Nestled amidst the serene Aravalli Hills, the Courtyard by Marriott Aravalli Resort offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. With its lush landscape, luxurious accommodations, and a wide range of dining options, it is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. My recent stay at the resort was a delightful experience, and here are five culinary highlights that made my trip truly memorable.
1. Aravali Kitchen:
The Aravali Kitchen, the all-day restaurant of the resort, is a great place for foodies. This huge buffet has a great mix of Indian and international cuisines that cater to a variety of tastes. However, this time it was the authentic Haryanvi taste of the “Ballabhgarh Thali” that stood out to me the most.
The thali had a variety of dishes. These included mixed vegetables, Ballabgarh Shami Kabab, Haryanvi Daal, Chaas, Patiala Chicken, Mutton Curry, Green Salad or Kuchumber Salad. Though I loved all the dishes, I particularly liked the Patiala Chicken, Haryanvi Daal and Mutton Curry. These were so delicious and tasty that I would happily come back to eat them again.
While talking to Executive Chef Dinesh Rana, I learnt that the Ballabgarh Thali is always available there and can be served on request. I hope more and more people get to know about it and experience it. I was also told that Chef Mahesh Bhisht has created this thali with local ingredients and fresh vegetables from the hydroponic farm at the resort. He also visited the areas around Ballabgarh for inspiration and made it exotic to influence our taste buds.
The dedication of the culinary team is evident in every bite.
2. Poolside Chaupal:
As the sun started to set, I headed to the poolside for a quintessential Indian tea-time experience. The cozy ambiance and the fresh breeze by the poolside created the perfect atmosphere to unwind. The variety of evening snacks, ranging from crispy kachoris, chaats and Chinese bhel to aromatic tea cakes and rusks, perfectly complemented the relaxing cup of tea.
The pool itself was a highlight of the resort, offering respite from the heat. While I was enjoying my tea, I saw guests participating in fun activities like tambola and the kids were mesmerized by an engaging magic show. The rest spent time refreshing themselves in the pool.
3. Olive Grove: Poolside Bar
For a more relaxed holiday experience, the Olive Grove Pool Bar is the ideal spot. Located next to the resort’s impressive pool, it offers a laid-back atmosphere and a delicious menu of drinks and light snacks. I enjoyed a refreshing cocktail while soaking up the sun and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
4. Glaze:
Glaze is a versatile restaurant that easily transforms from a cozy coffee shop to a lively bar in the evening. With a wide selection of teas, coffees and handmade coolers, it is the perfect place to start or end your day. As the sun sets, the ambiance changes and the bar comes alive with a range of international spirits.
5. Huang:
No culinary journey is complete without a taste of Asia, and Huang is at the forefront of that. This pan-Asian restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes, from delicious dim sum to tasty stir-fries. The ambiance of the restaurant is reminiscent of the hustle and bustle of an Asian street food market, which adds to the overall dining experience.
My dinner at Huang was delicious. I started my dinner with a tasty and flavourful Manchow Soup. The Prawn Hagar Dimsums were full of flavour, and the Prawn Fried Rice with Chicken Clay Pot made for a satisfying end to the day.
My stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort was an unforgettable experience, and the resort’s dining options played a key role in making it truly special. Before leaving I wanted to understand how the resort managed to attract so many visitors from Delhi-NCR and beyond and continues to be one of the best places for a comfortable stay.
I spoke to Daya Shankar Choubey, Executive Chef At the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort. Here are excerpts from the conversation:
Q: In your experience, what kind of culinary experience do guests want during their stay at your resort? Do they want fine dining experiences, relaxing poolside dining or a little of both?
Guests on staycations often want a mix of fine dining, casual and unique culinary experiences. They want to enjoy delicious meals, relax by the pool and enjoy local flavors.
Q: With the growing interest in local and regional cuisine, do the restaurants at Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort cater to guests who want to experience authentic Indian/regional flavours during their stay?
Yes, at our resort we cater to guests seeking authentic regional cuisine by providing Chaupal in our High Tea offering where we showcase our authentic regional culture with live Chai Tapri, live Mattha making process, pottery making activity. In our restaurant too we incorporate local ingredients, traditional cooking methods and regional specialties like making parathas with white butter (where we call local women to make parathas like home and let our guests taste the regional cuisine to create a great culinary experience.
Q: As dietary restrictions and preferences become more prevalent, how can your restaurants ensure they offer a diverse menu that meets the needs of guests who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or have other dietary requirements?
We ensure a varied menu by labeling dishes with dietary information and nutritional value, making modifications and providing separate menus for special dietary requirements. We have also trained our associates to guide guests with dietary restrictions.
Q: Have you noticed an increase in interest in interactive or experiential dining options during staycations? If so, how can restaurants incorporate these elements to create more memorable culinary experiences for guests?
Experiential dining options like cooking classes, wine pairings, and interactive food stations are becoming popular
Q: Do you see any trends that guests want to expand their culinary experience beyond just eating? For example, are they interested in cooking classes, food and beverage pairing events, or other food and beverage-related activities?
Guests are increasingly interested in enhancing their culinary experience through activities such as cooking classes, food and beverage pairing events, and culinary workshops. We as resorts provide these experiences to enhance their stay and create lasting memories.
