MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Norling Restaurant : Highway on My Plate, McLeodganj

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Hey Everyone! Tashi Delek!

It’s time for the much awaited “travelling updates” and stories of my recent voyaging! Hope you all are as excited about it, as me?

I begin my “virtual tour” of our 20 days and 6 cities trip to India by talking about FOOD! (Yup, once a foodie, always a foodie!)
Well, we kick started our journey by parking our taste buds at a “small wonder” called Norling Restaurant located in McLeodGanj, which is a quaint-little suburb in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Also known as “Little Lhasa” or “Dhasa” (a short form of Dharamshala used mainly by Tibetans) – it is the headquarters of The Tibetan government-in-exile and official residence for His Holiness Dalai Lama. Known worldwide as a destination for ecotourism, meditation and spiritual studies McLeodGanj for sure is more than what meets the eye! It’s a foodies’ paradise too!

Known as one of the BEST places to devour authentic Tibetan food in entire India, as recommended in the “renowned” TV program Highway On My Plate, Norling Restaurant, hence seemed just fitting to be at and explore. Located in the corner of the downtown market, it’s a nice “cozy” place to try out Tibetan cuisine. Nothing upscale or fancy – just plain, simple “delicious” food!

Food/Drinks ordered –  A bowl of THUPKA, a Chicken THENTUK NGOPA or ” Tso-Menphen”, a single TINGMO, and spinach MOMOS washed down with KOMBUCHA SYMBIOTIC DRINK in Hibiscus and Mint Rosemary flavors.

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Delectable “THUPKA!” aka “fully loaded” Tibetan noodle soup.
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MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

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Hey everyone! I hope y’all are going great!

I am back again with my sightseeing antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints! *woot woot*

Another weekend, another great find! This time, our “hunt” for vegetarian food in Memphis, got us to another “amazing” burger place – called the Hopdoddy Burger Bar! Yes, you heard me right, HBB is in Memphis! For foodies like us (Me and my Huz) this was an opportunity that we grabbed at, with both our hands and forks. Well, to be honest, burger + bar in one sentence did the trick for us and there we were, binging!
Brain-child of Villavaso and his longtime business partner Larry Foles, Hopdoddy Burger Bar aims at crafting a social experience where guests could wait in the line with a locally crafted beer or frozen margarita in hand as their burger is created in front of them. *shibby, right*
The name Hopdoddy is a combination of hops, a key ingredient in beer making, and “doddy,” a Scottish nickname for cows. This combination of beer and beef has garnered a lot of attention in six years, and HBB has being named one of the “Best Burgers in America” by both Food & Wine and Every Day with Rachael Ray. With a “scratch-kitchen” where every burger is ground fresh to order and all buns are baked from scratch on site, to only antibiotic- and hormone-free meat usage and a full bar in every location – Hopdoddy Burger Bar is more than just a regular burger joint.

Food/Drinks ordered –  LA BANDITA BURGER, THE IMPOSSIBLE BURGER with a few glasses of SPARKLING PAMPLEJOUSSE (Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit, Torres ‘De Casta’ Rosé, Rhubarb)and 3 WHISKEY L.I.T (Jameson, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Camarena Reposado, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, Cola, Lime).

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Up, close and personal – LA BANDITA BURGER!
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MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Blues, Brews & Burgers

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Hey everyone! I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend?

Here we go again folks – I am back with my sightseeing antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints! *woot woot*

Another weekend, another great find! Well, being vegetarians (periodic Pescatarians) it’s kind of tough to find out an eating place that caters to our ways in Memphis specially since it is known as “The Barbecued Pork Capital of the World!” and hence, we are always coursing around, looking for a joint that suits our taste. This time, our “hunt” got us to another “amazing” burger place – called the Huey’s!
Founded in 1970 by Alan Gary, Huey’s has been voted for “Best Burger” by Memphis Magazine every year since 1984! It has also been voted as “Best Pub Grub” and for “Best Beer Selection” in Memphis Magazine’s Readers Restaurant Poll. Famous for its “Huey Burger,” the chain operates 9 locations spread across the city! Well yes, it was a “must-do” in our “bingeing” list  and I am so glad that we were able to witness the “deliciousness” first hand!

Food/Drinks ordered – FRIED MOZZARELLA CHEESE STICKS (served with marinara sauce) , CHEESE TOTS WITH SCALLIONS, one VEGGIE – WORLD FAMOUS HUEY BURGER with FRIES, one SHRIMP PO-BOY and a few glasses of MIMOSAS.

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VEGGIE – WORLD FAMOUS HUEY BURGER with FRIES – Laden with mayo, lettuce, tomato, mustard, pickle, onion & cheddar or Swiss cheese on a buttered, toasted sesame seed bun.
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MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Last Burger On Earth!

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Hey everyone! I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend?

It’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Ah, the scorching summers!!! *huffs and puffs*
Well thankfully the “Weather Gods” took some mercy and it rained this weekend, instilling in us a desire to step out of our homes and spend some quality time canvassing the city, which obviously included FOOD! And look what we found – a place called – LBOE aka Last Burger On Earth!

WINNER (in the burger category) at the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama, with competitors from 43 states and 14 countries competing in the various categories – LBOE was for sure, on top of our “to-visit” list and I am glad that we were able to witness the “deliciousness” first hand!
Home of the best burgers in Memphis, LBOE is known to serve up burgers the old-fashioned way – using fresh, never frozen ground beef and turkey, and the highest quality veggie patties and infusing a modern twist with some great flavor combos.  Hand made to order, the super succulent burgers at LOBE are indeed one of the yummiest burgers that we’ve ever had! *slurps*

Food/Drinks ordered – EL DIABLO BURGER (spicy as hell!), MUSHROOM MELT BURGER with FRIES, a pack of LOCAL CHIPS and ICED TEA.

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EL DIABLO BURGER – Pepper​ Jack cheese, sauteed habanero, Serrano and Jalapeno peppers, avocado ranch, lettuce and tomato.
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MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Date At Babalu

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Hey everyone! I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend?

It’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Thanks to the weather and the “allergies” and the “allergens” – it’s been pretty “sickly” this side! *coughs and sneezes*
And then thankfully, The Mother’s Day hype happened! (We had to find a reason to break away from the hypersensitivity mode!) For foodies like us (Me and my Huz) it was a perfect day to overlook the “flurry of pollen”, ignore the malady, dress up and celebrate!

Being vegetarians (periodic Pescatarians) it’s kind of tough to find out an eating place that caters to our ways in Memphis specially since it is known as “The Barbecued Pork Capital of the World!” and hence, we are always coursing around, looking for a joint that suits our taste.
Known for it’s GUACAMOLE that is made right at your table side (talk about freshness!), yummiest tacos, creative tapas and abundant veggie options – Babalu Tapas & Tacos seemed just right to be at and explore!

Babalu is the brainchild of successful restaurateurs Bill Latham and Al Roberts. Their latest concept – upscale Latin-inspired cuisine, was born out of the love and respect for food and for music genres such as the guaracha, cha-cha, and Latin jazz. Understanding that music unites and energizes people and is a common inspirational thread, they quickly realized they were on to something. They named their new restaurant concept Babalu, in honor of composer and singer Miguelito Valdes, a.k.a. “Mr. Babalu” and after the signature song of the television character Ricky Ricardo, played by Desi Arnaz in the television comedy series I Love Lucy and the rest as they say, is a “delicious” history!
With a slogan that goes like – “Yours. Mine. Ours. Food Worth Sharing®” – This place is all about sharing of great food, sharing of great service, and sharing of great times!

Food/Drinks ordered – GUACAMOLE , BLACKENED SCOTTISH SALMON TAPAS which are “Chef-Inspired Small Plates” , VEGETAL TACOS , a BLACK BEAN BURGER, washed down with a few glasses of MOJITOS!

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Gucamole – Hass avocado, sun-dried tomato, red & green onion, kosher salt, cilantro, lime juice & served with their house chips.
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MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Tsunami In Memphis

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Hey Everyone! Happy FRIYAY!

Well, it’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Thanks to the “not-so friendly weather” and “busy work-life balance” I have been all in-doorsy and hibernating, saving up on much-needed body warmth and eagerness! But when it is your 2nd Marriage Anniversary, you dress up, look your dapper best and step-out! And where do you go? Somewhere fancy! Someplace alluring! (Hint! Hint!)

Best Seafood, Most Creative Menu, Best Chef, Best Restaurant! Yes, that is Tsunami for you and that’s where we went to commemorate our wedding anniversary! (Oh yes, when your hubby takes you out for dinner at one of the best restaurants in town, you FLAUNT!)

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