Full Toss

With menu makeovers and several new eateries,the citys culinary pot is shaken and stirred.

THE last couple of weeks have been particularly buzzing in the city. It has much to do with the new lifestyle destination Elante opening its doors to high-street shopping and fine-dining. While new eateries have been announcing their arrival here every few days,restaurants across the city have also been stirring things up in their kitchens,with some even undergoing menu makeovers. So if you are planning a meal out this weekend,heres how to get started:

Cafe with Conversations:Tucked away on the ground level of Elante is Backpackers Cafe. The ambience is casual,with the interiors displaying a travel theme. With a view of the open kitchen,the place has a warm vibe. The menu is quite similar to the original Backpackers in Sector 9,but there are some new arrivals as well. The emphasis is more on sharing over a meal as the menu packs in combo meals. We liked the community salad bowls,cheese fondue and the super-sized burger meals.

Revisiting Kebab Khan:Theres a thin line that differentiates the cuisine of Punjab on both sides of the border. According to noted Pakistani chef Poppy Agha,its all about the combination of masalas and techniques. Agha was in Panchkula recently to rework the menu at the fine-diner Kebab Khan. Known for its succulent kebabs and meals culled from the cuisine of Pakistans North West Frontier Province,Aghas new menu is a delicious departure from the ordinary. The idea was to explore a culinary synergy between the varied recipes of the two countries, said Agha,who has given the old favourites a more classic touch. An example is the new Tawa Murgh with hints of coriander seeds. This dish was inspired by the Tawa Chargha of Peshawar,and blended with the flavours of Tawa Murgh here. Likewise,the Bhuna Gosht moves away from the traditional khada masala and is a lot livelier with a heady sauce. Change is refreshing, said Agha.

Cheer over beer:Tapping into the current IPL season,chefs at The BelleVista in Panchkula have rolled out a special menu that brings in a variety of chicken wings,kebabs and beer that one can eat while catching the games. Meanwhile,Ooze,the microbrewery in the neighbourhood,has also made changes to its menu. If you liked their earlier batches of Weizen and Dunkel Weizen beers,the American Pale Ale and Pilsner is what you can now sample.

Hot Spot:The food court apart,Elante now also houses the South African restaurant chain,Nandos. In the same way that champagne hails from France and port from Portugal,all true Peri-Peri African birds eye chilli hails from South Africa. The menu is now plumper at the new outlet. The casual restaurant has been designed innovatively and the artwork on the walls by South African artists is a good conversation starter. While the Peri-Peri Chicken we tried was grilled to perfection,a new arrival is the Paneer Cataplana Algarve. Served in an authentic copper dish with Peri-Peri paneer,cataplana sauce,spicy rice,grilled peppers and chickpeas,the mish-mash tastes good. The revised menu also has new appetisers such as spicy mixed olives and roasted vegetarian dips served with pita.