Manré Maza & Manré Meze

OK, before I get into sharing my experience at the famous (and insanely expensive) F&B joint – Manré, let me just say that as much as I love trying out new cuisines and experience new places, this one particular joint really did not do too much to impress me!

Manré, has its origins from a small town in the Champagne region of France. Now, for a bit of education on this region, sparkling wine produced in this region is named Champagne, not only because of the name of the region. The development process of these wines use a particular methodology called Methodé Champagnoisé and is not necessarily dependent on which region it is developed in, in France, till it is made using this process. It is only then, that the sparkling wine can be termed as Champagne. So basically, all Champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all Sparkling wines are Champagnes!

So, coming back to our topic of discussion, Manré is named after this town in the Champagne region of France. It was the brainchild of Ms. Ramola Bachchan and her partner KD Singh and was set up with the thought of offering to Delhi, what it had been missing for a long-long time – a luxurious dining out experience of international standards (ACCORDING TO THEM, NOT ME).

Now, what I found really fascinating was that Manré is situated in the MGF Metropolitan Mall in the Saket area of New Delhi. Great location, one would wonder! But what got my attention was that, MGF is not a mall I would usually go to (I love City Walk, like a million others in the city {its next door neighbor}) and frequent it more often than any other shopping area in the city; but then that’s me!). The entrance to Manré has about 2 – 3 bouncers (welcoming staff!!!), or maybe it was a rare occasion to have been stopped a multitude number of times since I had visited this place with female company on Christmas eve!!!

Anyhow, coming back to more important things - the ambience, the food and the service of the place. The welcome experience, as elucidated above was not worth remembering. Once you manage to get through the ‘welcoming staff’, you are directed to the elevator which takes you to the 4th floor. Off at the floor, there are as many staff clueless of what needs to be done, as there are guest’s (atleast the 1st timers). Now, Manré has been developed as a great party place, but what I fail to understand is why would they mix fine dining with loud music (the Lounge Bar)? I’m guessing the obvious – a lot of place, too much money to invest and no clue how to utilize it and develop a great place!

After being seated at the ‘completely deserted’ restaurant (except for the staff present!), we waited for almost 10 minutes and then had to call for someone to server us the basic first – Water! Now, ideally, this is something I would not usually nit-pik, however, considering there was no other guest present or being served, one would not appreciate having to ask for water and that also after 10 minutes of being seated. That’s the first thing everyone offers guest’s when they come home, correct me if I am wrong!

Having decided what we would like to have for dinner, we waited, yet again, to gain someone’s attention to come and take the order. Anyhow, the place was so loud that we, amongst the three of us had to talk loudly to understand what the other was saying and the order taker had to personally come to each one of us to take our orders. Guess where the noise was coming from? The lounge bar adjacent to the fine dining restaurant!!!

Once the food finally showed up, it was the least appetizing as far as presentation is concerned and decently luke warm, nor was the flavor that great. Infact, I don’t even remember what I had (which is a rarity). By now I am aware that I completely sound like a whiner and a narcissist pig, but when you are paying the kind of money that Manré charges, these are the basics one would expect!

Alas! Having heard so much about this great place, its sufficient to say that it fell way beyond short on the expectations, service and the food meter, for sure.

Steak for a break!

Last night I managed to take out time from my not so busy schedule and accompany my friends to a joint in the busy Pahar Ganj area of New Delhi. This was my second visit to the place after almost 2 years! The occasion – nothing out of the ordinary; just that all of us had had enough of our usual hang out places and with the winters setting in, really wanted to have some nice Steaks. And, this is one place which serves one of the best Steaks I have had in ages.

Now, one thing that people visiting this area have to be careful about is that if you are commuting in your own vehicle (size is of no consequence) and do not have a chauffeur, parking is an issue. The best option would be to park in Connaught Circus, popularly known as CP and either hire a rickshaw or an auto to bring you up to the market. Else, it’s going to be a bitch driving into this area and finding parking space.

This joint is located in the inner lanes of the busy Pahar Ganj area, which is frequented by a lot of international budget travelers, majorly of Israel & Russian origin. It is located on the roof-top of a presumably shady hotel in the area – Hotel Shelton. Now once there, one might wonder what is so great about this place; well to be frank, nothing really. Although have to give it to these guys that the place is quite well kept and very neat as compared to the rest of the places in the area.

The roof-top menu has a multitude of cuisines on offer – Continental, Israeli, Chinese and ofcourse Indian. But the best on the menu is a part of the Israeli cuisine – The Steaks and Sizzlers. Now the gang that I went with frequents this place more often than me and ends up having the same thing each time and leave stomach happy and much more to fit in it! And if one happens to start a conversation which has a mention of Steak in it, well, be rest assured you will get to hear of this place more often than you would like.

Now, the roof-top can easily accommodate about 30 – 40 people, in spaced out comfortable seating, is not really much affected by the ‘no-smoking ban in public places’ put into effect by the Government and is heaven for people who would like to check out the real feel of Delhi and chill out for a while. The food smells divine (atleast the Steaks do!) and the service is pretty much ok, if you are not in a hurry. The pricing, although increased from our last visit, are still very much affordable and lite on the pocket. Beef Steak @ Rs. 130 is killer, especially given the fact that it tastes heavenly. Although, they could look at serving some breads along with it; but then I’m not complaining.

We had ordered for some Pepper Steaks and the Cheese Rum Steak (all Buff, mind you. Although for the non-beef eaters there is always the option of chicken) and were in a bit of a hurry to have it. There were 2 reasons behind this, one, all of us were really hungry and the thought of the Steak was just too appetizing and second, one of us had a deadline to meet (to reach home!). And, as it always happens, when you are in a hurry, you never manage to finish what you intend to on time. Even though we were told that since there was not too much pressure on the Chef with other orders, we should get ours in no time, it did take about an hour for it to be served. But, it was Worth the wait!

It just took us 10 mins flat to polish off our respective delicacies and we left the place with plans of returning soon. It is a must visit for people who love Steaks and their food equally.

Hotel Shelton,

5043, Main Bazaar

Pahar Ganj, Opposite New Delhi Railway Station

New Delhi (ofcourse!)

Ph # - +91 – 11 – 23580575 / +91 – 9818492479