Written by Meher Fatma
July 25, 2009 1:43:44 am
When Spectra,the signature restaurant at The Leela Kempinski in Gurgaon,opened two weeks ago with an all-day dining menu,you were prepared for the usual suspects skilled expat chefs and skillets of world cuisine and a fancy backdrop of bright lights and bay windows. But be prepared to be dazzled at first sight a beautiful and dramatic pathway paved with glass and reflecting stalactite-like lamps that seem to hang precariously from the roof. From there you can make your way to several mini kitchens that dot its 16,000 square feet.
Walls of wine racks spread out from the entrance,while inside,the counters,flaunting an informal ambience with pots and pans and baskets of aubergines and carrots,serve Indian,Mediterranean,Pan-Asian and Japanese cuisine,and desserts. There is also a bar.
The restaurant,with a cover of 225,has enough seating options you can snuggle in a cosy private cubicle or take a seat at the food counter for a community meal. Between appetisers,you can also monitor your pick of poultry that spins in the fire-spitting rotisserie.
In between managing a troupe of about 60 cooks spread over several counters,executive chef Thomas Figovc said,Initially,our chefs and the staff were a bit self-conscious about constantly being in the public eye,but they have adapted remarkably. Todays food is no longer about secret recipes that need to be prepared behind locked doors. Its all about uncomplicated and fresh food. Quite so. The weighty menu at Spectra offers a basic and uncomplicated meal; no complex fusions or unheard-of recipes that will have you call the chef in despair. There is a delicious Duck in Thai Red Curry (Rs 850),trays of assorted sushi rolls (starting at Rs 350),a variety of grills (such as Chicken Rotisserie for Rs 750 and Roast Duck for Rs 950),pizzas (from a desi Murg ka Sula at Rs 850 to a Classic Seafood at Rs 950) and a quintessential Indian selection (if the mutton preparation Kundan ki Kaliya comes for Rs 950,a tandoor lobster will set you back by Rs 1,800).
Subscriber Only Stories
The lunch buffet,at Rs 1,400 plus taxes,transforms Spectra into a high-street food mart. The day,however,begins with a breakfast buffet served between 7 am and 10.30 am. Priced at Rs 700 plus taxes,it rolls out morning goodies from each of its counters. You can sip on a Miso soup or dunk your greasy paranthas in fresh curd,or go for a fix of cold cuts and Danish pastries.
Meal for two,excluding drinks: Rs 4,000
Contact: 0124-4771234
Location: The Leela Kempinski,
Ambience Island,NH-8,Gurgaon
First published on: 25-07-2009 at 01:43:44 am
Subscribers Reading Now
Most Popular
Yacht found adrift off Raigad coast with weapons, owner’s husband says to keep Somali pirates at bay
Latest News
Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2022: Wishes, Images, Quotes, Whatsapp messages, status, and photos
This Word Means: MEGALODON
NGT probe panel finds illegal mining at Dadam, blames firm that has contract
Inflation target breach: RBI committee will meet to draft report for Govt
Pimpri-Chinchwad police rescue kidnapped school student
Kerala University to study effect of thermal stress on cattle
School jobs scam: No one will be spared, wait until right time, says Partha Chatterjee
Long road ahead: From I-day speech to women’s work
Yacht found adrift off Raigad coast with weapons, owner’s husband says to keep Somali pirates at bay
1300 km, 8 hospitals, 25 days: Family’s desperate bid to try & save Jalore boy
Bilkis Bano case remission: Judge who convicted 11 says for court to see
India’s strides in the Gulf
