Tag: Ardor 2.1

Nawabi Food Festival @Ardor2.1 with MasterClass by Chef Dinesh Patel

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Ardor 2.1 recently organised a Nawabi Food Festival, serving delicacies of Lucknow & Hyderabad and the highlight of the event was a masterclass conducted by none other than Master Chef India finalist Chef Dinesh Patel.

The Master Class started by the chef preparing Khubani Ka Meetha, which is an authentic Hyderabadi sweet dish. While preparing the dish, chef Dinesh freely interacted with an even more enthusiastic audience, who kept asking different questions to the chef.

Must say that the presentation of the dish was fabulous, and it looked so very tempting that we found it hard to wait, trying it.

After the master class, we all settled for relishing the Nawabi dishes with live Ghazals being performed in front of us, there was an elaborate spread of food and some specially curated cocktails and mocktails to go along with the cuisine.

Laal Mirch Bhuna Chooza and Lucknawi Chaamp were amazing. The mutton chop especially was one of the highlight dishes. Mutton Ki Gilafi Seekh and Mahi Ka Tukda too were amazing, the mutton seekh was tender and juicy and the fish tikka was very well prepared. Mutton Galauti though could have been better. There were options for vegetarians as well like Paneer Tikka Tilla, Chutney Bharwa Aaloo, Hyderabadi Khumb and Nawabi Broccoli.

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Even the main course was delectable. I tried the Nawabi Murg Korma and Tawa Subz, then there was Paneer Lababdar and Dal Sahi Makhmali. The food for sure was good, but I wish the service was a little better, but I give it to Ardor still because I have been there otherwise also and they have never disappointed me. In desserts I had the Dal Halwa and Rabdi and both of them were nice, but I liked the Halwa more.

Drinks were good too and I specially loved the Jaljeera based mocktail, though the original menu had a jaljeera cocktail but I got myself without alcohol and it was fabulous. Aampana and Thandai were good too.

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Like I mentioned though service was a little disappointment this time around, but Suveet’s (the owner) hospitality made up for it and I am sure it will be looked into with immediate effect. We were also given a Sweet Nawabi Gift as a kind gesture by him and I wish him and the entire Ardor team all the best for their future endeavours. I would also like to thank Sachin Sahni and Sonal Mahendru, who organised the event with Ardor, for inviting me to be a part of such an event.

And in the end all I can say is Nawabi Food Festival or No Nawabi Festival, you can surely head to Ardor 2.1 for some lip smacking food anytime during the month and you won’t be disappointed.

Ardor 2.1- Restaurant Review

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

I was recently invited by a blogger friend Vibhav Dwivedi to review this restaurant & bar which has undergone a complete revamping and hence its now called ARDOR 2.1, the next level of food, drinks and even hookah.

The place is spread across two floors, the lower floor being more like a fine dining place and apt for families and bigger groups, also Sheesha is not allowed on this floor. The upper floor that also has a balcony is more like a lounge where one can sit back, relax and chill with friends. This place is ideal for the youngsters. Music, Hookah, Drinks, Awesome Food, what else does one need and hence its just perfect.

For starters we ordered some French Fries, Chicken Caesar Salad, Chatpata Peanuts and Chilly Paneer to begin with. Caesar Salad was nice and crunchy with the lettuce leaves, perfect dressing and big chunks of chicken. Loved the chilly paneer as well, perfectly spiced with big pieces of cottage cheese, this is an all time favourite. And of course needless to say that the peanuts and french fries were good too, though there is hardly any bad that can be done to them. There was a wide variety of mocktails and cocktails to choose from to go along with the array of starters.

Dahi Bhalla Papdi, Non-Veg & Veg Kebab Platter, Crunchy Baby Corn & Mushroom with Dry Chilli, Dragon Chicken, Paneer Tikka, Loaded Nachos, Chilly Chicken Dry and Sesame Fried Fish made for our next set of appetisers. The Crunchy Baby Corn & Mushrooms turned out to be really good. The platters were both good and truly a delight whether for vegetarians or the non-vegetarians. I had more than everything one can ask for. The non-veg platter had an assortment of Ajwaini Machhi Tikka, Tandoori Chicken, Murg Ghazab Ka Seena, Ghosth Seekh Kebab, Murg Tikka Punjabi, Murg Malai Kebab, Murg Reshmi Kebab and Dhaniya Mirch Ka Machhi Tikka.. isn’t that just wow..I mean what more really would you need. Similarly the veg platter had an assortment of Paneer Tikka Ajwaini, Khumb Achari, Bharwa Chutney Wale Aaloo, Hara Bhara Kebab, Dahi Ke Kebab, Tandoori Soya Chaap Punjabi, Paneer Mirch Ke Seekh, Makkai Te Pudine Di Tikki and Tandoori Rani. These platters were sure shot winners and each item of the platter was delectable. All the kebabs and tikkas were very tender and delectable.

Nachos were loaded with beans and salsa and tasted really nice, the sesame fried fish was good too. The dragon chilly chicken was pieces of fried chicken with oodles of black bean sauce. I loved the taste and concept of this dish, but I wish the chicken wasn’t so stretchy. It could surely have been better, because wherever there was less sauce, the chicken appeared too dry to eat. I am sure they can work around this one.Chilly Chicken and Paneer Tikka were great to taste.

Coming to mains, I tried the Pastas, both in Red and White Sauce and they were really done well and I loved it. I also tried the loaded veggie pizza and it too tasted great. I was so full with all this that I had no space to try the Indian mains but going with the overall quality of food I am sure that the Indian main course would be as great and you must definitely try it. I have heard that their Dal Makhani is exceptionally good. For me, I just settled for a Match Kulfi to bring my culinary exploration to a sweet end.

I recommend this place highly and you must give it a try really soon you won’t be disappointed.

Ardor 2.1 Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato