I remember the first time I dined at the JW Marriott Mumbai almost a decade ago. It was a meal at their coffee shop, the Lotus Cafe. The extensive buffet was a feast for the eyes at the time. While I may not remember the details of the dishes I tasted on that visit, I fondly retain the memory of having savoured a good meal.

What is it about the Marriott that keeps me going back for more? It must be the rigorous grooming that the chefs are put through and the innovative kitchen decorum, the combination of which results in great food being prepared. The JW Marriott also tends to experiment with flavours and ingredients, having brought in a fleet of chefs, both local and international, to cater to the discerning tastes of its guests. It is a place where all types of diners are welcomed, from gourmands to those who are just entering the world of good food. It helps that the prices are so designed that it will not burn a hole in any pocket.

The celebration

In an era where true hospitality is slowly becoming a forgotten concept, it has not faded away at the JW Marriott, Mumbai. The hotel's décor and layout too remains fresh. The extensive lobby drops into an open space where the Lotus Cafe is located. Off to the right is Saffron, the Indian restaurant which serves a host of native delicacies and up ahead is Spices, the Asian-Fusion restaurant which serves up the best from the Orient. Above Spices is Mezzo Mezzo, the Italian restaurant which boasts of a new chef from Italian shores. In front of Mezzo Mezzo lies the wine bar which has a relaxed atmosphere, inviting one to take a break and sample a selection of wines and beverages. To make the most of the proximity of the ocean to their property, they are planning to open a pool bar, which will be a welcome break from the heat of the summer in the city.

The hotel is now celebrating its decade-long presence in Mumbai's luxury hotel scene and there are several prizes to be won this month. One of the unique prizes on offer is having a chef visit your home to cook a meal for you and your loved ones. It has also introduced a new dining concept for the hotel regulars where they just have to log onto the website www.jwdining.com to interact with chefs, have access to their favourite recipes or make online reservations for the restaurants.

The special menus

The dining outlets, except the Lotus Café are featuring special menus all this month in celebration of their decade-long run. Each menu features 10 signature dishes with astounding flavours. The degustation menu of pastas at Mezzo Mezzo is light and creatively done with sauces like aglio olio and pesto. These delicious pastas come with the option of being served along with Australian lamb, lobster, meats or lightly sautéed vegetables in olive oil. The pastas are all hand made, making them quite light in texture. The tomato coulis, which is a flavoured tomato reduction and the sage sauce, complement the pasta perfectly in their lightness and flavours. The antipasti consisting of bread with spicy eggplant dip was a bit heavy. The crisp pizza triangles which were loaded with fresh ingredients and were colourful to look at were quite filling. Guests should try the tiramisu which is scooped onto their plate right at the table, adding a touch of excitement to the meal.

There are ten kebab dishes on the special menu and it may be quite a task for the diner to sample all of them, yet he must try as many as possible as they are quite innovative and delicious. The Galouti and Kakori kebabs are delightfully soft with an unexpected burst of spices. The Australian lamb marinated in mild spices with hints of saffron, mint and coriander takes Indian fine dining to a new high. Another surprise was the pink salmon kebabs which just melt like butter. For the vegetarians, the kebabs on offer definitely hit the spot in terms of taste. The pumpkin dip garnished with sesame seeds was an instant hit and its innovative flavours created quite a bit of excitement.

If one still has room for more, one can head across to the Patisserie which goes by the unusual name of Bombay Baking Company, fondly known as BBC. Here, one can revel in a host of sandwiches, snacks, cakes, breads, pies, tarts. For the 10 year celebration, they have created ten exotic cupcakes which are beautifully presented to the diner. Since this year is also the Year of the Dragon, there is a special menu at the Thai Pagoda too.

The JW Marriott sees a steady stream of guests throughout the year, but this month of culinary celebration is something that has been thoughtfully planned out and is an experience one just should not miss.

What: 10-year celebration menus

Where: JW Marriott Mumbai

How much: Rs 2,500 at Mezzo Mezzo and Rs 2,000 at Saffron (per person, exclusive of tax and drinks)

(The author is a Cordon Bleu Chef and Food Stylist)

Published on January 24, 2012