West Delhi does not have any GREAT 5 Star properties. The only ones near are in Central Delhi (ITC Maurya, Taj Diplomatic Enclave) or now in Aerocity (JW Marriott, Pullman, Andaz etc.)
Hum West Delhi waalo ne East delhi waalo ka bahut mazaak urraya hai but one point (One of a few 🙂 ) where they have a clean sweep is with regards to a 5 Star Hotel Property.
And that is,
Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, East Delhi.
I have been to this hotel earlier on 2 occasions on a personal visit and once stayed over night. But inspite of many formal Invitations , have not been able to visit their Restaurants for a meal.
But then it had to change and this time I couldn’t say no after being invited for their New Amritsari Food Festival.
Amritsari Food Festival :
And yes they pitched in with a Pick-up and Drop to make my decision easier.
So, here I was ready to leave for Amritsari Lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. Pata tha ki Lunch heavy ho jayega so had a Light breakfast of Masala Upma.
The Official car that came to pick was pure luxury with leather Upholstery in Brown and Black and the Laptop table helped me utilise my time well.
Ab the Property is Huge, means 480 Rooms bahut zyada hote hai.
I entered the lobby to be greeted by Sherin Bhai and then we headed towards their Indian Food Restaurant Delhi 32.
Was good to see a few friends there and after the milna Julna we got down to work.
Arre Nahi baba, kaam-Shaam wala work nahi Khaane-peene wala work.
Ab Sach kahu, didn’t go with very high expectations. Some of the restaurants serve the same regular food in the name of a festival. Koi Extra effort nahi hoti.
Accha so I get hold of the Drinks Menu and sabse Uppar Lassi likhi thi.
Waise to not a perfect place to order a lassi, but then Dimaag ne kahaa…. “You can’t say NO to lassi?”
And then in 5 Mins… Mitti ke Kulharr mein Lassi aa gayi. Ab Batao Tabiyat kab Khush huyi?
When I saw ki Plain Khoye ki Burfee ke pieces haath se torkar uppar daale gaye hai to Tabiyat Khush ho gayi and pata hi nahi chala kab lassi khatam ho gayi.
And it is detailing like this that wins my heart. Ab pata tha ki dopahar haseen Guzregi.
Starters :
And then came the desi Amuse Bouche of Dal ke Laddoo, some call it Ram Laddu and some Gul Gule too. They were served in a Sakora with Fresh, Crisp, Thandi mooli and then some mint Chutney. Perfection isko kehte hai. Arre haan Kaanjee bhi to thi. I’m not a Kanjee Fan so can’t comment on it.
Uske baad aaya Mast Nutri Masala taka Tin, Bhutteyan Da kebab, Tikki Rajmaah Diyaan for Vegetarians and for Non-vegetarians it was Macchli Amritsari, Highway Chicken Tikka, Lawrence Road de Tawe de Tikke and Seekh Kebab.
Each one better than the other.
Gappe chalti rahi and I went to say hello to people behind the Kitchen and it was good to see sab mehnat karne mein lage hue hai and pyaar se humare liye Main Course teyarr kar rahe hai.
Main Course :
Wahaan jaakar fir bhookh lag gayi and I rushed back to my seat and the first serving I got was of Baingan ka bharta. Mann kar raha tha bas Ghar wali Chapati mil jaaye and I’m sorted.
Par abhi to Sarso Da Saag, Langar Di Daal Fry, Aloo Bukhara Kofta, Aloo te Varriyaan, Special Chicken Curry te Mutton Currry vi aani si. Te naal aane se Gurde Kapure and Rara Champaan.
Each one was amazing and believe me aisa hota nahi hai aksar ki sab hi barriya ho.
Chef Ashwani Bhai seems to be a Super Punjabi at heart because he cooked all the dishes with Desi ghee and that too Lots of it. Bas shayad Amritsari macchi was fried in Mustard Oil, par baaki sab kuch was super Daanedaar Desi Ghyo.
I loved their attempt to make the Amritsari Naan, though they called it Kulcha but chalta hai. Accha tha. And yes Anardana perfect tha. It gave an impression ki Bhaiya mehnat mein koi kami nahi hai.
Also with us that Afternoon were the Wonderful jorri of Priyanka jee and Prashant Bhai. And it was their marriage Anniversary the same day. So the PR team of the Hotel, Devashree Jee, Sherin Bhai and Senaara jee ensured to make it special by ordering a cake for them and it was relished by all.
The Dessert :
After the “Cake wala dessert” came the asli Punjabi Dessert of Gurr Ka halwa, Flat Gulab jamun and Phirnee.
Delhi sheher mein Gurr ka Halwa khaakar maza aa gaya.
Ab it was time to go back and work 🙂
And since we loved the experience we Presented the “Mister Tikku Loved it Certificate” to the Management and promised them to be back soon.
The festival in ON for next 5 Days and can safely say, You will Love it. Rather I’m already Craving for that Lassi and amazing Food 🙂