Deliciously Decadent Dim Sum at The Lantern, Ritz-Carlton Bangalore
Ritz-Carlton Staycation Part II
[You may access my other posts here: Part I, Part III & Part IV]
The Lantern ~ Review
The Ritz-Carlton, located at the heart of the bustling city of Bangalore, is as grand as the expectation. A luxurious destination for anyone with an eye for beauty, the hotel houses one of the biggest contemporary art collections in the city with a total of 1,280 works of art. It is the same contemporary aesthetic that characterises The Lantern, a Pan-Asian restaurant that features three levels of opulent dining space within this landmark hotel. The Lantern’s innovative design is accorded to avant-garde designers Super Potato, who have creatively crafted the architecture of the building to resemble a glass lantern.
The restaurant finds inspiration for its décor in the virgin beauty of the province of Guangdong in China, which is often referred to as Canton. An integral part of the restaurant design is delicate Porcelain and ceramics displayed on the lower deck, and grandiose walls stacked with exotic textiles and accumulated with antique Indian books. The magnificence of the walls is augmented by solid black walnut and monster oak flooring with recessed lighting that bathes each table in a warm luminescence. Planters add to the splendour of the intimate al-fresco seating as the gentle gurgling of the fountain renders true serenity, creating natural music for the guests ~ perfect for a balmy Bangalore afternoon.
Tanya Fontes with Gargi Guha ~ Director of Public Relations, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore
A table awaited me at The Lantern. I didn’t care for alcohol, so the chef advised a robust course of dim sum. Dim Sum is the most popular dish on the menu, the Chef de Cuisine at the hotel, Altamash Iqbal explained that the true essence of eating a good Dim Sum was in savouring the filling of the dumpling and not the outer starchy skin. That’s probably the reason why Dim Sum at The Lantern is relished so much. From the Crystal prawn dumplings to the Sea Bass dumplings or the exquisite Lobster Money-Pouch topped with caviar ~ the restaurant has a way of adding delight to each of these delicately whipped-up creations.
Lobster Money-Pouch with Caviar
Sea Bass Dumpling
Zucchini Prawn Dumpling
Crystal Prawn Dumpling
The pick of the vegetarian alternatives are the Chive and Vegetable dumplings {packs a welcome vegetal freshness and crunch}, and the Signature Truffle Scented Edamame Pouch {the leafy green of the edamame bean filling gets an interesting tweak with the flavour of the truffle-scented oil}. The restaurant has an interesting menu loaded with authentic dishes that are a delight for your taste buds, and everything here is cooked to perfection and certainly served with flair.
The Signature Truffle Scented Edamame Pouch
Chive and Vegetable Dumpling
Authentic Dim Sum creations created by expert chefs explore the complex interplay of flavour, colour, aroma, and texture {served with a burnt chilli paste and garlic sauce}.
Situated on level three, The Lantern Bar boasts an unparalleled collection of Asian beverages, which include carefully handcrafted mocktails that are inspired by the theme and cuisine of the restaurant. Featured here are Granny Smith & Frosty Bite
Some of the other delicious dishes I was tempted to try:
Drunken Chilly Chicken
{Cooked to perfection with the right flavour and aroma making the dish a mouth-watering delight!}
Mushroom Bao
{Delicious steamed chicken and shiitake mushroom buns}
Chicken Puff
{A savoury puff stuffed with barbecued chicken}
The delectable dessert: Warm Ginger & Lemongrass Soufflé with Berry Sorbet
Fragrant Chinese Tea
After-lunch tea at its best can be a final exquisite taste on the palate, a gesture of hospitality, and a gentle ending to a fine dining experience.
To conclude: Fragrant, flavoursome masterpieces celebrating the time-honoured classics of China’s distinguished culinary history, insightfully arranged indoor and outdoor seating, an evocative Oriental décor that appeases the soul, and a unique lifestyle bar and distinctive Asian spirits & mixed drinks make The Lantern at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore the perfect place to spend a tranquil evening with friends or family.
As the afternoon faded into a pale mauve of jacaranda, I decided to use the time on hand to explore the property. Avant-garde crystal chandeliers bedeck the foyers and lounges. Inspired by the jaali work found in the exquisite palaces of Rajasthan, the hotel’s architects have adapted the traditional lattice pattern to every aspect of the hotel’s décor; from window-screens to lampshade grilles, right down to a signature spa treatment. The walls are dotted with masterpieces of art ~ canvases by Bose Krishnamachari, Seema Kohli, Paresh Maity, and other renowned artists ~ and if you were to linger a little longer, they may just have a story to tell. While the paintings are awe-inspiring, the sculptures by Cuban Master Sculptor Manuel Carbonell and Arzan Khambatta, which augment the beauty of the hotel, are equally arresting. It is claimed that each of the 1,280 pieces of art in the hotel’s art contemporary collection was personally selected by Bangalore’s real estate tycoon, Nitesh Shetty, whose Nitesh Estates Ltd has built and manages the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore.
I reached my room {The Club Royal Suite} housed on the 9th floor, to be welcomed by a plate of fresh fruits and a box of chocolates. After being treated to a delectable meal at the Lantern in the afternoon and a delightful art tour of the hotel, the staff had thoughtfully left the fruits and chocolate with a handwritten personal note to welcome me to my room. The rooms at the Ritz Carlton have an enigmatic feel to them; designed in a palette of soothing tones, my room was breathtakingly elegant and spacious, with French windows overlooking my beautiful city, comfortable contemporary furnishings, and a plush bed ~ setting the scene as I reflected on the first day I had spent on my relaxing staycation.
The comfort of the bed beckoned me… with the ‘Privacy’ button switched on, I chose to skip dinner and slipped under the sheets that provided one of the most peaceful night’s sleep I’d had in a long time… and dreamed away.
That sums up the first day of my staycation experience at the Ritz-Carlton, just 15 km away from my residence. Stay tuned for day two.
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore. Due judgment and care have been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review.