A comparison of Ganga's and Royal Maharajah

Before HK's own Royal Maharajah was opened, Ganga's enjoyed flocks of students from HK into their restaurant for some months and now that Royal Maharajah is opened, I think they still do as Ganga's does have lots of appeals of its own over Royal Maharajah.

Here's my few peanuts of thoughts on  these 2.

1.Value for money: For the price it asked for,we would have expected a bigger portion from Royal Maharajah..it's fair to say that the serving dish at Ganga's provide a bit of an optical illusion that its serving portion is bigger but really, my stomach don't lie...However, we were told by the manager of Royal Maharajah that the ingredients they used are imported from India and Germany whereas Ganga's use local ingredients...which explains their reason for the higher pricing-to-smaller portion. If ya asking me, I'd rather have them use local ingredients...not that I could tell the difference between a Czech chicken and German chicken.

2. Atmosphere: Don't know which restaurant owned the lot Ganga's in now but Ganga's retained some its mural that we are dead sure aren't reflective of the Indian culture...haha..Royal Maharajah on the other hand prides itself in offering a sight of Indian culture and so you do get the feeling that you have entered an Indian restaurant especially  because of the altar for Hindu gods welcoming you at the entrance.

3. Taste: I haven't been to both of these restaurants as much as I like to, but on some occasions , I do order the same dishes eg. Butter Chicken at Royal Maharajah...which was um..a bit different on the 4 different times I have eaten it. Is it too much to ask for consistency??

4. Menu range:  Both restaurants offer a wide range of dishes....so much that you are confused temporarily at what to order...but I have to go with Royal Maharajah's for this one...cos they have lady's fingers/ okra!!!!!


5. Presentation of dishes: Thumbs up to both for using serving dishes that reflects an Indian meal experience...but maybe a bit extra to Ganga's for using ones that makes us feel the portion is bigger than it really is...:-P

6. Space: Ganga's has a really small space and because it's located at the basement level, it feels even smaller. It can't sit many patrons and so, it's highly recommended to reserve before hopping on a train to Pardubice. 

7. Location: Ok, not only is Royal Maharajah is right in HK, it's also 2 shops away from my flat...how lucky is that? :-P But really, both restaurants are easy to find as they are located in each city's Old Town area.

So well, I think all things considered, it's a bit of a tie between them. But if  I have time and want to feel like I am on a little holiday, I'll head for Ganga's...heeee

Restaurace Šatlava

It's really surprising that this restaurant is just a couple of steps from my place; yet I have only been here TWICE. in my TWO years of living at Velke Namesti. Even after hearing a lot praises about the food. It's just one of those restaurants where I thought would create a hole in my pocket...so I kinda surreptitiously avoid it. :-P But really, that's not the case at all. It's definitely an upper-scale [at least it exudes that atmosphere] restaurant than Mexita, Sports Cafe but the price can be around the same.

 I first went there for my 22nd birthday and returned for a visit together with Martina, Yumi and Sara. Their menu has changed for the spring and summer. Their menu....hmm....compared to a lot of restaurant is kinda short. Even when compared to Little Creatures in Perth [previously thought by me to have the shortest menu]

Spinach cream soup with salmon pieces and cheese - 50Kc

The only other place I have had spinach soup was Cafe Popular; and compared to that, I actually like this one better. True, like what Sara and Yumi said, there's not much spinach taste to it as the cream kind of dominates over...which makes it super creamy. But the thumbs up part for me is the salmon slices they gave. :-D plus the portion. But yeah, I suppose I have to agree that they need to add more spinach to the soup. :-P
 

 

Grilled mackerel with tomaties and potatoes slices - 160Kc

This was what I had. It's really nice and all, but not really anything special?? Maybe it's all about the grilling technique. Granted, the fish flesh was rather succulent; doesn't seem to be dry from the grilling process. Oh and I shouldn't have added too much lime juice too it...too sour for me :-P

 

 Duck Breast on fresh spinach and oranges - 120Kc with potatoes slices - 35Kc

Oooh...I love the duck breast on this dish. Btw, this was actually under the 'salad' section. Really quite unlike any salad I have seen..haha, not that I have seen much. :-P Back to the duck breast...it's so so juicy, with just the right amount of fat to melt in your mouth. Yum!!!! Hehe...this was Yumi's choice btw. 

Stuffed chicken breast with parma ham and salad - 150Kc

 This was Martina's. Didn't taste it but should be nice. She did finish the whole thing. ;-D

Fried chicken wings with potatoes and blue cheese sauce - 100Kc

And the last but not least; Sara's selection. To be honest, I'd had better fried chicken wings...even done in similar style. I just feel there's not enough seasoning to it. Too much flour-y taste to it. :-P

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll still return to this restaurant for the food...esp. the duck breast! The place isn't that big. So if it's weekend, it's best to make a reservation...we were lucky this time there was an extra table.Sometimes, they have this DJ service thingy...it was 80's and 90's on the day we went. It was kinda a bit too loud....:-P

Btw, the toilet signs are just a tad bit confusing...just remember the 'circle with a cross' is for FEMALES and 'circle with an arrow' is for MALES!

Plus...shhhHHHH.....there's a waiter there who is really cute...really charming smile...hahahaha!!!! I think there is only one guy working there, so you'll definitely find out who!

Restaurace Šatlava

Dlouhá ul. 101,
Hradec Králové 50002

http://www.restauracesatlava.cz/index.html
+420 604 974 830


Opening hours:
Mon-Thurs 11.00 - 23.00
Fri-Sat 11.00 - 24.00
Sun 11.00 - 21.00

KFC Binging

Every now and then, I crave for some crispy, juicy KFC....! [about every week, actually] But on Thursday, I had such an intense craving for it...I almost skipped my Czech class for it. Luckily, that night together with my neighbour; Yumi, after painting eggs for Easter, we went for it....and thankfully, we were in a serious KFC rage!

From what I've experienced, it seems that McD in every place I've been to have more similarities than KFC does. And McD tastes the same. The weird thing is KFC is not....but aren't they all prepared using the same Colonel's secret recipe??

Anyway, here's what the KFC in the Czech Republic looks like. Taste-wise, I think Malaysia's one is spicier and we have more creative new menus...:-P There's only 2 branch of KFC in HK...this one and the one in FUTURUM; the local mall. Compare this to Malaysia; which practically has it everywhere....wonder what that say's about Malaysian's eating habits! :-P

 Hot Wings Menu [99 CZK]

I almost always had this. In my opinion, it's the best deal if you don't like burgers. 

 Yumi's Wrapstar Menu [119 CZK]

Like I  said, we were in the mood for some serious binging...

After eating up our first order, we still felt hungry...

We think and contemplate getting some other thing to eat. At last, we decided to share a bucket of Hot Wings...muahahahaha

30 pieces of Hot Wings [269 CZK]

 Happiness "r" us!

Our handwork: 20 pieces of wings. :-D

We brought the remaining 15 home. 

I think I won't be eating KFC for a while now. And I know Yumi feels the same! Hahaha...let's see how long this time's satisfaction can last us....!!!

Plus, after that, we head over to McD; just a few steps from it to get a sundae cone for me and Yumi got a blueberry muffin. *Blissful life*

KFC

Pilnáčkova 485/3a,
50003 Hradec Králové
Opening Hours:
Mo-Fri 7:30 - 22:30
Sat-Sun 8:00 - 23:00

** Near Kaufland and behind the Faculty of Medicine**

Sport Café

Everyone in HK [that's Hradec Králové, not Hong Kong, mind you!] knows about Sport Café. Some say it serves the best pizza in town. I am not a big fan of pizza, so I can't say much about that. :-P

Actually, until recently, I don't really like to go to this place. Their menu is not that fascinating. And my major reason is that it's so SMOKY! Go there after a shower and it won't make a difference. I, for one, can't enjoy my food properly in a smoky environment. You know, the whole thing about needing you sense of smell to complement your sense of taste. 

Unfortunately in Czech Republic, smoking is allowed in restaurants. :-(

Anyway, they have extended their menu since....I don't know when. In my previous visit within the same month, I have tried their Spaghetti Carbonara....pretty good, I must say. 

This time, together with Jay, Noel and Daniella, I decided to try something different.

Gnocchi con Salmone [100grms] - 129 CZK
[potato gnocchi with fresh salmon and cream]

I have been eyeing this on the menu for quite some time now...I am big fan of salmon, and quite alright with gnocchi. Thought turns to push and finally I leap at this. And I really like it!. Quite a number of salmon pieces. Portion was just nice; the amount of gnocchi in it is enough to satisfy your hunger, but not till it makes you sick of eating it.Actually, I needed just a bit more to be full. :-P The texture of the gnocchi is nice as well, not too chewy till it becomes a mouth workout!

Penne Sport Café [300grms] - 109CZK

[penne, chicken pieces, tomatoes, ketchup, tomatoes puree]

This is Jay's order, but I tried a bit..hehe...and it's good! Very flavorful and portion is definitely bigger than my gnocchi.

Chicken Steak with Baby Spinach [200grms] - 129CZK

[chicken steak with baby spinach]

Boiled Potatoes - 20CZK

Noel and Daniella shared this. :-) Seems alright, I think. The baby spinach didn't look so baby-sized...haha

Sport Café

Velké náměstí 151/10, Hradec Králové, 500 02 

http://www.sport-cafe.cz