If you fancy a high quality and reasonably priced hotel buffet that features impeccable Indian cuisine, The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams Manila is - dare I use the cliche that holds true, the place to be. For a whole week stretch that starts July 17 up until the 24th, The Cafe at Hyatt will take you to the Road to Gurgaon and let you discover Indian culinary gems.
Spearheaded by guest chef Ajith Kumar from Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, the Indian Food Festival at The Cafe paves way to a gustatory journey that will lead guests to what The Lonely Planet tagged as the new New Delhi, Gurgaon - a fast growing city in India.
No passport is needed to tread this delicious journey, for all it takes are open mind, appreciation for good food, and one big hell of an appetite. Trust me, whether you dig Indian food or still on your way to appreciating one, Indian Food Festival at The Cafe of Hyatt COD Manila can be the best option and a good start.
I have written a preview about this food festival in my previous Hyatt blog post and I have already mentioned my love for Indian food. Needless to say that I was so looking forward to its launch and even moved mountain to accommodate it in my crazy schedule. And it's worth it, I tell you.
The smell of spices in the air - strong enough to make its presence known but faint enough not to overwhelm, plus the the sight of colorful Indian dishes which get the highlight in this festival are enough for one to realize that they are in for something exciting.
Not to mention, the chance to get a glimpse of the amazing chefs working their magic to create something that will make dining experience of their guests downright impressive and memorable.
Having taken the spotlight for the festival, Indian food selections are aplenty. While there are other non-Indian buffet food staple alongside, the stars of the buffet spread will arouse the diners curiosity in its presentation and will hook one in by its complex taste.
So what are the Indian dishes available in the festival, you ask. These my friends, are some of them.
Indian people love their vegetarian dishes hence their Vegetable Samosa is probably one of the most widely enjoyed all over the world. Much as I would like to limit my food intake to " a little bit of everything" to maximize my experience, I finished four of these samosas in one go because they are just the best. I also find the Dal Vada lovely with its crisp texture and clean flavor.
The Aloo Tikka is the best bet if one loves fried potatoes. If hankering for more flavors, this is way better option compared to the usual French fries. The Vegetable Fritter will easily steal ones heart away from the usual vegetable tempura available on usual buffets.
The hot dishes section feature Prawn Curry with Mango which marries the distinct flavor of curry with the innate sweetness of mango. The plump shrimps are of course the star of the dish, but the sauce binds the complexity of the dish.
In lieu of the usual roasted chicken, my plate was more than beautiful and my tummy was more than happy with the presence of Chicken Tikka. I threw it in in my Chicken Biryani and it was like two-hits combo.
Now the Paneer Makhani is hands down my favorite dish of all the ones I have tried in the festival. It is probably the first Indian dish I have grown to love so I may be a bit biased here. But really, how can I say no to cottage cheese simmered in tomato gravy? For the life of me, I really cannot. The only problem I have now is where the hell can I get the same great tasting Paneer Makhani after the Indian Food Festival. Where?
There is also the Black Chickpea and Aloo Curry which features generous portion of potatoes in contrast to the chickpea. Aloo Chana Curry is one of the first Indian cuisine I learned in the kitchen and this one gives me an idea on how else can i tweak my recipe because I find this one really impressive.
I also find the Aloo Jeera a star on its own. This particular rendition is way more saucy than what I had before in other Indian restaurants which makes it a perfect viand instead of being just a side dish.
The Mutton Gosht Roggan can be a good option if one wants some meat on their curry. This lamb curry dish is one of the best I have tried as far as I can remember. The Chicken Curry on the other hand reminds me how much I prefer Indian curry dish compared to all other curries from other countries. It's just filled with flavors that may not be that easy to point out but equally not easy to forget.
The Tomato Tulsi Ka Shorba is a great soup dish especially when you want a soup that doesn't just warm the heart, but tickles the palate as well. The flavorful Dhal Makhani shouldn't go unnoticed as well as it features complexity of flavor amidst the simplicity of the dish.
There are three kinds of rice available on the buffet spread; Steamed Rice, Vegetable Biryani, and Chicken Biryani. The Chicken Biryani, I enjoyed with the Chicken Tikka as previously told. The Vegetable Biryani however, I did get to enjoy with all the other viands I feasted on hence it ended up as my favorite. The steamed rice, we all can have it back home so I skipped it.
The hot dishes and the appetizer station aren't the only spots where Indian food reigns. By the salad station, you can find both the Fruit Chat and the Aloo Chat - two great Indian snacks that boast of varying flavors and texture.
There is also a Raita station coupled with bands of chopped fruits and vegetables which stand as great accompaniment that completes the distinct deliciousness of Raita.
Another dish that ended up as one of my favorites was the Baked Trevally with Mustard Yoghurt Sauce. There was a Salt Crusted Baked Salmon on the buffet spread and while I immensely enjoy it given the fact that I adore salmon, for this particular visit, it was the Trevally fish which stole my heart. The yoghurt sauce is perfection!
Choices of Indian breads include Roasted and Fried Papad, Naan bread, and Bhaturra. Everything is a great when accompanied with other dishes but everything is also flavorful on its own. I however remember enjoying Naan the most as I have eaten it with the Chicken Tandoori as well as the other curry dishes I got.
Then there are Indian desserts - a beautiful world on its own. Well known Gulab Jamun may look like the usual one we can get from other Indian Restaurants in Manila, but this one got some filling which makes it all the more delicious. I couldn't point out what exactly was it, all I remember is that its flavor is a mixture of cheese and milk with distinct texture just like that of the Barfi.
The Barfi which is milky sweet has an interesting crumbly texture as you bite on it. The flavor in my opinion reminds me of combination of milk, cheese, and coconut cream.
If you have a penchant for something sweet and wants to load up on carotene and Vitamin A, the Carrot Halwa. I almost skipped trying this one out but recommendation from others made me grab on it and I regretted nothing because it was a good dessert. The Rice Kheer on the other hand is also a great coice if you fancy a creamy and slightly sweet tasting rice pudding.
There is also the well-loved and much adorned Baklava. I love that it is served like a cut-up spring rolls as it is easier to pop in the mouth in one go. Sweet, nutty, with hints of cinnamon, this Baklava should not be missed when availing of the food festival promo.
The chefs creative flair is also one of the noteworthy things about this food festival. While there are plenty of Indian desserts to feast on, they didn't stop from putting on their creative caps and created chocolate truffles with Indian spices. The Kulfi and Curry Truffles are amazing.
The Indian Food Festival at The Cafe of Hyatt, City of Dreams Manila will run from July 17 to 24, 2014. Price starts at only Php1,388 for lunch and Php1,888 net for dinner. Like I mentioned, whether you love Indian cuisine or is still interested in trying out some, this can be a good deal for you.
For reservation, you may call 691-1234 local 1162 or book online at cityofdreamsmanila.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/the-cafe.html. You may use the official hashtags #HyattRoadToGurgaonIndia #HyattDining #TheCafe #FindYourFavorite and #InAHyattWorld and tag @HyattCityofDreamsManila to join the conversation on social media.
Related Post: The Cafe, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila
