Sea of Options

While the newly opened Gourmet Nine restaurant offers varied cuisines,the south coastal fare is our pick.

A multi-cuisine restaurant is not a novelty in the city but any new fine-diner that is ambitious enough to include a smorgasbord of cuisines in its menu definitely stirs curiosity. Its with this inquisitiveness and a fair bit of excitement that we approach Gourmet Nine,a new restaurant housed in Hotel Pelican. The location it is in Industrial Area Phase 2 is still new to foodies who prefer to trawl through Sectors 7 and 26. But dont let the location or even the hotels insipid reception act as a deterrent.

Housed on the first floor,the first thing that strikes you about Gourmet Nine is that its not pretentious. The ambience is bright and the décor is simple and clean. In fact,theres no clear giveaway to what the menu will offer apart from the dome cloches suggesting buffets are the order of the day. Boasting 85 covers,it also includes a unique private dining area thats styled like a family living room where the dining table is just a few steps away.

Run by entrepreneurs Aditya Prabhu (hes worked in hospitality for over two decades) and Shiwani Tomar,an interior designer,the multiple choice in the menu at Gourmet Nine is the highlight. As we flip through the menu,put together by Prabhu,it seems to offer a culinary journey that traverses through north India,the countrys south coast before going Pan-Asian and then steering towards Continental desserts.

Here,Corn and Water Chestnut Dumplings find space alongside Meen Polichattu (a specialty of Kerala) along with vegetable cutlets and Yakhni Shorba. The Oriental fare is familiar but the south coastal Indian fare is something that will bring us back to the restaurant. The Meen Polichattu was a cracker and ditto for the coconut-flavoured chicken curry Nadan Kozhi Curry that we relished with Neer Dosa.

While its obvious that some popular favourites (Nalli Nihari,Dhania Murg,Bharwan Bhindi and Dal Fry) do find their way into the menu,many lesser-known dishes such as Calcutta Fish Fry,Railway Mutton Curry,Kadala curry have been included to offer novelty. The Lamb Hot Pot would be our recommendation for those who prefer to stick to Pan-Asian. Over all,theres a clever balance of mild and intense flavours across cuisines and heres hoping the restaurant remains consistent with its flavours and quality in the months to come.

Meal for two: Rs 1,500 (inclusive of all taxes)

Location: 28/8,First Floor,The

Pelican Hotel,Industrial Area

Phase 2,Chandigarh

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