Nightfall in Jaisalmer

22 December 2009, narrated by Helena

On Day 5 in Jaisalmer, Shen Yi, Jothi, Ming and I decided to embark on a food safari. Food safari was an idea that Ming came up with where we would to go round sampling food recommended by the travel guides. Our first stop was Trio, a restaurant highly recommended by both the guide books and by Mohinder. Trio was one of those restaurants that the ang-mohs would love. Inside, it was a little cluttered with contrasting primary colours that Rajasthani favour, well worn embroidered throw pillows and yards of  printed cloths hung on just about every wall. The ambiance was somewhat romantic in dimmed lightings and musicians playing melodious Indian music in the background.  All of us tried the Royal Safari Soup, described in the menu as ‘an experience that one will not forget’. And what an unforgettable experience  it was! The soup tasted just like Maggi Mee soup with eggs in it, watery & tasteless with some rice thrown in.

Our next stop was Tibet Kitchen located on rooftop of a building. Jothi suggested we order Momo which she had tasted when she visited Nepal. We ordered a set of fried vegetarian momo just for taste. The restaurant was very quiet. It had one other table occupied when we arrived. Nevertheless it won’t be able to accommodate too many diners as there were about 6 tables in all. Service was really slow. It took some 15 minutes before someone came to take order and some 30 minutes before food arrived. If it wasn’t for Shen Yi who went in the kitchen to remind the cook, I believe it would have taken much longer time for us to wait. Momo was a kind of dumpling stuffed with chicken meat, vegetables or potatoes. To me, those momos we ate tasted like a cross between Indian samosa and Chinese fried popiah. Jothi gave very direct feedback to the waiter/ owner that the momo did not taste like the ones she tasted before. I sensed that instead of being offended by Jothi’s feedback, the waiter really paid attention because he truly wanted to know.

By the time we headed to the last restaurant, it was getting late. Stalls were closing as we walked along the marketplace area. It took us quite a long walk before we reached the Monica Restaurant. It was crowded mostly with Westerner diners. There were 2 sections, an enclosed area and the balcony area. We took one of the tables located at the balcony area. It was quite nice place as we could see the activities on the street below from where we were seated.

According to Shen Yi, the guide book recommended Muglai Chicken for the Monica Restaurant. Sadly, they no longer serve the dish. That book must have been written quite some time ago. The waiter recommended masala chicken. He informed us that it was the restaurant’s bestseller. We downed our meal with beer and lime soda. It was quite relaxing. After all it had been a long walk for us and we expected another long walk back to our hotel.

Trio, highly recommended by Lonely Planet and other guide books but we found the food mediocre. In fact, the soup we ordered tasted MSG-laden.

Decor inside Trio

View of Jaisalmer from Trio

Shops opposite Trio

Other restaurants near Trio

Sooi Gaik, Terrie and Suat Lee – lovely ladies from Penang

Jothy was game enough to join us on the Food Safari

View from Tibet Kitchen

View of the Jaisalmer Fort from Monica Restaurant

Gandhi Chowk, a popular food and shopping area in Jaisalmer

Around Gandhi Chowk

Fabric and block printing is famous in Jaisalmer

Street peddling around Gandhi Chowk

More street peddling

Muruku or kacang putih, anyone?

Lots of deep fried stuff

Achis bargaining at the vegetables stall. Was scolded for taking their photographs.

Colorful tie and dye work

Colors of Jaisalmer

More handicrafts for sale – the sign says “Make your girlfriend more beautiful”

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