|
|
My Delhi - Sumit Chatterjee
A member of the Taj Mahal Hotel's Concierge Division describes the delights of New Delhi
By: Sumit Chatterjee
|
  |
My Restaurants
From the by lanes of the walled city to the swanky hotels and restaurants, Delhi has the taste of all. Delhi gives you the option of choosing from the wide variety of cuisines, which is a mixture of regional and international food.
The best French restaurant in the city is The Orient Express at the Taj Palace Hotel that captures the mystique of the legendary train, The Orient Express, which has been traversing Europe for over a century. The four course menu it offers is inspired by the cuisines of the countries it passes through and takes you through an interesting and exciting route, offering you a delectable choice of hors d'oeuvres, savory entrees, symphonie de sorbets and an enticing spread of desserts. The Grill Room at the Taj Mahal Hotel is another excellent choice for continental fare. It’s an island of serenity away from the hectic activity of daily life. Nestled at the rooftop, this restaurant offers a spectacular view of the city and is kept extremely exclusive, open only for Chambers’ members & resident guests. For the best Italian restaurant, just drive to DIVA. The authentic Italian fare provided by Chef Ritu Dalmia, is packed with genuine warmth and hospitality. Diva also boasts of an inexhaustible wine list making it the recipient of the 2004 Wine Spectator Award.
Bukhara – Rated amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world and the finest restaurant in Asia by “Restaurant” Magazine - is probably the most popular dining destination for Indian food in the city. The restaurant serves cuisine from the northwest frontier, prepared in a clay ‘tandoor’ oven, in a kitchen area which is visible to customers, and which adds to the experience of dining. It’s a place where you are encouraged to eat with your fingers. To relish authentic North Indian cuisine in an international outfit, visit Masala Art at the Taj Palace. The rookie in the ranks, it is up to the brim with innovations that give you a dining experience that’s simply unmatched. The unique grinding machines whip up fresh Masalas for each meal, adding spice to your feasting. A glass of fresh sugarcane juice complements the cuisine, giving that unmistakable traditional touch. And in case a juice is not what you want, then Masala Art offers the finest wines, served with the notion that wine is one of life's great pleasures and should be enjoyed as often as possible as part of a complete dining experience.
At Masala Art, the pricing of wining is such that it makes it one of the only restaurants in Delhi to sell wine at value for money prices. Masala Art recommends appropriate wines, to be paired with a selection of appetizers or entrees from the dinner menu, in such a manner that the guest embarks upon a wine & Masala journey.
My Shopping
Delhi is famous for the shopping extravaganza ranging from the traditional jewelry and handicrafts to the latest fashionable consumer goods. Shopping in Delhi is fantastic because you get to choose from a wide range of options suiting every budget. The specialty of shopping in Delhi is the availability of goods from all over India. Delhi has specialized markets for different goods like linen, leather, antiques, silks and furniture.
The best jewelry designers in New Delhi are Alpana Gujral and Meera Jain, for which an appointment must be made in advance to visit their atelier. Well-known jewelry stores of the city include Amprapali, Ivory Mart & Mehrasons. The Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj is India’s first luxury mall that has the most high-end brands from around the world. To experience the sense of style & fashion the Indian designers have, one must visit the Crescent Mall. Shaped like a crescent, this mall is quite aptly named. Its creative architecture suggests the kind of shops it houses. The best designers of Delhi are all stationed in this mall. It’s divided into three floors. Valet service and air conditioning at the Crescent Mall make for a luxurious shopping experience. Another unique boutique shopping experience can be found at the Santushti Complex. Run by the Air Force Wives Association, this is the perfect place for high fashion clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, handicrafts & leather accessories.
For art, antiques and artifacts, two stops need to be made. The first stop is at Taj Khazana, which offers a treasure of Indian handicrafts, classic merchandise and contemporary designer ware and the second stop is at Sunder Nagar, an area well known for its antiques. If you are in the area, do not forget to visit the Bharani Curio shop, a haven for all antique lovers. If you are looking for local handicrafts at a bargain, Dilli Haat, is the place. Vadhera Art Gallery, Art Alive & Triveni Kala Sangam are well known art galleries in the city.
|
My Sports
If you are a sport lover and want to keep fit, then New Delhi has lots to offer. The best running track is at Lodhi Garden and right next door is the Delhi Golf Club, which has one of the best courses in the city. Gurgaon (a suburb of New Delhi) has the DLF Golf Club, regarded as one of the best courses of the sub continent. Cricket takes on mammoth proportions and is regarded almost as a religion. Thus to enjoy a game of it, one has to visit the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium, which is next door to the DLF Golf Club. If the imperial game of Polo is what you enjoy, then the Jaipur Polo Ground and the Race Course, would be ideal for you.
My Weekend Get-Away Ideas/Options
Delhi bears a rich cultural heritage. It is portrayed through the museums, monuments, attractions and so on. Delhi museums are some of the important attractions in New Delhi, the capital of India, which bear artifacts of the rich cultural heritage of India. The National Gallery of Art & the National Museum are two such examples. You could also take a heritage walk tour of Old Delhi, the Walled City that is often conducted by famed author William Dalrymple. There are many wildlife sanctuaries, heritage sites, hill stations, and quaint little places to visit and see in case you wish for an over-night get away. The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is in Agra and can be visited in a day.
What To Do With Kids
If you are traveling with kids and want to keep them busy then you don’t have to worry as the City has much to offer to younger ones. Aapno Ghar is a unique recreational avenue in Gurgaon where the crowds can unwind, relax and break free from routines. There are an array of delightful rides like caterpillar, baby train, western train, turn about, flying bob, break dance, coin operated rides, mono cycles, merry-go-round, super trouper, flying dish, water merry-go-round and jet plane.
What is a better experience that you could offer your kids and also a brilliant way to escape the throngs of humanity that is ever present on the ground? The Balloon Club of India on 8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, is a fantastic sightseeing experience. Balloons generally hold from one to ten people and can rise to heights of over 800 feet.
Bike safaris are an excellent way to discover Delhi and its surrounds are a good way to keep burning your child's energy. Bird watching in Delhi is a pleasant pastime and can be done at the Ridge and the green areas surrounding the cities historic monuments. In winter, the Delhi Zoo is transformed into a small bird sanctuary with migratory birds halting by its artificial lakes. Painted Strokes, Pintail Ducks, Bar-headed Geese and Spot Bill Ducks are among the migratory birds that can be seen here.
My City
New Delhi is the capital city of India. Situated within the metropolis of Delhi, New Delhi was planned by Edwin Lutyens, a leading 20th century British architect. It is the seat of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, making it the powerhouse of Indian politics. New Delhi is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and houses numerous national institutions and landmarks as well. Transportation within the city is not a problem and the Capital is well connected. Private cars, taxis, buses, and the Delhi Metro are all easily available. Getting to a place will be taken care of our staff at the Taj Mahal Hotel. The Hotel has a fleet of cars, including SUV’s and limousines and a team of chauffeurs that know the place of interest, the history and the best shopping districts of the city. New Delhi is also the capital of India and thus is an international hub that is connected by all the major airlines of the world.
Sumit Chatterjee, who joined the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, in 1996, has been at the Concierge Division since 2000. He was admitted to Les Clefs d'Or in 2008, www.tajhotels.com
The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, India
See other hotels in New Delhi (6)
Sign up for Confidential Newsletter
Send this article to a friend
View other Around the World Articles
|
| | | |   | | Oberoi Zahra Luxury Nile CruiserEven if the Abu Simbel temples were ‘nothing’ it would be worth going to see them, because of the engineering required to remove them. As ... more
By: Mary Gostelow |
| | |
|
| | | | Sign up for the Free WOW Confidential Newsletter |  |
Advertisement | |
BACK
