Debut of premium hospitality@Le Meridien, Gurgaon

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. The launch happened on 11th March,2015.

Landscaping with fountains

Ambience at Le Meridien, Gurgaon

As I entered the drive way, Le Meridien as per its brand, had a wonderful entrance. Considering its inclination to art and design, there was beautiful landscaping along with fountains with a grand view of green Arravalli range.

Magnificent art work

At the entrance, there was a grand art of silver glass depicting day and night. Beyond the doors, welcomed a magnificent art piece of a lady face expressing various emotions, moods throughout the day.

Art piece of a lady face

We were taken through the tour of the hotel. As we entered the lobby, it presented itself as a busy hub where guests can meet up and have meetings. The seating arrangement was strategically done appropriately distant enough to provide guests adequate spaces for their discussions.

Magnificent Chandelier

The sensory experience, illustrated through golden drops falling from Sun depicted through the chandelier backed by the waves just below the ceiling and sea waves on the wall above the reception area. It was overall a great ambience. As we saw it during the day time, I hope to see it totally changed through the lights and sound during the evening.

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Nidhi KM

 

Polish Vodka and Pierogi celebrations @ The Claridges, New Delhi

H.E. Mr. Tomasz Lukaszuk , Mrs. Maria Lukaszuk and Mr. Marek Sawicki

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mr. Tomasz Lukaszuk and Mrs. Maria Lukaszuk along with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Marek Sawicki hosted an evening to bring their world renowned luxury and hospitality showcasing their wide selection of Polish vodka in India at Aura Vodka Bar, Hotel Claridges, New Delhi.

Vodka and pierogi are quintessentially Polish. In 1546, vodka was so important to the Polish people that the King of Poland issued a decree extending the right to make vodka to every citizen. Poland, the first country in the world to both produce and export vodka, possesses a vast repertoire of largely unexplored distillations.

Peirogi with Mushrooms and cheese

On Pierogi: Pierogi is an important part of Polish culture and cuisine. Polish potatoes possess the flavour of the Polish soil. Cheese is one of the oldest traditional products.  There is a vast variety of wild mushrooms in the ancient forests of Poland, and it is a point of pride to possess the knowledge to be able to wander into the woods and be able to forage the most prized edible varieties.

Variety of Peirogi

Polish people will argue that there are no better fruits and berries in the world than those grown in Poland. Recipes for Polish pierogi are simple in order that the ingredients can communicate the fullness of their flavours.

Display of Polish Vodka

On Polish Vodka: Polish vodkas have been produced since the Middle Ages, with vast variations in the recipes across the regional distilleries. One of our most loved vodkas, Żubrówka,  is infused with a few blades of bison grass in every bottle, instilling it with a distinctive citrus –like flavour that is rich in body and character. Bison grass grows in Białowieża Forest, one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain, and home to roughly 800 Polish Bison. Many of the most famous vodkas in the world, although branded in other countries, have come from Polish distilleries. Perhaps this is why James Bond chooses to imbibe Belvedere martinis, graced with the Poland’s presidential palace on every bottle.

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Nidhi KM

Restaurant review- Barrels, Opposite PVR Priya- Delhi

Standy at PVR Priya complex

Located at one of the most popular hang-out destinations of the capital of PVR Priya Complex, Vasant Vihar, Barrels positions itself as India’s first ‘Thematic’ pub. We got to visit this restaurant for review.

Entrance to Barrels

How to reach

It is better to enter at the PVR Priya Complex and you will find a big standby indicating the way to Barrels. Do not go searching for community center as it will lead you through a dingy way.

A standy at the PVR Priya Complex directs for the restaurant. A little way further from PVR Priya complex, this restaurant has an attendant at the Ground floor.

Ambience

Bricks intentionally peeping out of walls

As we climbed up the stairs, the walls leading to the restaurant Barrels already started speaking about it. I was certain that our dine out destination would be happening. Graffiti art was depicting the environment of the restaurant. The door was royal.

At the door, as we stepped in, different wall design with bricks intentionally peeping out of the wall to create a different feel for the restaurant welcomed us. The restaurant was dimly lit.

Graffiti art with murals

Walls had Graffiti art with few murals. Ambience was a melange of colours, music, art, and lighting. Barrels actually provided a very classy, English vibe. I was reminded of restaurants in New York with dim lights but happening walls of colors and sculptures. There was also musical instruments placed in the front of a big TV screen. All the walls were busy telling a series of thoughts. There was a bar as well.

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Nidhi KM

Restaurant review- The Banyan Tree, The Fern Gir Forest- Sasan Gir

Restaurant - The Banyan Tree

In the heart of Gir forest is situated Fern Gir Forest Resort, which boasts of being the only five star resort of Gir National Park.The Banyan tree resturant is the main restaurant in the resort.

Ambience

Buffet at The Banyan Tree

It was a big restaurant with an L shaped buffet. At the right was salad table which was very mouth watering.Then were snacks and main course along with desserts. Perfect setting where seating arrangement had view of the greenery outside the restaurant. The ambiance was in unison with the peace and serenity of the resort and Sasan Gir Forest. It had wooden furniture with wooden shades merging with the wood theme of Sasan Gir.

Food

Salad counter

As we entered the restaurant in a pretty hot afternoon, we had fresh lime soda which soothed our nerves. It had enticing sprouts and various other international salads like pasta etc, diced salad, onions etc. We moved on to the food counter and had most awesome Indian food. Although the variety was not much but the dishes were so tasty that we relished the authentic Indian taste. The chana masala and dal fry with zeera rice was a mouth-watering combination that I particularly relished. Kids had panner butter masala with rotis. They had kept friums for kids as well.

We then had ice-creams and hot gulab-jamuns for sweet dish.

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Nidhi KM

Serene hues of sunset at Mandvi Beach, Gujarat

Shining bright

Mandvi beach is one of the finest and best kept secrets of Gujrat. It is a part of long 1666 kms of Gujrat coastline and is jewel in itself. Most tourist visit beach as soon as they reach Mandvi. Although, most of the beaches are free to enter , we stayed at Vijay Vilas heritage resort since it was secluded and very beautiful with white sands and had amazing views. The private beaches (which is a part of privately owned estate of Maharaos , Rulers of Kutch) are particularly mesmerizing due to glowing sunkissed white sand and breathtaking hues. Viewing the sunset at Mandvi beach was an experience in itself.

Sunset at Mandvi beach

I had only heard of private beaches before my soujourn to this beautiful beach in Mandvi, Gujrat. We stayed at Hotel Vijay Heritage Vilas in Mandvi , a sleepy coastal town of Gujrat. It boasted of a vast 5 kms of private beach. Well , after having visited many tourist beaches of Goa,Kerela,Mumbai and Mauritius I still was unaware of the Private beach concept.

Setting Sun

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Nidhi KM

Chandrashekhar Joshi, GM-JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove

Chandrashekhar Joshi, General Manager

JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove resort and spa is a high end luxurious retreat in the heart of India's Himalayan mountains. Offering premium amenities with five F&B outlets along with sophisticated accommodation , conference rooms, halls etc complimented with recreational center for all ages. Surely, its a perfect stop over in Mussoorie be it personal or professional.

Mr.Chandrashekhar Joshi is the General Manager of JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove and spa. An alumni of IHM Pusa Delhi, he began his career with Le Meridien, Pune in Food and Beverage. Chandrashekhar Joshi joined the Marriott group in 2004 with the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre in F&B department. In the subsequent 10 years with Marriott; he gained a varied hotel experience with exposure in operation and Sales & Marketing. I got an opportunity to interact with Chandrashekhar Joshi, GM-JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Below is the detailed interaction.

Q.1.)What is unique about JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove resort and spa?

JW Marriott is offering 115 rooms hotel providing a large basket of different things for different people. We have five Food and Beverage outlets, Den area providing recreation to people from toddlers till adults like art and craft, bowling, pool table. Our experience team not only makes guest enjoy the hotel but also outdoor activities like trekking, rafting and other adventure activities.

JW Marriott Mussoorie_Grand Orchard Ballroom

Q2.)How do you ensure personal touch to guests or connect with them so they go back happy about your hospitality in their hearts and minds 

JW Marriott, Mussorie is providing luxury spaces curating personalized experience. It is our job to create a memorable experience for our guests. We reach out to our guests forty eight hours prior to their arrival. This call is to ask about how they are coming, at what time and their preferences. If there is a special occasion , we become a part of the occasion by providing a special experience related to it curating to their liking. We have a generic or customized welcome explaining the welcome and its ritual. Marriott Mussorie creates dishes as per preferences of guests. Our experience team constantly keeps in touch with guests to customize to their needs to ensure their beautiful experience.

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Nidhi KM

Magnum Masterclass with Celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur

Magnum Masterclass event
@ Oberoi Delhi

The Magnum Masterclass event was about the Magnum ice creams taking Belgian chocolate lovers to an irresistible pleasure trail through Master classes hosted by celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur. Magnum 's iconic ice-creams, made with pure Belgian chocolate is recognized as a symbol of royal treatment and remarkable pleasure. I attended this event of Magnum at Hotel Oberoi Delhi on the 28th February, 2015.

Variety of Belgian
chocolates

After an interesting introduction, at first Kunal Kapur explained the meaning of chocolate and its preparation. An authentic chocolate is the one that has minimum 35% cocoa content. All Belgian chocolates have minimum 35% of cocoa making it rich and indulgent. How the chocolate is made? Cocoa beans are sliced, dried and roasted. We get cocoa nibs. These nibs are grounded. The paste is then pressed to get cocoa butter and cocoa mass. This cocoa mass is complimented with sugar, milk and processed to create versions of chocolate. Cocoa mass is rich in anti oxidants. There are three varieties of chocolates.

White chocolate is technically not a chocolate. It contains cocoa butter, milk and sugar.

Milk chocolate- cocoa Mass, cocoa butter, milk, sugar

Dark chocolate has more of cocoa mass.

After the introduction to chocolate, we all tasted these varieties of Belgian chocolates placed on the table. We were able to distinguish them all with distinctive taste. Chef Kunal Kapur ensured that each one of us tasted it. He explained that good chocolates will not stick to the palette or anywhere in the mouth, it will just melt away.

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Nidhi KM

Magnum ice cream innovations by
Chef Kunal Kapur

Chef Kunal Kapur giving final
touches to our team's ice
cream innovation