Olive Garden's "International" Italian cuisine

By A Staff Reporter

Even without the Chef having to remind the diners, most could figure out it was “classic Italian” food, all right. Furthermore, with a running commentary of what was being served coming from Andrew Blundy, the Master of the Kitchen himself, the flavour of the food became even more distinct to the tongue.

This feast of Italian food was served at the Olive Garden, the Italian eatery of the latest five star hotel in town, the Radisson at Lazimpat. Starting from an appetiser of Pan fried scallops with gnocchi and pesto, the journalists gathered that day at the tastefully done restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel, were treated to a seven course meal by Chef Blundy and his assistant Navojit Ghose.

Chef Blundy (far right) explaining his recipe to journalists

The delightful atmosphere, the soft Italian music in the background and the French wine to wash down each new dish, made virtually all the diners eat more like gluttons rather than connoisseurs. And why not, when it was the choice of the Chef that was being served.

Chef Blundy, had worked at the Olive Garden last year also, but this time, “he has expanded the concept of ingredient based cookery that he introduced previously”. Blundy explained that although the food was “classical Italian”, the majority of dishes were a “fusion” of ingredients that made it more international.

The fusion of food could be seen in the next dish served, which was Deep Fried Rissoto cakes of wild mushroom with shaved parmesan and rocket. Describing this dish, Chef Blundy explained this was an international cuisine for the people with the “taste of the present”. The organic ingredients, including the almost raw leafy vegetables were local and of the best quality, but the way the dish was prepared, was in true Italian style.

Then the piping hot soup was served. If nothing, the smoked garlic completely gave away the Italian taste of the potato and paprika soup.

Served with great flourish, a pizza with assorted toppings came next. This was a great hit with the local scribes, who did not hesitate to set aside their knives and forks and enjoy the dish with their hands. Chef Bulundy called the pizza, “the most authentic pizza, you can get in Nepal”.

The happy diners then begged the Chef to give them a break before going on to the next dish. While some smoked, others chatted or asked questions regarding the food being served. The next dish was something without which any Italian meal probably would not be complete. It was the international favourite Pasta. A smooth paste of basil, parmesan and nuts flavoured what we would normally called noodles and most agreed that this was the best dish of the day.

But two exotic preparations awaited in the form of the Main Course. They were Herb crusted Rack of Newzealand lamb on a sage and shallot rosti, salsa verdi and balsamic and also Roast chicken with basil and goat cheese mousse, tomato and chilli ragu. These two delights were really out of the world, even without the Chef having to explain that the ingredients being used were the best and “very expensive”.

There was little room for the choice of desserts that came after the Main Course, but still they were so tempting, that one couldn’t resist to taste at least one or the other sweet item on offer.

For anyone who likes food that is Italian, specially which is original and hygenic, then it is the Olive Garden for you.

Lauda Air connects Kathmandu with Vienna, Austria

By A Staff Reporter

After completing almost 20 months of successful flights to Nepal, Austrian Airlines has decided to let one of its subsidiary airlines to fly in the Kathmandu-Vienna sector. Effective from Thursday last week, Lauda Air, a subsidiary of Austrian Airlines, started twice a week flight connecting Kathmandu with Vienna, Austria.

On the occasion of its maiden flight to Kathmandu, the Explore Nepal Group, GSA of Austrian Airlines in the Kingdom of Nepal, organized a programme welcoming the passengers and the officials of the Lauda Air.

Speaking on the occasion, Bharat Basnet, Managing Director of The Explore Nepal Group, informed that the new airlines would maintain the same schedule services directly from Vienna to Kathmandu as it was formerly been maintained by the Austrian Airlines.

“There is no difference between the two airlines as Lauda Air falls under the Austrian Airlines group are closely associated,” Basnet said. Like the Austrian Airlines, the Lauda Air is also the only airline to have direct flight out of Europe to Nepal.

Beside that, the Lauda Air is flying bigger aircraft, Boeing 767 with larger capacity for passengers and cargo. There will be twenty-two percent increase on passenger capacity and cent percent increase on cargo capacity. “This will help to bring more visitors from overseas and help to lift more cargo supporting Nepal’s handicraft industry,” Basnet pointed out. 

Lauda Air was founded by famous Formula 1 racing driver Nikki Lauda back in 1979. Ever since then it has expanded its fleet of modern air crafts and net work all over the world touching major cities. From 26 March 2000, in its bid to become the biggest and strongest airline group in the globe, it joined the star alliance with the Austrian Airlines group. The Austrian Airlines group comprises of Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean and extends wider range of services to their passengers.

Airlines have neglected I providing services

By A Staff Reporter

A joint meeting between Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) and Nepal Board of Airlines Representatives in Nepal (BARN) concluded with the resolve to solve various problems such as the inadequacies of physical infrastructure at the Tribhuvan International Airport and the problems emanating from the airlines in the air freight of cargoes.

As some of the international airlines have increased the freight charges because of the increase in the price of fuel in the international market. Again currently they have incorporated the increased price as service charges. This has resulted in the increased in the transportation cost of cargoes, says a NEFFA press release. This has created difficulty for the goods exported from Nepal while competing in international market, says Rabindra Man Singh, President of NEFFA. It should be noted that airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Austrian Airlines have increased 10% in fuel charge and Qatar Airways has decreased 10% in fuel sur charge and, on the other hand has increased 10% in charge collect fee. NEFFA has objected it.

NEFFA president Singh opined that the airlines have neglected in providing service, which will certainly give negative impact in our international trade.

In this connection BARN President R.R. Upadhaya has said that BARN has already requested the international airlines not to increase in fuel price because of the changes in the price of fuel in international market. He further added that he will instruct the related airlines to come to an agreement in service charge.

On that occasion, Singh apprised that due to this increase the entire export has been affected because of the competition in the international market. He further added that Nepal has now become “air-locked” because the airlines have put low priority for exported goods, the airlines not becoming service oriented, the inability of the airlines to deliver the cargoes in the destination and failing to fulfill the demand of the freight forwarders for the compensation.

The meeting must approach the concerned departments of His Majesty’s Government to solve the problems such as the frequent break down of the container trucks belonging to Nepal Transit Warehouse Management Company for transporting from the warehouse to the RAMP, and the irregular operation of the truck.

On the same occasion, the Treasurer of BARN, Ashish Kumar Sen Gupta informed that the weighing machine at the godown is not in workable condition since last three years. He has already informed His Majesty’s Government and has received assurances for repair. He warned that provided this problem is not solved soon, this may create danger for the airlines and will be compelled to postpone the airfreight of the cargoes. NEFFA Secretary General Namgyal Lama has drawn the attention regarding the problem of the x-ray machine as well as the theft of the goods from the ramp.