Located just four kilometers from the Delhi Airport,
Holiday Inn offers easy access to the Delhi Metro and National Highway 8.
Travelling to the business district of Gurgaon and tourist destinations such as
Kingdom of Dreams, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Jantar Mantar is very
convenient.
Dining options include Indian & International
favorites at the Viva, pub
favorites & an extensive beverage selection at The Hangar and pastries at Viva
Deli.
This time, I was invited by the most courteous and
bubbly Ms. Anjali Panicker ( Marcomm Mgr. ) to
review VIVA. As we enter the lobby of the hotel and start moving inside, we
automatically reach VIVA. As it’s an inseparable part of the lobby. The long
windows facing the main highway bring in all the natural light possible
throughout the day. It was bustling with
crowd all over. One side is the Buffet station (hot) just at the live stations
and the live kitchen. The other side is the Dessert Buffet which is quite
interesting and well spread.
We started with the Chefs creations like the warm
octopus salad with prawns and potato and the Insalata Caprese Salad: buffalo
mozzarella, tomato and rocket leaves drizzled with pesto and balsamic dressing
and then the mutton Gilafi Seekh Kebab and the Murg Malai Tikka. The salads
were stupendous and the best I have ever had. The Gilafi seekh was such as if
directly brought from the by lanes of old Delhi , it was so well prepared with
all the right proportions.
I had heard a
lot about their non veg Thali, prior to my visit and was too eager to try it.
And then came the moment of truth, when the chef himself got us the Thali. It
was a humongous piece of art on platter. With at least 8-10 delectable bowls of
dishes in it, full of Dal Makhani, Nalli Gosht, Butter Chicken, Andhra Fish
Curry, Steamed Rice, Paneer Lebabdar, Yoghurt, Salad, Pickle, Papad and Gulab
Jamun. I tasted most of the dishes and found them to be a little bland as per
my taste but as per their regular clientele which is foreigners the taste and
the presentation were perfect. My teammate was mesmerized by the look of the
Thali so much, that she was talking about it even after we had left the place.
In the meantime,
Chef presented his next creation the Mushroom Risotto which was too good and
was made to perfection. Rice had an al dante texture and the sauce had the
awesome flavor of porcini mushrooms with a hint of parmegiano regiano (parmesan
cheese).
We were almost
full by now, but another creation was yet to be brought to our tables, the
Australian Lamb Chops. Almost well done as we Indians usually like them to be,
with potato mash, exotic vegetables and red wine jus. I liked the textures of
the dish but yet again the dish lacked seasoning as per my taste and I informed
the chef who was well receptive and took our feedback in his stride.
The best was
yet to be unveiled; yes I am talking about the Desserts. We were served with
the house specialties’ like Tiramisu, Lemon Tart but we were lucky to have
visited on 14th November. So, we got to taste the Children’s Day Special,
Chocolate Brownie Sundae too. One of the best Tiramisu and Lemon tart, we have
had lately. I also tried the Crem Brulee from the buffet section and loved it. I
specially called the Pastry chef and thanked him for such lovely creations. He promised
for more surprises, next time we visit again.
I am too eager
to go for Breakfast at VIVA now. Heard too many praises about it recently. Someone
even told me that it’s the best B’fast Buffet in the whole town. VIVA…….I am
coming sooooooon.