Monday, August 17, 2009
Food Review - Chef at Large
Kiranjit was feeling usually generous a week or so back, with the outcome, we found ourselves having lunch at Rare Eastern Dining (R.E.D), in the Radisson MBD Hotel in Sector 18, NOIDA.
For some reason, I’ve never really liked *any* of the Radisson hotels in India. Perhaps it was the surly waiter who decided to dump noodles into my plate every few minutes at I’Ching, or perhaps the manager who went on a yelling spree (in the kitchen) when I reported a hair, but didn’t even speak to me, or was it the maitre’d in the Great Kebab Factory who tried his best to glare me down after spreading out his legs with his hands on his hips after I requested faster service. I’m not really sure, but I have tried to avoid Radisson whenever possible. Not so with Kiranjit – he eats, swims and works out at the Radisson MBD, and would even live there if he could… I think. A big fan of the Radisson MBD, Kiranjit persuaded me to try Rare Eastern Dining, assuring me that he’s only had good experiences at the Radisson MBD.
Located on the first floor, Rare Eastern Dining is an elegant place with low key lighting, on table grills and an open kitchen, all done in very woody tones. Run by Chef Raymond Sim Poak, it offers a fairly interesting menu and prompt service. There was a slight hiccup when I was told I couldn’t take photos, but that resolved itself fairly quickly when I promised not to take photos of the guests or surroundings, and only of the food and my own table.
Some items on the menu looked quite tempting, like their ’spare ribs tossed in coffee sauce’ an the like. However, the Rare Eastern Dining menu could be made far more authentic and interesting, given the capabilities of their Singaporean Chef and the wide range of options oriental food offers.
We opted for the Non Vegetarian Bento Box, which came with Lohan Vegetables in Soya Garlic Sauce, Poached Chicken with Soya Sauce, Spicy Sauteed Fish, Vegetable Fried Rice, Cantonese Clear Soup, Green Bean Salad and Fresh Fruits. In one word – brilliant!
According to Chef Raymond, the objective is to serve quick and healthy meals to visitors at lunch time. The vegetables were well flavored and crunchy, the chicken was incredibly tender and came topped with a load of shredded ginger, the spicy sauteed fish was delicious and the green bean salad, which was flavored with garlic and sesame, was crisp and full of flavor. The soup was very delicately flavored and had a load of crisp vegetables. Even though it was a filling meal, I just had to have a little more of the green bean salad, while Kiranjit asked for another portion of the poached chicken.
Only one complaint – the pickled carrots served to us were quite old, with the result that the centres were uneatable and quite fibrous. I’ve noticed this quality issue with the vegetables at the Great Kebab Factory too – yellowing cucumbers among others.
I loved the meal and am certainly going back to try it again. It wasn’t exactly cheap, what with the bill coming uncomfortably close to 2,500 for a meal for two, but then, life is short… and Kiranjit was paying.
- Sid
For some reason, I’ve never really liked *any* of the Radisson hotels in India. Perhaps it was the surly waiter who decided to dump noodles into my plate every few minutes at I’Ching, or perhaps the manager who went on a yelling spree (in the kitchen) when I reported a hair, but didn’t even speak to me, or was it the maitre’d in the Great Kebab Factory who tried his best to glare me down after spreading out his legs with his hands on his hips after I requested faster service. I’m not really sure, but I have tried to avoid Radisson whenever possible. Not so with Kiranjit – he eats, swims and works out at the Radisson MBD, and would even live there if he could… I think. A big fan of the Radisson MBD, Kiranjit persuaded me to try Rare Eastern Dining, assuring me that he’s only had good experiences at the Radisson MBD.
Located on the first floor, Rare Eastern Dining is an elegant place with low key lighting, on table grills and an open kitchen, all done in very woody tones. Run by Chef Raymond Sim Poak, it offers a fairly interesting menu and prompt service. There was a slight hiccup when I was told I couldn’t take photos, but that resolved itself fairly quickly when I promised not to take photos of the guests or surroundings, and only of the food and my own table.
Some items on the menu looked quite tempting, like their ’spare ribs tossed in coffee sauce’ an the like. However, the Rare Eastern Dining menu could be made far more authentic and interesting, given the capabilities of their Singaporean Chef and the wide range of options oriental food offers.
We opted for the Non Vegetarian Bento Box, which came with Lohan Vegetables in Soya Garlic Sauce, Poached Chicken with Soya Sauce, Spicy Sauteed Fish, Vegetable Fried Rice, Cantonese Clear Soup, Green Bean Salad and Fresh Fruits. In one word – brilliant!
According to Chef Raymond, the objective is to serve quick and healthy meals to visitors at lunch time. The vegetables were well flavored and crunchy, the chicken was incredibly tender and came topped with a load of shredded ginger, the spicy sauteed fish was delicious and the green bean salad, which was flavored with garlic and sesame, was crisp and full of flavor. The soup was very delicately flavored and had a load of crisp vegetables. Even though it was a filling meal, I just had to have a little more of the green bean salad, while Kiranjit asked for another portion of the poached chicken.
Only one complaint – the pickled carrots served to us were quite old, with the result that the centres were uneatable and quite fibrous. I’ve noticed this quality issue with the vegetables at the Great Kebab Factory too – yellowing cucumbers among others.
I loved the meal and am certainly going back to try it again. It wasn’t exactly cheap, what with the bill coming uncomfortably close to 2,500 for a meal for two, but then, life is short… and Kiranjit was paying.
- Sid
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