K3 - JW Marriott, New Delhi

My love for JW Marriott, Bangalore is very evident, from Farm to fork with the chef's to enjoying the Tangra food festival, getting delighted at the Bangalore Baking Company to enjoying the new menu at Alba or just enjoying the food straight from Amritsar at Spice Terrace with the Baisakhi menu  I have always dined there, celebrated my special days, had long conversations over mid night buffet and the list goes on.

By far, I enjoy having a good lunch or dinner buffet at JW Marriott, Bangalore and I thought no other property could beat this. While I was enjoying the the Chaat food fest at JW Kitchen, I got to know about K3 in JW Marriott, New Delhi. What got me excited was that they have 3 different live counters serving 3 different cuisine which is managed by 3 different chef's specialized in that cuisine. Doesn't it sound fantastic? Normally, in restaurants you find live counters serving little bit of varieties but they are not usually managed my chef's specialized in that cuisine. For me, it was like 3 different restaurants under one roof :)

I was visiting Delhi on my personal visit and made sure I dropped by JW Marriott, New Delhi before I return back to Bangalore. Any hotel can be good with their service but they should never go wrong with their food and beverage. I made my way to the Hotel during a sunny afternoon while I had an evening flight. As the property is close to the airport, I could enjoy my meal with leisure. I took a tour around the property which was so beautiful. I have always been a fan of the chandeliers used in JW Marriott property. The open space with loads of greenery is a space I would like to chill for a romantic evening.

The Oval bar offers its guest a range of premium wines and spirits. The Delhi Baking Company or DBC, which is the hotel patisserie, specializes in a wide range of grab-and-go gourmet products, perfect for those rushing to the airport or to the city. I have heard that their hot chocolate is pretty famous, will try it the enxt time I'm at DBC. The JW lounge is designed beautifully, it is an integration of the lobby, reception and the lobby lounge. It is designed like an exclusive living room with an exciting array of food and beverages.

The Oval Bar

Akira Back, panning across two levels of the hotel, Akira back specializes in Japanese cuisine with a Korean essence. The restaurant distinguishes itself with an eight-metre tall sake wall which houses some of the finest sakes and wines. It is open for dinner only.

Now to K3, the all-day dining restaurant has been fashioned like a food theatre with three LIVE kitchens displaying three distinct cuisines: North Indian, Cantonese and Tuscan. Each kitchen offers authentic cuisine, specially handcrafted by our three specialty chefs. The restaurant also has a special al fresco service with an open bar that serves as a juice bar in the morning and a wine bar in the evenings. It's a 24 hour restaurant. The variety which is served here is amazing and hard to believe. But there are more live counters added for a Sunday brunch which surely makes it an experience to relish and cherish. Truly, worth every penny you spend.

With an awesome company, Nikhil, I enjoyed the salad's from the salad counter following by the appetizers from all the 3 live counters, my main course was specially made by the chef heading Oliva (Tuscan cuisine). Dehelvi, is the live counter which serves North Indian food, mostly inspired from Mughal or Dilli 6 food. Cantonese cuisine's live counter has lots to offer too, not just dim sums. Basically, one can choose a particular cuisine and have a tummy full meal from there as it serves appetizers and main course. I particularly enjoyed the sea food at K3. Not all restaurants make finger licking sea food dishes in Delhi and I couldn't resist but enjoy them at K3. I did not feel that I was enjoying a meal in Delhi, as the sea food was amazing.

The dessert section is always my favorite, I'm sure lots of others like it too. I wasn't disappointed at all with the dessert section as it lived up to my expectation. Various desserts on offer where you can choose to indulge in your favorite's.

I would like to thank Nikhil for giving me an amazing time for my lunch and conversations, Chef Girish Krishnan, executive chef at JW Marriott New Delhi was welcoming me and making sure I was taken care of and all the head chef's of the live counters who made sure I tried some of their best dishes.

Those people who usually have to choose between Indian/Chinese/Italian cuisine will never have to do the same once they enter K3 as you can relish all the 3 cuisines under one roof. I would surely visit K3 again. But I would like to try Akira back too :) If you are in Delhi or around, make a visit to JW Marriott and you will never regret :)

Dim sum trail and dessert platter at Yauatcha Bangalore

I have been to Yauatcha many times, I have also written a blog post about their new additions. As you would have read Yauatcha is an asian/chinese restaurant which serves great cantonese food which is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisine. Yauatcha is actually wordplay on the Cantonese phrase ‘Yum cha’, which means ‘to drink tea’- traditionally. But this visit was all about dim sum trail which was held during the 4th FBAB (Food Bloggers Association Bangalore) meet. 

You can avail the dim sum trail between 12 noon and 7PM. It cost Rs. 2000, all inclusive which is served for a minimum of 2 people. You can choose any 6 varieties out of 6 vegetarian and 7 non-vegetarian options. Yauatcha decided to choose 6 variants for the bloggers on the table.

Started with vegetable crystal dumpling and Chicken char sui bun. I have both of these in the past and they taste really good. The Chicken char sui bun is a little sweet but I have never had such a dim sum anywhere else so its turns to be my favorite. The Vegetable crystal dumpling was a clear dim sum where I could see the vegetables inside and taste good with a sauce.

Vegetable crystal dumpling

Chicken char sui bun

Baked vegetarian chicken puff, it contains egg and baked chicken puff was next. I got to try the Baked chicken puff and it was indeed good to taste. Oh by the way you read it right, the other one on the table was baked vegetarian chicken puff which was a vegetarian option. Prawn Har gau was next, a simple prawn dumpling filled with flavors.

Baked chicken puff

Har gau 

Fried turnip cake with vegetables was next on the table and is supposed to be their speciality. The vegetarians loved it while I did not like it much. Crispy duck roll and Crispy asparagus, pumpkin and corn roll was next. I have had the Crispy duck roll earlier and I still did not get the taste of the duck meat much. The veg roll was better.

Fried turnip cake with vegetables

Crispy asparagus, pumpkin and corn roll

Crispy duck roll

Chicken char sui cheung fun was the last one. The vegetarians had Crispy vegetable cheung fun. I am never found of cheung fun because of seasoned soy sauce. I would never mind eating the rice noodle roll lightly dipped in the sauce.

After this yummy dim sum trail, dessert platter was on the table. It had 4 desserts. Selection of macarons, Religieuse, Chocolate hazelnut mousse and Jasmine tea cake was on our platter. I guess the best way to enjoy the desserts at Yauatcha is when you share them. Having them all alone is no fun. Moreover they are amazingly good looking desserts. The dessert platter is priced separately.

It was a fun evening with loads of talking and dim sum tasting. Those craving to try only dim sums for their meal or pairing with tea, this would be the best option. 

The bunch at the dim sum trail

Yauatcha - New additions to the menu

Yauatcha is an asian/chinese restaurant which serves great cantonese food which is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisine. Yauatcha, might sound very different but it is actually wordplay on the Cantonese phrase ‘Yum cha’, which means ‘to drink tea’- traditionally. Not for today though as I was here to have a tummy full dinner.

They have some new additions to their menu due to which I was very excited to try them and also have some of my old favorites from the menu. I went to Yauatcha for my Christmas dinner with Arjun. Read on to know what I had and how did I find it.

Well stocked bar

I started my evening with Tokyo Sunrise, a combination of lemongrass, raspberry, guava juice, peach juice and elderflower syrup. It tasted well and a little sweet, just as I like. I have had this earlier too so I preferred this again. While Arjun had Orange & chilli mocktail which had a combination of orange juice, lemongrass, palm sugar, chilli and mint. A choky and spicy flavor settles with every sip.

Now, the dimsums were arriving, one after the other, the best one's. Started with Beetroot and celery dumpling followed by Pan fried Charcoal Lamb Bun which became my favorite. I wouldn't mind having another round of it but saved my tummy for other dishes. This could be had as an evening snack or even morning breakfast as I loved it.

Beetroot and celery dumpling

Pan fried Charcoal Lamb Bun

Crispy duck roll was served next where I did not get much taste of the duck meat, just a hint of it was felt. Then, Sugar chicken roll was served. As I took the first bite, I felt the presence of sugarcane which was firm and holding the entire chicken while fried. I found it innovative.

Crispy duck roll

Sugar chicken roll

Prawn and seaweed dumpling was served. While my love for seafood is obvious in my blog, this dumpling had the perfect taste of seaweed and prawn, it blended well and none of the ingredients over powered the taste. I requested for Sesame Prawn Toast which is my favorite. Minced prawn on a toasted covered with sesame seeds. I do not like sesame seeds but I prefer it in this dumpling only as juicy minced prawn on the toast is my comfort food.

Prawn and seaweed dumpling

Sesame Prawn Toast

I was absolutely hesitant to try Spicy squid cake as I feel nothing much can be done with squids except for frying them golden brown. With no expectation I tried this dumpling by which I was taken aback. The meat is mixed well with the batter, not giving me those onion rings type of taste or feeling. I am sure I will never ever miss this. I am glad that I did give this a try as this was the best squid I have ever had.

Spicy squid cake

Next, Wrapped chicken with black pepper was served. It was my choice as it was cool and breezy night. I wanted to have something with black pepper. A simple dish but full of its flavors. I can surely ask for one more as every bite was worth having.

Wrapped chicken with black pepper

Ok to much on non veg? Next I tried Vegetable yin yang dumpling. This dumpling was dipped in a sauce and served. Veggies aren't that bad too.

Vegetable yin yang dumpling

Don't judge me now. I asked for some soup. I chose the Hot and Sour with shredded chicken. Hot soup with chicken can be best had on a cool night. A little extra soya sauce was felt but I cannot complain as my tongue felt it right. Arjun had some Sweet corn soup with chicken where corn and chicken was minced. I would preferred mine soup more.

Hot and Sour with shredded chicken

Before main course was served, I tried Nara Iced tea which had Chilli vanilla sugar, cinnamon, passion fruit juice and jasmine tea. This was suggested by the server and I can trust his choice next time too. I love iced tea but this was different. the combination gave it a new feel to the tongue.

Nara Iced tea

I was still hungry, ok I have a good appetite especially when the food is very tasty. So it was time for main course. Stir-fry prawns in home town chilli sauce was served with Steamed Jasmine rice. Sweet in the beginning and spicy towards the end, this was the taste of the dish. Hints of cucumber, carrot, capsicum, cherry tomato along with prawns was exceptionally tasty.

Stir-fry prawns in home town chilli sauce

Steamed Jasmine rice

Stir-fry kam heyong lamb with steamed jasmine rice was next. I cannot choose which main course was better. Lamb was juicy and delish too. Jasmine rice did not have much taste of jasmine. I was too engrossed in prawn and lamb gravy.

Stir-fry kam heyong lamb with steamed jasmine rice

After long gap, dessert was served. Selection of macarons was served which had orange, chocolate and pista flavors. Raspberry delice was next, an amazing looking dessert which had Raspberry insert, dark chocolate mousse and hazelnut brownie served with raspberry ripple ice cream. I was too busy admiring the dish and did not feel like disturbing it, yet I had to else Arjun would have finished it. It was good and I prefer it having it with ice cream as it neutralizes the sweetness.

Selection of macarons

Raspberry delice

Next, Mango mascarpone gateau was served which was feuilletine crunch, parline (sugar candy) mascarpone (cheese) cream, litchi sorbet. Another superb looking dessert and every bite was cheesy and hints of crunchiness too.

Mango mascarpone gateau

Lastly, Religieuse was served which I have had earlier too. A chocolaty and filling dessert in true sense. It was a chocolate choux pastry with hazelnut cremeux, chocolate praline ganache (sauce) served with ginanduja (sweet chocolate) ice cream. One yummy chocolaty dessert it is and extremely filling too.

Religieuse

I was still standing on my feet after having all what was mentioned. It's very difficult to point out the mistake in any dish. My goodness, I can never ever get enough of Yauatcha. I am waiting to go back and try their other dishes too. Let me know which is your favorite.

Yummy