Anyone Game? It’s my Sep 2013 Blog! Mickey Micro Cosmos Agaricus bisporus #796, 05/23

[PrincessInOz]

Indian Delights




I do consider myself a citizen of the world; a child of Asia, having 'worked' in Europe and choosing to live in Australia.
And as a child of Asia....Somewhere in my youth and childhood......my memories of food all stem back to the sound of a mortar and pestle at work, grinding down lemon grass, chillies, onions; with the wafty aroma of pungent spices to form the basis of curry paste tickling my nose, daring me to sneeze but not quite. The colours of chilli red, tumeric orange and saffron yellow tease the palette in my mind's eye.



This week, a cousin of mine suggested that we go for dinner on Saturday night. It was to be an early night as both sets of "olds"; his parents and mine decided to join in the familial catch-up.


The place of his recommendation? Somewhere new in the 'burps, purely word of mouth......Indian Delights to tempt us all!
I do not know how my cousin found out about this place as it was nearly the other side of town from where we live. But the food.....well.....it took me right back to the foods - sight, sounds, smell - from my childhood.


The kitchen would have huge woks stir frying constantly; and some of our party chose to try...

Special Fried Rice







Fried Rice Noodles, covered with various proteins, vegetables and smothered with an eggy sauce.







The rice and curries were good...

This plate has the mutton curry, with a brinjal pickle and vegetable curry.








This plate has the dry chicken curry, same condiments. The chicken curry was a little too dry for my liking and consequently, the chicken was overcooked.







DH and I shared in a plate of Samosas, filled with spicy lentils. The pastry was short and crumbly and the filling was perfectly balanced against it. Not too spicy, not too salty.







I ordered the Indian Rojak; a salad with the wonderful spicy sauce made from sweet potato. As with some of the Asian dishes, the sauce is a combination of sweet, salt and acidity. I had no complaints with my meal.







The open kitchen also afforded us a view of the cooks making Indian Roti. Some in our party ordered:

Dosai - a rice flour pancake, usually filled with black lentils served with various curries. They made it right in front of us.....and cooked the batter similar to how crepes are cooked.






Murtabak - Roti Chanai that is filled with various items in the middle. This one was filled with chicken and various vegetables. The curry sauce on the side was delicious!






My cousin did order just Roti Chanai with curry - the bread dough is rolled out flat and then folded over and cooked on a broiler. It comes out similar to a soft doughy version of puff pastry. Not for the faint-hearted....lots of oil involved during preparation and cooking!

Sadly, he sat at the opposite side of the table to me, so no picture.



In the heady smells and sounds that emanated from that kitchen, we were all transported back to being in Asia. And judging from the cacophony from the rest of the clientele of the night, we weren't the only ones tripping down memory lane!



All in all - a great familial, convival dinner night to remember.

[franandaj]

So Bret,
Not hijack PIO's TR, but I only know of one BW near the parks which is the one at West and Katella. Which one is that? Where is the other one? Just curious, I can never picture where you are walking from when you stay at BWAI.

[zanzibar138]

Mmm I feel like Indian for dinner lol! I should know never to read one of your posts when I'm hungry Now to clean the drool off the keyboard...

[franandaj]

That Indian Food looks awesome! I love Indian food, but really have no one that I can eat it with. My best bet is to go to a lunch buffet by myself. I'm jealous that you have people that like to eat that kind of food. You got a wide variety. I'm lucky to go to the take out place and get chicken tikka masala with rice. I love the samosas, pakoras, and all sorts of other stuff! Yummy!

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

I like the Embassy Suites as a chain. They do good breakfast as well; but I thought it was a little far away from the gate. Is it walkable?

They had a shuttle when I was there last that would take you and drop you off...

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

Just checked with DH. Looks like he's going mid October, and the timing doesn't overlap with your trip. I'm not sure I'll be going....it is still during school term time.

Darn....

[dgbg100106]

PIO - The Indian food looks very yummy!

[zanzibar138]

Originally Posted by zanzibar138

Mmm I feel like Indian for dinner lol! I should know never to read one of your posts when I'm hungry Now to clean the drool off the keyboard...

We did end up having Indian for dinner - was yummy too

[mvf-m11c]

The Indian food looks very nice PiO.

Originally Posted by franandaj

So Bret,
Not hijack PIO's TR, but I only know of one BW near the parks which is the one at West and Katella. Which one is that? Where is the other one? Just curious, I can never picture where you are walking from when you stay at BWAI.

There are about 6 Best Western's around the DLR within a mile. As you know Best Western Park Place Inn is the one right across the street on Harbor Blvd right by the crosswalk. Best Western Anaheim Inn which is a few buildings down from BWPPI on Katella. BWAI is right next to Denny's restaurant. There is Best Western Stovall's which is on West Street & Katella Ave. BW Stovall's is right next to Coco's Bakery restaurant. I have stayed at BW Stovall's during the D23 Expo last year and I don't plan on staying there again for this upcoming trip. I am still waiting for good prices at Hilton or Marriott right by the Anaheim Convention Center. I think that is the one you are talking about. There is Best Western Pavilion which is about four buildings down on Katella from BW Stovall's. There is Best Western Raffles Inn and Suite which is past the Toy Story parking lot on Harbor Blvd. And the last one I can think of is Best western Courtesy Inn which is on Ball Road. I have stayed at three of the BW right by the DLR (BWPPI, BWAI & BW Stovall's).

BWAI is right next to Denny's restaurant on Harbor Blvd.

Here is some pics from BWAI


The building on the right hand side of this picutre is Denny's restaurant.




Here is a pic of BW Stovall's where I stayed in 2011 during the D23 Expo.

[PrincessCC]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

Welcome to the Dis....and welcome to my PTR. Really appreciate you stopping in here; particularly if you're going to be there in Oct 2013 as well.

What are your dates?

Thanks. Oct 20 to 26, 2013

[usnuzuloose]

I have never tried Indian food, but it does look good!

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

They had a shuttle when I was there last that would take you and drop you off...

Thanks.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by zanzibar138

Mmm I feel like Indian for dinner lol! I should know never to read one of your posts when I'm hungry Now to clean the drool off the keyboard...

I cleaned the house today. There was a bit of drool on my keyboard too.....
Most of it came from a little Boo Boo.

Originally Posted by zanzibar138

We did end up having Indian for dinner - was yummy too

Glad you enjoyed it!

Originally Posted by franandaj

That Indian Food looks awesome! I love Indian food, but really have no one that I can eat it with. My best bet is to go to a lunch buffet by myself. I'm jealous that you have people that like to eat that kind of food. You got a wide variety. I'm lucky to go to the take out place and get chicken tikka masala with rice. I love the samosas, pakoras, and all sorts of other stuff! Yummy!

Well....if you know of a good Indian place near you, there is always the option of heading there.

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

PIO - The Indian food looks very yummy!

It was very yummy. I was telling some friends about it this morning and they are planning on going to the place this weekend.

Originally Posted by mvf-m11c

The Indian food looks very nice PiO.



There are about 6 Best Western's around the DLR within a mile. As you know Best Western Park Place Inn is the one right across the street on Harbor Blvd right by the crosswalk. Best Western Anaheim Inn which is a few buildings down from BWPPI on Katella. BWAI is right next to Denny's restaurant. There is Best Western Stovall's which is on West Street & Katella Ave. BW Stovall's is right next to Coco's Bakery restaurant. I have stayed at BW Stovall's during the D23 Expo last year and I don't plan on staying there again for this upcoming trip. I am still waiting for good prices at Hilton or Marriott right by the Anaheim Convention Center. I think that is the one you are talking about. There is Best Western Pavilion which is about four buildings down on Katella from BW Stovall's. There is Best Western Raffles Inn and Suite which is past the Toy Story parking lot on Harbor Blvd. And the last one I can think of is Best western Courtesy Inn which is on Ball Road. I have stayed at three of the BW right by the DLR (BWPPI, BWAI & BW Stovall's).

BWAI is right next to Denny's restaurant on Harbor Blvd.

I love eating Asian food of any description....especially if there is spice involved.

Thanks for sharing your pictures of BWAI. I'll definitely consider it; but I have to admit that make your own waffles are very hard to give up.

Originally Posted by PrincessCC

Thanks. Oct 20 to 26, 2013

You're going to be there later than me.

Originally Posted by usnuzuloose

I have never tried Indian food, but it does look good!

Never?

Between you and Alison, we might need to go get Indian if we can!

[PrincessInOz]

Spring is in the Air – The Wattle Festival



If there is one thing is like that seems definite…it’s that time moves on along this continuum that our lives are on.

So it is in Melbourne….that the calendar is kicking over to Spring!



The start of spring is usually marked by the blossoming of delightful little yellow puffs that also herald in the sneez-a-roonies for me.


The Wattle!





And somewhere on the fringes of Melbourne City, is the suburb of Hurstbridge. Hurstbridge has held the annual Wattle Festival in its village for as long as I can remember…..it has always been the harbinger of spring to me.





The Wattle Festival? Lots of entertainment…


















There are also lots of stalls of all descriptions….














..and things to buy.















I love the vintage and not so vintage transport that is so much a part of the Wattle Festival.



















We always get a ride on the steam train.






It always takes me back to a by-gone era.










(Continued in next post)

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from previous post)


I know. I know. You’re really here for the festival food porn.


There were lots of stalls everywhere….











They even packed them down side-streets!












My lunch!







No, I didn’t eat that pan….this serve was more like it.







Our afternoon tea was scones with jam and a lovely pot of tea. It might be nearly spring; but it’s still cold here.








And the sweet stuff?





































Enjoy!