Mynt, Vivanta

Culinary pleasures from other side of the border                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

It was at the onset of Makar Shankranti that I received a chance to sample the culinary delights at Mynt, the all-day dining food outlet of Vivanta Kolkata EM Bypass. The upscale business property is looked after by the Taj Group and has been opened for visitors sometime on August 15, 2019. The outlet rests on the ground floor of the hotel with an area spread over 3,500 sq. ft and emphasizes on a fine balance of regional and global platter that have been rustled up by culinary professionals of the hospitality group.

A view of Mynt

The 110-seater outlet has an invigorating interiors with the face of Goddess Kali done up on metal ware at the entrance of the outlet. 

Goddess Kali at the entrance

There are impressions of mint leaves on the interior walls, not to mention the gold-painted bamboos adorning the walls. The essence of the outlet is to offer a major push on the heritage journey of Kolkata and Bengal.  The outlet has walls adorned with metal carvings on wood highlighting the remarkable structures and culture of Kolkata and Bengal including Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial Hall, tramcars, drum beats and paddy fields.

Impressions of mint leaves

A metal carving on wood of Howrah Bridge

An interactive live kitchen churning out Asian and Western dishes with the presence of Italian pizza oven are the distinguishing features of the outlet.  As I settled down for lunch, I was taken aback to find that the chef had cooked up a veritable delight on the lunch table with Bangladeshi thali meal, Italian dish and Bengali desserts.  I began with hand-made Ravioli, an Italian platter made from zero and semolina flowers and stuffed with generous fillings of spinach, mushroom and ricotta.

Ravioli

 Thereafter, I moved on to the Bangladeshi thali to savour Chhaach that was garnished with king of lemon. I had my pick of Mochar Chop or plantain flower cutlet and Poori with Saag Chochori, a green leafy vegetable preparation. There were a number of non-vegetarian items including Lamb Biryani, Shorshe Ilish, fish cutlet, Kosha Mangsho and Parshe fry (Mullet fish) but I could ease my taste buds with the sweet delights including Khajoor Chutney and Chushir Paayesh or rice pudding.

Finally there were sinful treats including the traditional sweets of Bangladesh like Sandesh and Kolkata like Malpua, Rasgulla, Chhanar Jalebi or Paneer Jalebi and Gulab Jamun that were quite tempting.

A platter of Sandesh

Address: Mynt

                Vivanta Kolkata EM Bypass

                1930, Rajdanga Main Road,

                Kolkata -700107

Phone: (033) 66660000

Website: www.vivantahotels.com

Food for two:  Rs 1,200 exclusive of taxes. Alcohol is served on demand.

Jain Mithai Bhandar

Sinful delights of Indore

With celebration comes good food and at the onset of Holi, gorging on sweet delights is a tradition in Indian household. For those on a trip to the commercial capital of Central India- Indore during this festive occasion and craving to grab a bite of the dessert delights, there’s no better way to celebrate Holi than to drop in at Jain Mithai Bhandar, well-known as JMB lying at Moti Tabela on Pipliyahana Chowraha in the outskirts of the city.

 An outer facade of Jain Mithai Bhandar

 

 Malai Dodha

At Jain Mithai Bhandar, there is an extensive list of desserts including Rajasthani Motichoor ke Laddoo, Moong ki Daal ke Laddoo, Besan ke Laddoo, Gujiya and Balushahi also known as Makhan Vada.  One should not leave the outlet without having a bite of Punjabi delights- Malai Dodha. 

 Sweet delicacies on offer

 Rajasthani Motichoor ke Laddoo

The sweet delights are tagged at Rs 400 per kg and apart from the desserts, there are lip-smacking snack items including Mirchi Vada, Aloo Vada and Masala Poori. Indore’s popular Sev is a must-try and one can also select a variety of Sev stuff like Ratlami Sev and the spicy Ujjaini Sev.

Vedic

Indulging in holistic platter

With the launch of Vedic, the newest, exclusively vegetarian restaurant at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, there’s more room for exploring traditional, vegetarian forgotten cuisines of India in the city. Resting on the 31^st floor of the five-star property, Vedic commands an area of about 3,540 sq. ft that has been thrown open sometime on November 2, last year. 

I had an opportunity to savour the menu and gape at the interiors of the 42-seater vegetarian food outlet that provided a chance to indulge in the traditional Indian health platters. The outlet prides in having a soothing ambience done up with a hydroponic garden, a merchandise that is stocked with antiques, health spices and cooking oil that possesses the power to aid in liver and rejuvenates the energy of the body. The presence of a live kitchen and the hydroponic garden that displays 20 kinds of herbs forms the USP of the outlet.

Hydroponic garden at Vedic

 

Merchandise at the outlet

 Live Kitchen

The menu of the outlet curated by celebrity chef, Ajay Chopra is based on four seasons- winter, spring, summer and autumn. I had dined at the outlet and was quite spellbound with its interiors comprising huge, circular handmade paintings exhibiting human beings immersed in nature that take back to the Vedic age. The dimly-lit outlet has relics at every corner and each table flaunts a row of copper chandeliers and bells exuding positive vibes. 

 An old-world ambience

I kicked off my dinner with Kaarha, a traditional health drink prepared by mixing Tulsi leaves, pepper, ginger, lemon, honey and aniseed.  There was the mock tail – Kumaon Cup that was lip-smacking made by blending water melon juice, fig syrup, honey water, fresh lime juice and amchoor powder. Besides, I had a taste of an array of starters like Bajre ka Raab comprising fennel flavoured bajra, buttermilk soup with ghee and cumin seeds that was quite ordinary.  Lauki Khaman was another starter on the lines of Mumbai Pav Bhaji but the one that was outstanding was Makai Malaiyo Chaat, a delectable dish from Indore.

 Bajre ka Raab

I proceeded to the main course with signature creations like Soumya- made of whole moong dal and whole wheat dhokla sauted with fenugreek seeds and naachni papad. I had my premier experience savouring whole wheat dhokla. I had multigrain roti made of spinach, beetroot and fenugreek seeds with Dal Vedic. 

 Soumya

There was Winter Greens Saag cooked with an array of winter green leafy vegetables, blended with cooked rice water and done up with white butter. This particular dish failed to satisfy my delightful food cravings.

 A platter of Winter Greens with multigrain roti

The outlet serves desserts like Gulab Shrikhand Verrine, a delectable blend of Shrikhand (Maharashtrian delight) and Shufta (Kashmiri dish).  I did not miss out on Palm Jaggery Pongal with caramelized banana that is a must-have.

        

 The outlet serves dinner every day from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm.

Address: Vedic

                The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat,

                Plot No. CBD/2,

                Action Area-II, New Town,

                Rajarhat, Kolkata-700156

Pride Hotel and Convention Centre, Indore

Luxury merges with greenery

For those MICE and upwardly mobile class of travellers planning a trip to the commercial capital of Central India, Pride Hotel and Convention Centre, Indore should figure high on their bucket list. Well-known as a luxury property snuggled in the heart of Central India and near the industrial hub of Pitampur, Pride Hotel and Convention Centre lies on Agra-Bombay Road better known as National Highway No. 3. The luxury hotel is incidentally the premier convention centre from Pride Hotels that came up in 2017. 

 An outer facade of Pride Hotel and Convention Centre

I had a chance to explore the property in mid-September last year. I was quite taken aback with the personalized service on offer at the hotel. Sprawling over 1 lakh sq. ft area, the hospitality property has geared up well with 75 luxury rooms that are of three kinds- deluxe, suites and 10 numbers of cottages.  

 The glittering chandelier in the hotel lobby

 Interiors of the lobby

 

The luxury hospitality is boastful in hosting weddings, conferences and events. It is a reputed MICE property with the largest banquet hall in the city that can seat around 1,200 spectators. The MICE facility on offer is quite elaborate with five banquet halls and a verdant lawn for organizing outdoor weddings. The property has the largest night club in Indore and poolside cottages. The parking space spreads over an area of 80,000 sq. ft. Apart from the banquet halls; there is fuel Bar, Vishram Spa and Tiffany Blues- all-day dining outlet.  

Banquet halls

Address: Pride Hotel and Convention Centre, Indore

                35/1 Bicholi Mardana Bypass Road,

                Near Oscar Township, Indore- 452016

           

Phone: (0731)675 5555

Website: www.pridehotel.com