I love folk tales and also love food
stories, so when I got an invite from FBAI for Food-bloggers meet at China Bistro
with the promise of listening to the stories about terracotta army of the first
Emperor of China, King Qin Shi Huang, I couldn’t refuse.
The story starts at the entrance
itself where two terracota warriors at the gate and one at the door welcomes you
at the entrance.
The interior of the China Bistro at
Worli (they have four branches spread across city of Mumbai) is very appealing
with chinese paintings on the walls, and the restaurant divided into sections
of different shapes and sizes for private dining experience.
I was guided to a well-lit room, big
enough to seat 12 people, table arranged with great precision so that one could
identify the non-vegetarian and vegetarian from a gold and silver ribbons wound
around folded napkin.
The story, as was narrated by
Mr.Nikhil, (the party host), was about Chinese Warriors, who tended to be more
romantic and had distinct personality as influenced by Confucianism and the same
reflected in the way they ate. Their food had earthy flavors that possessed the
resemblance to their charm, strength and indignation with the use of spice and
local meats. Like their King, they protected their recipes too. China Bistro believes
that terracota warriors came to protect these recipes like they protected him
in his afterlife, behind his grave.
The secret unfolded as the colorful
drinks made their appearance at the tables. I had ordered ‘Watermelon and Basil
Mojito’ that I sipped throughtout the meals, crunching on the soft watermelon pieces
in between meals. There was a great variety of drinks (Cucumber and Wasabi
Mojito, Green Apple and Basil Margarita, blue-moon Martini, Raspberry
Mojito,etc and each catered to individual’s palate. Bellini seemed to be the
favorite of all (I took just one sip out of curiousity ) and was on our table
discussion for the longest time.
I am still relishing on the taste
palate that had stumped me on that day. (Okay, I am still drooling) When there
is a large variety to choose from, one is confused on which ones to linger on.
it is advisable to just take a spoonful of each. We often forget that and start
devoring all the dishes in large quantity till tummy protests to stop. But who
can resist when the food is tasty?
Yes, I had all these dishes, but was only
able to nibble on small portion to get their taste. If I had to go back again, I would
order only two starters, my favorite would be `Korean BBQ chicken’ (the sizzling
hot, tender chicken was amazing) and pancake-shaped Boa, that seems to be the
latest trend, it was soft and sweetest, it paired wonderfully with BBQ Pickled
Chicken.
Okay I was too stuffed and wanted to go
for a small walk. A small contest for best photographs and some quiz was held in-between
meals for some interaction while we cooled and cleansed our palate with lychee popsicle.
This was followed by dinner of some more
food (actually plenty more). Having nibbled on all the dishes, there was appetite for some more.
Had I feasted on starters, I would not have been able to enjoy the delicious
dinner. I loved the Thai Green Curry
with Jasmine Rice, it took me back to the memories of my Bangkok visit.
I am not too fond of desserts and did
not taste the Thai Guave icecream and Sponge Cake with Caramel Topping, but I
think that everybody was too full and were not able to eat/relish the big piece
of sponge cake either (such a waste to eat only half and leave the rest in plates)
China Bistro is a good choice for me
and I would definitely visit again, I like spicy, delicately cooked and tasty
food and the cuisine here did not disappoint……
