Amidst the serene Aravali hills, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. With its lush green landscapes, luxurious accommodations, and an array of dining options, it's the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. My recent stay at the resort was a delightful experience, and here are five culinary highlights that made my trip truly memorable.
1. The Aravali Kitchen:
The resort's all-day dining restaurant, The Aravali Kitchen, is a must-visit for food enthusiasts. The expansive buffet spread offers a delectable mix of Indian and international cuisines, catering to diverse palates. However, it was the authentic Haryanvi flavours of the "Ballabhgarh Thali" that truly stole the show for me this time.
The thali contained a variety of dishes. including Mixed vegetables, Ballabhgarh shami kebab, Hariyanvi dal, Chaach, Patiala chicken, Mutton curry, Green salad or kuchumber Salad. While I loved all the dishes, I particularly fell head over heels for Patiala chicken, Hariyanvi dal and Mutton Curry. These were so rich and flavourful that I would happily go back to have them again.
During my conversation with Executive Chef Dinesh Rana, I got to know that the Ballabgarh Thali is always available there and can be served on request. I hope more and more people know about it and get to experience it. I was also informed that Chef Mahesh Bhisht curated this thali with local ingredients and fresh vegetable sources from the hydroponic farm in the resort. He even visited the nearby areas of Ballabgarh for inspiration and made it exotic to impress our palates.
The dedication of the culinary team is evident in every bite.
2. Chaupal by the Poolside:
As the sun began to set, I headed to the poolside for a quintessential Indian tea-time experience. The relaxed ambience, coupled with the refreshing poolside breeze, created the perfect setting to unwind. The assortment of evening snacks, from crispy kachoris, chaat and Chinese Bhel to aromatic tea cakes and rusks, complemented the soothing cup of chai perfectly.
The pool itself was a major highlight of the resort, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. As I enjoyed my tea, I observed guests participating in fun activities like tambola and children mesmerized by a captivating magic show. Rest just spent a rejuvenating time in the pool.
3. Olive Grove: The Poolside Bar
For a more leisurely vacation-like experience, the Olive Grove pool bar is the ideal spot. Located adjacent to the resort's impressive pool, it offers a serene ambience and a delectable menu of beverages and light bites. I indulged in a refreshing cocktail while soaking up the sun and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
4. Glaze:
Glaze is a versatile restaurant that transitions seamlessly from a cosy coffee shop to a vibrant bar in the evening. With a wide selection of teas, coffees, and handcrafted coolers, it's the perfect place to start or end your day. As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms, and the bar comes alive with an array of international spirits.
5. Huang:
No culinary journey is complete without a taste of Asia, and Huang delivers on that front. This Pan-Asian restaurant offers a delightful array of dishes, from succulent dim sums to flavorful stir-fries. The restaurant's ambience, reminiscent of bustling Asian street food markets, adds to the overall dining experience.
My dinner at Huang was a gastronomic delight. I started with soothing and flavourful Manchow soup. The prawn hagro dimsums were a burst of flavour, and the prawn fried rice with chicken clay pot was a satisfying end to a perfect day.
My stay at Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort was an unforgettable experience, and the resort's dining options played a significant role in making it truly special. Before leaving I wanted to understand how to resort managed to attract so many visitors from Delhi-NCR and beyond and remains one of the best places for a leisurely staycation.
I spoke to Daya Shanker Chaubey, Executive Chef at Courtyard By Marriott Aravali Resort. Here are some snippets from the conversation:
Ques: In your experience, what are the top culinary experiences that guests are seeking during staycations at your resort? Are they looking for fine dining experiences, casual poolside fare, or something in between?
Guests on staycations often seek a mix of fine dining, casual, and unique culinary experiences. They want to indulge in gourmet meals, enjoy relaxed poolside dining, and explore local flavours.
Ques: With an increasing interest in local and regional cuisine, do the restaurants at Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort cater to guests who want to experience authentic Indian/regional flavours during their stay?
Yes, in our resort we cater to the guests seeking authentic regional cuisine by providing Chaupal in our high tea offerings, where we showcase our authentic regional culture with live chai ki tapari, live mathha-making process, clay pot making activity. In our Restaurants also we incorporate local ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and regional specialties like making paratha's with white makhhan (where we call local ladies to make the paratha's like home style and offer first-hand regional cuisine delight to create an immersive culinary experience to our guests.
Ques. As dietary restrictions and preferences become more prevalent, how can your restaurants ensure they offer a diverse menu that caters to guests with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other dietary needs?
We ensure a diverse menu by labelling dishes with dietary information and nutritional value, offering modifications, and providing separate menus for special dietary needs. We have trained our associates also to guide guests with dietary restrictions.
Ques: Have you noticed a rise in interest in interactive or experiential dining options during staycations? If so, how could the restaurants incorporate these elements to create a more memorable culinary experience for guests?
Experiential dining options like cooking classes, wine pairings, and interactive food stations are gaining
Ques: Do you see any trends in how guests are looking to extend their culinary experience beyond just meals? For example, are they interested in cooking classes, food and beverage pairing events, or other activities related to food and drink?
Guests are increasingly interested in extending their culinary experience through activities like cooking classes, food and beverage pairing events, and culinary workshops. We as Resorts offer these experiences to enhance their stay and create lasting memories.