Get fired up at The Courtyard Grill!

 

~Tantalize your tastebuds this winter with some fiery grills ~

With the advent of winter, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful evenings and explore some new options in the city. With a slight nip in the air, Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram Downtown offers an eclectic experience at their all new outdoor restaurant ‘The Courtyard Grill’. I have always loved grilled food, light and easy. It is such a relief from overpowering gravies and heavy sauces. Grilled food let's you enjoy the authentic taste of meats and vegetables in all their natural juices and richness.

 

 

 

The Courtyard Grill is the perfect setting for a delightful meal in the chilly weather with a rustic yet stylish appeal. The restaurant celebrates the naturally bold flavors of the grill with the menu varying from chef’s crafted house salad with mesclun greens, balsamic dressing with your choice of charred vegetables to White wine marinated octopus with fresh garden greens.

 

The market styled restaurant gives its guests an option to choose from hand-picked meats, fresh seafood, to an assortment of garden fresh vegetables and have the Chefs prepare it with their selection of rubs, sauces and sides. Executive Sous Chef Saroj Muduli prepares his freshly made sauces, rubs, marinades and dressings with an array of options to suit the discerning palate of diners. The menu was curated by the very dedicated team.

Executive Chef Amit Dash has an eye for the simple, authentic tastes of regional Indian cuisines as well as international flavours and accents. The subtlety of personalized touches given in each and every dish by him is evident. There was turmeric and pineapple infused water on the tables. Chef Dash tells me that the flavours change every day. I found a lot of healthy twists given to most dishes, relishes and accompaniments. For a health freak like me, it was guilt free eating after a long time as every dish seemed well balanced.

We started with delicious sangria and some exquisite salads such as cured tuna salad with homegrown greens and char grilled chicken salad. For vegetarians a pumpkin and melon salad is supposed to be really nice. In the mains the Chicken Piccante particularly caught my attention with a judicious use of peppers with fine slivers of chicken and a hint of cumin. Grilled prawns and trout were also rather well balanced. Another welcome change was mild salt in most dishes. None of the overly salted dishes you find in most Delhi restaurants. Even the marinades are very light and easy and what I loved was they were just the way I like to grill food at home, with minimal salt and black pepper and lemon juice. For vegetarians there are many great options such as jackfruit kebab and crispy fried onion rings.

 

The al fresco area is just the ideal haven for anyone who wants to enjoy the crisp winter weather while having an appetizing grilled meal with an exclusively crafted cocktail. Surrounded by relaxing greenery with the gushing sound of the waterbody, makes it the apt place to unwind from the weekly routine. The charming and rustic khurja pottery on the sheesham wood table from Rajasthan, colourful glasses and furniture and hanging lights from the trees create quite an ambience.

For dessert the coconut milk crème brulee was simply exquisite. I heard the old fashioned brownie is also excellent. However I resisted as I am sure I will be back there soon to try it!

Located on the ground floor, The Courtyard Grill can comfortably accommodate approximately 44 guests, with a dinner for two costing INR 3400 plus taxes. Operational  only in the evenings, open all seven days for dinner (6.30 PM – 11.30 PM). Do visit the Courtyard Grill for an enhanced dining experience. 

For reservations, call: +91 124 488 8444 / Ext 8245

 

 

 

 

IWP presents Mélange: a platform that ignite the woman power for a Developing India

 Mélange, the annual celebration of Women Empowerment & Education by IWP is an event filled with a multitude of happenings such as Fashion Show (Ethnic, Indo-western and Western), Rock show, Play, Musical and Dance performances etc.

 

 

 

 Melange is a platform that believes that a professionally educated student with access to a network of professionals and opportunities to work outside of her community is more likely to have the passion, knowledge, and access to information required to navigate her education.

 

 

While the present reality is that many talented students are not getting enough opportunity to present and perform their skills that can create ripple in professional network. They don’t have a sustainable talent show stage where they can find people who can mentor them for a longer run.

 

Melange, aims to give students a plethora of information and open access to professionals in the Fashion and lifestyle. With its meet and greet and guidance networking, it wants to connect students with active professionals who have themselves gone through business’s complex system and can provide advice and ideas. It expects to see the IWP girls exposed to the realities of post education and for them to develop a working intuition of how to navigate their futures.

 

International Women Polytechnic, a decade-old polytechnic established & run by KLGR Educational Society having different branches in Delhi & UP. The Institute has been working for the social and economic upliftment of women, particularly those belonging to weaker and downtrodden section of the society.

 

This year the event will be graced by few prominent people such as Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi (An Indian Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from New Delhi constituency and national spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party and a Supreme Court of India lawyer) , Ms. Parvathy Omanakuttan (Miss India 2008 and  first runner-up at Miss World 2008), Ms. Setu Kumar (Contestent, Miss World), Ms. Lotti (Theatre & Acting Personality), Ms. Swareena Singh (Finalist from Femina Miss india 1999),                Ms. Ila Valia (Director of a leading modeling & acting Institute) and renowned international models and the management of IWP and around 2000 Students on 26^th November 2016 at 6:00 Pm at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

 

The Great Indian Film and Literature Festival 3rd edition, Gurgaon Chapter opens up at DLF Cyber Hub

 

 

 

Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Ruskin Bond , Prakash Jha, Subhash Gai, Anurag Batra and Sumita Misra inaugurate the event which aims to promote the vernacular spirit of Indian film and literature to showcase of intermingling demographics, varied cultures and multiple beliefs, promoting the diversity of varied cultures and the the same time accepting the world as one family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

 

 

Eminent artists of film fraternity will inaugurate a three day-long event showcasing the vernacular spirit of Indian film and literature.
 

 The Gurgaon chapter 2016 opens at DLF Cyber Hub from 2nd - 4th December from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
 

 The GIFLIF 3rd edition, will include a play and a music concert, in addition to a plethora of panel discussion on themes hovering around filmmaking, digital media, advertising, publishing, literature, script writing and film screening, as well as cultural stimulants such as book readings, Kavi sammelan, and a poetry finale.

 

 

 “The panelist gracing the occasion will be Padma Vibhushan, Dada Saheb Phalke Winner Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Subhash Ghai, Prakash Jha, Padma Bhushan Ruskin Bond, Kiran Nagarkar, Piyush Misra, Raj Shekhar (Lyricist - Tanu Weds Manu), Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Juhi Chaturvedi (Writer - Piku & Vicky Donor), Major General GD Bakshi, Anjum Rajaballi (Writer - Rajneeti & Aarakshan), Annurag Batra, Anand Neelakantan, Sharat Katariya (Director - Dum laga ke haisha), Rajkumar Gupta (Director - No one killed Jessica, Aamir), Rahul Roushan (Founder faking News), Arunabh (Founder - TVF), Surendra Sharma (Renowned Poet), Dr. Sita Sagar and many more.”
 

 

 

 

Key Note: Team GIFLIF also conducted preliminary round of poetry contest in rapid metro at Gurgaon on 13th Nov 2016, which was itself an unique attempt whose finale will occur on 4th Dec 2016 at Cyber Hub.
 

 A devised performance based on Shakespeare’s King Lear. Written and directed by Rajat Kapoor and accepted by Vinay Pathak, a performance of poetry on guitar by Raj Shekhar, and The launch of “Ballimaaraan” - a Piyush Misra band.

 

“SBI card GIFLIF is all set for the third edition of the festival after the successful execution of previous Gurgaon and Bhopal chapter, respectively in the year 2015 and 2016. The second edition of Gurgaon chapter has added few more dimensions to entire gamut of the festival. Along with film screening, panel discussion, book reading, kavi sammelan we added play and music concert as well” says Amit Sinha, a Hindi poet of exceptional caliber.

GIFLIF was started in 2015, from Gurgaon. “Film and Literature festivals were happening in isolation and came the idea of creating a synergy of both the forms of expression and expected it to create new bridges in connecting people and an entertainment value with intellectual stimulation at the core”

 

 

Experience the bliss of an exquisite Sunday Brunch at Latitude at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon

~ Treat your palate to a carnival of flavours with an expansive feast featuring cuisines from across the world ~

Gurgaon, November 2016: Celebrate Sundays with indulgent meals in good company that inspire you to shake off the exhaustion of the week gone by.  Latitude, the award-winning world cuisine restaurant at the Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, introduces the all-new Sunday brunch for its guests.

Bask under the glory of the invigorating winter sun at the Alfresco or revel in the “height and light” of the restaurant which brings to you a new innovative menu to take your taste buds by surprise!

The Sunday delights at the new Latitude spread across a scrumptious array of delectable mezze, charcuterie, live grills, stone-oven pizzas to home-style Mediterranean preparations, traditional Indian delicacies and culinary favourites from the Far East. Adding to the pick-me-up first variety are live shawarmas and doner kebabs, gourmet compound salads and sushi, artisanal breads, rustic dips and a premium selection of mocktails specially curated by our resident mixologist.

While children can dig into the tranquillity of the sweet treats, adults too can experience nostalgic goodness as they indulge in sugary doughnuts and cupcakes frosted live along with sugar-kissed goodies and an indulgent range of desserts at the Pastry Chef’s Candy Station.

·             Dates: Every Sunday, 6^th November onwards

·             Venue: Latitude, Lobby Level, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR

·             Timings: 12:30 hrs. to 15:30 hrs.

·             Pricing:

-              Brunch with Bottomless Brews: INR 2850 AI

-              Brunch with Unlimited Tipples: INR 4000 AI

-              Brunch with Bottomless Bubbly: INR 5400 AI

To book your reservations, call 0124-6673000 or write to latitude.gurgaon@tajhotels.com.

* Terms and conditions apply

Keeping in mind Gurgaon’s always on ‘bustling’ lifestyle, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon stands tall as an ode to the Millennium City. Avante garde in design, imaginative by nature and possessing vibrant bursts of surprises like the iconic Thai Pavilion, offering the best of Siam on a plate, the expansive Latitude, the energetic Tease bar, the gourmet delicatessen Deli4; the hotel offers stylized accommodation with high business efficiencies, large and versatile banquet spaces, an energizing Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta Motifs which showcase an alternative life.

Taj Palace, New Delhi all set to offer culinary classics from across the globe with Capital Kitchen

Taj Palace, New Delhi gifts to the capital its newest culinary destination - Capital Kitchen. In a city known as a gastronomical firmament it aims to take over as the central food destination of New Delhi.

The culinary concept of the new restaurant is based on the central theme of comfort food with the menu invoking a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. It is highlighted by an array of authentic, flavorful and classic comfort foods served home style. It is a confluence of cuisines from across the globe - signature dishes from our iconic Taj properties like Cobb Salad from Taj Pierre Hotel, New York, Chicken Bunny Chow from Taj Cape Town, New England Lobster Roll from Taj Boston, Fish & Chips from St. James Court, London etc. The master chef’s culinary skill will also be showcased through a series of live cooking stations offering Indian, European and Asian Cuisines.

Capital Kitchen also boasts of a distinctive bar that will showcase the creative translation of the expat liquid chef Joel Scholtens, the aroma of fresh ingredients, and the smooth harmony of mixing them together- innovative presentations that invoke all the senses. Each signature cocktail will represent the passion, knowledge and respect for the art of mixology. In addition cold pressed juices made from fresh produce of organic ingredients will also be available, favoring the fitness and health enthusiasts.

The restaurant embraces notes of a relaxed, unpretentiousness and tranquil environment, with service that is sincere and warm. The ambience exudes simplicity, transparency and genuineness. The heightened ceiling gives the restaurant a luxurious spacious appeal while deep mahogany dark wood work depict a classic yet contemporary setting. The restaurant has color hues of Gold, Bronze & Copper coupled with Dark Brown wood and marble work.

The weekend brunches over Saturday and Sunday are also set to create an environment infused with vibrancy and effervescence.

Sharing his excitement on the launch, Gaurav Pokhariyal, General Manager, Taj Palace, New Delhi, said, “We are delighted to launch Capital Kitchen that will offer authentic classics from across the globe in a format that showcases specialities from the Capital city alongside some of our own signature Taj recipes. The place exudes vibrancy and effervescence coupled with service that is simple, warm and sincere. We hope our guests like the newest offering and give us the pleasure to welcome them time & again”.   

Taj Palace, New Delhi, is the perfect embodiment of world-class service and hospitality. With its well-appointed rooms and modern comforts, the hotel has played host to the heads of state, celebrities and high profile businessmen from across the world. Located in the very heart of the Indian capital, the location and unrivalled service are quintessentially Taj. The hotel is only a few minutes’ drive from both the airport and the city centre and is near to most of the embassies in New Delhi.