1330 hours, Nov 17, Sunday, Goregaon
The Precis (Quick Review)
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#fivestar #prechristmas #massivebuffet #multicuisine #lazybrunch #indiandesserts #lapofLuxury
The Prelude:
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Radisson Mumbai is a beautiful property located in a premium location in the heart of the city on SV Road, Goregaon. Helmed by Rafiq Balwa, the Executive VP of The Balwa Group, this is a 98- room hotel operating for a decade (erstwhile Sarovar Portico) and boasts of 11 event venues, an all-day dining restaurant, 180 Degree, a rooftop eatery called Tipsy Terrace and the Liquid Lounge bar. The hotel has undergone some extensive changes in the lobby, rooms, corridors and other public areas, also adding six therapy rooms managed by Tattva Spa, as a precursor to the rebranding of the hotel in Dec 2018.
The Premise:
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So this was an occasion of Pre-Christmas celebration – this was a cake-mixing event. Where you are one of those select few who is sent a personalised invitation to this gala event. Where you are an esteemed participant to the age-old tradition. Where the event is frequented by some recognised personalities and the paparazzi. Where you are given a two-cent tour of the entire property including all its three restaurants. And where you are regaled with a humongousss buffet brunch.
The Personality:
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I got the opportunity to meet Kamlesh Rawat, the Executive Chef of the place. Kamlesh has a rich ‘Chef’fing experience with a trail of brands – including Marine Plaza, Hyatt Regency andWestin, Australia behind him. And now with this property for the past seven years or so. Here he arranges for a Multi-cuisine buffet – Indian, Oriental and Continental.
And I got to meet Iftekhar Mehdi, the GM of the place. Iftekhar has been with the group now for more than six years, and is responsible for complete operations of the place, including management, staffing, marketing, sales, and profitability.
The Process
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“Every two months we have a lab testing of food. We have a Hand swipe test during every food tasting session, Besides the kitchen, we are also very particular about staff grooming. We spend lacs of Rupees per month only on hygiene. “
“Likewise, we are over sensitive to the quality of food. We use Sunflower cooking oil. We do not use artificial colours or sweeteners or processing agents. We do not use MSG – we replace it with the zero per cent MSG Aromat. We use around sixty types of Masalas in our Indian food. We have over five different R and D tests before the material enters the kitchen. We bake our own bread and cakes. Our desserts, except for ice creams (Pestonjee), are all in-house. We hold a variety of food festivals, one every three months.” Whew!
The Platter:
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Okay, so then the fireworks started:
Welcome Drink: Litchi Sharbat
Soups: Mexican Tortilla Veg Soup, Taiwanese Lamb Noodles Soup
Salads: Exotic Veg Salad, Non Veg Salad, Chicken Roulade Platter, Sprouts, Shawandar, MelonSalsa, Tazatki, Taboule, Hummus With Pita Bread, Mexican Nachos, Veg Canapes, Non VegCanapes, Assorted Veg & Non Veg S/W, Assorted Veg & Non Veg Sushi
Continental Live: Pasta Station With Choice Of Sauces, Omelette Counter (Masala/Cheese/Plain)
Starters: Corn Cheese Rolls, Mexican Meatballs (a tad uncooked), Mix Veg. Dimsum Crispy Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce, 5 Spicy Roasted Chicken, Hara Bhara Kebab Murg Kali Mirch Tikka, Prawns Koliwada
Main Course: Mexican Roasted Potatoes, Veg. Enchiladas, Cajun Pepper Chicken, Taiwanese Style Veg. With Cashew Nuts, Taiwanese Style Spicy Chicken (extremely well made), Taiwanese Style Chilli Fish, Taiwanese Veg. Fried Rice (super stuff), Taiwanese Lo-mein Noodles, Gosht Dum Biryani, Konkani Chicken Curry, Paneer Tikka Lazeez (Jain), Veg. Jalfrezi, Achari Baingan, Kali Mirch ke Aloo, Lasooni Makai Palak, Dal Makhani, Steamed Rice, Boondi Raita
Live Counters: South Indian Dosa Counter (Plain/Cheese/Masala), Chowpatty Chat, Bombay Sandwich, Tawa Halwa
Assorted Desserts: Dodha Barfi, Kesari Rasmalai, Motichoor Ladoo, Marshmallow Jujubes, MiniDoughnuts, Jelly, Assorted Lollipop, Dry Fruits Malabia, Galaxy Gateau (E/L), Tiramisu, LemonPie, Oreo Pudding, Bohemian Cake, Cassata Mousse, Blueberry Tart, Pineapple Pastry Ice cream station: Shahi Gulab/ Mango/Vanilla/Kulfi (Choco chips/Butterscotch/Rice Crisps/ Vermicelli)
The Programme:
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After the meal was done, at around 1530, the cake mixing event started. And there we were,donning aprons and head cap and hand gloves. Standing in a row in front of a long table which had goodies spread all over it – raisins, jellies, plums, tutti-frutties, pistachios, shaved almonds, cashew nuts, ginger flakes, currants, prunes, figs, apricots, cherries. And then, around twenty-five bottles of various spirits were brought in, and the liquor flowed on the table like there was no tomorrow. We were asked to crush and mix the ingredients for twenty minutes or so, which we eagerly obliged. After the process, the mash was swept into a barrel, to be preserved for a month to ferment, till Christmas time. What an experience!
The Postlude:
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A Five star is an altogether different matter. There is absolutely no room for compromises. Youcome out either smelling like roses or falling like a battered soul. There are no midways. Noescape routes. No saving graces. People are ready to tick you off at the slightest misdemeanour. There are high stakes involved. I such a scenario, to hold head high, to churn up newer winners every now and then, to delight the patrons with a plethora of options, and to grow on the number of repeat customers – is salute worthy.
The Proclamation:
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I have not solicited this place for a review.
I have not asked for any quid pro quo - either in cash or in kind - for my review.
I have not used any strong-arm tactics for seeking patronization at this place.
I have not asked for doggy bags and "extras" gratis at this place.
I have not asked for, neither am I engaged in, offering any PR services to this place.
The Parameters:
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The Food Quotient : Food Quality 4.5 / 5, Food Choices 5 / 5, Food Portion ---, Food Presentation 4.5 / 5
The Other Determinants: Theme 4.5/ 5, Location 5 / 5, Cleanliness 4 / 5, Warmth 4.5 / 5
The Hygiene Factors: Ambience 4 / 5, Space quotient 4 / 5
The Conclusives : Food Price 4 / 5, Overall Experience 5 / 5, Will I Visit again 5 / 5
The Ps:
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Bouquets/brickbats can be addressed to sanjaynpunjabi@gmail.com or mentioned in theComments section below.
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