Is it right to describe fine dining experience as magical? no I didn’t get transported any new land but a Carnival itself! Carnival by Tresind is based on post modern Indian cuisine. This new restaurant in town has made the game only tougher for its competitors as they offer some great dishes and the creativity levels have doubled! Below is my detailed account of the 14 course chef’s tasting menu (vegetarian) my view on the decor and excerpts of chat with Chef Vinu.
On our arrival, we were greeted with bubbles which instantly liven up the child in you and makes one smile. Our server, Mr Himanshu a cheerful and equally enthusiastic chap set to explain us the courses, heightening our suspense as each course arrives.
Prior to courses we were served the Happy Halloween. Essentially a kulcha stuffed with pumpkin which was baked with spices. I wasn’t too excited with this one as I found the taste to be very average.
The amuse bouche, Makhan Phal stole the show! Cacao butter hive topped with avacado lime cream was something I hadn’t tried earlier. it was delightful and the presentation creates instant drama on the table. out came the phones and cameras to capture the beauty.
Life is short eat dessert first : thats so true isn’t it? what if a dessert comes in the form of chaat? well this was exactly that. Crispy jelabis that were lightly sweetened paired with yogurt mousse, chickpeas and sweet and sour chutney. We loved this so much. as our server explained, the jelabis remained crisp till the end of the dish.
Game of Corns: at first, the texture of this dish was meaty, like processed soy but the taste was so fresh. We were then explained that this dish consists of coconut milk solids, strained and formed into a cutlets served with goji berry chutney and kewpie mayonnaise.
My next course came in a tiny cup. it was Dal Cappuccino topped with Truffle ghee and cumin coco cookie. I wasn’t too big of a fan of this one. I just found it too bland and I couldn’t taste the that earthiness of truffle flavor distinctively.
Morel science: There came a wooden dish which consisted of a wheat crisp and underneath the same was a fritter that was a dedication to the indo Chinese dishes found across the country. the fritter was made out of Gucci mushrooms which are the most expensive mushrooms in the world. Found in the Himalayas, these mushrooms were cooked to perfection and the taste was earthy yet spicy as they were coated with the sauces.
Palak paneer: palak paneer as a appetizer? i inquired to my server and he just smiled at me. I definitely knew there was something he wasnt disclosing. when the dish arrived, I was surprised to see a toasted bun topped makhani sauce, cottage cheese mousse and julienne of fried spinach. We loved this!
Just when we thought we are almost done, a gentleman dressed as a worker comes by our table and opens his tool kit. At first I was perplexed and then the chef in workers clothes explains that he is going to transform a worker’s meal into fine dining dish. quickly he pulls out a halved bun and adds spices, chutneys and the potato fritter (vada) topped with micro herbs and chilli. the chef waited till we tried the result of this vada pav service and joked of how it needs to be eaten only with hands and no forks. This dish is a bit messy but fun!
Our next dish to try is the Malai barfee gola, a palate changer and light dish with absolutely no presentation. doesnt need one too as it’s purpose was served. This is a litchi granita infused wit raspberry and rosewater.
Onto our main courses, in no time my table was filled with dishes presented in a beautiful manner. we had Gol Hatti and Not just butter Chicken! the Gol Hatti is a dish inspired by a dish called palak chole found in streets of Chandni Chowk. this dish is served with bread like kulcha and is presented beautifully. Our second main course, Not just butter Chicken is a rich and creamy dish with Soya cutlets in a gravy. we preferred the latter as it was more flavorful. served with fresh breads, all of course made in house.
Our next course was the desserts and my most favorite part of tasting.
My dessert, Chat Walla is a dessert I will remember for a very long time. Spot on with the presentation, mango puree piped artistically across the dish, small and crisp fritters (boondi) , the parfait set in a scooped out guava topped with dehydrated strawberry powder. I was immediately transported back to my time in India where a street vendors sell masala(spicy) guava in summers which are juicy and tangy. This dessert is purely for fruit lovers, my guest didn’t enjoy it but I loved it for the creativity. the only wway to enjoy the dish is to try it with every element on the plate rather than just having a spoonful of parfait itself.
My guest’s dessert, Go bananas served in a basket over banana leaves. This dessert is essentially banana three ways or more so paired with different elements. A warm caremelised banana served alongside toffee panna cotta topped with crisp tuile Banana ice cream with crunchy bits. I lover this one too! Only flaw was the plating as it was in a deep basket. All elements served a purpose in the dish and it is perfectly balanced with no element bring overly sweet.
At the end of our meal we were served miracle berry which was truly a fun thing to try. So at first I was asked to suck the lemon which was obviously sour and then I was asked to chew on the miracle berry. after which again I tried the lemon and it was sweeter rather than sour. the taste lasts up to ten minutes.
Along with our lunch we were served two cocktails both alcohol based. Mine was mystery tea, presented stunningly by the bartender. There is a play of dry ice with drink served in a tea cup poured out of a Japanese tea pot. the drink consists of elder flower, dried raspberry and vodka. a strong cocktail but really well paired with the dishes. my guest’s cocktail was Whiskey based drink paired with cinnamon and spices. I preferred my drink over the latter.
ambiance: The mascot of the Carnival is the humble lamb. As it is the meat eaten nationwide right from north to south. No two drink coasters are same on the table and so are the glasses. This has been done on purpose to break the norms in fine dining. besides the same, the color of chairs matches the color of the ribbon. I personally couldn’t understand the requirement of copper trees incorporated with the theme but with dark walls it did actually look beautiful. There is so much detailing with masquerade masks at one wall to hand painted kites on the copper toned trees.
On my detailed chat with Chef Vinu, I was been informed that they are willing to cater clientele of all sorts as long as the same is mentioned during reservations. they personally ensure that each and every guest feels comfortable dining at Carnival by Tresind. Besides the same, every dish is carefully thought and months have taken to perfect the dishes. Constant changes in menu are expected as the chefs are always testing and pairing unusual ingredients for dishes. As I pointed out to Chef Vinu that majority of their clientele were locals with their families or some even with their friends celebrating occasions. To which I was informed that they enjoy the twist of taste to Indian cuisine and ever since the opening they have seen many non Asian nationalities dining at the restaurant.
Thanks to Passion F &B for the invite. Also thanks to Chef Vinu, Chef Himanshu Saini and our lovely server Mr. Himanshu for taking good care of us.
For reservations contact 04 2759071
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