Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2023 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

FEW UNDERSTAND GLITZ and glamour better than Dubai. In a report by Henley & Partners, this Emirati megacity clinched the top spot as Middle East’s wealthiest city in 2023. It’s not surprising that this sun-soaked metropolis also extends its opulent offerings to the millions of tourists that visit the city every year. Begin your vacation by looking at the city from a different perspective–literally! Get a bird’s-eye view of Dubai by taking off on a private helicopter tour with the region’s first dedicated luxury helicopter service(helicoptertourdubai.com). Ranging from 12 minutes to 60 minutes, this aerial adventure takes you over the heart of the city and the Palm, all the way to the desert beyond city limits. Similar vantage points await at AURA(auraskypool.com), the world’s highest 360° infinity pool at 200…

I magine standing atop a majestic peak in Meghalaya, the crisp mountain air filling your lungs as you gaze upon a scenery that seems too good to be true. Surrounded by the Khasi hills shrouded in mist, Meghalaya paints an ethereal canvas that invites exploration and discovery. If you are an adventure junkie who loves to embark into the uncharted, while capturing the thrill of Xtreme landscapes with unrivalled precision–you are in for a treat. Complies Sharanya Iyer, a.k.a. ‘trulynomadly’—a travel content creator who has explored more than 24 countries, including those with Xtreme terrains. “As an avid traveller, the vivo X90 Pro has become an inseparable companion throughout my journey of unravelling the world beyond the ordinary,” says Sharanya. From backpacking solo to scuba-diving in the Great Barrier Reef,…

BEST TONIC WATER Sepoy & Co. Founded by Angad Soni, Sepoy & Co. mixers are crafted by mixologists in London and India. With a refreshing taste owing to botanical ingredients, Sepoy & Co. offers a range of flavours—hibiscus, mint, spiced grapefruit, and elderflower. Not only are they aimed at elevating a classic G&T, but there’s an array of lemonades and ginger ales that can be paired with vodka, tequila, rum, and even gin. sepoyandco.com BEST NON-ALCOHOLIC MIXER Jimmy’s Cocktails Following the ideology of ‘Bring the Bar Home’, Jimmy’s Cocktails has a range of mixers, including classic cocktail ones such as Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Whiskey Sour, Lime Margaritas, and more. The mixers are made with zero artificial sweeteners and using high quality ingredients to produce a natural sweetness, by India’s top…

CHEF, INDIAN ACCENT Chef Manish Mehrotra changed the way people perceived Indian food, way back in 2009, with his restaurant Indian Accent. His inventive approach to Indian cuisine makes him an icon not just in the country but also among food enthusiasts worldwide. In a conversation with ROOPLEKHA DAS, the visionary talks about his restaurant’s decade-long reign on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list and the importance of consistency in the industry. For the past 10 years, Indian Accent has made it to the coveted list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. How do you see this achievement? Since its inception in 2009, Indian Accent has continuously pushed the boundaries of culinary innovation, crafting new dishes over the past 14 years. Consistency is key for longevity, and we prioritise training our staff…

CHEF & FOUNDER, YOUR FOOD LAB With visually stunning videos of easy-to-follow recipes, YouTube channel Your Food Lab has emerged as a favourite among food lovers across the country. Founder of this internet phenomenon, chef Sanjyot Keer talks to SIMRRAN GILL about making restaurant-style food accessible and the importance of being consistent in content creation. You were a part of your father’s business before being a full-time chef. How did the switch happen? While I was pursuing my graduation in culinary school, I worked with a few restaurants. After graduating, I worked some more, and then became a food producer on Master Chef Season Four. It was only much later that I joined the family business. I was going to the factory with my father and was missing food. I…

CHEF, MASQUE At the heart of restaurant Masque lies innovation, and this innovation is personified by head chef Varun Totlani, whose culinary creations are both visually striking and inventive. The innovator shares with RALAN KITHAN the challenges of running an ingredient-driven restaurant in Mumbai and the culinary figures that have shaped his style. When and how did you become the head chef at Masque? I studied at the Culinary Academy of India in Hyderabad, then moved to Culinary Institute of America in New York, worked briefly with hotels and chefs. Upon returning to Mumbai, a friend told me about a new tasting menuonly restaurant near Shakti Mills. I reached out, met with founders Aditi [Dugar] and Prateek [Sadhu], and started as a commis [chef] in August 2016. I’ve been with Masque…

BEST SEASONAL MENU Masque, Mumbai Masque, an ingredient-driven restaurant is nestled within one of Mumbai’s old textile mills. It has a 10-course chef’s tasting menu that changes according to the season. Every dish is defined by ingredients sourced from local farmers, producers, and foraging trips. Local flavours and age-old practices meet innovation and technique at Masque, making it a pioneer in seasonal menus. masquerestaurant.com BEST COCKTAIL MENU Hoots’, New Delhi With mood lighting and minimal occupancy, Hoots’ is the perfect cocktail bar situated in the heart of Delhi. The menu consists of 25 cocktails, cheese platters, and a cigar selection. The cocktails are made of a variety of ingredients and techniques, and are named with a number. Highlights from the cocktail menu include Hanky Panky, Albert’s Negroni, and Hoots’ twist…

CO-FOUNDER & CEO, NAO SPIRITS & BEVERAGES Noticing a rise in gin drinkers in India and the lack of homegrown labels catering to this market, Anand Virmani, along with Vaibhav Singh and Aparajita Ninan, set on a mission to bridge this gap. Thus, in 2017, Nao Spirits & Beverages came into being, launching duo offerings Greater Than and Hapusa Gin, and earned recognition as India’s pioneer craft gin company. In a chat with BAYAR JAIN, the spirited distiller discusses his commitment to go the extra mile for customers and acknowledges that each bottle of gin is a unique creation. Distilling is a balance of science and art. How did you approach this process, especially in the initial years? It took two years! We played with almost 120 different botanicals in…

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE CHEF, LA FOLIE Sanjana Patel’s love for chocolates began at age nine while experimenting in the kitchen with her grandmother. It is this love that led her to launch La Folie, a Mumbai-based bean-to-bar gourmet patisserie, with her childhood sweetheart. The conscious chocolatier talks to BAYAR JAIN about the changes in the industry, bringing sustainability to dessert making, and more. When you started La Folie in 2014, what was the pastry scene in India like? What has changed since? When I started, pastries were being made with compound coating; there was little access to good quality ingredients. I wanted to give something unique to the Indian customer. So, I started with a small forward-thinking flavour profile centring around a French patisserie in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. I…

CHEF PARTNER, OMO – SOUL FOOD COMMUNITY From helming zero-waste kitchens to being the chef partner of Delhi’s first vegetarian ingredient-focussed restaurant, chef Vanshika Bhatia’s professional journey is a benchmark for aspiring culinarians. The 28-year-old genius gets candid with SIMRRAN GILL about her passion for sustainable cooking, foraging, and more. What were some of the challenges that you faced in your journey? A common struggle for female chefs in our generation is that we have to prove ourselves in every new kitchen we join. One really has to push the head chef to be stationed in the hot (main cooking areas) or butchery section. Comparatively, international kitchens have more equality. Even after owning my business, I’m still waiting to get to a point where male ego does not affect my…

1 Binsar UTTARAKHAND If leisurely strolls and spirited hikes in Kumaon Himalayas are what your mountain dreams are made of, Binsar will easily find its way to your heart. A scenic four-hour drive from Nainital, northwest of Almora in Uttarakhand, this dreamy hamlet is slowly gaining popularity for its eponymous wildlife sanctuary that boasts over 200 species of birds in a dense forest of oaks, rhododendrons, and pines. Gorgeous sunsets, 60 kilometres of hiking trails, leopard sightings, ancient temples, panoramic mountain views, and the sky putting up a celestial odyssey every night make it the perfect relaxing getaway. GETTING THERE: Binsar is 125 km from Kathgodam, the nearest railway station. The closest airport is in Pantnagar which is a half-hour drive from Kathgodam but the connectivity can be erratic at times.…

L.U.C XP Urushi Ganesh Edition CHOPARD Chopard pays tribute to the deity Ganesh with the limited 10-piece L.U.C XP Urushi Ganesh Edition. It features a 39.5mm diameter case in ethical 18-carat rose gold and a dial portraying Ganesh. The intricate Urushi lacquer dial, created by a Japanese artisan, adds symbolism. Price on request Luminor Marina – 44 mm PANERAI Celebrating the iconic Gateway of India, the watch features an engraving of the monument. Limited to 50 units, the 44mm Luminor Marina features a polished steel case, a classic Panerai black dial with ecru Super-LumiNova® coated hour markers and figures. Price on request Heritage Cheetah Watch BOMBERG Limited to only 100 pieces, the BOMBERG watch pays homage to the iconic cheetah. The watch features a bold 45mm stainless-steel case, enhanced by…

Location: THE WESTIN HYDERABAD MINDSPACE I HAD HEARD OF AND partly experienced Bengaluru’s unpredictable rains, but the sporadic spells of Hyderabad come as a surprise. As does superstar Allu Arjun’s enigma. Having spent a considerable time in the south of India, I am aware of the hold that film stars have over their audiences. But this seems totally different. As soon as our cover star walks in, the lobby of the hotel is filled with both excited squeals and pin-drop silence. While he makes his way to the green room, we check out our wheels partner—the Volvo XC40 Recharge, a natural choice forthecovershoot. OurAugustisuuecelebratesIndiaandthemyriadroadtrip opportunities the country offers, and what better way to explore a city sustainably than in a versatile EV? As our crew and cover star gear up…

FOR Adventure ENTHUSIAIS Experience the thrill of island life, indulge in water sports, and catch up with the world under water at these properties. JW MARRIOTT MALDIVES RESORT & SPA A perfect family getaway, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is the ideal multi-generational resort. Its location in the Shaviyani Atoll ensures that its surrounding waters are perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and sailing. But it’s the little ones who’re in for a real treat at this resort. The 13-metre-long pirate ship at Little Griffins Kids Club is sure to delight your tots. A large-sized children’s swimming pool and child-sized amenities create a mini fantasy world for the little adventurers. The kids club offers seven different themes per week like ‘Superheroes’, ‘Pirates’, and ‘Outer Space’, and more than…

BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT Street Storyss, Bengaluru The bistro-style outlet serves gourmet-like street food in a community dining setting. The healthy vegetarian options celebrate the sheer range of street food available across the world. The menu is seasonal and adapts to the local produce grown around the area, making it one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country. instagram.com/streetstoryssblr Millo, Mumbai Serving a global vegetarian menu, Millo has an authentic vibe, with a chic but simple design. Their menu provides a range of options like soups, small plates, contemporary chaats, sushi, mini meals, salads, and hot plates, tied together with freshly sourced ingredients and beautiful presentation, making it a true winner. instagram.com/millo.mumbai Editor’s Choice The Johri, Jaipur The Johri restaurant, a part of the boutique hotel, The Johri, serves iconic…

CHEF & OWNER, CAVATINA AND TABLE IN THE HILLS While Avinash Martin’s flagship restaurant Cavatina Cuchina reinterprets Goan flavours, his second restaurant Table in the Hills, located on a farm in Goa, puts a creative spin on local and farm-sourced ingredients. The chef with a ‘local heart and global soul’ talks to RALAN KITHAN about what makes his restaurants stand out and the special features of Goan cuisine. Can you share the story behind Table in the Hills? Table in the Hills is a story of all the artisans of Goa—the fishermen, toddy tappers, farmers, potters, stone carvers, poders (local bakers), and more. It’s a concept that not only brings their best produce to the table but also their emotions and nostalgia. It is food beyond great taste and creativity,…

CO-FOUNDERS & PARTNERS, LUPA Chef Manu Chandra and hospitality veteran Chetan Rampal met at the Olive Bar & Kitchen more than a decade ago. This partnership gave rise to many successful restaurants over the years, the latest is Bengaluru’s much-talked-about LUPA, a European restaurant complete with a gelato lab and a wine cellar. The duo tells ADILA MATRA what makes the partnership work. You are associated with a lot of restaurants, what is the one dish that you want people to try in each one of them? Manu Chandra: I think, besides being associated with a lot of restaurants, I was fortunate enough to herald a few genres, which have lasted quite a while—the invention of the gastropub that changed how people viewed pubs as becoming bonafide destinations; taking comfort food…

FOUNDERS, HUNGER INC. HOSPITALITY Yash Bhanage and Sameer Seth took the Indian culinary scene by storm in 2015 with The Bombay Canteen. The restaurant reimagined regional Indian food and introduced an innovative cocktail menu to go with it. The duo’s company Hunger Inc. Hospitality owns O Pedro, a Goan-inspired restaurant, Bombay Sweet Shop that offers traditional mithais in a contemporary avatar, and their latest sandwich shop and deli, Veronica’s—all popular names in the food industry. The duo lets CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL in on the strategies that worked for them. What is that one innovation, which worked in the favour of The Bombay Canteen? Sameer Seth: For The Bombay Canteen, we took inspiration by travelling across India to understand what eating Indian food outside of home meant, and of course, to get…

The best in the Indian culinary scene gathered at Le Méridien New Delhi on July 24, 2023, for the fourth edition of the readers’ choice Delicious Dining Awards by Travel +Leisure India and South Asia. Like every year, DDA felicitated restaurants, bars, and homegrown spirits and mixers across categories. Additionally, 11 special individuals, who have made a difference in the culinary world were honoured as T+L Tastemakers. There was also a Jury Approved category, where winners were chosen based on votes received from a jury of industry experts. Members of the jury included Maharani Priyadarshini Raje Scindia of Gwalior; Mayur Sharma, author and TV anchor; Pooja Dhingra, pastry chef and author; Prateek Sadhu, food expert and TV host; Rashmi Uday Singh, author and TV host; And Travel and Leisure India…