The Fine Print Election Issue 2014 | Page 8

‘Elephant in the room’ is a metaphorical phrase for an apparent truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed. This idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss. Ring any bells? If your friendly election candidate were to pay a visit to your room with his band of campaigners and raise voice against your most pressing problems, one of your eyebrows might shift inadvertently upwards an inch or two in anticipation. If he were to state proofs to cement their feasibility, the other would surely join it. Big fat thumbs up, yes. But, if one points out that this is an antiquated deathtrap that’s been doing its rounds every second and third weeks of August, you might start to call him a cynic (you’re welcome). We’ve all heard politicians spouting wildly on subjects about which they know next to nothing. It is pretty evident that our candidates are stuck in a vicious circle of sorts today. Manifestos of two contenders are increasingly hard to tell apart these days. Few dare to be ambitious (exceptions do exist) and even fewer are stoic to stand by their points. However, the irony is, there has been a general trend observed over the years: the more the number of manifesto points that go unaddressed every year, the more that are spawned and vice versa. Same old story. Chicken, egg, etc. Oh well. One hears about the days when elections were heralded by the arrival of candidates on their bandwagons carrying those resounding megaphones (however absurd this may sound today). These images may just appear to be inconsequential and trivial when we see the bigger picture. Very True. But they added to the whole buzz surrounding the elections. Shortened campaigning period and banners gone astray - aren’t we missing a bit of the fervor and aura of the elections here? You be the judge. IG, Angad, Pranita, Spriha, Siddhant, Tanya; Ajay Ramya, Debolina, Kruti, Neel, Nithya, Passey, Prateek, Ritvik, Sahil D, Sahil K, Shalaka, Shashank, Shruti, Steffie, Viraj; Ananth, Anish, Archit, Madhusudan, Pratik, Rahul, Rusheen, Soumya, Srishti, Tanay, Tanmayee, Vijay; Akhilesh, Danish, Deeksha, Devina, Gayatri, Lasya, Sanket, Shubham, Venu, Vishal; Introducing: Prayaag, Rishabh, Yimkum. THE COOKIE JAR EPC brings you the latest from Pilani’s very own. A section by you, for you. Not necessarily about you however. LAZEEZ ROLLS AND MORE CULINARY DELIGHTS IN PILANI Gastronomically speaking, now is a good time to be in Pilani. (Also astronomically speaking, what with last week's Perseid meteor shower and Pilani's perfect skies.) The last year and a half have seen our options for culinary outings go from the fairly sub-standard C'not, ANC, FK and Vatika+Sarla+Bunty+PD+Chicken Corner to an inclusion of the verging-on-gourmet Pizzeria, Cruncheez and Sandpiper. Read on for an update on the chow scene and an idea of what to expect in the coming months. …………………………………… . . …………………… First off, Lazeez Kathi Rolls. Fliers for this fine establishment announced its birth near BKBIET, declaring free home delivery for those calling +918607448833 with an order above Rs. 500. A single roll will set you back anywhere between Rs. 40 for an egg or a *snigger* potato roll, and Rs. 140 if you opt instead for the majestic Double Egg Double Mutton. What certainly seems to be working for Lazeez is their smorgasbord-like variety-- even the usually limited vegetarian section has options like aloo, mushroom, paneer and paneer bhurji rolls, each with an option to be embellished by malai (do ask for extra malai; the usual dollop seems to get lost in the ocean of flavours). Mutton has been quite the neglected middle child of Pilani's food family, but the goat-loving demographic now has good cause to rejoice. Lazeez serves mutton that does not taste like poorly disguised peacock-- a first for Pilani. The mutton roll is an explosion of flavour and a definite must-try, although it is also without doubt the more blessed of the lot, with both chicken and its vegetarian brothers registering complaints of being undercooked and half-baked. The chicken roll, while deliciously spiced, featured a far-from-succulent main ingredient, while the paneer veg roll was described by one disgruntled customer as ‘rubber and goo wrapped carelessly in oily cardboard’. Still, intelligence reports from behind enemy lines say that their skewering abilities are now near perfect, and services will have begun by the time this article makes its way to your morning breakfast table. Thus, their menu will be further bo lstered by mutton and chicken seekh kebab rolls. Meanwhile, vegetarians have even more options, with the newly-opened Café Blue Flame, also near BKBIET, which seeks to introduce the Pilani palette to Chinese food (noodles, momos, the works) and the usual burger-nuggetsfries fare. Call the proprietor, Akshay (+919001564065), for details and home delivery options. A coup worthy of being mentioned here is the recent acquisition of Vatika by Pizzeria. Pleased with having the run of the place, diligent Pizzeria elves are busy transforming the place to make it Pushkar-esque. The menu has expanded to include Israeli offerings such as pita bread and hummus. An air-conditioned eating area is under construction to help beat the Pilani heat, accompanied with an elaborate beverage section to choose from. Further implications of this merger are that Pizzeria will soon add chicken to its menu. Simplified: chicken quattro formaggio pizza, lasagna al fungi al chicken and so on, for approximately an extra 150 bucks per dish.