Bar Review: The Wine Company, DLF Cyber Hub, Gurgaon

First things first.  Is “The Wine Company” a wine specialty restaurant? Yes and No. 'Yes' for its impressive range of wines cutting across new and old worlds at competitive prices (claimed much lower than other restaurants in Delhi/NCR), and 'No' because you would be disappointed if expecting  wine flights or wines by the glass ,except for a couple of house wines.

Whatever said, The Wine Company  is a bold step towards wine nirvana for the average wine lover wherein it offers a good range of wines coupled with immaculate service- and what’s more- help at hand in the form of an in house Sommelier ! The restaurant, conveniently located  both for Delhi and Gurgaon,  is a value adding component to the foodie’s paradise that DLF Cyber Hub Gurgaon has come to be known as.

Décor

As you enter the restaurant , the expansive  bar area beset with chalk graffiti on black boards announcing offers like “Unlimited Sunday Prosecco Brunch” and “Midnight Steak Out” stands out unmistakably. The overall décor is quite modern  and wood dominated, with an attractively visible wine display categorized country-wise. There are seating clusters for possibly every preference-  from standard restaurant tables  to cosy bar counter  arrangements  for intimate conversations. However, the place could do better with some more space within the seating arrangement to facilitate unobtrusive movement , especially on crowded weekends.  There is also a small al fresco area at the entrance but has limited application, owing to legal restrictions on outdoor alcohol consumption, as also the infamous Indian summer.

Drinks and Food

The wine list, as mentioned above  has a good range at fairly reasonable prices .For example, I found a Torres Viña Sol (a good white wine from Spain) at ₹ 1890 (plus taxes) per bottle, which is a good bargain considering its retail cost itself being  ₹ 1400+. Apart from the wines, a host of other options like beers on tap, cocktails, a decent collection of whiskies and a choice of  Sangrias makes sure that the place has lots to offer on the drinks front. The food menu is a good mix of cuisines - mostly Mediterranean and Continental  with  a deeper focus on American and West European offshoots. A wide range of Thin Crust Pizzas, Gourmet Burgers, Pastas and Risottos bear testimony to this premise.

Getting to the Proof of the Pudding

Looking at the options available, I decided to go for a multi course approach with wine pairing and made the first splash with Prosecco Sangria with Mint and Strawberry(₹ 450) from their Signature Sangria range. Priyanka Singh, the Brand Manager at the restaurant strongly recommended that I also try one of their red wine based Sangrias and I happily obliged with a Pomegranate and Cranberry Sangria (₹ 325). Both the drinks were innovative and refreshing, though I felt that the red variant lost some glory  due to being chilled sub-par . The starters in the form of  Sizzling Prawns (₹475 ) and their  signature Karari Roti (crisp Indian bread given an intriguing hollow semi-spherical shape,  a must try at ₹ 395 ),  were pleasing hors d’œuvres.

Karari Roti

Entrée  Course

Food: Caesar Salad (Veg  ₹ 329, NV ₹ 425)

Wine: Opera Pinot Chardonnay 2012, Italy (₹ 1490) -  A blend of Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay (recommended by the Wine Company Sommelier)

 Caesar Salad is often considered a ‘can’t go wrong’  food to pair with a white wine  thanks to its various textures and flavours.  My keenness to accept the Sommelier’s proposal of wine was also ruled by the fact that Opera wines are made by an Indian –Italian collaboration in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy and are aimed particularly at  the Indian palate . The crispy lettuce/ bacon and poached chicken strips along with a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese  worked  well with the wine’s crisp acidity and tropical fruit flavours. A good combination that could possibly serve as a complete meal when one’s got  to rush back to office in the afternoon.

Main Course

Food: Thin crust Pepperoni Pizza (₹595), Crispy Bacon and Chorizo Risotto(₹ 695)

Wine: Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010,Napa Valley, California,USA  (₹ 6990 )

The pizza had a signature touch to it with an uber thin crust that stayed crisp till the end  along with the palpable high quality of ingredients used. The risotto was savoury with a wonderful nuttiness and smokiness to it. Both these dishes worked astoundingly well with the well structured, fruity  and full bodied wine having oak and spice overtones.

Dessert Course

Food: Dark Chocolate and Whiskey Mousse (₹ 295).

Wine: Opera Lambrusco Sparkling 2011, Italy  (₹ 1690)

Trying another wine from the Opera stable  had another solid reason for me other than its Indian orientation – i.e. having never tried a Lambrusco (a red grape variety largely from the Emilia region of Italy) in its sparkling avatar. This was an exciting wine with just the right amount of residual sweetness to stand up to the sophistication of the chocolate and whiskey mousse. The palate coating creaminess and intense chocolate flavours of the mousse accentuated by a malty highlight imparted by the whiskey married well with the rich vinosity and a restrained  sparkle of the wine. I think the wine is an exciting and good value proposition not only with desserts but also with gourmet burgers, pizzas et al.

This article appeared in the 5th Anniversary Special issue of
Spiritz Magazine

Looking to round off the evening  with a Single Espresso shot, I was rather surprised not to find the coffee option on the menu, but the restaurant sportingly took my unsolicited yet sincere recommendation by assuring to include it soon.

After all, the best of life’s pleasures are the simplest- isn’t it?

  Upside

• ·         Pleasing décor.
• ·         Good wine collection.
• ·         Friendly Service.
• ·         Multitude of cuisine options.

Downside

• ·         Loud  music.
• ·         Crowded seating.
• ·         No coffee on menu.

Average meal for two(with taxes): Rs. 3500.00

Timings: 1230 p.m. to 1230 a.m.

The Wine Company

Shop No. 22 & 23, DLF, Cyber City, Sector 24

Gurgaon, Haryana 122002

India

Bar Review: Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon- Striking a confident Pose

Pose- The fashion bar at Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon, is strategically located in Sector 50, near prime corporate and residential quarters. The bar is a preferred watering hole of many in this area on two accounts- firstly due to no equivalent option available within a 5 km radius and secondly, a certain versatility in the place that affords it to adapt to different customer profiles- from meditational sippers to exuberant denizens.

Décor and Ambience

The bar, which is an extension of the hotel’s world  cuisine restaurant “Glasshouse” is designed on a modern theme and can seat upto  40 guests. In line with its fashion theme, it is done up in silver, gold and purple combined with fusion design elements. The seating is comfortable and well arranged to give a feeling of space notwithstanding the medium sized floor area. The floor to ceiling glass walls enable a beautiful view of the lush green lawns and a contemporary alfresco area on the other side, where popular events are often conducted (DJ Aqeel was there the preceding week of my visit). The overall luminescence is good, central to which is a mesmerizing array of hanging lumières  right above the bar counter.

Beverages Menu

Settling down at the bar, I was served a rack of iced tea sampler  with an option to order larger measures. I sampled the chamomile, apple-basil and rose flavours that turned out refreshing and rejuvenating. Non alcoholic drinkers would find it an attractive low cal option. The overall beverages menu of the bar is quite uncomplicated and functional with a good selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee. The Single Malt and Wine range though, is conservative- which according to Vivek Sharma, the General Manager at the hotel, is in the process of being enhanced. However, what interested me the most was that unlike the common practice, the bar highlights its innovative cocktails more than the world classics- that are mentioned succinctly as “Stone Age Mix”. Sensing their pride in their mixology skills, I considered it worthwhile to sample some of the ingenious cocktails on offer:

 

Juvenile Flash: Vodka, Orange Juice and Red Bull

Verdict: Vibrant as its name, this bright orange drink is actually a twist to the classic Screwdriver- one of the simplest yet charming classics. The Red Bull effect gave it an extra peppiness and a refined balance. The ease of preparation also makes it an ideal party punch.

Virile Fizzle: Blended Whisky, Blackberry Syrup, Lemon Juice and Sprite

Verdict: Potent name apart, the drink has an innate fruitiness quotient and despite two sweet ingredients, a good balance However, may not work  for those who dislike more than a dash of sugar in their drink.

Hop Up: Draught Beer, Vodka, grape juice, fresh mint leaves and lemon juice

Verdict: In the times when many bars in the city find draught beer unsustainable due to supply side problems, this drink not only uses the same but also harnesses its freshness quotient- further adding complexity and aromatics to it. I am sure that even brew haters would love this one.

Wines

The wine list at Pose is not humungous but incorporates a decent repertoire from major wine regions of the world . Certain fast moving wines are also available by the glass and work as good incentive for light drinkers and experimentative souls. I ordered the Beringer Stone Cellars Merlot, USA (available by the glass at Rs 575 for 150 ml) and  Bird in Hand, Two in the Bush Semillon-Sauvignon, Australia available for Rs. 4550 per bottle. The condition  of wines was good, and the service- impeccable.

Food

A brief chat with Executive Chef Vikas Pant gave me an insight on  his philosophy of balancing the five basic senses of taste- sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savoury, with central focus being on the range of drinks in the bar. Sure enough, the food menu had an assortment of light and strong flavours - both vegetarian and non vegetarian, prepared using different modes of cooking viz. pan frying, steaming  and baking. The serving measures were good and value for money. I sampled the Chilli Lamb Spring Rolls, Spicy Garlic Prawns, Bhatti ka Murgh Tikka, Lamb Seekh Kabab, Batter Fried Fish with Chilli Mayo and Breaded Mushrooms with Chilli Garlic Mayo.  The food was well prepared with a signature touch to most of the dishes.

Batter Fried Fish with Chilli Mayo

Chilli Lamb Spring Roll

Crispy Breaded Mushroom

Spicy Garlic Prawns

Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Extras

The co location of the bar with the dining area offers convenience to those who may like to conclude  the experience with a complete meal. The restaurant has a Rs 1149/ 1499 (plus taxes) daily buffet lunch/ dinner comprising of Indian, Italian, Continental and Pan Asian Cuisines to facilitate this. But of course there is also the à la carte option for those who would like it petite.

The Buffet Spread

Upside

This article was featured in Jul 14 issue of Spiritz-
India's most read Alcobev Magazine

• ·         Relaxed ambience.
• ·         Zealous staff.
• ·         Innovative drinks and food.
• ·         Value for money.

Downside

• ·         A frugal Single Malts menu.

Average price for two: Rs. 4000.00

Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgaon Baani Square

Sector 50,Gurgaon – 122002,Haryana, India

T +91-124-442-0000

F +91-124-442-0010

Email: gurgaonbaanisquare.hgi.com

Bar Review: Copper Bar, Crowne Plaza Today, Okhla, New Delhi

Every bar has a soul- and that soul evolves around the primary clientele that the bar wishes to entertain. To connect with the soul of Copper bar at Hotel Crowne Plaza Today Okhla, I recently dropped in there. Located in the buzzing commercial locality of the Indian capital, Hotel Crowne Plaza Today was established in June 2010. It is a convenient destination for business people to stay and  meet,  and courtesy the Copper Bar, to clink glasses while negotiating those win-win deals!

Though the bar mostly caters to business visitors, others are welcome too. To emphasize this aspect, it has an adjoining alfresco area replete with an exclusive neon lit bar counter, stools, a giant screen with projection system and an informal seating arrangement. With the IPL season approaching, the ongoing muster at the place was quite palpable.

The main bar is conveniently situated near the lobby and hard to miss. The bar proudly displays its “Meet and Eat” USP wherein one could order bar food as also requisition common office facilities such as photocopying, fax, scanning, CD copying etc at the flick of la carte. 

Good Privacy in Seating Clusters

The overall ambience is warm and welcoming with abundant use of wood and copper highlights.  Thanks to a massive floor area and various configurations of seating arrangements, finding a place of preference is not a problem. The inter se distances between seating clusters ensure a good level of privacy without having to miss the bonhomie around. The bar island is surrounded with temperature controlled wine ‘caves’ (French for cellar and pronounced kaav) that also act as show-windows. A separate kitchen island complements the bar to animate the ambience.

Beverages Menu

The liquid glitterati had a predominance of Single Malts and other straight drinks. As I strained to locate the cocktails within the menu, Rohit Sharma, the beverages manager of the hotel explained- “our primary clientele is business people who largely prefer straight-up drinks, hence we have excluded cocktails from the menu – but these could definitely be ordered by the clients”. Not fully convinced, I decided to order an “Old Fashioned” to find the proof in the pudding. The litmus test turned out to be affirmative, encouraging me to venture further.

 "Old Fashioned" getting the finishing touches

Cocktails Ordered

Old Fashioned: Bourbon whiskey, Angostura bitters and sugar with lots of ice and garnished with an orange peel.

Verdict: Outstandingly prepared to text book perfection. I didn’t feel like leaving the cocktail after a few sips but professional compulsions dictated otherwise.

Rob Roy: Blended scotch whisky, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters with a lemon spiral garnish.

Verdict: The proportion of all ingredients being perfect, the drink was delectable. However, the temperature was slightly wanting. The James Bond-ian  diktat of “shaken, not stirred’ could have worked here. Enjoyable, nevertheless.

Mai Tai: Dark rum, white rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, Cointreau, lemon juice.

Verdict: This was a slightly tweaked Mai Tai with the absence of Amaretto (bitter almond flavored liqueur) and presence of some sugar granules for a crunchy feel. Those who like sweeter styled drinks would love it. But for a person like me, the lesser sweet version having the nuttiness of amaretto retains the mojo.

Margarita Chronicles. Tequila, lemon juice, triple sec, bell peppers.

Verdict: A signature preparation of the bar, this was a superbly innovative drink harnessing the fresh spiciness of bell peppers and a rainbow effect all through the highball glass. An interesting and productive twist to the classic margarita that could well be chronicled – true to its name.



The Food and Drinks sampled

Food

The bar food menu was quite versatile with a good mix of vegetarian and non vegetarian options. I ordered the following:

Golden Fried Prawns with Sweet Chilli Sauce: Delicately flavoured prawns in a crispy coating. The mild flavors and a rich unctuousness made them good to go with any drink. The sweet chilli sauce married well with the hint of sweetness in the prawns and spiciness of the flavouring.

Lamb Chapli Kabab with Mint Sauce:  Succulent, flavourful and coarsely textured kababs that were quite filling. The freshness of ingredients was noticeable with bell peppers and coriander leading from the front. First bite and I was tempted to ask for a robust red wine. Of course the cocktails did great too!

Falafel and Pita bread with Tahina dip: An innovatively presented bite sized version of the popular Lebanese dish. Well suited for scalable eating without disturbing the remaining portion- hence well suited to sharing sans overeating.

Paneer ke Sooley with Mint Sauce: This dish of pan seared soft cottage cheese chunks with mint stuffing had a rich and creamy texture resultant of its marinade of hung curd and fresh cream. Quite filling and satiating.

The wine I requested having arrived (a Chilean Merlot),  I had an opportunity to see the level of wine service which was quite good with pristine glassware, correct wine temperature and serving etiquette. Overall, the bar turned out to be a pleasant experience and well entrenched in its business orientation. I’m quite positive that the Grands Crus wines on its list will roll pretty fast!

This review has  been published in the Apr 14
issue of Spiritz Magazine

Positives

• ·         Good ambience.
• ·         Efficient service.
• ·         Value added services.

Negatives

• ·         Cocktails not listed.

Average rendezvous for two: Rs 4,500 approx; 

Timings: 11 am to 1 am.

Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla

Plot No. 1, Community Centre

Okhla Phase-1, New Delhi- 110020, India