraman and even wildcard & returning contestants like Suja Varunee and Harathi.

Season 2 was a misfire for many. The season went wrong in the casting itself where a lot of dominant, ‘angry’ contestants were selected. The result of which most tasks ended in chaos and mayhem and negative energy. This was the season where the ‘Hindi’ biggboss model of doing tasks were frowned upon by the viewing public here.

Personally, I felt this season had the best tasks and my favorite contestant – Yashika who killed all her tasks with elan and the strategies and mind games were a treat to watch. In the end, the angry bird season ended with the calmest amongst them all – Rithvika running away with the title- for simply making the right points at the right time.

Season 3 was the worst in terms of tasks. There is literally no memorable task I can think of in hindsight. However, the contestants won the heart of the public! Sandy and his ‘gang’ (which was a good word back then) provided wholesome entertainment.

There were 3 separate love tracks ,a house filled with ‘youngsters’ , lots of emotional drama ( RIP Losliya’s dad) , Parrys Corner fights thanks to Vanitha 😛 and overall it was very compelling to watch and I think it’s gonna be very hard to beat this season in terms of sheer viewability!

Coming to the current season, it seems to be mixed bag of sorts. We are approaching 50 days and still there are 16 contestants crowding the house. The placement of the show in the festival season has made evictions redundant and ‘celebration’ omnipresent. However, the contestants seems to be at loggerheads from day 1. There seems to be 2 gangs and 3 ppl who don’t belong anywhere. Everyone seems to have their flaws and strengths. Aari , Ramya, Rio , Bala , Som/Gaby/Ramesh seem set for the finals unless some big twist happens. The show should be blamed for introducing 3 wildcards in the first 5 weeks! Idk how they are going to have only 5 finalists in the last week unless there is a double elimination ASAP. This season can at most trump season 2 to become 3^rd rank unless something drastically changes. There is no clear winner which is a great thing as it won’t burden the ‘favorites’ ( Let’s call it the Darshan’s curse)

However, this season does have the most diverse set of 16 people, which is probably why they are finding it hard to gel. You don’t know who is going to fight who in the coming weeks and let’s face it – the viewing public don’t want a ‘safe’ season 1 now. They want a fight every 3 minutes and yet blame the contestants when they fight. They call the episodes where things are quiet and comedic as boring. By the way they includes me too 😛 This season only works if a red card situation arises every 2 minutes. Let’s grab the popcorn and enjoy shall we!

I’m ready to write on BB topics in a more full fledged manner if I get a good response or else I’ll just stick to twitter 😛

Which was your favorite season of BB tamil so far? Share your thoughts in comments below

5 Non Fic books you need to read this quarantine.

The Lockdown is here to stay for a while. If your are a history lover, non fiction buff or a book lover in general- fear not! Our in house history/politics lover has crafted a great book recommendations for you .

 About the Guest Author

NIRMALKUMAR MOHANDOSS: 

A multifaceted, shy chap with a sad excuse for sense of humour. An advocate by profession, with a wide range of interest. Never says no to try something new. Swears by tea (incapable of swearing otherwise :P). Usually found with his musical instruments, books, or his equally crazy bunch of friends. Can be contacted on nirmalkumar.m.law@gmail.com

So get yout beverage of choice and sit down. Tada! heregoes the List….

1. INDIA AFTER GANDHI:

India after Gandhi (IAG) is the best bet for any lover of non-fictional works, particularly of history and politics. By and far, IAG is the most extensive book on contemporary Indian history starting from India’s independence, with a brief introduction to the interim Government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the partition and the merger of princely States. The author, Ram Chandra Guha’s style of narration makes the book very interesting and simple to read. Most information given in the book is backed by authenticated sources without any political leanings and inclination. This is the most favourite of all my books which also personally changed my perspective and outlook of Indian history politics.

2. MAGNIFICENT DELUSIONS: PAKISTAN, THE US & AN EPIC HISTORY OF MISUNDERSTANDING:

Magnificent Delusions (MD) is an excellent narrative of the Pakistan – US relationship written by Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistan ambassador to the US. The author is known for advocating Indo-Pakistan friendship making him notorious among the Pakistan’s fundamentalists and right wing advocates. This book goes through the historical relationship between Pakistan and US marked by several important Cold War events like the U-2 mission and CENTO. This narration is also backed by authenticated sources. Moreover, the author presents first hand information and his own expert opinion in his experience as a Pakistan diplomat, also considered a close aid of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. MD definitely helps the readers to understand a Pakistani’s perspective of Indo-Pakistan and Pakistan – US relationship and also exposes the hypocrisy of Pakistan and US polity & foreign relations. Interestingly, the author is currently in the US, facing death threats back in his hometown.

3. AN ERA OF DARKNESS: THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA:

An era of darkness (AED) is one of the most read books written by Thiruvananthapuram MP, Dr. Shashi Tharoor. Unlike his usual sophisticated language, this book employs an easy-to-read language. This book is a culmination of thoughts & research after the author’s famous oxford speech on ‘Does Britain owe an apology?’.  AED presents the black days of British colonial rule of India which according to him pushed the region to one of the most poorest at the beginning of the twentieth century.

 

4. THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER:

The Accidental Prime Minister (APM) is written by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s close aid Sanjaya Baru who was his media advisor between 2004 and 2008. The author’s first hand information and his experience as a journalist definitely helps him give a gripping narration of his stint as a media advisor, MM Singh’s thoughts & perspectives, the PM’s relationship with other Cabinet Ministers & constituents of UPA (other than Congress), and most importantly the PM’s relationship with Party Chief and Chairperson of National Advisory Council, Sonia Gandhi. This daringly unapologetic book tarnished Manmohan Singh’s image though the author tried to portray him as his inspiration. APM also contributed in a small way to the NDA’s massive victory in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

5. MEIN KAMPH:

Mein Kamph (MK), written by Adolf Hitler was so popular that it even helped the author initially grab power democratically. This led to a massive change in German politics, even changing the face of International relations leading to the World War – II.  MK comprises of 2 volumes, the 1^st one being a narration of Hitler’s personal life and the 2^nd one, his political views. The 1^st volume is very interesting while the 2^nd volume is largely repetitive & deliberately extensive. Later research articles showed that most information in the book were historically incorrect directly buttressing the author’s political ambitions. However, MK is distinct in so far as it laid down the foundational stone to a political change that led to a massive World War.

 

So what is your favourite non fiction book? Share your views and thoughts on the comments below.

8 shows to tide you over the lockdown

With a plethora of options on what you can watch to simply pass time during the lockdown , we have decided to intervene and make your job of doing nothing easy. Simply watch the shows we recommend!

And who else to give us these recommendations than our favourite Misalsaab, who you can find under the handle name @millennial_review on instagram.

1. Fleabag (Amazon Prime) 

Probably the best show of 2018, Fleabag has a top tier writer/actress at the top of her game and goes so effortlessly from funny to sad to funny again it’s a wonder it even works. Season 1 is great but S2 is where it really shines so be patient . Available on Prime.

2. Sex Education (Netflix)

The second season had a weird off tone opening but if you stick with it, it gets way better and is as satisfying as the first one. SE has a talented young cast, some good writing and is definitely one of Netflix’s most charming shows.

 

3.  Succession (Hotstar) 

One of the best shows about the obscenely rich, Succession has tight dialogue, solid camera work and a twisty script and feels like watching a good play with great actors. It’s a bit heavy with corporate lingo and is a silent show overall so be careful watching when you’re sleepy. Available on Hotstar.

 

4. The Mandalorian (Hotstar/Disney+)

If you’ve never seen Star Wars and want to get what the memes are about you actually can watch this show anyway but it won’t pack the same punch. If you’re a Star Wars fan this is a no brainer you have to see it. It’s not the best show around but it’s still very watchable and very short. Available on Hotstar/Disney+.

5.  The Boys (Amazon Prime)

It’s violent, sweary, horrible, fun and feels a lot like a Tarantino piece. Most of the lead actors are great and you can’t really predict too much of the plot so overall definitely worth watching. Not gonna lie I’d forgotten about Amazon Prime for a while until this released.

 

6.  The Witcher (Netflix) 

It’s not Game of Thrones if that’s what you’re expecting but it’s surprisingly decent and enjoyable when the confusing timeline makes sense. Also has a LOT of unnecessary nudity.

7. The Morning Show ( Apple TV / Popcorn Time) 

Despite being a bit cliché this has a surprisingly tight script and never became overly melodramatic when it easily could have. Subject matter is handled decently enough plus supporting cast is really strong. Also kinda sad how not enough people are watching this despite the big name actors. Available on Apple TV.

 

8.  Mindhunter (Netflix) 

Easily in the top 5 shows on Netflix, both seasons are tense, well acted, well directed and walk a balance that most cop shows can’t do without becoming too cheesy or too boring. I don’t binge but this show made me want to.

 

So what shows do you like? You can share them in the comments below. More the merrier right!

 

 

 

 

 

The Chiefs of Seattle Grace – Grey Sloan Memorial over the years

Is greys Anatomy still going on? 

This show isn’t cancelled yet? 

If you’re saying these things , this post isn’t probably for you. So BYE! Also if you haven’t caught up with all the 16 seasons there will definitely be a few spoilers. So carry on at your own risk.

Grey’s Anatomy for fans is not just a show but a way of life. We watch and re watch till we shout “SOMEONE SEDATE ME!” like Poor Ol’ Yang.

So I put up a post on this famous Grey’s Anatomy facebook page “Grey’s anatomy Humor”, asking who according to them were the best and worst chiefs (of surgery..duh) to grace the halls of Seattle Grace , Seattle Grace Mercy West and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital over the years. After reading over 141 comments I found it fit to make a listicle out of the same 😀 So I am not going to make a rankings list of the chief ( I  an not looking for controversy here :P) but instead make a chronological list of all the chiefs ever and list their pros and cons so here we go.

1. Chief Richard Webber –    Seasons 1-6 +7                                                                                                        Always the best man for the job. First black male chief of the hospital, his reign took the hospital to glorious heights . The man hasn’t been Chief since Season 8 and people still call him the Chief.

   

   cz  he the chief!

Pros – His calm and inspiring mentorship. He is the prime mentor of Derek Sheperd , Addison Montgomery , Preston Burke , Meredith Grey , Miranda Bailey and the list goes on and on. Every doctor on the show has been mentored or been motivated by him at some point. Will never forget him giving confidence to Amelia in Season 11 when she freaked out about the Hermann tumor and told her she was as good as her brother and motivated her to pull off the impossible. Another particular incident which stuck with me was during the infamous LVAD inquiries of Season 2 , when Yang asks him how to separate the personal from the professional and give up her friends – he would not let her. That to me defined the man. He doesn’t see doctors as robots but as caring humans with a heart. Which is what sets him apart. This is further proved in the infamous Season 13 Minnick storyline.

Cons – Well once Seattle Grace falls to 12th rank in Season 5 he goes a bit nuts and starts drinking. This makes him take many questionable decisions like firing Callie and Izzie ( the one time she could have been let go unpunished) , clipping a man’s bile duct and the merger.  He also tends to give slap on the wrist punishments for grave errors like cutting LVAD wires , operating with  tremor in the hand and messing with clinical trials.

 

2. Derek Sheperd –                                                                                                                                      The brilliant neurosurgeon with a god complex moved all the way from New York for the chief position only to realize that he was totally unsuited for the job and that he would rather operate  than administrate.

Pros – Not many. Him introducing conferences where surgeons discuss their complex cases was interesting and very Derek. Looked very good in chief’s formals

Cons – The whole Gary Clark saga. Also if you really hate the job does it even matter if you’re good at it?

 

3.  Owen Hunt –                                                                                                                                               An unlikely candidate for the job , Owen Hunt really stepped it up and was responsible and unassuming chief who got the job done. However , his tenure coincided with the time when he was being terrible to Cristina for having an abortion . So that didn’t help in making him likable

Pros – Carried his power lightly. The softball episode was a good team building exercise. His sincerity shines through in his handling of the rape victim case as the chief and when the hospital was going through bankruptcy. Bringing April back and mentoring her.

Cons- Well he did sign the papers to hire a cheaper helicopter which led to THAT plane crash 😥

 

4. Mark Sloan                                                                                                                                                       He was only chief for a day , as expected he threw his weight around but finally learnt enough to end the day with positive outcomes.

Pros – Beef with the chief lunch sessions , annoying Derek and finally listening to Webber

Cons – Disrespecting Bailey and Richard initially and throwing of the power.

RIP Mark ❤

 

5.  Miranda Bailey –                                                                                                                                                             Poor Webber was always holding his spot for Bailey to take over and now she has made him regret it multiple times.  She took charge as the Chief in Season 12 and proved immediately that she was something of a … dictator. However , she is someone who always has a vast vision -what with all the genome labs , hyperbaric chambers , mood rooms and remodelling of the hospital. If only she loosened the reins a little.

Pros – Investments in technology . Being Bailey at the end of the day – She knows everything. Sh cares deeply about the hospital. Realised her mistake about the Minnick method at the end of season 13 . Hosted the cool research competition and is generally very competent. I also liked she suspended Ben for cutting open a women’s stomach

Cons- Dictator at her worst. She tries to not listen to Webber a bit too much and lets Catherine Avery play her Eg. Minnick saga. Her firing of Alex , Webber and Grey is just dumbfounding. I mean who fires 3 departmental heads at the same find? especially when 2 of them only abetted. Her jealousy towards Alex Karev who did a better job than her.

 

6. Alex Karev –

                                                                                                                                        Who would have thought that evil spawn from season 1 would turn out to be chief one day? :’) After the initial roadblocks he turned out to be an awesome chief!

Pros – Totally rocked it by delegating effectively to the interns and apparently showed a good net margin.

Cons – Spending the quarter’s budget in the 1st day 😛

 

Who is your fave and least fave? Please comment below and join the discussion.

 

 

Things to do this weekend

Here is my weekly recommendations on how to live life 😛 Thank me later.

Which Movie to watch?

I am not going to say Black Panther. While it is good , what is excellent is “Three billboards outside ebbing missouri ” . A low on the radar movie , a black comedy cum drama which gives us a fun yet deeep insight on people process pain and how violence begets violence. Frances McDormand , Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson give the performances of their lives and the screenplay is one of the most atrociously delicious things I’ve lived through. If I am not convincing enough maybe the multiple Golden Globes and BAFTAs will convince you.

Activity to do

Ride a Zoom Cycle. Zoomcars has launched an amazing initiative in Pune where you can rent cycles online for Re 1 per hour! It is located in several locations around the city and is a must go for nostalgic-health-environmental-and whattheheckitsjustfun reasons!

Which show to Binge?

The Flash. Hear me out. The first season is one of the most intriguing and fun superhero creations out there. While season 2 was imaginative it took a turn for the dour like Arrow and season 3 was just … let’s pretend like it never happened. However , Season 4 has promised a return to form. Critics have christened it  to be the “Flash Lite” and the Thinker proves to be a better villain than the evil speedsters who just make people moan “Run Barry Run” . Now with an ensemble of Flash , Killer Frost , The Elongated Man and The Vibe ( let’s forget Iris) Team Flash sports one of the most charismatic casts out there. And the makers have given a much needed personality makeover to our Dear Barry Allen. So watch reader watch!

 

Where to eat?

Pandora Gastronomy & Bar , Yerawada , Pune.

I will quietly drop the pictures here , thank you .

1. Citrus Bhel
2. Malabar Chicken tarts
3. Egyptian Fish (Basa)
4. Truffle fries
5. Ghee Roasted Chicken with Malabar Parotta
6. Textures of Chocolate
7. Kaffir Lime Chicken Tikka

And what to read I might ask?

Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

A mixture of Mughal empire and Florence is what you didn’t know you needed in your life till it came along!

“Rushdie weaves magic with his word. A hedonistic mixture of fable and history , I loved Akbar’s mind workings. Was annoyed by the Florence bit and soon fell in love with it and started hating the Mughal bit 😛 It keeps you in with feverish excitement and fantasy till the spell is broken because the enchanter himself got tired by the book’s end. Would have loved to know more about the Mughal dell amore. Still a thundering work from Rushdie which is a history lover’s delight.”

 

 

Onesta Pizzeria : A must try for all food lovers!

Disclaimer : Don’t proceed with an empty stomach. Yummy food pictures ahead!

We were lucky to go grace Onesta Pizzeria in a huge group and try out almost all their dishes. So a detailed review of the same for your perusal.

Right of the bat, Onesta is a very affordable place which serves classy food and it would be a grave mistake to not check out this pizzeria which is situared in Mariplex Mall , Kalyani Nagar. They have unlimited meal options which you should all try out.

Entrees

1. Fish Fingers – Don’t pop it directly into your mouth cz they’re whooping hot! They’re perfectly crispy , could be a bit more seasoned to pop up the fishy flavor of the dish.
2. Bacon wrapped prawns – Exactly as delicious as it sounds. Absolute star of the day , a match made in heaven if you ask me.
3. Crispy chicken with BBQ sauce – Smoky sauce , crunchy chicken equals happy tears. Omg I sound like an advertisement.
4. Assorted bruschetta – Appropriate amount of cheese and toppings makes it a delicious vegetarian option. ( Mushroom , tomato and mixed veg toppings)

All the entrees had around 4-5 pieces. Proper for a meal of two.

Mains

 

1.  Prawn and Ricotta Ravioli – You have a choice of 4 sauces. They didn’t have butter & sage , so we opted for Pink sauce. They also give triple cheese and arrabiata sauces. Delicious and very filling, it had me craving for more.
2.  Ricotta & Minced lamb pocket Pizza –  Perfectly cooked lamb was the highlight of this pizza. Wouldn’t have minded onions or capsicums to break the monotony of lamb and cheese
3. Chicken Lasagna – Adequate for one person. It could have been more flavoursome. The accompaniment veggies were sweet. The garlic bread was really good though.
4. Spinach lasagna – Creamy spinach and cheese makes it every vegetarian’s delight.
5. Chicken Tikka Pizza – Came with a disclaimer of being very hot and spicy. We didn’t think so. However , a good pizza overall
6. Cream of Porcini , Sausages and Jalapenos Pizza – Delivers very well. A star dish through and through. Please try this.
7. Mexican Veg Pizza – Just shut up and take my money delicious. A perfect combination of all things amazing.

 

Desserts

1. Tiramisu – Fluffy , light , every coffee lover’s delight. Could have more quantity but a definite must try!
2. Double chocolate cake – A big piece with distinct layers of chocolate and eggless! Try it out for yourself.
3. Ricotta cheesecake – I went a bit to heaven and came back. Quantity is a bit less though. Ordered three to be properly satisfied.
4. Kiwi Mousse – Kiwi was the star. Very light and fluffy. I’m running out of adjectives here.
5. Chocolate mousse – Was very good but we wanted more.
6. Teddy Chocolate Bun – Chocolate bun shaped like Teddy it was irresistible to not order. However , since we parcelled it home it became too hard and we couldn’t judge the same.

All the desserts are priced from 70-150 bucks. Very affordable good for one person.

Bonus – They gave us a complimentary cheesecake, breads and  tarts!