Taj Gurugram recently showcased the rich menu of its famous Chennai based Fisherman's Cove. PAWAN SONI drowns himself in the marine culinary wonder served on his table
I have witnessed the transformation of Vivanta hotel into Taj Gurugram and have frequented all their restaurants multiple times. Or so I thought until today when I visited BBQ, an open-air live grill restaurant adjacent to Culina 44. Chef Thirunavukarasu from Bay View at Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort at Chennai is currently in Gurugram showcasing his seafood expertise until March 17th.
During a conversation with Executive Sous Chef Jagan Sardhana, I learned that BBQ, an extension of their all-day dining restaurant, Culina 44, is only open between October and March, when the weather is more favorable and allows Gurgaon residents to enjoy the winter season. The slow instrumental music, along with the soothing sounds of waves from the speakers, creates a calming atmosphere. I'm not sure if this music is specifically played along the marine life video on the projector to compliment the ongoing seafood festival theme, but it certainly adds to the comforting and romantic ambiance. The dim lighting, spaced-out seating, and the aroma of the barbecue counter at one end not only stimulate your appetite but also encourage you to enjoy a drink. We particularly enjoyed the black pepper crab broth and drumstick lentil soup, both of which were hot and heartening for the season.
The panko-crusted calamari was cooked to perfection. However, the wasabi mayo and tomato raisin relish served as dips were the real stars, even outshining the calamari. Trust me, the relish was so delicious that I could have it with rice and consider it a complete meal. The grilled prawns were good, although I wished the prawns were all of a similar size and presented better.
For the main course, Chef Thiru expertly prepared Lobster Thermidor. The first bite elicited a foodgasmic 'ah' that could be heard at the neighboring table. The combination of white sauce, cheese, and broiled lobster with herbed rice was simply magical, making it the standout dish of the day for me.
The meal concluded with a delightful palm jaggery-coconut pudding. BBQ certainly warrants another visit. Unfortunately, it closes at the end of March before reopening in October.
