Tuesday 17 February 2009

Arrived

I have now arrived in Gouves, and I am set to pick up the container from Iraklio port tomorrow.We are currently work very hard, to make the changes to the restaurant. Lots to do!!!Rebecca

Friday 13 February 2009

D DAY!! Finally moving to crete today

Well, the day has arrived and I am moving to Crete today.Thank you again for all the supportive emails and kind words. Please come in and say hello or book your meals , with a current offer of 20 % off if you book between now and may 5th ....for any meal to be taken through out the summer.
Rebeccaxx

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Set Menu special for only 10 euro's


The Chilli Lounge

Our special value set menu will include a choice of

****1 starter, 1 main course and 1 desert*****

And includes popadom & pickle tray , and coffee

For an amazing .....

10 euros for Adults

5.50 euros for Children

Children under 4 eat free!!

Starters

Popadom & pickle tray


********


Pakora-veg

Chicken Tikka pieces


Lamb Shish Kebab


Onion Bhajis

soup of the day


Main Course


Chicken Curry


Lamb Curry


Vegetarian Curry


Will all be served with Naan bread, and rice


Desert


Ice Cream


Fruit platter & chocolate fountain
********


Coffee

20 % discount for bookings made until the 5th May 2009.

As a introductory offer, The Chilli Lounge wishes to offer our customers and 20% discount , for any meals pre booked between now and May the 5th .
Please quote the ref: Summer Launch - 09 .
This offer applies to any main meals, it does not include beverages, or starters .Please email your booking to Welcome@chilliloungegouves, stating for name, Telephone, and address.Please indicate , the date you wish to book for and time, also the number in your party.We have a wonderful selection , please take a look at our current menu.
We also would like to Introduce our set price meal, with many options to mix and match your meal.
The set price meal, cannot be used in conjunction with the 20% discount voucher.

Baby & Child friendly /facilities

We would like to Welcome all our younger members to The Chilli Lounge.
We can accomodate babies and children, we have a fantastic child friendly play equipment, toys, dressing up box, anda soft safe area.We have thought of all your babies and child's needs, and have items including, bibs, child cups, fun and character plates for dining, knives and forks , especially for our younger customers.
For bathroom facilities, we have potties, wet wipes, special adaptable child toilet seats and step to enable children to reach the toilet.
We will help with any requests you may have , so please dont hesitate to ask us.We wish all children to be safe, so all the equipment is tested to health & safety U.K standards.
The child play area, must be supervised at all time,by a parent, as we dont not accept liability for the childs welfare.

Wheelchair friendly Restaurant

The New Chilli Lounge Indian Restaurant has access for wheelchair users. We wish to facilitate in any way possible for our disabled guests, so please do not hesitate to contact us , with any special requirements

Tuesday 10 February 2009

In the News today-Curry is good for you!!!

Provided you lay off the lager and calorific bhajis, and choose your dish wisely, curries can be a veritable powerhouse of health-boosting ingredients
TUMERIC
Take turmeric, for instance. Curcumin, the ingredient which gives this spice its distinctive yellow hue, has been shown to promote good digestion, protect nerve cells from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and possibly prevent the development of type 2 diabetes
GINGER
Warming fresh ginger has fabulous antibacterial powers and is a great natural remedy for sore throats.
It can soothe unsettled digestion and nausea, hence it is widely used in natural travel sickness remedies. Plus, in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it’s used as a circulation stimulant
CHILLIES
We all know that eating chilli is great for clearing out the nasal passages and the last vestiges of a cold, but you may not be aware of the spice’s pain-relief properties.
Capsaicin - the substance that gives chillies their fiery bite - can ease muscular aches and arthritis when applied topically. Various studies also suggest it has anti-cancer properties.
CUMIN
Fragrant cumin is rich in natural substances called phytochemicals which scientists suggest can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Herbalists also believe that it has the ability to calm digestion and rev up sex drive.
DAAL-PULSES
Tuck into daal! Protein-packed pulses like lentils and chickpeas are common in Indian cookery and bursting with goodness. Very low in fat but high in fibre, they have a low GI rating – providing slow-release energy to fill you up for longer.
And it doesn’t end there - they’re also laden with essential nutrients like vitamin B, zinc and potassium
GARLIC
On a basic level garlic is antibacterial - killing off bugs and germs that can cause troublesome colds and sore throats.
And on another and much higher health echelon, it’s renowned for lowering cholesterol and possibly slowing the growth of cancer cells
BASMATI RICE
Provided it isn’t embellished with fattening ingredients, plain basmati rice is extremely healthy.
Like all rice, it’s low in fat and highly digestible but basmati’s real USP is that it contains complex carbs and has a lower GI ranking than other rice varieties. Choose brown basmati for an extra fibre boost
ONIONS
Humble onions have many more health benefits than you’d imagine. They contain potent antioxidant quercetin, which can help your body fight bugs and has possible anti-cancer abilities.
Onions are also abundant in intestine-friendly prebiotics and a hormone-balancing mineral called chromium
CORIANDER
In both leaf and ground-seed form aromatic coriander has myriad benefits. Most importantly, it can aid digestion and ease common ailments like diarrhoea.
In traditional medicine it’s used as an aphrodisiac and conversely to calm troubled skin.
CINNAMON
Found in garam masala, a spice mix that gives a sweet flavour to curries, studies suggest cinnamon may regulate blood sugar levels, have antibacterial properties and ease muscular pain.
In alternative medicine, it’s also used to treat coughs, colds, nausea and headaches – and smelling it is said to enhance brain function

Monday 9 February 2009

The Chilli Lounge - Our Chef and Menu visions



Namaste or Welcome


Welcome once again to the chilli lounge.
Our Chef & Our visions


Roshan will offer wonderful vegetarian dishes, but specialize too in his own unique representation of authentic south Indian vegetarian, meat and seafood cooking.
Filled with such passion for food, it has not been enough for Roshan to stop there.
“To have good food, we need to respect the environment in which it grows. Being part of this link between farming, gardening and cooking is to experience something very basic yet very profound, something in this world of ours that is good not only for each of us, but all of us at the same time.

Food is profoundly linked to everything important in life; our health, our sense of wellbeing, to those we love and the very world around us. Surrounded by fast food and junk food and supermarkets, it’s easy to lose the significance of fresh , locally produced food. I am delighted to cook using the finest Cretan ingredients .Greek natural yoghurt, organic vine tomatoes, and our Chillies will be grown on the premises ,so you may wish to pick your own
. But food not only replenishes us, it interprets our world for us. When we feel healthy, nourished and cared for, when what we eat excites us, life is better. We’re actually happier. Instead of stressing about what’s ahead or behind us, we stop to enjoy what’s happening now. Food brings life to us, teaches us to enjoy life. Food has great power, too. Through food, we can reach out to people and demonstrate their importance in our life. When we make food beautiful, when we give a person something that is a true pleasure to eat, we perform an act of care & love. Here at the Chilli lounge, that is our goal and aim!!

At The Chilli Lounge, we strive to bring you the best Indian food there is, delicious, home-cooked Indian food, made with the same love, care and thoughtfulness that a mother would devote. . Food is the social cement that brings us together. It’s the most basic link between ourselves and our environment

The Chilli Lounge’s fare is derivative of traditional Moghul cuisine focusing around the Tandoori oven, where bread, fish, meat and game are all cooked in the authentic Indian style. In addition to the conventional and established cuisine, Executive Chef Roshan will regularly devise new dishes and seasonal menus to keep the menu innovative, modern and up to date.


Where possible we aim to introduce low fat and organic ingredients. Our community in Kato Gouves, has merged together , and a wonderful member, by the name of Phil Hope, has nurtured and introduced a protein enriched treatment to the soil in The garden of The Chilli Lounge. This will enable us to pick fresh ripened chillies , right on our door step.
Indian cooking is an art, derived over the centuries from a variety of sources. Factors such as Religion, health, customs and even climatic conditions have played their part. As with Greek families, Mealtimes in an Indian household are like ceremonial occasions. The food is a gift from the Deity and should be prepared with due respect.Spices have medicinal and antiseptic properties. The spices are full of iron and Tandoori dishes are ideal for diet conscious people.In our restaurant we present Tandoori, and South Indian dishes as a sample of the variety of classic Indian food found in the Indian Sub-continent.Much thought has been given in designing this Restaurant to ensure that the classic theme of the food is enhanced by a suitably authentic yet contemporary and inviting atmosphere.We welcome your patronage and will be only too delighted to help with your selection.
Your meal is based on only fresh ingredients of the highest quality, making good use of the very best of Crete’s produce.
Consideration is given to the combination of colours, textures, originality and presentation of every dish, ensuring a feast for your eye as well as your palate.
The extensive choice of menu caters for most tastes, including vegetarian, special diets, Children and those clients who wish for the chef, to cook to your special taste.

Tandoori dishes are a particular speciality of The Eastern Eye, with the traditional Tandoori being used to great effect. For those who don't know, a Tandoori is an oven made from Indian clay, which is used to cook breads as well as fish and meats that have been marinated in yoghurt and herbs. The smouldering charcoal that is used as fuel seals in the flavours, as well as adding its own distinctive essence to the mix.
Each dish is served with panache and finesse, in the manner which the Maharajas of India were accustomed to! The Chilli Lounge is a true oasis for food lovers, delivering an impeccable friendly service to a discerning clientele.

Our menu takes you on a culinary tour of India with evocative flavours, fragrances and colours.
The restaurant's décor is a delightful fusion of Indian styling, combined with contemporary western finishes. The unique, harmonious and peaceful ambience will make a long lasting impression as soon as you enter the restaurant

What makes us different is our attention to detail, keeping the essence of authenticity in our modern cuisine. The atmosphere is upscale and lively with a relaxing bar area and our impeccable service that gives our diners an experience like no other.
We aim simply to attract those who have the same appreciation for fine food, impeccable service and convivial ambience as ourselves



Tuesday 3 February 2009

The chilli lounge Menu

I am posting a first draft of our menu, it will of course be revamped upon the arrival of our Chef,...but have a look....

MENU

Appetizers
Samosas- veg
Pakora-veg
Chicken Tikka pieces
Prawn Puri
Fish Tikka
Lamb Shish Kebab
Veg- Chana chat
Aloo tiki chatt
Tarka Dhal
*********
Chef specials
Chicken Tikka Masala
Garlic Chicken Tikka bhuna
Butter Pili Pili Chicken
Chicken / Lamb Tawa
Tandoori Mix grill
Vegaterian Thali
Prawn Pili Masala
Lamb Dupiaza

Please Note : All dishes may be prepared to your specification
Korma, Madras, Vindaloo or Phal
************
Chicken dishes
Jhal Frezi
Garlic Tawa
Saag
Tikka Masala
Chilli Chicken
*********
Lamb dishes
Jalfrezi
Karahi Mix
Dupiaza
Bhuna
Pasanda
Keema
*********
Vegetarian Dishes
Mumbai Aloo
Tarka Dhal
Saag Aloo
Matar Paneer
Pili Pili veg mix
Veg Tawa
Aloo Gobi
**********
Seafood
Prawn curry
King Prawn Bhuna
Jalfrezi

*************

Rice’s ,Breads & Sides
Plain rice
Pilau rice
Mushroom fried rice
Vegetarian rice
Garlic Naan
Plain Nann
Peshwari Nann
Parota
Chapatti
Pickle Tray
Papadom( plain or spicy)
French Fries
Align CentreGarden Salad
*************
Biriyani
Chicken tikka
Keema
Mushroom
Vegetable
*************


Non Indian Menu
Omelette & fries
Chicken nuggets & fries
Pasta
Greek Salad

**************
Desserts


Ice cream
Banana Boat
Knickerbockerglory
Fresh fruit
Chocolate Fountain
Gulab Jambu
*************


Welcome to Gouves first Authentic Indian Tandoori Restaurant & Bar, ….The Chilli Lounge….We wish to offer you service and cuisine, fit for a King. We introduce fresh local organic produce, hand ground spices, and a mouth watering palate of Asian Dishes.

Our Chef…Roshan Jose ,is a 5 star culinary expert from Southern Indian, who has worked in the World Class 5 * hotels in India.

Nothing will be too much to ask for, so please ask our attentive staff. Please enjoy your meal, and experience ,and if your not happy with any aspect , kindly inform us,........ If you are happy, tell everyone!!!
**************


Service charge not Included

www.chilliloungegouves.com

Sunday 25 January 2009

Container has now left the UK for Kato Gouves

Good Morning.
My container has now left the UK , bound for Heraklion port, laden with fresly ground spices, papadoms, asian and beautiful ornate Indian decor.It will reach the port in feb and progress will then start on The Chilli Lounge.
If you are in the area, pop in and say Hello, or if you are booking your summer holidays, please make sure you pay us a visit.
The opening date will be 21st April 2009 with a launch party, and then will be open from 6pm until 12.30am daily for dinner, but I will also be open for English breakfast and Indian brunch.....Tikka Baguttes, onion bajis, pakoras, fresh salads, with the most suculent mouthwatering fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.

Wednesday 21 January 2009

The Chilli Lounge Restaurant-Welcome

This new and very exciting Restaurant will be opening , Tuesday, April 21st, in Kato Gouves , Crete. This area is a beautiful, family, & couples orientated tourist destination. The Restaurant is a large area, consisting of 4 facets.
We are introducing a Elegant Indoor Dining Area, the colour scheme is black and white, combined with sumptuous leather roll back dining chairs , crystal chandeliers, black gloss Bar, with seating for 8 people.The indoor area has seating capacity for 20 diners. Large dining tables, will be laid with crisp white linen, and sparkling champagne and wine flutes.
Seat your self on our high back contempory designer black velor chairs,whilst having a pre dinner drink.This area will be very elegant, for those wishing to have a dressed up evening, maybe celebrating a Birthday, Anniversary or Wedding.You will be truly treated like royalty, and every need catered for.Please call in advance, if you wish to make a celebration, or pre order a cake or champagne.....All champagne will be served with Strawberries.
Our Outdoor Dining Area , seats 80 diners, and is a dining experience, under the Cretan stars, with warm evening winds,and soft Asian background music. Just finished a day, lazing by your pool, or people watching by the beach, then join use for a more relaxed and casual dining .Dressed up or shorts and tee are both a must for this area. This seating, again is black and white, with a fusion of warm rasberry,aubergine and purple palate.This accent colour, is taken from the Outdoor Asian/Marrakesh relaxing seating area.
The seats are a hand made, by a local member of the Kato Gouves community, and are stunningly beautiful, with soft padded cushions, and big organza bows , adorning the back of your chair.This area is fantastic for couples, singles, families or larger groups.All tables will be presented with black tablecloths and a crisp white overlayed cloth.
All of the ceilings, will be draped with calico, and organza, and enhansing, that summer evenings, relaxing on your well earned break in a superb holiday destination, Kato Gouves.
If you wish to join us , just for an evening drink, we also have a seating area ,with plush cushions, and complementary Bombay Mix and tasty Indian snacks.Nothing wil be too much for our attentive staff, so just ask!!
On to my favourite area, Outdoor Tented Marrakesh/Asian area.This really is a mix of the Asian/Indian and Far East!Beautiful ornate lanterns, low day beds, draped with the finest Indian fabric. Bean bags, Josh sticks with eastern aromas, Complementary Chocolate fountains, flow with delicious chocolate and accompanied by Crete's finest fresh fruit.Try our cherry flavoured shisha pipe, or simply sit back and enjoy you Holiday.This area, is a real treat, after you have over indulged, and wish to put your feet up. If you wish to join us for a drink, this area is a perfect option.
Now our Children's fun & play area .I have dined in many restaurants, in my life time, and all of which, I have been accompanied by my two daughters. I have on many occasions, have to vacate the premises, due to my daughters, tugging on my top, saying "Mummy ...When can we go, we are bored", so with those years in mind, I have catered for Children's needs, which I feel in turn, enhanses that precious time, parents need and deserve. This fablous area will have play equipment, soft and safe flooring, and lots of activities for your children to enjoy. In the peak summer months, they can enjoy a complementary , traditional hand or feet mendhi.This is a heen mix, that is applied to the body, to create beautiful design, that will fade in a 2 week period.I have a dressing up box, consisting of bindi's(diamonte sticker applied to the forehead), sari's , Indian dress, and lots of bangles....of course not forgetting the boys, there will be suitable dress for them.This area will be safety inspected and children will need parential guidance , whilst using any of The Chilli Lounge play equipment.
The chef I have chosen, is a personal friend, and will be flying in from Kerela , South India.He is a true gent, and is very happy to come and meet the dining guests, who often wish to pay him complements!
Roshan , Our Chef, has a 4 year diploma, in Asian /Indian Cuisine, and has worked at The 5 star J.W Marriott in India. He has a vast and extensive menu, of South Indian, North Indian, and not forgetting , our favourites, Chicken Tikka Masala, Biriyanis, Vegaterian dishes, Balti dishes, and mouth watering sizzlers. Roshan will also be giving the tourist , a chance to join him , for a weeks course in his cullinary secrets, and will be giving a master class in him art of preparation, cooking, and presentation .So join him for a fun and Educational week in April - October .

Monday 19 January 2009

The Chilli Lounge Gouves Crete Greece

The Chilli Lounge-NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT IN GOUVES!
Dec 5th, 2008, 5:51pm Hello,My Name is Rebecca Patel, I am Irish, and will be moving out to Gouves, Crete on the 13th Feb.I am opening a NEW AND EXCITING FINES INDIAN TANDOORI RESTAURANT!!!In Gouves!!The 2 chefs are also moving from India.The restaurant will be a extremly amazing experience.There will be fine dining inside, outdoor dining , and Indian/Marrakesh low day bed area, under calico and organza voile soft drapes, bean bags, and relaxing asian music, also with traditional shisha pipes(with fruit cockail flavours)fresh complementary strawberries and chocolate fountain- some where to eat beautiful fresh Indian cuisine, with AUTHENTIC TANDOORI OVEN, then sit back, pop the top button on your trousers, put your feet up and enjoy Crete summer!There is also a childs area, with dressing up boxes full of indian bangles , mendhi(to be applied by staff)saris and lots of games to keep the kids amused.
My husband is Indian and I have 2 daughters aged 16 and 11.I am moving alone innitially as we are keeping our house in the uk, and hubbys keeping his job for the 1st yr ....
So Welcome to you all....hope I will see you on our complementary opening night, with complementary wine, soft drinks and indian specialities!!This will be on 21st April......so pop it in your diary.
I would love to hear from anyone in Crete, I am apprensive and excited.I would like to hear any advise , re- shipping from uk into Iraklio.
Please email me - miahjade@ntlworld.com or call me 00441162878607.
The Chilli Lounge is situated just off the main strip in Gouves, 2 doors down from the Chinese.