Chef Vinod

BANANA LEAF DINNER AT INDIQUE HEIGHTS

Eating on a banana leaf is so much fun and I personally have very fond memories from my childhood. After coming to the U.S., finding banana leaves was not easy and in the mid 80's when I arrived it was virtually impossible to find banana leaves in the Washington Metropolitan area. However, towards the early 90's I started finding banana leaves (frozen ones) in oriental stores in the area. In the last few years to my surprise, Indian families started growing banana trees in their backyards and now more fresh banana leaves are available during the summer.

So, when one of the organizers of Don Rockwell group contacted me to have their group dinner at Indique Heights, I thought for a while as to what to serve this group of foodies.... By the way, for those folks who are not from the Washington Metropolitan area - Donrockwell.com is a fun food site with over three thousand members who love food, and call themselves "foodies". The topics discussed on their portal include, restaurants in the Washington Metropolitan area, Baltimore, etc.

After all when a group of foodies are coming to your place for dinner, you want to give them a unique experience. When asked to post the menu on their site in advance, I somehow put it away by giving different excuses and finally had to tell them that it was going to be a surprise. After considerable discussions with my management team , we came up with an idea of taking them on a meandering culinary journey through the south of India. We put together a menu and we tried to include several dishes from our existing menu so that if they liked it and wanted to come back with their families or friends it would be available. Here is  a copy of the menu that we served . The appetizers were passed around in a very contemporary style and the dinner was served in a very traditional style on a banana leaf . To my surprise not one person in this group asked  for a fork or a spoon.The group was also presented with a multi- media presentation - "Indian Cuisine in the contemporary world today"

 Here is the copy of the Menu and some pictures from the event.

At my home in Gaithersburg for the festival of Onam, we serve a typical "Sadya" on a banana leaf every year and many of my friends are familiar with this tradition. It was the first time doing this in our restaurant, and I am glad to report that it was very succesful. Cheers!

Don't forget that eating on a banana leaf is :

  eco friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable!

Here are some pictures from my annual Onam lunch at home in Gaithersburg.
  

Grow Smart Business Seminar

 

NETWORK SOLUTIONS HOSTING "GROW SMART BUSINESS SEMINAR"

Folks, I wanted to let you know that Network Solutions is hosting a conference designed for entrepreneurs who are interested in growing their business.  This is a whole day conference on Sept. 29^th.  Chris Anderson, the Editor from Wired magazine and renowned author of The Long Tail, will be the keynote speaker discussing the concept of thriving through freeconomics—what business models look like when free has emerged as a full-fledge economy. The conference is positioned to focus on actionable items that small business owners can take to improve their business. Senator Mark Warner will be attending the conference as a special guest speaker, sharing his personal lessons learned as an entrepreneur turned state legislator. In addition, there are a number of other notable speakers lined up. You can learn more about what is in store at this link –there’s a full  and a list of speakers.

My business partner Surfy and I will not want to miss this opportunity. See you all there. Look for Indique Heights door prizes.... 

WHAT: GROW SMART BUSINESS SEMINAR

WHEN: SEPT 29 – 2009

WHERE: - RENAISSANCE HOTEL, WASHINGTON DC

The registration fee is normally $ 299, but if you use the discount code –SHASHIB – YOUR COST IS ONLY

 $ 99.00.

Source : Network solutions / Shashi Bellamkonda

Washingtonian's Best of 2009

Indique Heights restaurant was a proud participant in this year's " Best of party" by the Washingtonian held at the majestic Museum Building in Washington DC. This is an annual event organized by the Washingtonian Magazine and the proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

 We served Beef chili fry with Cassava (yucca) and the popular street snack Bhelpuri.The Beef Chili Fry with Cassava was a big hit – made with ginger, garlic, coriander,Coconut strips and curry leaves This is a very popular dish of the Syrian Christian Community of Kerala. I got to go around this grandiose building and take a few pictures and meet a few fellow restaurateurs, Chefs and Foodies. Here are some pictures from the event:

 

  

Growsmart Business Webinar

Mr. Surfy Rahman - co-owner of Indique, Indique Heights restaurants - to speak at the upcoming Business Webinar -

When - April 30, 2009

Where - live webcast - (free)

Time - 2 pm - 3 pm (eastern standard time)

Host - Mr. Roy Dunbar - CEO Network Solutions.

Other speakers/panelist to include Kristina Bouweiri, CEO of Reston Limo, Anita Campbell, editor of small business trends, Tom Heath, columnist,The Washington Post- Value added, Kelly Mucio, founder of Lost Boys, a fashionable clothing store recently featured in Good morning America

For registration click here 

4/30/09 -

For those of you who missed this click here to see the webinar

.

 

Taste of the Nation

Join us and help end Childhood Hunger

I am proud to support the cause of the Share the Strenghth and Taste of the Nation. I will be there along with my colleagues joining a distinguished group of chefs from town at this event. I hope to see you all there....

Read more.....Read more  

 

March 31 2009

 My sincere thanks to everbody who came and participated in this event. Here is what was reported on WTOP news by Bob Madigan ..WTOP NEWS

Here are some pictures from the event: 

This was the Indique Heights counter

Theatro Goldoni had an intersting cream of cauliflower with a very nice garnish

1789 had a tuna tartare with smoked paprika on toast.

Ceylon Cinnamon Rice Pudding with Champagne Mango & sesame brittle

Smoked Pork Belly Barbeque sandwich

Mr. Dean Gold, Executvie Chef and Owner of Dino in Cleveland Park

Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak serving American Wagyu Steak Shabu Shabu with Mushroom Dashi Broth, 

This looked quite interesting to me - it was basically a meringue colored with beetroot- scooped hollow and stuffed with a foie-gras... it was very light and delicate to handle...

Coco Sala Executive Chef Santosh Thipur with an amazing spread...

Chef Christophe Poteaux and Michelle Gabee Poteaux from Restaurant Bastille, in Alexandria, VA.

 

Guess who is behind the glasses? and what is the cocktail?

Todd Thrasher needs no introduction in the Washington metropolitan area... and here is the cocktail he came up with for the event

HOLLY HOCKTAIL

3/4 OZ. Cruzan Rum Gold

3/4 oz Canton

1/2 oz. Hibiscus Ginger Syrup

3 oz. Coconut Water

3 dashes of Hibiscus bitters

Squeeze of lemon

Add all ingredients in a shaker and shake, strain into a Martini glass

Top with coconut air and Hisbiscus dust

(Recipe specially designed by Todd Trasher)

 Executive Chef S.Balamurgan, Todd Trasher and yours truly.Cheers!

Read more.....

 

Bombay Bistro Rockville - 18th Anniversary Celebrations

Folks, Bombay Bistro (Rockville) would like to thank all its patrons for its unwavered support and encouragement over the years. Just can't believe it is the 18th anniversary ! To celebrate the anniversary and to thank all our loyal patrons, we have a lot of specials for the month of March and April. Come and check it out!

 MONDAY NIGHTS

-  WINE MADNESS

Half Price Wine (Bottles)

TUESDAY NIGHTS

Free Appetizer *

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Free side order *

THURSDAY NIGHTS

Free Soup or Salad *

SWEET SUNDAY NIGHTS

Free dessert *

BLOWOUT—MON TO THURSDAY

Three course Menu

With a glass of wine

$ 18.95

 *

With the purchase of an entrée

In house dining only

 

 

    

Les Dames d'Escoffier DC Chapter with Mrs.Kalpana Sen, wife of the Ambassador of India

Come, Join us on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 6.30 PM at Indique Heights, 2 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy  Chase, MD- 20815

 What/Why:

Les Dames d'Escoffier and Indique Heights are commemorating India's Republic Day with a celebration of India's rich cultural and culinary history at the Chevy Chase restaurant.  Priced at $75 per person, inclusive of a glass of wine, the cultural fest marking the day the Indian Constitution came into force, will be held on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 6:30 pm.

I will take you on a culinary journey through India with a slide illustrated talk.

India Republic Day Menu

Welcome Tamarind Margarita * Mangotini * Mango Lassi * Lemon Soda * Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages

APPETIZERS
Bhelpuri with Paneer Shashlik and Tamarind Chutney
Tadka Idli (Steamed Lentil-Rice Cakes with Curry Leaves)
Mussels a la Indique with Tomatoes, Coconut, White Wine
Chicken Seekh Kebab with Ginger and Garlic

MAIN COURSES
Aleppey Fish Curry with Green Mangoes and Coconut Milk
Chicken Dalcha with Lentils, Tamarind, and Mint Leaves
Syrian Lamb Fry with Coconut Strips and Aromatic Spices
Kadai Paneer (Homemade Cheese with Onions and Peppers)
Saag Makai (Spinach, Corn, Fenugreek Leaves, and Spices)
Dill Potatoes
Tomato Pappu (Yellow Lentils, Tomato, Ginger, and Garlic)
Jeera Pulao (Basmati Rice, Aromatic Spices)
Kaduge Pachadi (Yogurt, Cucumber, and Mustard Seeds)
Assorted Indian Breads

DESSERTS
Mango Cheese Flan with Mango Raspberry Coulis
Shreekandh (Homemade Yogurt, Pistachios, Saffron)

 

 

R.S.V.P. by January 23, 2009, to lesdamesdc@aol.com or 202.973.2181

Indique invited to serve Indian food at the Presidential Inaugural route

We are honored and humbled to be part of this historic 56^th presidential Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Indique / Indique Heights restaurants has been invited by the GSI in conjunction with the presidential inaugural committee to participate in the festivities along the parade route. Folks come and say hello and check us out at two locations.  We will be at the intersection of 15^th street/ New York Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue and at 14^th/ G street (west side) … On a cold day don’t miss the Masala Chai Tea, Bhelpuri and much much more.

If you need to see a more detailed map,locations, parade route,  road closings etc check out this site.

Secret Service

 

 To celebrate the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States – Barack Obama,
Indique restaurant,  will remain open throughout the day on 18th, 19th and 20th of January 2009.
The restaurant and Bar will be open till 4 A.M with a late night Menu and Specialty Inauguration cocktails.We will also be having a happy hour from 4 to 6 pm on these three days.

At Indique Heights in Chevy Chase - South Asians for Obama is hosting a Brunch on Monday the 19th of January at 10.30 AM..

Let's do Lunch - Smithsonian Resdient Associates

As a grand finale to the  - Let's do Lunch & Lecture series -  40 participants attended the event at Indique Heights. Mr. Surfy Rahman and I spoke to the participants about Indian Cuisine. We took them on a Culinary journey through India by way of a power point presentation and finished the event with the lunch. Here are some pictures from the event.

    

  Mr. Surfy Rahman and Mr. K.N.Vinod conducting the presentation. 

    

 

2nd Annual "Taste of Frienship Heights"

Come, Join us on September 20, 2008 at the 2nd Annual "Taste of Friendship Heights" at the Friendship Heights Village Center 4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, Md.- 12 noon to 5 PM
Participating Restaurants - Indique Heights, Rock Creek, Famoso, M Cafe, Lia's. Potomac Pizza,Gifford's.Starbucks, and more...
For more details Click here

This event was a grand success - we had more turn out this year than last.  Here are some pictures from the event.

 

Montgomery County Executive Mr. Ike legett with the co-owner of Indique Heights Mr. Surfy Rahman.

  

Ms. Nandita Madan - Manager - Indique/ Indique Heights restaurants helping guests at the event.

Co- Executive chefs Abraham Varghese and S.Balamurugan at the event.