The Weekend Vacay

Thegoodlife 158 December 2013 Weekend the concept of a baoli (a stepwell), offering you an oasis of luxury. Like with every other Taj property, the first thing that you’ll notice as soon as you step inside is the warmth with which the staff greets you and the chic décor that intrigues you.

The Vivanta philosophy of hospitality is coupled with an imaginative twist. And the Surajkund property is no different.Atfirstyou may feel that it is just another plush retreat, but you are so on greeted with options that one might not explore living in the city for years. Whetheryou’re looking for historic charm, old-world opulence, a quaint escape or a fawning staff, you’ll find it all at Vivant a by Taj,Surajkund.There is something about this property that makes you feel like you have travelled thousands of miles from the hustle and bustle of the city and yet, in reality you’re practically right there. Perched in the foothills of the Aravallis and nestled in the forested neighbourhood of Surajkund, the space has been designed on There is a fair amount of history attached to this town, which the property aims at exploring through interesting concepts. You can experience Curious Discoveries with the Tallis Trails or learn the local art and crafts through the Folk Studio.

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The hotel has partnered with Tallis & Co. for a culturally enriching experienceç Tallis Trails. One can learn about some of the most interesting discoveries and stories in and around the region—and these are narrated and presented by storytellers. The têtière December 2013 159 (Facing page)

The facade of Vivanta By Taj—Surajkund; (clockwise from top to bottom) The Lobby, Paranda restaurant & therapy room at Jiva Grande Spa Tughlakabad Fort for instance, which is just a few kilometres away, is one such historical monument that not many have discovered. The innovative Vivanta Folk Studio project at Surajkund endeavours to offer a peek into the skilled world of master craftsmen through a gallery-cum-studiospace.The project offers a unique collaborative scholarship programme for key craftsmen from the region, a platform for them to interact with the guests. You can learn the art of pottery from the country’s famed potters or create a traditional laakh bangle with the brightest colours of your choice. The one thing that greatly appealed to us about this particular property is the emphasis on showcasing some of the country’s indigenous arts and crafts… something that you don’t witness often at luxurious hotels.

The hotel comprises 287 rooms and suites, which are quite expansive and offer pleasant views. Multi-cuisine restaurants and a lounge bar cater to everyone’s needs. The food isn’t the highpoint of this property, though. The Jiva Grande Spa, which spans two floors just takes your breath away with its nine treatment rooms, a spacious luxury spa suite, beauty stations, a relaxation area, fitness centre with yoga studio and a large outdoor pool. Vivanta Surajkund can also make for a stunning wedding destination with its proximity to the capital and charming feel of an historic city. Jiva Spa offers tailor-made services for weddings. A bride-to-be can indulge in a signature Jiva Experience— the Sringaar—designed with all the beauty rituals one would like to follow just before the wedding. Sringaar helps in restoring the softness and glow of the skin. The spa also offers a more comprehensive option in the form of Jiva Bridal Bouquet, a four-week cleansing, detox, relaxation and rejuvenation programme.

From fine dining to rejuv on at i on, this property definitely has a lot to offer. Our verdict: Head to this great escape! 160 December 2013 Roberto Cavalli’s culinary outing at DLF Emporio, New Delhi, makes for a pleasant break on a hectic shopping spree. An Italian Affair TheGoodLife December 2013 161 Designer Roberto Cavalli took a caféin Florence, Italy, the Cavalli Caffe Giacosa, known for its sophisticated and fashionable clientele, and turned it into a worldwide phenomenon. The Cavalli Caffe and Lounge in New Delhi, perhaps has nothing to do with the old-world charm of the Florentine café, but has a fashionable look to boot.

Ambience: Strategically located in the hub of all things fashion and luxury, the café has two areas: An indoor setting, where they also serve alcohol, which is a little too small,a little too dark;And the lounge in the atrium of the mall, which, despite being right in the middle of all the buzz, is large enough to accord you a relaxing moment. The décor is signature Roberto Cavalli. Yes, the trademark stripes find their way in here too. We liked!

Food: The menu, true-blue Italian to start with, has been given an international touch with the infusion of flavours borrowed from various world cuisines. Most of it is tasty, but a little too obvious, especially in the choice of sauces. We liked that they had a special kids menu with a variety that would have delighted any child, but even this kiddie spread had nothing out of the ordinary. We missed seeing more options for soup onthemenu:Only two hot and two cold.Although,the sweet spread was rather delectable and boasted of a combination of hot favourites like tiramisu and crème brulee and some innovative offerings like cinnamon toast with lemon mousse and red wine poached fig and apricot crumble.

The food was well presented, but wasn’t quite there in terms of taste. The beetroot vinaigrette salad had the beetroot cooked to just the right degree—not too hard, not too soft—but the tanginess of the dressing was a tad too strong; You do need that bit of feta on the side to equalise it. We loved the crema di pomodoro for how it was served: The crotons for the soup were replaced by a bread bowl. We were impressed with how it looked, but it could well have been called tomato soup! The Oriental meal in a bowl (shrimp) was really just Khao Suey with a different name, although a good treat for a chilly winter day. The chilli caramel basa and burrata ravioli were sumptuous enough, but not all that unusual either. Given that Cavalli is so proud of their chocolate creations, it was but appropriate that we wind up with a rich chocolate dessert. The hot chocolate foam with rum granita didn’t disappoint. Hot chocolate on ice, with a dash of rum. Who’s complaining!

Service: Very prompt. The dishes kept pouring in, and the staff had us begging for a break between courses! Chef Kapil Sethi was personally involved in helping us select our order, which was a nice touch. Ingredients 200 g rucola leaves 360 g goat cheese 50 g flour 50 g pine nuts 2 oranges Salt, pepper to taste 150 ml balsamic vinegar 30 g sugar 10 g oregano 300 ml olive oil Rucola and Goat Cheese Salad We asked Chef Kapil Sethi for the recipe of the salad we loved best. Method Clean rucola leaves and keep in the fridge. For the dressing, mix balsamic vinegar, oregano, sugar with a hand blender. Slowly add olive oil until thick and emulsified. Add seasoning. Cut goat cheese in four equal portions and dust with flour. Sear on high heat, one by one, making sure you don’t overheat, or the cheese will melt (Tip: You could semi-freeze the cheese beforehand.). Divide the rucola leaves into plates. Add the goat cheese, orange segments and pine nuts on top and finish with the balsamic reduction. Serve cold.