LF Says: ★★★★★
Entering the private dining room of Riwaz at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, I was in for a visual treat. The room was semi-lit with colourful lights and a long table set for a meal. What caught my attention, however, was a bowl of food rotating within a glass case! I knew this was going to be a meal like no other.
Drama on the table
I was at the hotel for the one of its kind, Banquet of Hoshena, an immersive dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, that seamlessly wove a seven course artistically curated menu into an enchanting storyline, to create a symphony of food and emotions that matched each other effortlessly.
Called ‘Dinemation’, it is an extraordinary concept that combines fine dining with entertainment in a mesmerising fusion. This one-of-its-kind meal is bound to stay with you much longer after the experience in fact.
Setup in the private dining room of the Indian specialty restaurant Riwaz, located on the fourth level of the hotel, the cosy space comes alive when the show starts. The interplay of cutting-edge 3D visual technology, image mapping, experiential props, and effective storytelling takes guests on a journey through flavours, ingredients, sights, sounds, and tastes.
The mission is to restore the Kingdom of Hoshena to its former glory. As the story plays around you, there is drama on the table as well. Emotions, and the food, is served course by course, through a 7-course set contemporary Indian menu that is bespoke and made considering the guest preferences and allergens (if any). “Exotic Indian flavors, meticulously amalgamated and presented with world-class finesse, that tell a story that transcends borders and time, inviting you on a sensory journey like no other,” is how the experience is defined by Chef Anupam Gulati, Director of Culinary, Ritz Carlton, Bangalore.
Refined taste
The meal starts with a course called ‘Sweet Tooth’ where you are asked to open a small, bejewelled box placed on the table that has what seems like a small orange marble. Pop it inside your mouth to reveal the contrasting textures of chilli and passion fruit that come together in the bon bon. And even as your mind is processing the flavors of the bon bon, you cannot help noticing how a small bowl of food is magically circling a few inches above the table. This is the amuse bouche – a doodhiya asharfi with Aam Panna Caviar – a small bite that packs a flavour punch.
The next course is a playful take on a favourite chaat of India. Called ‘Chips and Dips’, this course comes in an edible savoury tart that has Rose and Garlic Yogurt, Mathari Fettuccini, Tamarind Caviar, Crispy Spinach and Lotus Stem with Sev Dust. The dish is a great melange of flavours that come together perfectly to create a burst of flavor in your mouth. Follow this up with a hearty soup – the Shatavari Aur Kaddu Ka Shorba, a Kashmiri-style almond and asparagus soup with a velvety cream texture that eggs you to keep going till you reach the end of the bowl.
The entrée comes in the form of the Dal Bati Churma, that has both multi-seed and gluten free Bati, and a tasty Panchmel Dal, served with accompaniments – ghee and churma. The bati is black with activated charcoal and is placed on a bright yellow dal, making it an Instagramable dish! Taste-wise, this dish was perhaps one that worked the least for me – the bati felt a little underwhelming, but the dal had all its flavours on point.
For the main course, non-vegetarians can try the Lobster with Palakakkadan Pulav that has a gold-plated lobster served with red boiled rice. There is also the Raan Tian, a layered sheermal bread that is served with Rann. Vegetarians will relish the Gucchi Korma – cottage cheese stuffed Indian morels that is served with a lavash shaped Khamiri Naan. The combination of these dishes is great as they work seamlessly together to create a great texture of taste. The best part is that some seemingly unusual combinations here work really well on your palate.
The true pleasure of Dinemation lies in the immersive experience where fine dining meets entertainment in a sophisticated way.
End the meal with the Shahi Tukda Mille Feuille, a classic twist on the mille feuille, that is not too sweet yet retains its original ethos and you are guaranteed to be in culinary heaven.
The portion sizes of most if the dishes is not very big, which allows you to enjoy all the courses to the fullest, even as you savor each course for its distinct taste profile.
The true pleasure of Dinemation lies in the immersive experience where fine dining meets entertainment in a sophisticated way. So book yourself a meal where you are guaranteed to enjoy an experience that you have never had before.
Good to Know
- For a booking for 4-10 people, the cost is Rs 15,000 + taxes and a booking for a group of 12 people will be Rs 12,500 + taxes per person.
- There is no reservation timeline and the Food & Beverage and/or Sales team can be contacted even 1-2 hours prior and the experience would be served at its best.
- The meal is overseen by Chef Anupam Gulati, Director of Culinary and his team and can be custom made to celebrate birthdays and special occasions too. There are also special visuals that can be customised on the table.
- Available for lunch and dinner, the duration of the experience is two hours.
LF Says: ★★★★★
Coordinates: The Ritz-Carlton, 99, Residency Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
