novotel – Jellybeans in the City

Indian food has long been celebrated for its creative use of healthy ingredients including aromatic spices, as well as its rich and diverse flavors.

However, there is one aspect of this exotic cuisine that is largely unexplored: how it pairs with western wines.

Well, Novotel Manila Araneta City’s Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto recently brought this extraordinary experience to selected guests with Taj Uncorked: An Indian Champagne Dinner held at the hotel’s restaurant, Prana Indian Cuisine.

Together with my husband (an avid lover of Indian food!), I was able to join this gastronomic exploration consisting of dishes especially crafted by Prana’s very own Indian Masterchef Rajan Veeranan and variants of Champagne Deutz Ram’s House of Wine.

Champagne does significantly add to the enjoyment of Indian cuisine, thanks to its versatility; its acidity and bubbly nature complements the complex flavors and contrasts with the rich and creamy textures of various Indian dishes. It also acting as a palate cleanser in between bites, allowing diners to fully savor and appreciate the nuances of every dish. Champagne’s fruity tones also harmonize well with the aromatic herbs and spices used in Indian cooking.

Chef Rajan’s multi-course dinner included these masterpieces:

Cocktails

Served at the restaurant’s anteroom with generous refills of Deutz Brut Classic, these whetted our appetites for the rest of Prana’s culinary creations yet to be unveiled.

Appetizer (Kshudaavardhak)

Panch Phoran Tandoori Jhinga. Succulent tandoori prawns, marinated in a blend of yogurt, five aromatic spices, and fragrant herbs and expertly cooked in a traditional clay oven, resulting in a delightful combination of smokiness and tenderness on a bed ofluscious broccoli cashew nut puree.

Afghani Murgh Kebab. Tender grilled chicken, meticulously cooked in a clay oven and served accompanied by a velvety blend of mashed chickpeas and a decadent mix of cream infused with cashew, pepper, melon, and poppy seeds.

Paired with Deutz Brut Classic.

Soup (Shoraba)

Murgh Makhanwala. Tandoori chicken bathed in a luxurious buttery gravy, enriched with cream and an array of aromatic spices and served in a velvety almond broth together with freshly made naan.

Paired with Amour de Deutz Brut Millesime 2011.

Main Course (Men Kors)

Lamb Nihari with Saffron Biryani Rice. Slow-cooked meat stew, delicately infused with a medley of aromatic spices and Indian-style durum whole wheat flour accompanied by fragrant saffron-infused biryani rice.

Paired with Amour de Deutz Brut Millesime 2011.

Dessert (Mithaee)

Sweet endings to a wonderful meal which includes a White Chocolate Gelato garnished with saffron and cardamon and Petit Fours consisting of filled white chocolate dome and French Macarons and Italian-style Dark Chocolate Cookie.

Ready to explore the bold flavors and textures of Indian cuisine? Be sure to drop by Prana Indian Cuisine located at the Ground Floor of Novotel Manila Araneta City, General Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta City, Quezon City. For inquiries, call +63 2 89907888 or email H7090@accor.com.

Know more about the hotel and its restaurants by visiting its website or following Novotel Manila Araneta City on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Novotel Manila Araneta City:

5 reasons why Novotel is your family’s staycation destination

Four reasons to gather and celebrate at Food Exchange Manila, Novotel Manila Araneta

Ice cream indulgence at Indulge, Novotel Manila Araneta

Weekly Italian gastronomic treats from Novotel’s “secret ingredient”: Chef Massi Pauletto

Family gatherings and get-togethers are best celebrated with food, lots and lots of it. Good thing there are all-you-can-eat buffets!

Originally, the term “buffet” referred to the sideboard table where dishes are served during family meals or parties. The word later evolved to refer to the format of serving food wherein diners generally serve themselves.

It’s no wonder that all-you-can-eat buffets have grown in popularity in recent years. Diners get to have their fill of whatever food they choose at a fixed cost, while being able to try out new dishes that they don’t normally order. And since the food is already served and just refilled, diners do not have to wait to enjoy their meal.

Savvy all-you-can-eat diners have come up with various techniques to make the most out of their buffet dining experiences Take these tips to heart to maximize your own buffet adventure.

Check for additional savings through discount promos. Some restaurants, like Vikings, offer promos wherein celebrants get to eat for free their birthday as long they are accompanied by a minimum number of guests paying the full rate. Other establishments offer discounted buffet rates to cardholders of partner banks such as BDO, or via restaurant booking apps such as Eatigo, or through deal sites like Metrodeal. Also, lunch buffet rates tend to be lower than dinner buffet rates so if you can schedule your meal during the lunch period, you can save a few bucks.
Make sure the food offerings are in line with your tastes. Whether you want to stick to classic favorites or you’re in the mood to be adventurous, make sure that the dishes served in your chosen resto are to your liking. An eat-all-you-can buffet of food that you don’t like is not a fair deal.
Get hydrated before eating but ease up on the drinks during the meal. Drinking some H2O, particularly lemon water, before starting your buffet quest will help in digestion while minimizing bloating and heartburn. However, drinking lots of liquids, especially fizzy ones, during the meal will use up some precious tummy room.
Don’t fill up on fillers. Pasta and grains can be quite filling so minimize the carbs to make room for dishes that would normally be expensive ala carte such as seafood, sushi, steaks and roasts.
Pace yourself. Take some time to savor each bites will let you maximize your dining experience while minimizing the feeling of bloating later.

Consider buffet dining a treat so don’t overdo it and make sure you enjoy the meal with great company.

Tag: novotel

Buffet Survival Guide: All-You-Need-to-Know to Eat-All-You-Can