I consider my self fortunate and all sorts of lucky that my blog and work has me visiting gorgeous places, eating exquisite meals and hob nobbing with some very cool folks. I’m always meeting chefs but when I get to meet a celebrity chef not once but twice, I find that I must have done something right. A few months ago I wrote about a very special meal at Ziya at The Oberoi Hotel with chef Vineet Bhatia and at the time I had no idea I’d ever meet him again. As luck would have it, I was invited to sample dishes from his latest Sunday lunch menu and meet him again, an offer I absolutely couldn’t refuse. Chef Bhatia is one of the most humble human beings I have ever met. It isn’t just about his food ( which goes without saying is superlative ) but it is his entire persona, his nature and his mannerisms that make people admire him for more than just his talent in the kitchen.

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The meal I was invited for was excellent and you’ll see more about that in the post but the best part about it was the familiarity and comfort with which Chef Bhatia orchestrated this lunch. He remembered, shared more interesting stories and anecdotes and was just a joy to dine with. No airs or pretense but a wonderfully welcoming disposition almost like he was welcoming an old friend back at his dinner table. What I find remarkable is that unlike most restaurants here that thrive on their chefs, Ziya runs like clock work even when Chef Bhatia is busy jetting around the world to look into his other ventures. Chef wasn’t cooking himself but if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was.

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The team at the restaurant does their chef proud and if you’re done to death with these idiotic all you can eat brunch menus with obnoxious drunks talking loudly over the usual suspects of pizza pasta and greasy Chinese fare, come to Ziya. While it is an unlimited menu ( you can ask for repeats but I’m positive you won’t feel the need ) it is also a dignified curated meal with beautiful plates, something chef Bhatia prides himself on. I wouldn’t dare try to critique his food, but what I will say is that the salmon with honey mustard and dill with the coconut Betki fish and the Kheer with beautifully caramalised pineapples were  my very favourites on this menu. Brace yourself, this is going to be a beautifully tempting series of pictures.

Dakshin Chatka - Idli Kebab with Coriander Chutney and Sambhar Medu Vada
Dakshin Chatka – Idli Kebab with Coriander Chutney and Sambhar Medu Vada

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Chaat Thali - Papdi Chaat, Aloo Tikki, Vada Pav Tokri And Dahi Bhalla
Chaat Thali – Papdi Chaat, Aloo Tikki, Vada Pav Tokri And Dahi Bhalla
Poha With Aubergine Chutney And Prawn Balchao
Poha With Aubergine Chutney And Prawn Balchao

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Tikka And Manchurian - Fish Tikka With Pinapple Kachumbar Salsa and Chicken Manchurian
Tikka And Manchurian – Fish Tikka With Pineapple Kachumbar Salsa and Chicken Manchurian
Spring Onion Uttapam - Dabha Murgh And Sabudana Crisps
Spring Onion Uttapam – Dabha Murgh And Sabudana Crisps
Coconut Lime Semiya - The Pulled Raan
Coconut Lime Semiya – The Pulled Raan
Masala Cheese Garlic Naan with Kheema
Masala Cheese Garlic Naan with Kheema
Kheer With Caramalised Pineapple and Coconut Granola
Kheer With Caramalised Pineapple and Coconut Granola

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Seafood Chatka - Aachari Prawns, Chili Garlic Scallop and Potato Pea Crush
              Seafood Konkani – Grilled Chilean SeaBass, Curry Leaf Prawn, Dhokla Prawn Pickle Kokum Moilee with Sagoo Noodle Crisps
Macchi Duo - Home smoked Salmon in a Honey Mustard Dill Marinade with Pan Grill Coconut Betki and Coconut Chutney Lego
Macchi Duo – Home smoked Salmon in a Honey Mustard Dill Marinade with Pan Grill Coconut Betki and Coconut Chutney Lego
Chaap Kheema With Ginger Lamb Chops, Walnut Potato Toss, Kheema Matter Horn And Rogan Josh Coins
Chaap Kheema With Ginger Lamb Chops, Walnut Potato Toss, Kheema Matter Horn And Rogan Josh Coins
House Smoked Sangria
                                                                                                          House Smoked Sangria
The End :)
                                                                                                                                  The End 🙂

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Disclaimer : I was invited for a meal at the hotel however the lunch is priced at Rs 3500 + taxes and includes Chandon Brut and Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine. It is a new introduction by the restaurant and for more details about the lunch you can check their website or give them a call and book your table.

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