Shubadeep's 4 course Metro Platter at Pronto

This is what Shubadeep, the ubiquitous gourmet wrote while he ate at Pronto Bistro, port Blair in the evening of 18 May, 2019.

soupe; Himalayan asparagus cream soup

It takes you on a journey and experience which remains with you even after it is over. You instantly do not fall in love with the soup, but eventually as you explore further along with the home baked bread, it provides a subtle balance and eventually you begin to like it and once it is over, you wish you had more of it.

The soup is like Chennai. You don not immediately fall in love with it, but as you stay longer, you begin to like its simplicity and yet the basic flavor of the place. Just like the city of Chennai.

seafood; Crayfish tail ceviche, kale & bok choy salad, anchovy mayo

It is an event you got to attend! You immediately fall in love with the looks, burst of flavours and overall aroma. Each and every bite punches amazing soul stirring flavours. It is just perfect!

It is like Mumbai. You just love the city. You love its life. Mumbai is for everyone, rich in flavor. The dish is exactly like the city of Mumbai.

poultry; Chicken has wings roasted, glass noodles, garlic, hot & sour jus

The dish builds an instant connection with you. A dish you would love on a chilly night. It packs a solid punch on your taste buds. The glass noodles amaze you with its complexity in the most subtle way. The Chicken Wings are just Wow! Loud and clear, it announces itself that it is the boss in bold and capital.

Talking of capital, the dish represents the capital Delhi. It is the boss! The city packs a punch in your memories and looks and feels better during winter, just like the Chicken Wings!

dessert; Fig + lime zest baked cheese cake, passion fruit cream

The dessert gives you joy at its first glance. It just makes you smile with every bite. It is the happiest plate, the smoothness, the flavours naturally appealing. Just gives you immense joy.

Speaking of joy, the cheese cake represents the City of Joy, Kolkata. So ethnic, so full of life, just a happy place, sweet just like the cheese cake.

This four course meal should be called Metro Platter.

Andamans is humming "Pronto"

Oh yes! Andamans is going (lady) gaga over  a nifty little eatery called Pronto Bistro. Doors open to Freddie Mercury raising his vocal chords to ''I want to break free!''.. and it is exactly THAT. Breaking free for the Biryani joints in dozens all over Andamans. Breaking free to get a taste of European plus Mix cuisine bang in the middle of the town. Breaking free from dishes dished out at most eateries with Refined flour (MAIDA in Hindi) and MSG ( Monosodium Glutamate) aka aji-no-moto. Pronto conscientiously serves all Pizzas, wraps, witches, burgers and pasta made in-house with only whole wheat. After initial apprehension of 'What it would taste without MAIDA?", foodies young and restless and not so young are thronging Pronto Bistro and thanking the Chef for offering them a healthy alternative. Pronto Bistro offers the works when it comes to food. With an open kitchen, Pronto's Chef and team perform an culinary orchestra right in front of your eyes with the choicest and authentic ingredients to serve you the food that has been missing from your palates until now in the islands. Pronto's visionary choice to take a risk and strike the right balance between tasty and healthy way of cooking is what people are talking about, returning with their friends and rejoicing themselves surrounded by Expressions of Vinci's Mona Lisa by other artists, doodles on the wall, the take on Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, Nautical Charts or the cynosure of all eyes..the little psychedelic scooter cum plant -stand. The industrial look of the Pronto Bistro with pendant lamps breaking the monotony of the space is a welcoming ambiance to behold! Add it to Pronto's pocket-friendly cuisine, you know you are at the right place at the right time--lunch, snack-y or dinnertime. Chef Rahul Gandhi with years of experience around the globe, has chosen these islands to bring about a few definitive changes in the way people perceive their choice of culinary experience. Pronto is his first step towards Breaking Free from the faux biryani conundrum! Hasta Pronto!

Pronto Andamans is Numero Uno

Abosuletly! Pronto Bistro in Port Blair, in just over a short period of its opening, has caught the imagination of one and all. With its inviting Willy Wonka-ish quirky decor, the food cooked in a open kitchen (you can see everything that is being cooked before it arrives on your table) and laid back atmosphere, Pronto is indeed ''numero uno'' when it come to international cuisine in Port Blair. Period! Pronto is not one of those ostentatious restaurant with chic, costly, shiny materials used for their decor, but very very user friendly like they say! Pick a magazine from the mag-holders on the pillars behind the funky scooter with plants sprouting from it, or simply while away with a deck of cards or UNO. If not, just be lost to the retro ''Temple of the King'' or tap your fingers to Drake crooning his naughty lyrics. Oh my Gosh! Are we not talking of the cuisine at Pronto, but skirting about the place and the leaping window bang next to the little black refrigerator? Let us get down to the brass tacks. The food is all of European plus mix like Pronto likes to position itself. On and off the Chef conjures up delicious delicacies inspired for South America, Japan or South Asia. His versatility takes a giant leap of faith, when he fuses Italian, South Korean and Argentinian on a single plate with his Aranchini Fritters with Kimchi and Chimichuri Sauce. His use of a hint of Wasabi in the Coleslaw compliments the Burgers with a dash of flavours exploding in one's mouth. The whole wheat bread. buns, foccacia and biscotti are all baked in-house under Pronto's Chef de Cuisine's able supervision and his bulbous hawk eyes. The Chef's long nose makes sure, not a single flavour or aroma misses out before the dish makes its presence felt on the guest's table. Pronto Bistro is open from 11 AM till 11 PM (last orders are taken by 10.30 PM) on all 365 days. In such a short period of time, one little space with a old scooter as its Emcee and a Chef with method in his madness, has made Pronto Bistro a must visit for locals, travellers, office goers and all who enter to Rock and Roll wafting through the bistro. Welcome to the Numero Uno of International cuisine in the Andamans. Pronto!

Pronto Andaman

Pronto Bistro situated at Goalghar in the heart of Port Blair city is a new eatery (just 2 months old), creating delicious waves in the city. Not only Port Blairians, but foodies from other islands, tourists are flocking to take their taste buds on a roller coaster ride at Pronto. Chef Rahul Gandhi's magical European plus mix dishes are a blockbuster hit with the young and old alike. Pronto uses just whole wheat for its Pizzas, witches, burgers & wraps and conscientiously kept refined flour (maida) outside its doors. Though Pronto dishes veer a little away from the crunch, bite & taste of dangerous Maida, but it makes the food healthier, wholesome & tastier. The thin crust whole wheat pizzas, after attracting the health conscious initially have become the healthier first choice of Pizza loving islanders & tourists. The pastas at Pronto are simply delectable. Using Basil & tomato based sauces only made with authentic herbs it serves pastas in both Vegetarian & Non- vegetarian varieties. All greens and vegetables sourced are organically grown in and around the city. Pronto also makes delicious desserts, again veering off the dotted line by using Jaggery instead of Sugar. Even in its range of cool drinks, sugar gives way to jaggery. Organic coffee is served in a mockapot with jaggery powder and cream on the side. A range of Organic tea pots are also popular here. Coming to salads, Pronto serves all the way winners like the classic Ceasar, tuna, tofu, chevre salads in authentic dressing. Pronto's Seafood range is exhaustive like, octupus, calamari, snapper, tuna, king. jumbo prawns, tiger prawns, crayfish etc., etc. Quail, duck platter and the ever popular Austrian Schnitzel are too top favourites here at Pronto. Beyond-the-menu dishes are also designed by Gandhi like Sushi, duck on glass noodles, calamari/tuna carpaccio etc. on a regular basis.  New desserts like Tarte Tatin, Papa Tango and more are added every other day to the already existing Lola, Creme Brulee, Swaying Palms. Foodies looking for authentic European & International cuisine have already made Pronto a popular destination. Pronto Bistro's wacky decor and casual ambiance is welcoming sign for guests who were tired of waiting for something like THIS to come in to existence in the city that attracts the world.  

Shantaram was right about dogs!

Every household in our Andaman home’s vicinity and beyond have two or more dogs of the local breed. Most do not have a band around their neck. Although they feed and guard separate households, they are free spirits. Running around whole day, enjoying themselves or just relaxing on pathway shades. They run around us joyously drawing large circles, wagging their tails in a friendly waggle. But nights, after sunset and before sunrise, Shantaram alias Lin Baba alias Gregory was absolutely right!

One day I woke up before the early Andaman and Nicobar sunrise, and left in the dark for a jog, knowing well the sun would rise soon. I heard a bark. It was our neighbour’s dog perhaps. Actually the animal was signaling to another dog in another household. Another bark from far, then more barks from all around. The bark-signals alerting one dog after another was a fierce orchestration of barks as I reached the path leading to the sea, with apprehension. As I set my foot on that road, ten dogs from ten corners started lunging at me barking fiercely. By reflex I picked stones and started throwing at them desperately and warded them till I reached the main road. The fight was on. I was sweating even before my jog. Luckily for me, the first town bus came rumbling with the rising sun at the first glimpse of daylight. The dogs left me, but I recognized them. They were all my neighbours, docile and playfully friendly in day time, but a different story in the dark.

After an hour and a half, as I returned, I was carefully looking to my sides for the dogs. But to my pleasant surprise, the same bunch of them greeted me with friendly barks from their households, like I was their chum for a long, long time. I winced.

Now, I wait till the first glimpse of sunlight, before I go for a jog. If I have to go out in the evenings, I try to walk as quietly as possible or I take the scooter.

My DOG!

From Andamans to Nepal & back..

I had heard of Google Earth, but had never used it. Yesterday, I downloaded it out of curiosity, after all the publicity Earth received for dubious reasons of the 26x11 Mumbai attacks. I have never been to Kalamati’s home in Nepal, although I had met with her Mother Purnakala Pun and elder brother Khadak when they were in India. Kalamati was another reason for me downloading Earth, as we plan to visit Nepal in May. She hails from Mehelkuna in the Surkhet District, Bheri Anchal in the south western region of the Himalayan country. From Lucknow to Nepalgunj,, the border town on that side. Then to Chinchu, where the road goes straight up to Birendranagar, and to right it goes to Jajarkot. From Chinchu I came down hill on the Jajarkot road to Ramghat as the beautiful river Bheri appeared in all its glory. On the other side of the river is Dasrathpur. We tunned right along the river without crossing it. After about 5 kms we came to Kalamati’s family home tucked on the slope of the hill watching the road to Jajarkot and the river in front. It was exciting for her and me virtually. Then I flew to Port Blair and reached my new home. But alas! We did not find it, but figured out the land where our house stands now. The pictures were old, but the neighbouring houses and the Park Hotel were visible. It was cool! Out of little dismay at not finding our home, I looked for Sulochana Didi’s home where we stayed as tenants for almost two years. I found it at 4, Patthargudda! I also found the Bhathu Basti Market, the Gas Station, Muthu provision store-- little memories when we lived here and we revisit from time to time. Like the lyrics of Time after Time!

(The bloomer I noticed while I was “VIRTUALLY” at Port Blair, was the existence and mention of two Cellular Jails. One in the right place where it belongs, and one at Prothrapur. Actually, the Prothrapur one in the not the historical Cellular Jail which housed Veer Savarkar and now is a touristic monument, but this one houses the present day law breakers and is simply called Prothrapur Jail.)

Rains, Andamans and little malice

With little malice towards the Andaman & Nicobar Administration..

I have written for newspapers here, like sometimes I did in Mainland. This article appeared on 5th May last year during rains, in a weekly tabloid size English-Tamil newspaper intriguingly named The Bullet of Andaman.
An urgent appeal for boat service at Aberdeen Bazaar and more…
Rains for just two hours, our much loved Aberdeen Bazaar turns into a mini Island. It is one hundred percent true and all of us know about it. Only thing that is missing is a boat service. As the drainage system has gone for a six, the water around the bazar at many places, especially under the footsteps of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a fascinating sight. It looks as if The Mahatma is walking on water. On one side is the imposing white and blue structure where the babus and official do-gooders of our city and municipality are sitting. And on the other side the local head office of the biggest Public Sector Bank in the country busy catering to rows and rows of harried islanders, some so old, who walk with support with their pension slips. Now they too are looking for boats from the bus stop to the bank when it rains.
Well the sight has its positives. It can be advertised on the website of our tourism department to attract more tourists from across the world to live the experience of a rain made temporary island with a Bazaar in the middle. A real town planning masterpiece! As we all know that construction above three floors is not allowed by the authorities, the place being earthquake prone, so we cannot build a Empire State Building or Petronas Twin Towers to show off our greatness to the world, therefore we can promote our mini island Aberdeen Bazaar as a touristic attraction. During rains.
If proper documentation is done professionally, with video footage, power point presentation etcetera , the city could enter this man made living marvel as the eighth wonder of the world. After all most wonders are old monuments,. But our Bazaar is a live, throbbing with activity, milling with people and shops and businesses and banks. It s novelty is a plus on many counts.
As nothing is being done for years to the drainage system, or leveling of roads, we may as well take advantage of the situation. Let us request the great men sitting in the high offices, some across the road in a white and blue building diagonally in front of the Mahatma, to block the remaining drains and gutters around the Bazaar, and try to make it more and more like a real island in the rainy season. Our problem of tourist slump during the rains will be solved once and for all, if we promote this mini island bazaar as the greatest tourist destination. Point to be noted.
An immediate tender call for boat service may be announced. Only glass bottom boats may be allowed, as the tourists can look at the floating, swimming beauties of our gutters. The colourful plastic bags, gutka packets, plastic bottles in many shapes and caps with many colours and much, much more. Man made under water beauty! And yes, some boats may be designed and built like HODIS to give the tourist a Nicobar experience. Doesn’t all this sound cool?
Tenders may also be advertised for nose masks with in built perfume dispensers for the tourists as they may not be able to stomach the wonderful smell permeating from our clogged gutters. This mask may be rented, or sold to tourists who want to take them back to their countries as souvenirs.
Knee length rubber shoes will also be in great demand. Therefore the jobless entrepreneurs may be given loans to start rubber shoe factories as rubber is abundantly found in the islands.
More ideas can be discussed on how to promote this mini island Bazaar, but there is a shortage of space in this issue of The Bullet of Andaman, so let us say goodbye to each other as the Father of The Nation walks on water. If the water is clean enough to touch the Great Man’s feet remains a little mysterious!