Resort Close to Taj Mahal

[cabrales]

The January 2003 edition of Food & Wine contains an article on a new resort called Amarvilas ( Oberoi affiliate), overlooking the Taj Mahal (double rooms from $350). Food on site is described as including the following:

"chile-stuffed fillet of bekti (a firm white fish) with fenugreek in an onion gravy; fragrant twice-fried butterflied shrimmp hot out of the tandoor; chicken with ground cashews; potatoes spiked with tart pomgranate seeds; black lentil dal ..."

[Suvir Saran]

The view is more special than the food Cabrales.

It is a great hotel if you want to see tha Taj.

[Suvir Saran]

I guess I have to go buy the issue. Thanks for the lead Cabrales.

Any nice photographs?

[cabrales]

Suvir -- Yes, I strongly suspect the food would not be what a guest would be at the hotel for. The pictures were nice-looking. There appear to be fairly good spa facilities at the hotel as well.

[Suvir Saran]

potatoes spiked with tart pomgranate seeds

We were ahead of Food & Wine in reporting about Potatoes with Pomegranate seeds.

We had a thread on them... where Monica had mentioned this old Indian classic.

[Suvir Saran]

Suvir -- Yes, I strongly suspect the food would not be what a guest would be at the hotel for. The pictures were nice-looking. There appear to be fairly good spa facilities at the hotel as well.

Yes that has now become generic in Indian hotels... AT that level that is.

It does have great views of the Taj. And that in itself is a great reason to be there.

The food in Devi Garh is sensational for a hotel on the other hand. But perhaps because it is away from city life, they have ensured the guest does not feel deprived of good food.

you can visit their site at www.deviresorts.com

[Suvir Saran]

In fact I would trade the Taj for a few days nestled in the Aravali ranges... in Devi Garh and partaking in their Spa facilities and eating at a table covered with marigold petals.

Edited December 10, 2002 by Suvir Saran (log)

[Suvir Saran]

Or at Amar Vilas, you can have your own space and a view of the Taj sitting in your room.

[tigerwoman]

If this is part of the same chain as Amandari, these hotels are known for their incredible service and beauty - they usually tie into the native land. Amandari, which is in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia is quite incredible and spawned a few others such as the Four Seasons to follow in their footsteps.

[cabrales]

I don't think it's the same chain as Aman______. The names of Aman resorts usually (not always, I think?) have an "n" in them as the fourth letter. Also, the spa at Amarvilas is described as having been developed "in conjunction with" (?) The Banyan Tree's spa in Phuket, Thailand (which has been around for some time). Banyan Tree is in some cases a competitor of Aman______.

Edited December 10, 2002 by cabrales (log)

[Suvir Saran]

If this is part of the same chain as Amandari, these  hotels are known for their incredible service and beauty - they usually tie into the native land.  Amandari, which is in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia is quite incredible and spawned a few others such as the Four Seasons to follow in their footsteps.

It is not the same as Amandari. They have no property in India.

This is part of the Oberoi Group. They run several very high end hotels around India.

They are often very modern and minimal in design.. This is one of those properties where they have gone for the older look.

[FoodMan]

They also have a recipe for "Chicken Biryani" Suvir that is a little different (it has tomatoes for once) than yours and they have a "Chicken braised in yogurt" that seems similar to your "Murgh Korma". I haven't gone in details aboput the recipes yet, but would like to read your comments if you bought the issue.

FM

[Suvir Saran]

They also have a recipe for "Chicken Biryani" Suvir that is a little different (it has tomatoes for once) than yours and they have a "Chicken braised in yogurt" that seems similar to your "Murgh Korma". I haven't gone in details aboput the recipes yet, but would like to read your comments if you bought the issue.

FM

Biryaani with tomatoes is the more common recipe.

In fact most common is just a braised chicken layered with rice.

I shall write more once I read the recipe.