Sunday Brunch at The Market, Ritz-Carlton Bangalore

Sunday Brunch at The Market, Ritz-Carlton Bangalore

Ritz-Carlton Staycation Part IV
[You may access my other posts here: Part I, Part II & Part III]

My wonderful staycation at the Ritz-Carlton Bangalore was gradually closing to my check-out date, and it felt like there was so much more left to explore and so little time to enjoy every bit of it! I hoped that I could control time and extend my relaxing stay here because time seemed to fly amidst all the revelries. But since I am not a time-traveller’s wife, I chose to make the most of my stay and welcomed a bright and cheerful Sunday with a relaxing spa treatment.

The spa director at ESPA greeted me with a warm smile before guiding me to an indulgent 90-minute spa treatment. The cosy cubicle, the mastered movements of the hands of my therapist, and the ethereal notes of music filling up the air gave me the deepest sense of relaxation. I had almost started to drift into a world of peace and tranquillity when a hot sip of ginger tea shook me back to my senses. I felt refreshed and rejuvenated but there was one more feeling which was hardly related to my experience at the spa ~ I was famished!

Sunday Brunch was served at The Market. The roomy design along with an ostentatious set up augmented my expectations from the place right from the moment I stepped into it. The restaurant was designed to include a beautiful lounge which enticed with its comfortable leather couches, a spectacular wine cellar, and an exuberant atmosphere. The live band, the grandeur of the textured walls, the shimmering golden lighting, and the enthusiasm of the guests going through the capacious menu, which had a delightful list of dishes for vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians, added to the character of the place. My husband, Vikram, and I found a cosy corner to help ourselves to the brunch.

The Market, designed by Japanese interior experts, Super Potato, was a paradigm of world cuisine bringing some of the world’s renowned dishes to our table. Evoking the busy street atmosphere its name suggested, The Market brought together culinary delights from East Asia, Europe, and India allowing us to embark on an exciting epicurean journey. Shelves stacked high with clear glass jars of variegated spices beckoned sweetly, as did the dinner rolls, croissants, and pastries that looked so enticing on their trays; while kebabs and pizzas were continually heralding our attention as they stepped out of the tandoors and wood-fired ovens. There was also a delightful variety of sashimi, nigiri, and makimono for those who enjoyed sushi.

Wine and champagne proved to be worthy accompaniments. The open kitchen was one of the best that we had come across, and the fact that all the cooking was conducted within glass cubicles made sure that the guests did not get too heady as they inhaled all the spices and flavours of the dishes being prepared.

Sunday Brunch at The Market: Our brunch started with a glass of bubbly, courtesy of the team at The Market. Our menu was carefully curated by the Chef-De-Cuisine Altamash Iqbal. I was glad to notice that he was already aware of my love for lamb meat which is why he chose to serve us Kakori Kebabs as a starter; this dish is the restaurant’s signature and happened to be immensely satisfying. The kebabs were soft and juicy and cooked to perfection! I enjoyed them so much that I couldn’t help sighing with every creamy bite… It was a great start to a memorable meal.

My Special Thali

For his talents and fame, Chef-De-Cuisine Altamash Iqbal came across to be a person with a permanent smile on his face and a lot of humility. He sat with us throughout our food journey and patiently explained every dish.

Balochi Raan ~ Balochi Mutton Leg {a Riwaz speciality that was served during this special Independence Day brunch}. The dish is made of lamb shanks which are marinated overnight with a delightful combination of rich spices, yogurt, and vinegar. The marinated meat is then cooked in a blend of flavoursome Indian herbs, green chillies, and fresh coriander after being roasted. Probably one of the best dishes I had eaten this year; it was rich and moreish, and it satiated my soul.

Nalli Nihari ~ Mutton pieces are browned on high heat before they are pressure cooked with a tasteful combination of herbs and spices giving the dish an authentic taste of a rich mutton curry. I found the flavours of this resplendent dish to be delicate and mesmerising.

Palak Kofta {Spinach Kofta} ~ These spinach fritters are prepared using chopped spinach which is mixed with gram flour. Chopped onions, green chillies, minced garlic, and spices are added to the mixture to augment the taste before they are deep-fried like pakoras {a fried snack/fritter}, and later simmered in spicy gravy before they reach your plate. One word that described this dish perfectly ~ splendid!

Beef Wellington ~ This traditional British dish is prepared using beef tenderloin which is assembled with liver pâté and smothered with mushroom duxelles, and then wrapped in a puff pastry to be baked. A meat marriage made in heaven, with the beef being succulent and tender and the pastry flaky and light ~ just the way I liked it.

Kachche Gosht ki Biryani ~ A classic Kachche Gosht ki Biryani is an all-time favourite and requires genuine patience and Mohabbat {untold love} for the dish to turn out delectable. It is prepared with partially cooked, long-grained, aromatic Basmati rice that is layered on top of raw marinated meat and steam cooked with a range of fresh herbs and exotic spices for exceptional flavour and aroma. As the meat cooks, it gradually diffuses its rich flavour and aroma into the rice; while the meat itself remains tender and moist.

Kachche Gosht ki Biryani seems to take the top perch when it comes to Biryanis and at The Market, the chef had prepared it beautifully. The Biryani was moist and it had a burst of rich flavours that flirted with my taste buds.

Spinach and Ricotta Empanadas ~ Prepared with creamy empanada pastry filled with sautéed spinach and ricotta cheese, the flaky and light empanadas tasted awesome! And, the crust was the best part!

Fish Polpette in Tomato Salsa ~ This dish finds its roots in the sunny coasts of Italy. Fish Polpette is made with fresh fish and an exotic mix of herbs and spices to give it an enticing flavour. These fish-meatballs were light and had a delightful taste.

Stir-fried Asian Greens with Tofu ~ This dish is one of the classics of Sichuan and is prepared using pan-fried silken tofu, sautéed greens, and a peanut sauce that seems to be inspired by Thai cuisine. The tofu had a lovely brown exterior but the inside was warm and soft which made it melt in my mouth. As for the peanut sauce, it was thick and it had hints of soy sauce and lime which gave it a tangy flavour. On the whole, this was a dish that had a rich texture to it with delicious flavours.

Wok-fried Prawns in Thai Chilli Relish ~ If you love Asian food, you’ll go mad over these Stir-Fry Prawns! The minimalism in the ingredients for this dish is totally contrary to the great depth of flavour that you would experience with every bite. It was served with a delightful sticky sauce which was spicy but it had sweetness to it along with tones of garlic which added to its taste.

Punjabi Chooza Makhni ~ A signature dish from Kandahar; roasted chicken is simmered in a smooth, smoked tomato sauce with yogurt and kasoori fenugreek. Lip-smacking deliciousness! I would urge you to experience this unique flavourful dish, where the marriage of meat and grease reigned supreme!

Sheermal or Shirmal ~ A dish created for the Nawabs, Sheermal is one of the several rare Lucknow and Hyderabadi delicacies in our country. A slightly sweet saffron-flavoured traditional flatbread, it is prepared using Kewra water and is topped with sesame seeds. The soft and milky texture of the flatbread along with its rich aroma and colour made it a perfect accompaniment for the kebabs and curries. Also, brushing the Sheermal with a little ghee before serving it accentuated the aroma manifold.

Dessert came in the form of a heavenly Pista Chantilly Roulade ~ a pista sponge cake roulade with prune and orange filling, topped with Chantilly cream. The dessert was impressive, authentic, light and the perfect denouement to a meal bursting with a multitude of subtle flavours.

Tanya Fontes and Vikram Dhar

The talented team at The Market

Verdict: Dining at The Market was like catching up with an old friend ~ a friend who had been travelling through Asia for some time and who had returned with a treasure of stories and amazing new dishes.

After this memorable meal, Vikram and I decided to retire to our room in true staycation style and soak in the luxurious bathtub… I had enjoyed every moment spent at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore and my reluctance to leave was only a sign of how much this staycation had rejuvenated my body and soul. Because, nothing beats the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton, and their hospitality is the difference between living in a hotel and a hotel living up to your expectations.

Address: The Market, The Ritz-Carlton, No. 99, Residency Road, Bangalore 560025
Phone: +91 80 4914 8000 Hours of operation: 6:30 am to 12:30 am

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.