Mid – Day, 22nd Feb. 2002.
Society, Curry on, Adda
Fingering the keys on the eve of his film, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, was Pankaj Parasha.
Yes, the man is a gifted keyboardist. It was part of the act at the return of Adda,
located at Culture Curry, adjacent to the famed GOA Portuguesa in Mahim, last night.
Of course, Adda advocate Anuradha Tandon was there, and you saw her usual screaming self.
Who else was there? Satyadev Dubey, Govind Niahliani, laughing photographer Ashok Salian,
Kitu Gidwani, singers Sanjay Maroo and Ila Arun and daughter Ishita, comedian Ash Chandler
and wife Nethra Raghuraman, celebrity chef Sanjeev kapoor who looked like he had come for
the food, not the theatrical and farcical action that started off with a boring
presentation by artist Jehangir Jani.
Incidentally, last night also saw the relaunch of Culture Curry, the South Indian restobar
serving Chettinad, Kerala, Andhra, Hyderabadi, Karnataka fare. Of course, Culture Curry
executive chef Deepa Awchat was there and so too husband Dr. Suhas Awchat, the bossman of
GOA Portuguesa.
The Asian Age, 1st March 2002.
Adda In The Spotlight
Anuradha Tondon of Adda, is back again in the spotlight. She threw a party at the South
India speciality restobar, Culture Curry on February 21.
This much – awaited adda showcased works of Jehangir Jani and a surprise music
presentation by Pankaj Parashar of Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.
The host Dr. Suhas Awchat along with his wife Deepa, made sure that the guests had a taste
of fine balance of art and food. The evening saw a galaxy of celebrities including
filmmaker Govind Nihaliani, photographer Ashok Salian, actress Kitu Gidwani, architect
Nisha Jamwal, songer Anaida, Ila Arun and Sanjay Maroo, chef Sanjeev Kapoor and actor Joy
Sengupta.
Bombay Times, The Times of India, 23rd Feb.2002
Boomtown Rap, Talen spotting:
It was a gathering that had people doing more than just tasting the cocktails and the
starters. Suhas and Deepa Awchat of Culture Curry opened Anuradha Tondon’s adda
session on Thursday night. But there was more than food
that had the crowed buzzing Nearing his latest film release, director Pankaj Parashar
bared his hidden talent – fusion music. Along with his band, he had listeners
spellbound – an audience that included Jayant Kriplani, Ila Arun,
Govin Nihaliani, Kitu Gidwani and Ashok Salian. Time music hitman Sanjay Maroo also joined
the jam session, drumming to enjoy one’s pleasure. Quite hip, quite spicy.
The Indian Express, 23rd Feb.2002
Chatterti – Adda No 1
BACK with a bang giving her back some rest, Anuradha Tondon whipped up great get –
together at Culture Curry, the newly opened South Indian restobar adjoining GOA Portuguesa
on Thursday night. This one’s also run by
Dr. Suhas Awchat and wife Deepa. And Tondon’s den was filled with people who had been
waiting for Adda’s resurrection. “It’s been a year and I had hundreds of
SMSs, mails and phone calls asking me when the Adda will return to action,” says
Tondon. There was Govind Nihaliani with his Deham clan, Joy Sengupta and Kitu Gidwani,
Ashok Salian, atist couple Jaydeep and Seema Malhotra, Satyadev Dubey, Ila Arun,
Ronnie Screwwala, Sanjay Maroo, Anaida, Vijayendra Ghadge, Suketu and Czaee Shah, Anupama
Chopra, Nethra Raghuraman and
the Israeli Consulate General Dov Segev Steinberg. Quite and eclectic gathering. Saya
Tondon about the one – year Adda break,” I was very busy with Channel Nine and
the place was being redone”’ to say nothing of her back problem. But since
she’s now “ready to rock and roll”, she’s being badgered with job
offers from various television
channels and production houses. The offers to start a film school and produce a quasi
– fiction, quasi –reality show have really caught Tondon’s interest.
“But I really don’t know where I’m heading. I’m a bit of a
maverick,” she admits. Now that the Adda power has been unleashed, we’re sure
you’ll figure out soon.
The Asian Age
SIZZLING SOUTH
Most restaurants in the city are about red Schezwan Chicken that reeks of garam masala and
Chicken stroganoff that smells of sambhar. Which is why Dr. Suhas Awchat, a medicine man,
cop, columnist, actor, sportsman...phew! decided to set up an authentic Goan restaurant.
"When I started Goa Portuguesa in 1988, I converted my polyclinic into a restaurant
and I knew that I was taking a big risk. And now it's become really popular and has even
been covered by international publications like the Time magazine," says a proud Dr.
Suhas. He is now all set to treat Mumbaikars with exotic Chetinad cuisine, that's native
to people from Karaikudi, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Culture Curry located right next to Goa
Portuguesa, will serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, flavored with pepper,
cinnamon, clove and other spices that make up the Khada masala, which is what gives the
food a distinct flavor.
"The cooks have been smuggled from Chennai and they are all catering graduates with
over ten years of experience. Which is why the food taste like it's home cooked. We have
toned down the pungency of the dishes to suit the Bombay palate," he explains.
Even before this one throws its doors open to the foodies, plans to set up an eatery that
specialises in food from God's own country, Kerala and Andhra, are in the pipeline. What's
with this South Indian khana obsession? "Because ther's more to Indian food than
tandoori chicken and I want to break this Mughlai monopoly, People may like to taste,
South Indian food but don't know where. With my wife having researched Chetinad cuisine
for ever a year, the expertise of our cooks, the ambience with Carnatic music, the
visitors are going to love the experience at Culture Curry." The Chetinad food
festival starts on the 19th an the restaurant opens on the 26th.
Afternoon Despatch & Courier
Chetinad Cuisine At Culture Curry
TEN years and more after Goa Portuguesa, the flamboyant Dr. Suhas Awchat and his lovely
wife Deepa have extended the restaurant at Mahim to include a new eatery called
"Culture Curry". It serves Cahetinad cuisine, all tinged with the hot and spicy
(but not pungent!) khada masala, distinctly flavored by cloves, cinnamon and pepper.
There's Chicken Chetinad and Chicken 65, which means the chefs know their Dakshin cooking,
and Meen kozhambu, Prawns Varuvai, Mutton Stew, Avail, Urlai Roast, Rasam Semiya Payasam,
Sakarai Pongal.
The chefs' manes are Thyagrajan and Prabhudeva, have you heard anything more Southie than
that! More on the cuisine later.
Mid- Day
SIMPLY SOUTH
WHOS'S the new neighbour of Goa Portuguesa in Mahim? It's Culture Curry. Yes, that's new
venture from Dr. Suhas Awchat and wife Deepa. Tamiliand and others had a taste of Chetinad
cuisine from Tamil Nadu at the pongal food festival that kicked off the launch of Culture
Curry on Sunday night.
The place is filled with vibrant orange and blue hues - kites were also seen marking Maker
Sankranti. The idea is to have a series of food festivals with cuisine from southern
states, like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka, before settling down to a comprehensive
menu. The place opens to the public on Friday. Guests can get a taste of green plantain
masala fry, chicken 65, meen varuval, cauliflower melagu peratti, chetinad chicken, mutton
stew, meen kozhambu, ven pongal, appam, semiya payassam and sarkarai pongal.
Times Of India
DINING out? Try out some interesting Andhra cuisine like Shahi Tukdas, Velnchina Mamsam
(dry mutton), Nizami Mutton and Vazhlaikai Poo Vada (banana flower vada). No need to fly
to Hyderabad to sample some nawabi cuisine. Simply drive down to Culture Curry, the
restobar, for the Andhra and hyderabad Khana Khazana from March 13 to 26.
Feast on some Gongura Chicken curry, Vankal Koora (brinjal curry) and end the sumptuous
meal with the traditional dessert Suyam, prepared by talented chefs smuggled in from
Dakshin, Chennai. Dr. Suhas Awchat and master chef Deepa Awchat invite you to Culture
Curry to eat to your heart's content and leave with a "Wah, nawab" on lips.
Screen
Happenings
Talat Aziz launches Elite privilege cards
Renowned ghazal-singer Talat, Aziz launched Elite privilege cards in Mumbai on January 30,
at hotel Culture Curry-Goa Portuguesa. During the function Aziz regaled those present with
the rendition of his songs from his new album Khubsoorat. At the function, Aneesa
Chaudhari, daughter of Sarod Maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, announced a concert Elite
Khubsoorat Shaam With Talat Aziz, which was held on February 2. Part of the proceeds will
go to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Gujarat, for the earthquake victims.
The Indian Express
Andhra food festival
CULTURE Curry, along with the Goa Portuguesa, is having an Andhra Food Festival till March
26 the Telugu New year. The timings are 12-3.00 pm for lauch and 7.30 pm - 12.00 am for
dinner. Waiters dressed in lungis and hostesses in the typical Pochampali sarees add that
speical touch to the ambience and complete that Andhra look.
Mouth-watering Andhara delicacies like Pappukootu (mix vegetables), Hyderabadi Chicken
Curry, Veinchina Mamsam (dry mutton) and Pulusu (fish curry), and desserts like Shahi
Tokra have been lined up specially for the fest. All the dishes range between Rs 18 and
198. For details contact 444 0202 / 0707.
Bombay Times
Curry House
What has flashy restaurateur Dr. SUHAS AWCHAT of Goa Portuguesa fame been up to?
Well, on Sunday night he revealed his latest creation to family and friends. It's Culture
Curry, a quaint little eatery next door. It was Pongal food festival with Chetinad cuisine
in the house. Guests relished the green plantain masala fry, mutton pepper fry, avail,
chetinad chicken, mutton stew with appam, meen varuval, prawns varuval, a variety of rice
and desserts like semiya payassam and sarkari pongal. Culture Curry officially open on
Friday with the Pongal Food Festival. After that, there will be other food fests with
cuisine from Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka, before the regular menu is complied. And working
very hard to make Culture Curry a success is the doc's wife Deepa.
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