Though I have been trying to do less Food Reviews these days, but then sometimes, it just happens!
Last week, I received a call from Swati jee from Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar.
Ab these Twin Towers of Hotel Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar and Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar ke baare mein suna to bahut hai par kabhi chakkar laga nahi. Both are properties of the same Group IHG and also owned by the same Business group, Eros.
On Normal Days, I would have thought twice before saying yes to this, but not that day. Because usi time I had fixed a meeting at Epicuria Nehru Place to see the new INOX Infinity. A New boutique Cinema hall that has opened there in place of the restaurant Benihana.
So, set tha sab, 4 to 7 meeting at Epicuria and then 7:30 tak Dinner at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar.
Poore 7 pm I left from Epicuria and took the route suggested by Google. Abhi 3 minutes hi hue the and I saw the beautiful Lotus Temple. Couldn’t pass this magnificent sight like this. So Gaari roki, And Saw this beauty acche se and then clicked a Pic and nikal parra
Poore 7:30 Pm I was at crowne Plaza hotel and the beautiful Lobby was packed. The occupancy at the hotel is good and it showed.
Slowly headed to INFINITY, their Cafe/Restaurant where Buffets are laid and here is where the Arabic Food Menu was laid too.
On entrance, I met the manager Food and Beverage Manager Mr. Ullas Arora.
Now let’s talk about food.
First was “Sumac Dusted Chicken Skewers on Arabic Flatbread” Now Sumac is a tangy, lemony spice often used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. The Flatbread was flavourful and with each bite I kept trying to see ki taste kaisa aa raha hai. It as thora bahut like the POORRA but not meetha.
Bulgur crusted fish with tabbouleh. Now sabse pehle to Fish. Yes, the fish was super well made and was dusted with lots of Bulgur. And Wikipedia says “Bulgur is a cereal food made from the cracked parboiled groats of several different wheat species, most often from durum wheat” Let me admit, I found the fish more interesting and after a few bites I dusted the Bulgur. Probably I don’t want anything between me and my Fish, Especially when the fish is made so well
Meanwhile, we were also joined in by Chef Diwas Wadhera. A Smiling Chef with years of great work behind him. While we had, the conversations Followed and got to know that Chef Wadhera, lives in my backyard. Just a Kilometer away from my home. 🙂
I wish he had not got his car today and we could have gone back together aur bhi zyada gappe maarte hue.
Back to food, Now on our table, we had Arabic mezze platter with Slices of bread: Now this is the Most basic Platter, but here too many restaurants falter. But not Chef Wadhera, His Hummus, Baba Ganoush, and Tabbouleh were amazing and so were the bread served along.
I was already full and isse pehle Chef aur kuch pesh karte, I requested him ki “Aaj ke liye itna hi kafi”
Aoh yes, When one talks about Arabic Food then how can one forget the Baklawas and Omaali.
I have been in love with Omali when I had it for the first times at Kairos and uske baad at SXVIII at Hotel Radisson Blu, Noida.
And what I was expecting was a garam garam Ubalti hui Omali. What came was Thandi Omali.
And fir pata chala ki Umali is made in more than 10 ways and just like we have Thandi Kheer and Garam bhi, waise hi Omali can be had Thand and Garam Both. Swaad thi 🙂
With this I excused myself to have a chakkar at the Regular Buffet Menu and Pait mein jagah nahi thi, par devoured it through my eyes.
Jaldi waapas jaunga 🙂