1. SPECIALS FOR MARCH
Appetizer:
Tangri Kebab — Chicken legs are marinated in yogurt,
cream, cashew nut paste, garlic, coriander, cumin, red chili pepper, black
pepper, salt, lemon juice, saffron, and olive oil then placed in the tandoor
to grill at high heat. They are placed on a bed of red and green cabbage
that has been lightly sauteed in olive oil with shallots, roasted cumin
seeds, and a sprinkle of Roti's garam masala, and served with our fabulous
tamarind and mint chutneys. $10.
Main Course:
Badak Makhani — Cubes of Muskovy duck are marinated
in olive oil, garlic, yogurt, cumin, coriander, red chili pepper, paprika,
salt and lemon juice, roasted in the tandoor and placed in a delicious
makhani sauce. The sauce is made with cream, fresh tomatoes, fresh onions,
coriander, cumin, red chili pepper, turmeric and fenugreek. Finally a
garnish of almond flakes is added to this very tasty dish. $16.
Vegetable dish:
Paneer Tikka Masala — Following the success of our Paneer
Tikka special we present a modified version for our vegetarian food lovers. Cubes
of farmers cheese are marinated in yogurt, cream, turmeric, chili powder, cumin,
coriander, paprika, saffron and salt. They are placed in the tandoor to become
golden brown on the outside, and then added to a masala sauce made with fresh
tomatoes, fresh onions, cream, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, green cardamom,
cinnamon and paprika and garnished with chopped fresh green onions. $10.
Due to the great reception you gave our February specials, we will
continue to offer them through the month of March. To remind you, the February specials
were:
Appetizer:
Malai Swordfish Salad — Cubes of swordfish, marinated and grilled in the tandoor
to a soft and flavorful perfection are added to a mixed green salad with mango dressing. $12
Main Course Lamb dish:
Nargasi Kofta — Hard boiled eggs are coated in ground lamb, deep fried, sliced in half,
and placed in a gorgeous tomato and onion based Masala sauce. $16
Vegetable dish:
Dhaniwal Aloo — Baby potatoes are pre boiled and skinned then sautéed in a beautiful
green sauce made with cilantro (Dhania).. $10
Coffee:
Served in French press style right at your table. Decaffeinated coffee is also available. $5
The January specials of Misi Roti with Makhani Sauce, Crab Masala, and Paneer Tikka have been discontinued.
2. NEW WINES
In the month of March we will introduce some exciting new wines that pair
beautifully with the flavors and nuances of our modern Indian cuisine. Try them
and see for yourself.
- Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco: A pretty ruby color, with a
light sparkle; the bouquet is vinous with some berry fruit laced with violets.
On the palate it's moderately full, not tannic, and has a nice touch of sweetness
that melds well with an impressive fruitiness. The finish is moderately persistent,
and quite clean, with some fruit. $38 per bottle. $12 per 6oz glass.
- Oppidum Sant' Andrea: The essence of Muscat is that it is
extremely aromatic. This wine is dry, full bodied, supple, and richly flavored;
a Muscat with a long finish, tasting of orange blossom, raisin, lime, musk, and
gardenia. $30 per bottle. $10 per 6oz glass.
- Daphne Malvasia (secco): Blossoming scents of tangerine peel
in the glass hint that Daphne is sweet as can be. Not so. At first sip, this frizzante
Malvasia Secco from Lambrusco producer Medici Ermete reveals itself to be edgy and dry.
Made from the Malvasia di Candia variety, which once was also a staple in Madeira, the
wine is highlighted by subtle floral overtones. $38 per bottle. $12 per 6oz glass.
- Weller-Lehnert Riesling (1998): It is light-medium bodied, floral
and fruity in character (peach, pineapple, honeysuckle), and long on the palate, with
a persistent finish. $56 per bottle. $15 per 6oz glass.
3. WINNER
The winner of a complimentary dinner for 2 valued at $60 for the month of February '07 is:
CHRIS AYCOCK (Apple).
CONGRATULATIONS, and please continue to add your business cards to the collection
bowl at the front of the restaurant, and fill out the feedback forms in the guest check
envelope after you complete your dining experience. This will insure your chances for
future monthly draws of a Roti dinner for 2 valued at $60.
These complimentary dinner prizes need to be used within the month following
the draw, so the February '07 winner should call in and reserve a table within
the month of March '07. We will notify winners by phone as well as by adding their names
to the newsletter.
4. TASTES OF INDIA
Our popular quarterly Saturday afternoon tasting was held on February 24th at 4pm.
We had fun with our wonderful customers as we tasted Paneer Tikka, Nargasi Kofta and
a new look at an old favorite — Navrattan Korma. These were skillfully paired with
tastings of some of the new wines we are introducing this month. The next Tastes of
India will be held in May 07 and we will notify you of the date in a future newsletter.
5. INDIAN IMMERSION
a. Name the film directed by Deepa Mehta that was nominated for a OSCAR in the foreign film category?
b. From which part of the plant do we get turmeric powder?
c. What is a Sarod?
(see answers below)
Indian cultural activities out and about town... in addition to
Roti being the cultural experience of great Indian Cuisine in the West Portal 'Village':
- Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitarist and one of India's most esteemed cultural envoys,
will be performing at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley on Sunday April 29 '07 at 7pm. See Cal
Performances for ticket information.
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meet us for lunch at Roti in the West Portal Village! Yes we will be opening for lunch
starting Thursday March 1 from 11.30am until 2pm. Due to circumstances beyond our control
we were unable to open February 17 as previously planned. We apologize for any inconvenience
this may have caused you. Rustom Swaleh and the Chef will host a tasty lunch menu that will
include some new dishes as well as some of the favorites from our classic dinner menu. We
look forward to seeing you, your family and friends, during the daylight hours.
7. THE ROTI COMMUNITY
We were thrilled to have Eliza Olson dine with us recently. She is one of the top female
welterweight boxers in the world having won a number of US and international competitions.
Now a San Franciscan and a plumber by trade, she still travels internationally and competes
in major international boxing events. For more information on Eliza see
Women Boxing Archive Network.
To send us your suggestions and comments for future newsletters, please email us at rotinews@yahoo.com.
Please do not use that email to unsubscribe from the newsletter. The link at the end
of this newsletter will be the most automatic, immediate, and effective way to
unsubscribe.
We look forward to seeing you at Roti in the near future.
Warm regards,
Susan Gujral.
On behalf of our family, business partners, the Executive
Chef and the great staff members of Roti Indian Bistro, West Portal.
Answers to Indian Immersion Questions
a. Water, directed by Deepa Mehta (reference Internet Movie Data Base)
b. From the rhizome of the tropical turmeric plant (reference turmeric.co.in)
c. An 18 to 19 stringed instrument (reference Wikipedia.org)
