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Most of you can relate with those days where your taste buds crave a certain cuisine/type of food (I was craving for vegetarian) so it was just one of those pure veg dinner nights. Zomato came to my rescue & I then selected a pure veg restaurant 'Saarangaa bhojan shala' located in Al raffa area. 



RTA parking is available but its availability may vary depending on Indian festivals. 


Upon entrance just by the door, you are bound to see the delicious Indian sweets just waiting to be devoured. This restaurant apart from pure non-vegetarian also serves authentic sattvic diet & Jain food.

Serving south indian cuisine, the restaurant had its cuisine's essence greatly reflected in its restaurant. The interior had displayed pictures of all the food they served throughout the walls of the restaurant. Their serving staff was good & cooperative despite the language barrier and made sure that the culture reflects in their serving style, which made them even more authentic.

Another great thing about the restaurant was it didn't feel claustrophobic. It was very spacious and with strict covid 19 protocols being followed it looked furthermore spacious & safe. 

What I ordered?

  • Fried Chilli Vegetable
  • Ghee Roast Masala Dosa
  • Kesari Sheera & Puri

Fried Chilli Vegetable

I would consider this as a snack, or more like chilli pakora (veg fritter) which is really not spicy. Perfect to munch on whilst you wait for your main course. Don't be fooled by the title (wink).

Ghee Roast Masala Dosa

Extremely delicious crispy flavorful & mouth-melting. Like the name suggests you could literally smell & taste desi ghee. Served with 4 kinds of chutney, everything had complimented well from their chutney to sambar & their ghee roasted dosa. 

Inside of Masala Dosa

However, I am just not satisfied with the quantity ratio of the potato bhaji inside the dosa. With a dosa this big, the potato bhaji doesn't deserve to be just 100gms! (although Highly recommended)

Puri

Kesari Sheera

Kesari Sheera with Puri 

It isn't on their menu but it was a mix-match from my & and trust me you won't regret it. Firstly it wasn't super sweet like how you would expect it to be & someone like me who doesn't love too much sweet, puri's had balanced that sweetness out just perfectly. In short, it wasn't too sweet nor too bland. (Highly recommend it & thank me later).

Experience with this restaurant was just traditionally authentic. The highlight would be the kesari sheera with puri. As per the price quotient, whilst serving good quality food it's neither too cheap nor expensive, which would make holes in your pocket for one-time dining. Being a pure veg restaurant it doesn't disappoint you as it offers a wide range of options to choose from in their menu as well as quick service & average waiting time from placing an order to receiving it. Although the only thing that pinched me slightly was their quantity to price ratio; if that could be improved in my opinion that would be phenomenal. 

Time to pop the question: Would I recommend this restaurant to my fellow foodies?

Yes, Yes I would.


Rating: 7 out of 10

XOXO

~Mehek Shaikh
Saarangaa Bhojan Shala Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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What if I told you, I know a secret to healthy, lustrous, long & shiny hair. Sounds like some lines I picked up from a TV commercial for a new hair product but I am sure you will be amazed by the results & moreover the ingredients of this hair product which are readily available on your kitchen counters.

*Drum Rolls* ..... it's Hair Oil!.

In this blog, you can expect to read, the individual benefits of each ingredient that will then be combined into a hair elixir, my personal experience with it, its feasibility & storage and lastly, a comparison between the old era vs modern era.

Growing up in a desi household, there was never a day when my mother did not send me to school without oiling my hair. Growing up, I believed it was just me who felt 'weird' but this was a story of every child who has/had a caring parent. From Being called an "oil shop" & with many such lude comments, I threw every possible tantrum to convince my mother to not put oil, but she wouldn't budge. 

It is only when I matured, I understood good habits at a young age do take you a long way in life and got complimented a lot on my hair & I truly owed all of that to my mom.

To understand how this Hair Oil could help you & do wonders, it's imperative to break down the benefits of each oil used. 

Coconut oil

  • Blocks bacteria & irritants from causing more damage. 
  • lauric acid in coconut oil has nourishing & moisturizing properties that aid in taming frizz & healing breakage.


Castor oil

  • Applying fats like castor oil to the hair on a regular basis helps lubricate the hair shaft, increasing flexibility and decreasing the chance of breakage
  • benefit those experiencing dandruff
  • applying castor oil to the scalp will help moisturize dry, irritated skin & may help reduce flaking.
  • some claim anecdotally that using castor oil once a month can spur growth 3-5 times the normal rate. There is no clinical evidence to support this, however, this has worked for me.



Vitamin e oil 

  • Vitamin E help support a healthy scalp & hair 
  • as it has natural antioxidant effects that could assist with maintaining hair growth.
  • antioxidant properties in the oil help reduce the amount of oxidative stress & free radicals that cause the hair follicle cells in a person’s scalp to break down.


Black Seed (optional)

If you are planning on storing this oil for a longer time, then adding 1tsp of black seeds will give you the added benefit as longer this oil sits, the better infusion of black seeds will happen with the oil as combining black seeds with other carrier oils will boost its efficiency.

  • Maintains Scalp Health
Its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic (pain-killing) properties help in maintaining scalp health. It also helps keep your scalp moisturized and balances oil production.

  • Stimulates Hair Regrowth
Black seed contains nigellone and thymoquinone, both of which are powerful antihistamines, commonly prescribed to patients with androgenic alopecia or alopecia areata. Reap the benefits of antihistamines for hair regrowth without having to take any medication.

  • Treats Hair Fall
  • Prevents Graying
Black seed contains linoleic acid that prevents the depletion of the pigment cells in your follicles.

  • Conditions Hair
black seeds contain fatty amino acids which help seal moisture in your hair shaft, thus easing frizz and making it more manageable.

  • Prevents Damage 
Free radicals can wreak havoc on your scalp and hair. Black seed contains antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals on your hair. This helps keep your hair and scalp healthy and damage-free.

  • Promotes Blood Circulation 

Black seed contains omega-3 and 6 biomolecules that encourage blood circulation hence promoting rapid hair growth within weeks.



Olive oil

  • Eliminates split ends, treats dandruff, smoothens hair, makes hair management simple, moisturizes your hair, 



Mustard oil

  • Richness in natural fats makes it a good conditioner for hair. It coats & seals each hair strand making it shinier & smoother preventing dryness frizz & split ends.
  • anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties help prevent or reduce scalp conditions like dandruff or acne/pimples.




Almond oil 

  • Hydrates dull & dry hair.
  • Smoothes hair texture.
  • Strengthens hair
  • Fight inflammatory scalp conditions
  • Promotes hair growth: When applied directly to the scalp, almond oil bulks up hair and reactivates dormant hair follicles. "Almond oil contains a substantial amount of the vitamin B7 or biotin," Gonzalez explains. "Biotin can help thicken and grow thinning hair, as it assists in follicle regrowth and keratin production."


    All these oils have so many potent properties & infuse them together; I guarantee you it would give you flip worthy hair.

    All my life I have been in a constant battle of living life in the traditional way or the modern way, with my mother & grandmother narrating how they lived a pure life, free from toxicity & I would usually sit imagining & only wishing if I could just time travel to witness & live that life. So natural that nowadays one can only highly price a fragment of it, by labelling it "ORGANIC". I may not go back in time but surely I can adapt & implement some of their lifestyles so I could proudly pass it to the next generation.

    Back in the day, women used to heavily oil their hair every day & would never experience hair falls like we do now; their hair would be butt reaching long, darker, thicker & slowed grey hair.

    As opposed to the modern way of applying oil for 20 mins & washing it away with chemical concoctions ie shampoos & conditioners; to first strip your hair of good oils only to claim to provide nutrients to the hair. 

    Moving on to the magic potion.

    Recipe for one time use hair oil but for larger quantities, maintain the same ratio just increases the volume. This oil can be stored for a longer time in a glass jar/bottle.

    2tsp Coconut Hair Oil

    2tsp Olive Oil

    2-3tsp Mustard Oil

    1tsp Castor Oil

    2 Vitamin E capsules 

    1tsp Almond Oil

    1tsp Black Seed (optional)

    Directions to apply:

    Massage your scalp with this oil for good 30 mins. Heavily oil your hair for 24 hrs (highly recommended) but the minimum would be 6hrs in order to really soak in all the benefits of the oils. The more the better. Duly note this isn't your typical 20 min hair oil.

    Overall this oil is so nourishing that even if you are, not an avid oil applier, once a week should suffice to compensate for the impending hair damage you do for the next week.

    (Disclaimer) Be mindful that this hair oil may give off a strong smell during its application but it is completely bearable & will go away after a hair wash. It should be okay if your hair smells like fritters for a day because your hair will be thankful to you. If you are applying this for the first time make sure you do a patch test to see if you aren't allergic to any of the oil(s) mentioned above. If these oils are store-bought patch test is highly recommended.

    Being an old school in a tech advanced world is nothing but a curse, where most answers arent found on google, and mother's recipes & advice ALWAYS come in handy. And to end it indeed I can truly say Mother Knows the Best.

    XOXO

    ~Mehek Shaikh

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    After shopping in the Mall of Emirates I was craving for something spicy, tangy & zesty. I knew I wanted to eat Desi Chaat. Entering the food court with many options to choose from, I selected Khau Galli. Just peaking through its menu & even Zomato reviews, I thought it would be good.

    Heard a lot of good reviews about this restaurant chain, I assumed this one in the food court will be representative of their other outlets.

    What I ordered?

    • Chaat Platter
    Chaat Platter

    This was highly recommended by the Zomato foodies. 

    The platter consisted of:
    • Pani Puri
    • Kachori
    • Vada Pav
    • Dahi Bata Puri
    • Dahi Papdi
    • Chana Chaat 
    Chana Chaat

    This chaat platter was served with spicy and sweet water

    This chaat platter is a collaboration of various chaats served together with a serving size of 1 person. The price to quantity ratio of the platter was poor. 

    Dahi Batata Puri

    It was like having little of everything & not even slightly satiating. The other items were tasteless & dahi batata puri was the only better chaat among the rest.

    Serving the platter for Aed 35, you would expect it to be value for money, at least have an appropriate price to quantity ratio but it was disappointing. Had you ordered each of these items individually you would be having a better quantity at a better price. 

    As I was ordering this, the person who was taking my order was also uninformed. Regardless of asking, what would be the best thing for me to order, there were no suggestions. 

    In case you are wondering there was literally no one behind in the line to order, it was just me and despite having a change of mind, he blatantly refused to cancel orders. 

    Final review:

    The price to quantity ratio was bad, the platter was tasteless. Dahi babata puri was the only chaat that was the better option. 

    As for the chaat, I have had better chaats & better chaat platters for the same price or higher but with an excellent price to quantity ratio along with the right zestiness and satiating components. 

    I personally dislike writing negative reviews & look for an iota of goodness in any dish or any restaurant. But this place was a sheer disappointment.

    Will I recommend this place in Moe or what I had ordered? 

    Definitely not, I will NOT RECOMMEND this place or the platter to my fellow foodies.

    Rating: 4 out of 10

    XOXO

    ~Mehek Shaikh

    Khau Galli - خاو غالي Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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    Found this gem in the busy street of Al Karama just opposite Ansar mall. 

    I was lucky to find parking in front of the restaurant that too on a Friday. So make sure to set aside time for finding parking.

    As I entered the restaurant, it was like entering another zone. The smoke of sizzlers filled the restaurant & the sound of sizzling meat ordered by the other customers was gastronomical enough for me to be drooling from hunger. 


    The restaurant's ambience worked well with the decor giving off relaxing and peaceful vibes.



    Hygiene standards of the restaurant were pretty impressive as well as covid-19 protocols were also strictly followed.

    Regardless of my 20% research on the restaurant and the food, it only allows me to make a decision 'if or not' I should be visiting the restaurant, and the remaining 80% is staff suggestion and dine-in experience. 

    So prior to ordering I always ask the serving staff what is the best speciality of your restaurant and most of the time I didn't exit the restaurant disappointed.

    I was being served by Mr Akshat and he guided me through their menu & suggested I order Pepper steak which was what they served the best. Before proceeding with the review, I would like to appreciate the serving staff as they made sure the best was served, customers knew what they were ordering & in case of any disappointment with the food they were willing to compensate for it. 

    What I ordered?

    • Pepper Steak

    Pepper Steak

    This dish could easily serve 2 people & I ordered my steak to be medium.

    The first bite was magical, extremely flavorful, delicious & sizzling hot. Not only the steak was appetizing enough but had an excellent price to quantity ratio. 

    The sauce on the steak enhanced it's flavorful & like the name suggests it was quite peppery. Alongside the steak, there were some grilled vegetables and scrumptious potatoes that were served along with the steak which added a much needed healthy balance.

    Although you might want to confirm with them the way you like your steak. As I had ordered it to be medium but my steak turned out to be medium-well to well done, although it was palatable, that was the only thing that caught me off-guard.  


    Final review:

    The steak was delicious, the price to quantity ratio was good, the serving staff's demeanour was very good, and the ambience was very relaxing and peaceful. The price was economical as well. 

    Overall a great experience. If you are looking to dine out on a budget especially devour a steak, then I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my fellow foodies. 

    Rating: 7 out of 10

    XOXO

    ~Mehek Shaikh
    Kobe Sizzlers Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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    After an unusual long workday in Al Quoz, it was time for lunch & my unfamiliarity fear kicked in and Zomato came to my rescue. Indeed it was a difficult choice to make from among the restaurants available in the area however I settled for a Desi-Keralite cuisine for lunch. And that led me to WIDE RANGE; a restaurant located inside the food court of Al Khail Mall. 

    Al Khail Mall located in Al Quoz

    Easy navigation of both the mall & the restaurant was a plus point as well as the free basement parking available for the visitors of the mall.

    As I entered the restaurant I was slightly surprised because the interior like its name was interesting & average at the same time. The menu too did not disappoint me as it literally was wide-ranged ~ no pun intended. The ambience & cleanliness was adequate however covid-19 protocols were strictly followed along with the polite demeanour of the serving staff. 

    I refused starters and directly opted for the main course. 

    What I ordered?

    • Vazhayila Mutton Dum Biryani 
    • Mixed Grill Lebanese Medium 
    Vazhayila Mutton Dum Biryani 

    The serving size was enough for 2 people. The biryani was flavorful and economical in price. Overall the biryani was palatable & suitable for lunch. Biryani was served with Dahi raita & tangy pickle; a one killer combo.

    Mixed Grill Lebanese Medium

    The platter consisted of:
    • Chicken & Mutton Kebabs
    • Chicken Tikka Kebabs
    • Chicken Wings
    • Grilled Onions & Tomatoes
    The quantity for the mixed grill was very good. The meat was fresh, succulent at every bite & cooked to perfection. Nonetheless cooked on charcoal enhanced its aroma & flavour ten folds.

    The price factor was also at its par with the flavour & freshness. Highly recommend it. 

    Hummus


    Arabic bread


    Garlic Mayo

    The platter was served with additional Arabic Bread, Fries, Hummus & Garlic mayo. 

    Final review:

    The Wide Range as a restaurant was full of surprises as I wasn't expecting a Lebanese grill at a South Indian restaurant to taste good (highly recommended). The price to quantity ratio is at par. The only problematic thing was the waiting time after ordering food which was considerably longer & nothing was done to compensate for it. 

    I would recommend this restaurant only for the Mixed Grill Lebanese, to any foodie on a budget living in that area and if you happen to get yourself caught in an unfamiliar location like Al Quoz, you know where to head out.

    Rating: 6 out of 10

    XOXO

    ~Mehek Shaikh

    Wide Range Restaurant - مطعم وايد رينج Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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    Found this gem, hiding in the heart of Al Karama.

    Won't lie to you but Zomato ratings made me impulsively select this restaurant & I was not disappointed.

    The restaurant looked pretty average from the outside but let's not judge the book by its cover.

    I get hangry (angry because I was hungry) real quick & just in time this restaurant came to my rescue, I arranged a last-minute dinner plan with my family.
    I was so thankful that there were ample parking spaces available, trust me you'll be thankful too!

    As I entered the restaurant; it had an authentic Indian ambiance that resonated with the restaurants you would find on the streets of India. You know the best things are due to come when beautiful Nostalgia hits you from the very beginning.

    What I  Ordered  ?
      • Chicken lollipop
      • Hyderabadi Dum Mutton Biryani
      • Bheja Fry
      • Gulab Jamun
      • Tandoori Butter naan

    Chicken Lollipop

    For the starters, we ordered chicken lollipops which were perfectly fried, with the perfect blend of Indian herbs, a very common indo-Chinese dish that was perfectly unique.

    Bheja Fry

    As a main course, bheja fry was fiery & succulent in texture. So juicy it just melts in your mouth.

    Hyderabadi Dum Mutton Biryani (Jumbo)

    The show stopper of the dinner, this biryani was so different to the types of biryani's I have tasted, the mutton was tender. However, it had the scope to be a little bit better yet the quantity impressed me.


    Final Review:


    The Meal

    As the food arrived, I was simply in awe of the quantity of the food. It not only looked delicious but my olfactory senses simply knew, that it would be the best.

    BTW, the mutton biryani was a jumbo (good for 2 people) but the serving staff was so honest & polite that they told us the serving quantity is enough to feed 4 of us & still be eligible for a takeaway.

    Apart from the quantity, the taste of the meal was phenomenal, the meat was fresh & tender. The butter naan was also very soft. Adequate & acceptable cleanliness & COVID19 SOP's strictly followed. The serving staff was polite, honest, cooperative & friendly. And not to forget to mention, the price ratio is way less compared to the portion ratio, so any foodie out there on a budget can enjoy a delicacy without damaging your wallet.

    I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this restaurant & its food, make sure to trust the serving staff they will serve the BEST to the BEST.

    Rating: 8 out of 10

    XOXO


    ~Mehek Shaikh



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    Hosting a family gathering is what I had missed the most during Covid Lockdowns. As soon as restrictions were lifted & minimal family gathering was allowed, I knew I had to plan one. As a host, I selected Zafran Restaurant located in Dubai Marina Mall which is casual dining that serves Indian delicacies.

    Inside View

     

    My dining experience with Zafran post-Covid was fantastic. Diners & the restaurant followed strict SOP's. Apart from their impeccable services, I was highly in awe of their hygiene, as they sanitized the entire table and seats. To avoid the touch of menus, there was a QR CODE menu at every table. There was an outside seating area that had a splendid marina view but unfortunately, it was closed due to Covid. 

    But the staff was sweet enough to provide us access for photography purposes.

    Outside View

                   

                   

    Welcome Snacks:


               What I Ordered ?

    Chaat Platter


                       






















    Just to give you an idea of serving size & portions 


    Butter Chicken


    Ghosht Kairi Ka Khima

                                                                 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

    Rasmalai


    Malai Kulfi


    Butter Naan

    Final Review:

    The overall ordered menu was satisfactory in taste but brilliantly managed to capture the true essence of Indian delicacies in its menu. The price for the ordered menu was way above the quantity & quality ratio but the ambiance compensated. This restaurant is just perfect if you are trying to chill with your friends or have work meetings as it provides you with free unlimited WIFI. Also don't forget to try their Ghosht Kairi Ka Keema, I Highly Recommend it.

    Rating: 6 out of 10

    XOXO

    ~Mehek Shaikh


    Refer to the below menu we ordered from.

    The menu we scanned through QR CODE (ATTN: the menu may/may not have been changed)

           

     




    Zafran - زافران Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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    About me

    About Me

    Just a crazy hijabi who wants to conquer the world. Passionate about food, lifestyle, skincare & much more & a die hard fan of Mustang. Stay tuned for more of my whimsical adventures.

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    Blog Archive

    • ►  2022 (5)
      • ►  February (1)
      • ►  January (4)
    • ▼  2021 (7)
      • ▼  December (1)
        • SAARANGAA BHOJAN SHALA | One stop for veg lovers
      • ►  November (1)
        • DIY Hair Oil Elixir | Cosmetic Industry Don't Want...
      • ►  October (2)
        • KHAU GALLI | Disappointed
        • KOBE SIZZLER | Mouth watering sizzlers
      • ►  September (1)
        • WIDE RANGE RESTAURANT | Variety that's Wide Ranged
      • ►  June (2)
        • Hyderabadi Biryani House | You wont be disappointed
        • Zafran Restaurant | Saffron that adds flavours

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