If you have been a fan of open-air dining, then be ready for some amazing dining experiences as 56 South Delhi restaurants are planning to serve food in the classic alfresco style! A total of 56 restaurants and eateries in South Delhi can serve food and beverages in open-air spaces and terraces, a decision in this regard was taken by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

However, permission to serve food and liquor in open space is permitted to those restaurants which hav e obtained permission from the civic authority after fulfilling certain criteria.

A senior official privy with the development told IANS that as of now 56 restaurants have been permitted to serve food and beverages in open spaces like terraces. The proposal for permitting liquors and foods in open-air space with certain regulations was made by SDMC last year and the applications were invited to get permission.

Out of total, as many as 39 applications were received from areas in the South zone which includes — Hauz Khas, Green Park and Greater Kailash. Similarly, a total of 31 applications were received from Najafgarh zone, which comprises areas such as Dwarka and Aerocity.

Fifteen applications were received from areas in the Central zone like Lajpat Nagar, Bhogal and Defence Colony. Nine applications were received from Western zone areas like Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden and Tilak Nagar.
As many as 23 licenses were granted in the South zone, 25 in Najafgarh and seven in the Central zone. Only one was granted a licence for open-air dining in the West zone.

The SDMC had passed the proposal last year in view of Covid-19 pandemic in which the restaurants would be allowed to use open-air spaces and terraces abutting licensed eateries as service areas.
Under the policy, open-air dining has been allowed only at those restaurants with privately-owned open spaces like terraces, balconies and lawns so that there is no encroachment on public land or pavements.

“Serving food and alcohol will be permitted in the open space, and the open-air area/terrace should not be covered. If the open space is visible from nearby residential premises, then additional measures to be taken to obstruct visibility,” SDMC’s proposal states.

It also made it clear that the service area should also not be visible from adjoining residential areas. Live performances will not be allowed and music cannot be played beyond the permissible time of 11 p.m.

The official said in the last nine months (till June end), the civic body received 94 applications, out of which 56 were granted licenses and 28 were rejected for not fulfilling the norms.

SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan talking to IANS said, “For the past few years there has been consistent demand from the people in South Delhi to allow serving liquors and foods in open-air space and it has been done considering the demand of people. The step will also help to maintain social distancing during this Covid-19 pandemic.”

Suryan further added that as of now only 56 restaurants have been granted permission but this number can increase in the coming days if the applicants (restaurants and eateries owners) meet certain rules.

Source: Times of India

Holi, the festival of colours is barely a few days away. Amidst all the preparations, you must be thinking of some out of the box dishes, that you can keep in front of your guests. We have got you covered. Here is a quick DIY ‘avocado chaat’ recipe to treat your guests this Holi.

Ingredients

Ripe avocados: 2

Cilantro leaves: ¼ cup

Bhel Mix, Aloo lachanamkin : ½ cup

Lime: ½

Salt, chat masala: ¼ tbsp

1/2 chopped tomato, chopped onion and chopped green chilli

Pomegranate: ½

Cilantro leaves

Tamarind: 200 gms

Jaggery: 150 gms

Brown sugar: 100 gms

Yogurt: 2 cup

Method

Make the tamarind chutney by soaking pulp in 2 cups warm water for 1/2 hour. Use your hands to squish the pulp well. Strain into a deep saucepan, discarding fibrous pulp. Add jaggery or brown sugar to tamarind. Season with salt and bring to boil over a medium flame. Stick a wooden spoon in the saucepan so the chutney will not boil over. Cook chutney for 20-30 minutes, stirring often, till thick like tomato sauce. Pour chutney into a glass bottle. Cool. Keep aside till needed.

Make mint sauce. Take garlic, chilli, ginger, sugar and salt in a small chutney jar of grinder or food processor. Grind them until medium coarse consistency. Add coriander leaves, mint leaves, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water. Grind again until desired smooth or medium-coarse consistency is achieved. Beat the yoghurt with fine sugar and serve cold.

When the Chutneys are ready, halve the avocados and make vertical and horizontal cuts using a knife. Use a spoon to scoop out avocado into a bowl chop them nicely. and on the other hand chop. tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, green chillies and mix all together. Scatter bhel mix and over avocados. Drizzle 3-5 teaspoons of tamarind, mint chutney along with Sweet yoghurt, Squeeze juice of half lime over the avocados. Garnish with microgreens, edible flowers and dig in.

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Note: Always check the alcohol content and drink responsibly.

When it comes to alcoholic drinks, there are some spirits that one can easily handle and then there are spirits that are capable of killing you. Yes, I am talking about the extremely alcoholic drinks that are straight out of hell. On that note, here are 10 of the world’s strongest drinks, for all those who enjoy a real challenge. Scroll down to make your choice. 

1. Bacardi 151 (75.5% Alcohol)

This highly alcoholic rum made by Bacardi Limited of Hamilton, Bermuda comes with a stainless steel fire arrestor which is built into the bottle neck and it is highly inflammable. It is popularly used in small quantities to make rum-based cocktails like Cuba Libre and Daiquiris. Just don’t try to have this drink neat, okay?

3. Sunset Rum (84.5% Alcohol)

This is one of the world’s most powerful rum that was also awarded the title of ‘TheWorld’s Best Overproof Rum’ in 2016 by World Rum Awards. Even the label on the bottle recommends that you drink it with a mixer because it cause a burning sensation in your throat if you overindulge. Having it neat can also cause serious burns so, drink it wisely. 

3. Balkan 176 Vodka (88% Alcohol)

This triple distilled vodka is one of the strongest Scandinavian drinks you’ll ever come across. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is so strong that there are 13 different label warnings on the bottle. Many cases of people dying due to alcohol poisoning after consuming this drink in short periods have also been reported so, beware. 

4. Pincer Shanghai Strength (88.88% Alcohol)

This vodka from Scotland, is considered healthy as it contains milk thrislte and elderflower that is known to be good for the liver but, it can get you high in no time. This drink is meant to be used as a concentrate. Over-consumption is not advised at any cost since, it can lead to serious health problems. 

5. Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe (89.9% Alcohol)

The bottle of Hapsburg Gold comes with a label that reads ‘There are no rules’, but we still recommend you to follow just one rule- have this drink with a mixer. Absinthe is known to induce hallucinations so make sure you don’t overindulge. This vodka is generally consumed by artists who rely on creativity and original ‘out of the box’ ideas. 

6. Good ol’ Sailor Vodka (85% Alcohol)

This vodka is mostly consumed in Sweden and it is hardly known to the rest of the world. It is made using organic grains and fresh water from Lake Vättern. Modern distillery technology is combined with traditional skills to make this vodka. It has a clean, fresh body and a spicy aftertaste. It can be used in small quantities to make cocktails. 

7. Devil Springs Vodka (80% Alcohol)

The Devil Springs Vodka is undoubtedly one of the most strongest vodkas on the planet. It is mostly used in small quantities in cocktails with juices or ginger ale. It is also popularly used for making flaming shots. Avoid having it straight from the bottle if you want to be in your senses. 

8. River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum (90% Alcohol)

This drink from Grenada, is made using the old technique of pot distilling which is a very slow distilling process. It is made from fermented sugarcane juice which makes it exceptionally tasty. Locals have this drink straight from the water chaser so, ideally you should do the same. Okay?  

9. Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whiskey (92% Alcohol)

Hands down, this is the most alcoholic single malt whiskey that is made using a 17th century quadruple distillation method. It is known to be extremely potent and pure. According to legend, Martin Martin, a Hebridean traveler was told by the locals- ‘one sip and you live forever; two sips and you go blind; three sips and you expire on the spot.’ So, try this whiskey at your own risk. 

10. Spirytus Stawski (96% Alcohol)

This is the world’s most strongest and potent liquor, that has a gentle smell and a mild taste. It is made using premium ethyl alcohol with a grain base. Many who have had this drink straight from the bottle, have compared it to being punched in the stomach so hard that it gets difficult to breathe. Abusing this drink can literally kill you so, mind it. 

Which drink would you want to try? 

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