Showing posts with label FINE DINING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FINE DINING. Show all posts
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Frozen Assets: Granitas and Sorbets
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Utterly Gheelicious
(This article first appeared in print and online on 21st April in the Sunday Magazine section of The New Indian Express newspaper https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/food/2024/Apr/20/utterly-gheelicious)
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Restaurant Review: Buona Terra, Singapore
This review was first published online on 14th October 2023 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurant-review-buona-terra-scotts-road-in-singapore/
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Bone Marrow in Indian Culinaria
(This article first appeared online on 5th July and in print on 6th July 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/dishes-with-bone-marrow-111688528129973.html)
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Restaurant Review: Cottage Point Inn, Sydney, Australia
(This review first appeared online on 24th June 2023 in Opening Doorz, India https://openingdoorz.com/cottage-point-inn-a-true-blue-flight-of-fancy/)
Monday, April 10, 2023
Restaurant Review: Tableau at Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka
This review was first published online on 10th April 2023 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurant-review-tableau-at-cape-weligama-weligama-in-sri-lanka/
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Tea-Infused Dinner at Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Restaurant Review: IDAM in Doha, Qatar
This review was first published online on 11th March 2023 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurant-review-idam-corniche-promenade-doha-in-qatar/
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
5 Doha, Qatar Restaurants You Must Try
(This article first appeared online on 1st March 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/5-doha-restaurants-to-add-to-your-post-fifa-qatar-travel-list-111677666000765.html)
Monday, August 1, 2022
Restaurant Review: Black Ginger, Phuket
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Restaurant Review: Trèsind Studio Dubai
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Dubai Diaries: 5 Interesting Food Experiences In The City Of Extravagances
Saturday, May 21, 2022
5 Fine Dining Restaurants For The Gourmand In You
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Restaurant Review: D’Arenberg Cube, McLaren Vale In South Australia
This article was first published online on 4th August 2020 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurant-review-darenberg-cube-mclaren-vale-in-south-australia/
Friday, January 3, 2020
Bengaluru on a plate!
Famous for its dynamic and ultra-casual dining scene, India’s ‘Garden City’ of Bengaluru has an interesting bunch of new restaurants offering a range of cuisine and dining experiences to suit everyone
By Raul Dias
No longer content at being relegated to a ‘third place’ ranking when it comes to dining out in India—when compared with the rather flashy Delhi restaurant scene or with Mumbai’s high concept driven one—the city of Bengaluru is rapidly carving out its own niche. And it does this by playing host to a number of interesting restaurants that each mirror the city’s love for relaxed, ultra-casual dining with a focus on good food.
We bring you four such eateries, each poles apart from the other as far as cuisine and ambience is concerned, but each tied in together by the culinary philosophy of Bengaluru. One where the main focus is strongly on good food in environments that references the easy-going ethos of India’s Garden City!
Mikusu at Conrad Bengaluru
Ulsoor
Though prima facie—thanks to its delightfully onomatopoeic name—Mikusu at the Conrad Bengaluru might seem like a purely Japanese restaurant, the truth is that while it is one, it also prides itself on being an “Asiatic affair” featuring a mélange of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine influences. All this is set against a luxurious, aesthetic backdrop that reflects a sophisticated Asian vibe. It achieves this with the help of key décor pieces such as a delicate cheery blossom branch-inspired light feature and a Japanese yukata art piece made from bits of Chinese blue pottery among other pieces. Overlooking the hotel’s verdant foliage outside its large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Mikusu is an oasis of calm with a menu featuring some highly nuanced dishes and drinks. Sent out and curated by Executive Chef Praveen Shetty and Chef Rawat, expect to find dishes here such as the traditional Thai tom yom soup, spicy salmon sushi, vegetable futomaki, tuna sashimi, and mains from the kitchen such as sriracha lotus root and grilled fish with togarashi garlic. For desserts indulge yourself with a host of mouth-watering treats such as the passion fruit tiramisu, and the almost-sculptural looking strawberry religieuse and black forest entremets. A special mention for all you cocktail lovers: make sure to call for a curated range of exquisite sake-based and exotic Asia-inspired cocktails that are made table side by a bartender behind the restaurant’s specially purposed mobile cocktail cart.
GoNative
Lavelle Road
A true-blue, feel-good kind of a place, surrounded by a virtual forest of live plants and lush foliage, GoNative is a space of not just calm and serenity, but also one where good, honest-to-goodness food and beverages trump all. To begin with, the all-vegetarian, alcohol-free restaurant uses indigenous grains, pulses and spices that are consciously chosen for their positive impact towards the environment, society and wellness. Spread over two levels, the rather huge dining space features a host of seating options, ranging from a large communal-style table to smaller nooks for intimate gatherings—all lit wonderfully by lights and eco-friendly chandeliers made by GoNative’s in-house lighting brand called Oorjaa. But coming to the food, all their dishes celebrate traditional and familiar flavours in slightly unusual and contemporary ways. Dishes like the bright green soppu neer dosa served with a veg gassi, the innovative cabbage akki roti served with a gongura thokku and the filling banana, almond and date milkshake are also said to be made from pesticide-free ingredients, homemade condiments and fresh organic produce that are sourced from farms around Bengaluru. They also periodically change their menu to integrate seasonal fruits and vegetables into their dishes. This keeps the food light on the tummy, nutritious and healthy. But that’s not all for this eco warrior of a restaurant, not only does GoNative claim to segregate waste, but all organic matter is also composted, and their takeaway containers are biodegradable and plastic-free. Go green, GoNative seems to be the mantra here!
Foxtrot House of Subculture
Koramangala
Dubbing itself as a place modelled on a frat house, Foxtrot House of Subculture claims to be Bengaluru’s new address for good times. And we simply cannot get over the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of hybridity that this place is imbued with. A bustling coffeehouse focussed in the outdoor patio area during the day, Foxtrot transforms into a thriving cocktail bar indoors during the night with plush couches and crystal drop chandeliers creating the ambience. And as an added plus, Foxtrot is also the home to Mimansa, a health cafe, store, and studio for your daily yoga regimen. The menu here is a global mix of small plates and some large plate options, leaning towards forgotten, hyper-local Indian creations mixed with global ingredients and vice versa. It is divided into breakfast, brunch, south Indian menu, lunch trays with numerous dependable options like the beetroot galouti and the chicken tikka kulcha for snacks and the Tellicherry mutton boti and soya haleem for mains. Their signature cocktails like the lavender- and vodka-based poison ivy and the dark rum- and turmeric-based tornado are also quite impressive with a great mix of flavours. We like!
Cantan
Lavelle Road
Totally devoid of the expected and rather clichéd embellishments like plenty of calligraphy and Chinoiserie one finds at most Chinese restaurants today, Cantan is a like a gentle, refreshing breeze. Calling itself a ‘Chinese Bar House’, the twin-level restaurant nestled along the leafy Lavelle Road in the heart of Bengaluru is a rich multi-sensorial experience with as much subtle drama in its ambience as there is in its sumptuous fare. Speaking of the former, here you will encounter elements like the red dragons laying claim over the bar, the clay tile clad feature wall above the bar inspired by the Great Wall of China and lit-up panels, continuing design details from the lower floor as well as evoking a tea room. Crafted by Executive Chef Prashanth, a veteran in his field, the food’s central theme is inspired by Cantonese fare, specifically from Guangzhou. Think hearty hot pots, Shaokao style Chinese barbeque skewers of aromatic meats and vegetables ready for a wood-fire oven, cold plates, dainty dim sums, the freshest seafood tossed in house-made sauces, and a line-up of stellar signature cocktails like the plum and gin-based Cantan XO. For afters, don’t forget to leave some space for the pillow-y, cloud-like Cantonese steamed cheesecake with a zesty mulberry coulis to give the dessert that perfectly tart send off.
(A differently edited version of this piece was first published in the January 2020 issue of The Week's Smart Life magazine)
By Raul Dias
No longer content at being relegated to a ‘third place’ ranking when it comes to dining out in India—when compared with the rather flashy Delhi restaurant scene or with Mumbai’s high concept driven one—the city of Bengaluru is rapidly carving out its own niche. And it does this by playing host to a number of interesting restaurants that each mirror the city’s love for relaxed, ultra-casual dining with a focus on good food.
We bring you four such eateries, each poles apart from the other as far as cuisine and ambience is concerned, but each tied in together by the culinary philosophy of Bengaluru. One where the main focus is strongly on good food in environments that references the easy-going ethos of India’s Garden City!
Mikusu at Conrad Bengaluru
Ulsoor
Though prima facie—thanks to its delightfully onomatopoeic name—Mikusu at the Conrad Bengaluru might seem like a purely Japanese restaurant, the truth is that while it is one, it also prides itself on being an “Asiatic affair” featuring a mélange of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine influences. All this is set against a luxurious, aesthetic backdrop that reflects a sophisticated Asian vibe. It achieves this with the help of key décor pieces such as a delicate cheery blossom branch-inspired light feature and a Japanese yukata art piece made from bits of Chinese blue pottery among other pieces. Overlooking the hotel’s verdant foliage outside its large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Mikusu is an oasis of calm with a menu featuring some highly nuanced dishes and drinks. Sent out and curated by Executive Chef Praveen Shetty and Chef Rawat, expect to find dishes here such as the traditional Thai tom yom soup, spicy salmon sushi, vegetable futomaki, tuna sashimi, and mains from the kitchen such as sriracha lotus root and grilled fish with togarashi garlic. For desserts indulge yourself with a host of mouth-watering treats such as the passion fruit tiramisu, and the almost-sculptural looking strawberry religieuse and black forest entremets. A special mention for all you cocktail lovers: make sure to call for a curated range of exquisite sake-based and exotic Asia-inspired cocktails that are made table side by a bartender behind the restaurant’s specially purposed mobile cocktail cart.
GoNative
Lavelle Road
A true-blue, feel-good kind of a place, surrounded by a virtual forest of live plants and lush foliage, GoNative is a space of not just calm and serenity, but also one where good, honest-to-goodness food and beverages trump all. To begin with, the all-vegetarian, alcohol-free restaurant uses indigenous grains, pulses and spices that are consciously chosen for their positive impact towards the environment, society and wellness. Spread over two levels, the rather huge dining space features a host of seating options, ranging from a large communal-style table to smaller nooks for intimate gatherings—all lit wonderfully by lights and eco-friendly chandeliers made by GoNative’s in-house lighting brand called Oorjaa. But coming to the food, all their dishes celebrate traditional and familiar flavours in slightly unusual and contemporary ways. Dishes like the bright green soppu neer dosa served with a veg gassi, the innovative cabbage akki roti served with a gongura thokku and the filling banana, almond and date milkshake are also said to be made from pesticide-free ingredients, homemade condiments and fresh organic produce that are sourced from farms around Bengaluru. They also periodically change their menu to integrate seasonal fruits and vegetables into their dishes. This keeps the food light on the tummy, nutritious and healthy. But that’s not all for this eco warrior of a restaurant, not only does GoNative claim to segregate waste, but all organic matter is also composted, and their takeaway containers are biodegradable and plastic-free. Go green, GoNative seems to be the mantra here!
Foxtrot House of Subculture
Koramangala
Dubbing itself as a place modelled on a frat house, Foxtrot House of Subculture claims to be Bengaluru’s new address for good times. And we simply cannot get over the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of hybridity that this place is imbued with. A bustling coffeehouse focussed in the outdoor patio area during the day, Foxtrot transforms into a thriving cocktail bar indoors during the night with plush couches and crystal drop chandeliers creating the ambience. And as an added plus, Foxtrot is also the home to Mimansa, a health cafe, store, and studio for your daily yoga regimen. The menu here is a global mix of small plates and some large plate options, leaning towards forgotten, hyper-local Indian creations mixed with global ingredients and vice versa. It is divided into breakfast, brunch, south Indian menu, lunch trays with numerous dependable options like the beetroot galouti and the chicken tikka kulcha for snacks and the Tellicherry mutton boti and soya haleem for mains. Their signature cocktails like the lavender- and vodka-based poison ivy and the dark rum- and turmeric-based tornado are also quite impressive with a great mix of flavours. We like!
Cantan
Lavelle Road
Totally devoid of the expected and rather clichéd embellishments like plenty of calligraphy and Chinoiserie one finds at most Chinese restaurants today, Cantan is a like a gentle, refreshing breeze. Calling itself a ‘Chinese Bar House’, the twin-level restaurant nestled along the leafy Lavelle Road in the heart of Bengaluru is a rich multi-sensorial experience with as much subtle drama in its ambience as there is in its sumptuous fare. Speaking of the former, here you will encounter elements like the red dragons laying claim over the bar, the clay tile clad feature wall above the bar inspired by the Great Wall of China and lit-up panels, continuing design details from the lower floor as well as evoking a tea room. Crafted by Executive Chef Prashanth, a veteran in his field, the food’s central theme is inspired by Cantonese fare, specifically from Guangzhou. Think hearty hot pots, Shaokao style Chinese barbeque skewers of aromatic meats and vegetables ready for a wood-fire oven, cold plates, dainty dim sums, the freshest seafood tossed in house-made sauces, and a line-up of stellar signature cocktails like the plum and gin-based Cantan XO. For afters, don’t forget to leave some space for the pillow-y, cloud-like Cantonese steamed cheesecake with a zesty mulberry coulis to give the dessert that perfectly tart send off.
(A differently edited version of this piece was first published in the January 2020 issue of The Week's Smart Life magazine)
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Zurich in Style!
A vibrant, stylish city that lies on the
shores of the meandering River Limmat, Zurich has a lot to offer the sybaritic traveller.
Raul Dias
draws up the perfect itinerary for a short, luxurious stay in the financial
capital of Switzerland.
By Raul Dias
Although I’ve been to Zurich several times—for both work and pleasure—I’ve never really had the chance to let the city truly show me what it was all about. A quick layover here or a passing through lunch there was all I had ever experienced of this Swiss city that deserved a lot more attention than I was giving it.
So, on my last trip to Switzerland, I decided to slow down and factor in three days to savour Zurich and all it had to offer me. Veering away from the typically touristy clichés, my itinerary was all about seeing the city from a fresh perspective. One where food, wine and living the good life trumped the rest.
Although I’ve been to Zurich several times—for both work and pleasure—I’ve never really had the chance to let the city truly show me what it was all about. A quick layover here or a passing through lunch there was all I had ever experienced of this Swiss city that deserved a lot more attention than I was giving it.
So, on my last trip to Switzerland, I decided to slow down and factor in three days to savour Zurich and all it had to offer me. Veering away from the typically touristy clichés, my itinerary was all about seeing the city from a fresh perspective. One where food, wine and living the good life trumped the rest.
Lunch
at Haus Hiltl
According to the Guinness World Records, Haus Hiltl was the first vegetarian restaurant in the world. The restaurant—which is named for its founder, Ambrosius Hiltl—has been serving vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike with meat-free culinary specialties from all over the world since 1898. When here, make sure to try the cumin-dusted roasted cauliflower soup and the aromatic saffron gnocchi…and thank me later! (www.hiltl.ch)
According to the Guinness World Records, Haus Hiltl was the first vegetarian restaurant in the world. The restaurant—which is named for its founder, Ambrosius Hiltl—has been serving vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike with meat-free culinary specialties from all over the world since 1898. When here, make sure to try the cumin-dusted roasted cauliflower soup and the aromatic saffron gnocchi…and thank me later! (www.hiltl.ch)
Go
on a walking tour
Take a private, guided walking tour of Zurich’s old quarter and come face to face with the city’s past and present through a selection of buildings, stories and anecdotes. You too will be fascinated by the rich testimonies to bygone days which document the early international significance of the city, as I was. And after your tour, why not stop by the Kunsthaus Zürich which houses the most important collection of Classical Modernism in Zurich? (www.zuerich.com)
Take a private, guided walking tour of Zurich’s old quarter and come face to face with the city’s past and present through a selection of buildings, stories and anecdotes. You too will be fascinated by the rich testimonies to bygone days which document the early international significance of the city, as I was. And after your tour, why not stop by the Kunsthaus Zürich which houses the most important collection of Classical Modernism in Zurich? (www.zuerich.com)
Bathe
above Zurich’s rooftops!
Confused? Well, I’m talking about the experience of bathing on the rooftop at the Thermalbad & Spa Zurich amid the century-old stone vaults of the former brewery. Fresh thermal water bubbling straight from Zurich’s hot springs helps you catch up with some much-needed R&R. Here you have the choice of a thermal bathing world or the Irish-Roman spa ritual—both of which invite you to sink into a world of wellness inside the unique architecture and matchless building structure of a very special place in the city. (www.thermalbad-zuerich.ch)
Confused? Well, I’m talking about the experience of bathing on the rooftop at the Thermalbad & Spa Zurich amid the century-old stone vaults of the former brewery. Fresh thermal water bubbling straight from Zurich’s hot springs helps you catch up with some much-needed R&R. Here you have the choice of a thermal bathing world or the Irish-Roman spa ritual—both of which invite you to sink into a world of wellness inside the unique architecture and matchless building structure of a very special place in the city. (www.thermalbad-zuerich.ch)
Wine
tasting at Zweifel Wine
Located in the Höngg area of Zurich, this family-run winery can trace its roots as far back as the 14th century. Today it produces spectacular wines from its own vineyards in the city, the Limmat Valley, and the “Gold Coast” region along Lake Zurich. (www.zweifel1898.ch)
Located in the Höngg area of Zurich, this family-run winery can trace its roots as far back as the 14th century. Today it produces spectacular wines from its own vineyards in the city, the Limmat Valley, and the “Gold Coast” region along Lake Zurich. (www.zweifel1898.ch)
Go
chocolate crazy
Chase all that wine with another icon of Switzerland—chocolate…but with a little twist! The one man show that is Taucherli Chocolate is a super innovative place to see how Swiss chocolate making has evolved. Take a bite off founder and sole employee (yes, you read right!) Kay Keusen’s deliciously dark 77% chocolate bar made from Colombian cocoa nibs or his truly unique ruby chocolate and roasted rapeseed milk chocolate bars. Pure, undiluted bliss.
Did you know?
The average person in Switzerland consumes about 9.9kg of chocolate per year which surpasses every other country in the world!
Chase all that wine with another icon of Switzerland—chocolate…but with a little twist! The one man show that is Taucherli Chocolate is a super innovative place to see how Swiss chocolate making has evolved. Take a bite off founder and sole employee (yes, you read right!) Kay Keusen’s deliciously dark 77% chocolate bar made from Colombian cocoa nibs or his truly unique ruby chocolate and roasted rapeseed milk chocolate bars. Pure, undiluted bliss.
Did you know?
The average person in Switzerland consumes about 9.9kg of chocolate per year which surpasses every other country in the world!
Shop
at Freitag
In a building in Zurich-West, namely that of the former Maag cogwheel factory, the Freitag brothers produce over 120,000 bags and accessories every year from recycled materials taken from the streets. Read: used, exhaust-stained truck tarpaulins, the inner tubes of bicycle tires, old safety belts and air-bags. All this is transformed into unique items—trendy, functional, waterproof and robust. In fact, it was Zurich-West itself that inspired the Freitag brothers to make bags out of truck tarpaulins in the first place, thanks to the colourful trucks that trundle through the district on the transit route every day. (www.freitag.ch)
In a building in Zurich-West, namely that of the former Maag cogwheel factory, the Freitag brothers produce over 120,000 bags and accessories every year from recycled materials taken from the streets. Read: used, exhaust-stained truck tarpaulins, the inner tubes of bicycle tires, old safety belts and air-bags. All this is transformed into unique items—trendy, functional, waterproof and robust. In fact, it was Zurich-West itself that inspired the Freitag brothers to make bags out of truck tarpaulins in the first place, thanks to the colourful trucks that trundle through the district on the transit route every day. (www.freitag.ch)
Have
dinner at Clouds
End your Zurich trip in style and up in the clouds, well almost! A few yards away from the Freitag store, Restaurant Clouds is located 120 meters above the city as it sits atop Prime Tower, Switzerland’s tallest building. Here the dining experience extends far beyond that of a fine dining restaurant, with a bistro and a bar promising spectacular views of the city, Lake Zürich, and the Alps at sunset. The scrumptious cuisine here is primarily Mediterranean, inspired by Catalonia. (www.clouds.ch)
End your Zurich trip in style and up in the clouds, well almost! A few yards away from the Freitag store, Restaurant Clouds is located 120 meters above the city as it sits atop Prime Tower, Switzerland’s tallest building. Here the dining experience extends far beyond that of a fine dining restaurant, with a bistro and a bar promising spectacular views of the city, Lake Zürich, and the Alps at sunset. The scrumptious cuisine here is primarily Mediterranean, inspired by Catalonia. (www.clouds.ch)
FACT
FILE
Getting There
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on a world-class airline such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the extensive network of Swiss Railways gets you just about anywhere in luxury and comfort. Visit www.swiss.com for more information.
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on a world-class airline such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the extensive network of Swiss Railways gets you just about anywhere in luxury and comfort. Visit www.swiss.com for more information.
When to Visit
A great all-year-round destination, Switzerland is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the lush hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the country into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
A great all-year-round destination, Switzerland is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the lush hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the country into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
Accommodation
Zurich has an excellent selection of hotels to choose from to suit all budgets and tastes. Two such recommended accommodation options are:
* Marktgasse Hotel Zürich (www.marktgassehotel.ch)
* The Dolder Grand Hotel (www.thedoldergrand.com)
Zurich has an excellent selection of hotels to choose from to suit all budgets and tastes. Two such recommended accommodation options are:
* Marktgasse Hotel Zürich (www.marktgassehotel.ch)
* The Dolder Grand Hotel (www.thedoldergrand.com)
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the 8th June 2019 issue of The Free Press Journal newspaper's Saturday Great Escapes section on page 24 https://www.freepressjournal.in/travel/what-stylish-zurich-has-to-offer)
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Where Indulgence Meets Style!
From the subtle elegance of an elaborate, multi-course
Japanese feast to experimental riffs on Indian and Thai cuisine and a whole lot
more in between, Delhi NCR has an impressive selection of fine dining
restaurants. We bring you a serving of the top places in the capital to enjoy a
stylish and indulgent meal at.
By Raul Dias
Megu
Imbued with a sense of subtle elegance, combined with delectable modern Japanese cuisine, world class service and cutting-edge yet serene aesthetics, Megu at The Leela Palace New Delhi is your best fine dine bet for an elevated Japanese meal experience in the city. Take your pick from a curated menu that comprises of dishes like the hamachi carpaccio, and the sublime Megu original crispy asparagus, each presented in a specially-designed handcrafted bowl inspired by the dish itself. Besides being the first and only restaurant in the city to offer sparkling sake, the wine list at Megu is impressive with nearly 400 labels including some of the world’s best like Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Richebourg and Petrus among others that perfectly complement the culinary odyssey on offer.
Imbued with a sense of subtle elegance, combined with delectable modern Japanese cuisine, world class service and cutting-edge yet serene aesthetics, Megu at The Leela Palace New Delhi is your best fine dine bet for an elevated Japanese meal experience in the city. Take your pick from a curated menu that comprises of dishes like the hamachi carpaccio, and the sublime Megu original crispy asparagus, each presented in a specially-designed handcrafted bowl inspired by the dish itself. Besides being the first and only restaurant in the city to offer sparkling sake, the wine list at Megu is impressive with nearly 400 labels including some of the world’s best like Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Richebourg and Petrus among others that perfectly complement the culinary odyssey on offer.
The Leela Palace New
Delhi, Chanakyapuri, Diplomatic Enclave,
New Delhi-110023
Tel: 011-39331360
Tel: 011-39331360
Indian
Accent
The plaudits that this iconic, Modern Indian fine dining haven has amassed over the years are staggering. Chief among these is the fact that Indian Accent at The Lodhi has been securing a top spot on San Pellegrino’s list of Asia’s top 50 restaurants for years. With the celebrated Chef Manish Mehrotra at the helm of things, expect a multi-sensory roller-coaster ride punctuated with experimental dishes like the sublime duck khurchan that is presented in a cornetto-like cone with chilli chutney and the crisp tandoori naans that are indulgently stuffed with blue cheese. And the setting? Contemporary chic at its finest!
The plaudits that this iconic, Modern Indian fine dining haven has amassed over the years are staggering. Chief among these is the fact that Indian Accent at The Lodhi has been securing a top spot on San Pellegrino’s list of Asia’s top 50 restaurants for years. With the celebrated Chef Manish Mehrotra at the helm of things, expect a multi-sensory roller-coaster ride punctuated with experimental dishes like the sublime duck khurchan that is presented in a cornetto-like cone with chilli chutney and the crisp tandoori naans that are indulgently stuffed with blue cheese. And the setting? Contemporary chic at its finest!
The Lodhi, Lodhi
Road, Pragati Vihar, New Delhi-110003
Tel: 011-66175151
Tel: 011-66175151
Bo
Tai
Just
like the clever play on words that make up its unusual name, Bo Tai is a fine
dining contemporary Thai cuisine restaurant with a twist. Neatly halved into two
distinct zones by a graceful peepul tree, the dark wood- and glass-clad space offers
a beautiful glimpse of the city’s famed Qutub Minar. But it’s certainly not all
about the stunning space that Bo Tai inhabits. Its scrumptious fare on offer
does its own bidding. Expect to be won over by dishes like the experimental carpaccio
of scallops served with a lychee sorbet and the more de rigueur massaman chicken curry along with a whole
palate-pleasing range of modern Thai dishes.
6/4, Kalka Das Marg,
Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110030
Tel: 091-9870587770
Tel: 091-9870587770
La
Brezza
Neatly perched next to a lush golf course, La Brezza the two-storey fine dining Italian restaurant at the Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort is conceptualised as a traditional fine dining Italian restaurant with a modern twist. Along with its wine bar ‘Enoteca’, La Brezza creates an intimate setting accentuated with soft mood lighting. Endowing the palate with fine, authentic Italian flavours, the menu boasts of dishes like the paper-thin carpaccio di tonno of sashimi quality tuna, the pan-seared prawns gamberetti piccanti and the lightly fried buffalo mozzarella spiked with tangy tomato sauce make up a delicious trio of different flavours and textures for the antipasti, while mains like the roasted lobster with a pomegranate sauce, served on a bed of buttered asparagus is decadence personified.
Neatly perched next to a lush golf course, La Brezza the two-storey fine dining Italian restaurant at the Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort is conceptualised as a traditional fine dining Italian restaurant with a modern twist. Along with its wine bar ‘Enoteca’, La Brezza creates an intimate setting accentuated with soft mood lighting. Endowing the palate with fine, authentic Italian flavours, the menu boasts of dishes like the paper-thin carpaccio di tonno of sashimi quality tuna, the pan-seared prawns gamberetti piccanti and the lightly fried buffalo mozzarella spiked with tangy tomato sauce make up a delicious trio of different flavours and textures for the antipasti, while mains like the roasted lobster with a pomegranate sauce, served on a bed of buttered asparagus is decadence personified.
Jaypee Greens Golf
and Spa Resort, G Block, Surajpur Kasna Road, Noida-201306
Tel: 0120-6743000
Tel: 0120-6743000
Jamavar
With its name borrowed from the famous artisanal jamavar shawls of Kashmir, the Indian cuisine fine dining restaurant Jamavar carries on the centuries-old saga of elegance and drama that forms the core elements of the distinctive cooking styles and rituals of India’s ancient nobility. All this in a setting dominated by hand carved wooden screens and decorative jamavars of gold and silverwork that are set against the entrance. Here you get to experience innovative dining with a culinary passion that spans the entire spectrum of Indian cuisine. The signature dishes at Jamavar include the subtle yogurt and garam masala-rich tandoori jhinga, the coriander-mint-curry leaf marinated murg ki chaap and mains like the nizami tarkari biryani that’s cooked on dum and the emerald-hued spinach all-time favourite palak paneer. End this culinary journey with dessert in the form of the signature Jamavar mishtan which is the delicious sum of its rose petal ice cream, almond halwa and khajoor ka khaja parts!
With its name borrowed from the famous artisanal jamavar shawls of Kashmir, the Indian cuisine fine dining restaurant Jamavar carries on the centuries-old saga of elegance and drama that forms the core elements of the distinctive cooking styles and rituals of India’s ancient nobility. All this in a setting dominated by hand carved wooden screens and decorative jamavars of gold and silverwork that are set against the entrance. Here you get to experience innovative dining with a culinary passion that spans the entire spectrum of Indian cuisine. The signature dishes at Jamavar include the subtle yogurt and garam masala-rich tandoori jhinga, the coriander-mint-curry leaf marinated murg ki chaap and mains like the nizami tarkari biryani that’s cooked on dum and the emerald-hued spinach all-time favourite palak paneer. End this culinary journey with dessert in the form of the signature Jamavar mishtan which is the delicious sum of its rose petal ice cream, almond halwa and khajoor ka khaja parts!
The Leela Palace New
Delhi, Chanakyapuri, Diplomatic Enclave,
New Delhi-110023
Tel: 011- 39331280
Tel: 011- 39331280
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the October 2018 issue of Go-Getter, the in-flight magazine of Go Airways)
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