Page 93 - HH Dec Jan

FOOD & BEVERAGE
I finally had the opportunity to experience the feast at
Loya recently, when I was over at the hotel for a cigar
evening. Even though it was a Monday, the restaurant was
full, with guests waiting at the entrance.
We were escorted to the table by a smiling young lady
and saw some familiar faces at the bar. It was a warm and
welcoming evening and I was looking forward to
experiencing what the new outlet had to offer.
In sum, Loya is a grand feast, which leads you on an
immersive journey across the vivid north. From the
foothills of the Himalayas to the flat terrain of Punjab to
snow-laden Kashmir, Loya is a confluence of flavour,
passion and influence.
The design philosophy is inspired by the historical
lifestyle of the northern sub-continent and a glorious past
– grand arches, exquisite niches, intricate motifs, stone
jaalis and more, rendered perfectly with natural and aged
textures and sandy beige backdrops.
The entrance leads into a lounge, further opening up to
Loya’s distinctive bar courtyard and is accentuated with a
stunning waterfall, reminiscent of the natural springs in
the Himalayas.
The distinctive furniture has been crafted from
logwood with copper embellishments. Vibrant drapes,
vivid artworks, copper lanterns, intricate filigree ‘jaalis’,
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striking canopies and colourful awnings
create a sense of nostalgia and are
reminiscent of the erstwhile bustling bazaars
of the north.
The music is a spirited remix of popular folk
music from the Indian subcontinent and is
joyful companion at the table.
According to Chef Rajesh Wadhwa, “Our
search for the authentic and the long-
preserved dishes resulted in a gathering of the
north’s most cherished recipes. They spotlight
the inherent uniqueness and theatrics of
time-honoured cooking techniques of the
north – the drama of ‘dhungar’ or smoking,
the aromatics of ‘baghar’, in which spices are
tempered in hot oil, ‘dum’, the richness of
slow-cooking and the energetic pounding of
spices by hand.”
He adds: “Loya offers the warmth and
comfort of the past intersecting with the
energy of today. This is the cuisine of the
soldiers of the north, the native tribes, the
fierce warriors – rather than the opulence of
their kings. We go back to their culinary
traditions, of processes, of cooking utensils, of
ingredients and bring the everyday of this
extraordinary region.”
An effort has been made at Loya to preserve
timeless techniques, undiscovered culinary
traditions and heirloom ingredients are
proudly showcased.
Loya serves cuisines from the heart of the
northern sub-continent, inspired by ancient
cooking techniques.
The menu showcases authentic and long-
preserved dishes, made with fresh, seasonal
produce, farm-raised organic meats and
in-house spice blends, ground in-house. Every
care has been taken to keep this great
culinary culture pristine and authentic.
Coming to the most interesting part, from
my perspective, the bar is well appointed
though the cocktails have an edge! ‘Five’ plays
an innovative role and all things liquid are
inspired by the same.
According to the head of beverage, “Panjj or
paanch, meaning ‘five’, is our take on drinks
inspired by the number ‘5’ and its great
significance across India. From the five rivers
of the north to the five senses, the five
elements of life, and closer home, in the five
tenets of Loya’s cocktail philosophy —