Fine Dining
Seven gastronomic wonders
KISHORE AND SMITA IYENGAR
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Get ready for an eclectic gourmet journey through some of the world’s most distinguished fine wining and dining outposts.
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“Pure” at The Taj Land’s End in Mumbai is a temple to healthy, organic gastronomy, heightened to perfection.
Photos: Kishore and Smita Iyengar
The Cinnamon Club, London.
In seven dazzling locations across the planet, outstanding fine wining and dining outposts speak an exquisite language of gastronomy. Impeccable service, custom-created décor and enchanting ambience form the setting for some exceptional fine wining and dining experiences that are as diverse as they are a breed apart.
The Still, The Dylan, Dublin
Avant-garde, retro-esque. The Dylan, Dublin’s hottest five-star hotspot in Ireland is home to “The Still”, their stylish fine dining pad. Lemon green and rosemary pink velvet couches sashay with charcoal grey sofas and pearl white art-deco chairs, as excellent Butterhead lettuce and Salmon Salad commence your sojourn, a 2006 Mantone Creek Sauvignon Blanc singing along.
Delightful Mushroom Tortellini and freshly pan-seared Sea Bream paired with a De Bortolli 2007 Pinot Noir make up the mains as you could venture into an exciting Ginn Fizz Frozen and Hot for the encore! Superlative indeed, “The Still” spells vibrant class.
Cinnamon Club, London
Carefully crafted ambience: The lounge of The Still, Dublin.
The Old Westminster Library celebrates distinction as contemporary Indian fine dining transforms into an experience par excellence with iconic Chef-Restaurateur Vivek Singh’s cuisine at the “Cinnamon Club” in London. Walled volumes, elegant covers welcome you to begin with Vivek’s Baked green pea and corn parcel-potato cauliflower stir fry, followed by Rajasthani Sangri beans with fenugreek and raisin, matched with a crisp, Australian 2006 Ocean Eight Pinot Noir.
Follow up with Grilled Wild African Prawn with tomato lemon sauce and coconut rice and whet your palate with char grilled Portobello mushroom, morels and green pea stir-fry with layered paratha married with a fine Domaine Chandon 2004 Shiraz. Outstanding.
Pedro Larumbe, Madrid
A Beluga of gastronomy with its century-old Spanish facades and embellishments reflecting a royal Andalucian home. “Pedro Larumbe” is one of Madrid’s, indeed Spain’s, most distinguished restaurants.
Match eclectic Pancake of Cod with a Penedes Pere Ventura 2003 Cava.
The mains call the shots with a Napoleon of Smoked Salmon with Cheese and Shellfish Pralines, Pistachio and basil, paired with a 2000 Clos de L’Obac red Catalonian wine. Pedro Larumbe’s Slivers of Iberian Ham with fennel and Capers add to the thrills. With a Triptych of desserts add on a shot of choicest Pedro Ximen Licor!
The Spire, Queenstown
At “Adventure capital of The World” Queenstown’s uber chic hotel “The Spire” is its uppercrust fine dining outpost in New Zealand. Over a fine 2006 Gibbston Valley Sauvignon Blanc enjoy a classically inspired, progressive New Zealand experience on a menu of cured salmon and textured egg yolk, cauliflower and chives.
Go ahead with Roasted Scallops, pea puree, fava beans and shellfish with lemon foam, braised lamb shoulder, puy lentils, boquerone and semi-dried tomato, aided with a smart Amisfield 2007 Pinot Noir.
The romance continues with Valrhona chocolate mousse stone fruit, orange and gingerbread crumbs…enchanting!
Grossi Florentino, Melbourne
Melbourne’s Bourke Street landmark “Grossi Florentino” is the Italian gourmet heart of this vibrant city. Cuisine calibrated by master crafter Guy Grossi, Australia’s celebrated, globally renowned chef and restaurateur, has to be ingested to be acclaimed.
The eight-course menu spans the likes of zucchini and Mozzarella terrine, pickled mushroom, radish, water cress, salsa verde with Cloudy Bay Chardonnay. It goes onto Jamon flavored marrow ravioli braised veal shank matched with a Speri Valpolicella red wine, then Castricum lamb bread stuffing, baby artichoke, sweet pepper pastry peppercorn salmoriglio with a Vinea Marson Syrah sweet wine. Stunning combo for your eager palate!
Pure, The Taj, Mumbai
“Pure” at The Taj Land’s End in Mumbai is a temple to healthy, organic gastronomy, heightened to perfection. Subtle wooden beige latticework and swish seating introduce you to inventive chef Binayak Tamang’s sensitively fine signature low-cal offerings in a wine-and-dine three-course menu…
Avocado Carpaccio in reduced Balsamic Vinegar with Le Rime Castello Banfi wine from Tuscany-Italy, followed by a mouth-melting Himalayan Trout, grilled vegetables in tangerine tomato broth paired with a Villa Maria Merlot red wine, all heavenly.
Pure’s grand finale of Oven roasted Pear-Star Anise truffle, nut crisp, eucalyptus soup, matched with a sweet desert wine by Baron Philippe de Rothschild enchants perfectly.
Ristorante Badessa, Turin
“Ristorante Badessa”. This quaint outpost on the classical Piazza Carlo Emanuele in Turin in Italy boasts historical might, culinary repertoire and amicability beyond compare. Inspired by a 19th century parish Abbess’ unique ability to cook great food, the restaurant is fabled for its signature stockfish.
Try the Terrine Fonduta and mushrooms, the smashing braised scallops in saffron sauce and the superlative fried vegetables in salsa sauce and capers-a traditional recipe. Blend with a fine Gigi Rosso 2004 Nebbiolo and sign off with a Gigi Rosso 2006 Barolo vintage. Buono Appetito!
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