Last week I was invited at Vivanta By Taj, Whitefield for a cook with chef event along with dinner at their signature restaurant – Terracotta.
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The Entrance |
Terracotta is a warm and rustic haven for patrons seeking authentic flavors from the North Western Frontier. This place is known for authentic Lucknowi cuisine.
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Ambiance |
Here the food is cooked in semi-porous clay pots, which brings out the robust earthy flavors inspired from the majestic lands of the Nawabs.
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Ambiance |
Terracotta’s culinary team led by Chef Anwar Ansari will entice your palate with signature dishes, which would leave you yearning for next visit. The authentic flavors of Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine is inculcated in Chef Anwar’s blood, mind and soul and hence cooking comes naturally to him. His culinary journey took him abroad to spread out the aroma of Indian spices throughout the world – Bangkok, U.A.E and Lusaka, to name a few.
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Chef Anwar Ansari |
During the cook with chef event I got to learn about some age old recipes as Chef passed on some ancestral secrets from the kitchens of Nawabs of Lucknow. Some of the dishes were very unique like Palak Rasgulla, Garlic Kheer, Smoked Eggplant and Lahori Chicken.
The chef also demonstrated the art of making tandoori roti and kebabs. My hubby was a bit curious to know how to make rotis in tandoor, he just asked the Chef and they actually demonstrated it to him. I was impressed by this and Taj stood by its promise of making their guests feel special.
Soups like Dhania ansari shorba in veg and Paya ka shorba in non-veg were served at the beginning of the meal.
We were served with thirst quenching juices and mocktails. We ordered fresh lime juice and my daughter ordered strawberry drink.
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Strawberry drink |
In the non-veg appetizers, I got to taste the greatest kebab in the Lucknowi region – Galouti Kebab which is made of lamb mince. My hubby loved these as he had never tasted these kebabs before.
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Non-veg Starters |
The Chargrilled prawns which were marinated in yogurt and chef’s special ingredients were just awesome. My daughter loved them like anything.
Peshawari Murg which is made up of lightly marinated boneless chicken cubes flavored with roasted fennel were delicious.
Tandoori salmon tikka was equally good. It was made of Salmon which is matured in richly spiced marinade of mustard oil and carom seeds.
In veg appetizers, I got to taste Tandoori broccoli. This dish was really yummy. Broccoli was marinated in homemade yogurt and carom spiced marinade and was grilled in tandoor upto perfection.
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Veg Starters |
Bharwan mushroom - mushrooms stuffed with dry fruits, bell peppers and cheddar was unique and yummy.
Tandoori apricots - apricots marinated with hung yogurt and spices flavored with mustard oil were also served and were delicious.
For the main course we had Peshawari raan, Murgh pasanda wajid ali shah, Kheema Kaleji, lamb biryani in non-veg and Aloo Bukhara Kofta, Palak rosogolla, Smoked eggplant, Broccoli jalfrezi, Terracotta special Dal makhani and biryani.
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Main Course (Clockwise) : Lamb biryani, Brocolli jalfrezi, Palak rosogolla, Aloo Bukhara Kofta, Dal Makhani and Smoked Eggplant |
Palak Rosogolla and Aloo Bukhara Kofta was really yummy. I should actually say that all the dishes were extremely yummy and since I love Lucknowi and Mughlai cuisine I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner.
Different types of breads like Pashta Naan, Chilly Olive Naan, Creamy mushroom and cheese kulcha, Gau Jubaan and Methi Parathas were served.
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Bread basket |
For the desserts, Sewai ka Muzaffar, Shrikhand parfait and garlic kheer were served. All the 3 desserts were awesome with a special mention to the garlic kheer which contained thinly sliced garlic cooked in saffron infused milk. It was indeed a surprise from the kitchen of “Royals”.
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Shrikhand parfait |
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Sewai ka muzaffar and Garlic kheer |
They also have lunch in jiffy which costs only INR 775 + taxes for veg and INR 875 + taxes for non-veg.
The dinner is on A’la Carte basis and it costs approximately INR 3,500 for a couple. Giving the 5-star experience the food was worth the price.
My Verdict:
The ambiance is appropriate for romantic candle light dinner. The place had a warm and rustic feeling. The food both veg and non-veg was extremely tasty. The service was very good and prompt.
For a 5-star dining experience, the food at Terracotta was great quality and quantity wise. I am planning to visit this place soon. My hubby has recommended this place to many of his friends.
If you plan to have authentic Lucknowi or Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine than always remember to visit Terracotta at Vivanta By Taj, Whitefield. I am sure you will love the food as much as we all loved.
Address:
Terracotta,
Vivanta By Taj,
ITPB, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066