Popular belief says that wine goes best with European food. But Indian cuisine is no longer off-limits to the concept of food and wine pairing, says Renu Dhole   Over the past few years, though Indians have been hearing a lot about and perhaps tasting a lot of wine, the drink is still associated with Continental food. Indian food, with its curries and gravies, its overwhelming spices and the clash of different flavours within one meal, doesn’t seem to lend itself very well to the concept of food and wine pairing. After all, it’s easier with European food — the essential taste of meat or vegetables isn’t masked by spices, there are dominant flavours in the courses that can be neatly matched with wines and the food is mostly dry, enabling the need to “washing it down” with wine. Well, it may just be time to reconsider these beliefs, as Indian cuisine is entering the cherished food-wine equation slowly, but surely.

Popular belief says that wine goes best with European food. But Indian cuisine is no longer off-limits to the concept of food and wine pairing, says Renu Dhole   Over the past few years, though Indians have been hearing a lot about and perhaps tasting a lot of wine, the drink is still associated with Continental food. Indian food, with its curries and gravies, its overwhelming spices and the clash of different flavours within one meal, doesn’t seem to lend itself very well to the concept of food and wine pairing. After all, it’s easier with European food — the essential taste of meat or vegetables isn’t masked by spices, there are dominant flavours in the courses that can be neatly matched with wines and the food is mostly dry, enabling the need to “washing it down” with wine. Well, it may just be time to reconsider these beliefs, as Indian cuisine is entering the cherished food-wine equation slowly, but surely.

PUNE: The Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association on Wednesday said that the recent oil spill off Mumbai coast does not have any bearing on the fish varieties sold in the city as they are procured from outside the State during the monsoon season.   “This is reference the reports and certain perception among the people that because of the oil spill near Mumbai sea coast, fish in Pune is not safe to consume. We would like to clarify that the fish coming to Pune between June 15 and August 19 every year is from outside Maharashtra. Hence their quality is not directly related to the oil spill incident,” Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association Vice President Jawahar Chorge said in a statement.   Between June and August, fishes come to Pune market from places like Porbandar (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Howrah (West Bengal).   “The fishing activity off Mumbai coast every year is closed for the aforesaid period .

We stop by Sicilia and Dario’s and bring to you the taste of Italy   Just over six months old, Sicilia — the Italian and Mediterranean restaurant at City Point, Boat Club Road — is a   rather welcome addition to the city’s ever growing food scape of high-end, specialty restaurants. The place boasts of an authentic Italian experience, with a fairly exhaustive choice, that of course covers a wide variety in pastas and pizzas. But going beyond that, its starters and main course sections offer several savouries. The bread basket comes complimentary with all dishes and is unlimited.   The one thing we straight away recommend is the Scallapuno Di Pallo Ai Funghi   — a delectable dish of tender chicken and mushroom in mushroom cream, served with roasted peppery potatoes on the side, and salad.

We stop by Sicilia and Dario’s and bring to you the taste of Italy   Just over six months old, Sicilia — the Italian and Mediterranean restaurant at City Point, Boat Club Road — is a   rather welcome addition to the city’s ever growing food scape of high-end, specialty restaurants. The place boasts of an authentic Italian experience, with a fairly exhaustive choice, that of course covers a wide variety in pastas and pizzas. But going beyond that, its starters and main course sections offer several savouries. The bread basket comes complimentary with all dishes and is unlimited.   The one thing we straight away recommend is the Scallapuno Di Pallo Ai Funghi   — a delectable dish of tender chicken and mushroom in mushroom cream, served with roasted peppery potatoes on the side, and salad.