Menu Makeover

The Aroma in Sector 22,which started as a bakery and coffee shop in 1999,has now become a 24-hour food court. While the bakery is being handled by the Nik Bakers chain,the other eateries in the food court include Cafe Coffee Day,Yo China,Sundarams and Cocoberry — all this housed in a comfortable coffee shop ambiance. “Change is always good and the response has been encouraging. We have decided to partner with more brands and make Aroma a one-stop food stop,” says owner Man Mohan Singh,who befittingly launched the all-new Aroma on World Tourism Day,on September 27. Elsewhere,Sanjeev Kapoor’s Yellow Chilli restaurant in Panchkula has been dishing out both Indian and Chinese cuisine. Though the place already draws substantial crowd,alterations have been made in each section of the menu,from the starters to main course and desserts. “There are newer dishes in the Indian menu,which includes a number of seafood dishes,” informs Neha Mahajan of Yellow Chilli,pointing out that the starters now include Paneer Mirch Kadai,Tandoori Broccoli and Tandoori Pomfret. “The vegetarian menu also has new entrants like Mushroom Matar Miloni,Palak Chholey,” adds Mahajan. The main course boasts of Goan fish curry and Kadai Prawns. “With the weather now changing,we decided to go ahead with this menu,” says Mahajan,who recommends the sugar-free Gil-e-firdaus.

“Change in the menu is always welcome,” says city-based restaurateur Vipul Dua,who recently renovated his hotel and opened The Big Ben Cafe and The Peddlers pub. “We have had a successful run with Purple Rice,our Oriental Wok Cafe,but I was eager to offer something unique and different,” adds Dua. The Big Ben,complete with its huge clock and the vibrant Union Jack outside,has a British theme. “I was really keen on an English pub and cafe,as it has not been done in Chandigarh earlier,” states Dua. The menu comprises delicacies from the UK,Scotland and Ireland and the Indian fare.

Customisation,admits hotelier Ankit Gupta,is the need of the hour. “When we decided to give Vertigo,our lounge and bar,a new look,we kept customer feedback in mind,” says Gupta,who kept a section of the lounge unchanged,but re-worked the menu. “Till now there are only exclusive coffee lounges or pub lounges in the city,” observes Gupta. The new additions include coffee and patisserie menu. One can dig into cupcakes,muffins,cheese sticks,brownies and enjoy coffee and tea in different flavours. The added attractions include special combos of a beverage,with array of cookies and muffins.

Cafe Oz in Sector 9 that stirred up the city’s culinary pot by introducing outback delights (read Australian fare),has changed its menu just a few months after opening. “We realised that the names of the dishes were sounding intimidating to the Chandigarh diner,” says the brand owner,Australia-based Dolly Kaur. The changes are not drastic though and several dishes have merely been toned down. Executive chef Ashish Seth points out that the menu has been peppered with Indian flavours and eight dishes from Italy,Middle East,South Africa,Thailand and Mongolia have been introduced. “With winter approaching,we are now considering launching a barbeque menu,” informs Kaur.