Those lazy sundowns sans the kitchen excitement, yet the gigantic craving for some chow about body and soul makes you think of a place on point and takes you to here. Oona!
Akansha and Prashant - the sibling duo invited me over a food tasting stretch and it, I tell you metamorphosized into an experience wherein I became the host and practiced an innate authority of reaching out to the bartender in order to have him spill the beans about Fumes of Glory and the Triangle of Tropics.
I was greeted into a foyer which sprinkled that serenity on my eyes and mind. Once you are going to be here, the gush of breath at the point of entrance is going to sway you into ecstasy the next few hours. The conch-esque droplamps and the even hues of the upholstery upon the snuggly seating, of all made me mindful about the happiness of just being. ...his Midas touch and that is so Pankaj Sultania!
Next, famished I was as I always am and was laid as quick, the 'Sushi' with just the right wasabi to the melting in the mouth wrap of shari. Prashant insisted me on trying Risotto in pumpkin sauce, the arborio rice of which is daubed in the gravy of the halloween fruit and about nutrition, that's a 10 on 10.
Came next a platter which I knew as I saw it, is to be the star of the place ...this big mediterranean spread ... Veg Mezze, had its baba ganoush basic, just as it is supposed to be besides the dollop of cacik - tangy, tickling and the dip you close your eyes as it transports you to the summer of Turkey. To the girls who take their daily diet plan from somewhere in Lalapur, this tabbouleh is going to keep them both happy - the tongue and the gut.
I came with a duty invested by a friend to understand the carnivore nibbles here. So, that is Jalapeno Malai Tikka, which is chicken generously stuffed with jalapeño and cheese into a clay oven, cooked. Bearing in mind that I was being hosted by connoisseurs, Akansha got herself a serving of Rosemary Mutton Seekh, that she educated me upon is a tender and luscious mutton cooked in selected spices, served with pita and hummus.
And we are joined by Hitesh who is surprised as to how he didn't see any spirits on the table. The Doon chap, Akansha's espoused one is undisputingly leading the league of restaurateurs in the capital. While laconic Prashant took leave to attend the new guests, I was lead towards the upper floor and that is where any of you who likes ones whiskey just the way you want, should be.
A space which defines calm and where the corporate clans may conciliate, runs a bar wherein the sommelier would want to converse a bit and serve you the best rum cocktailed with togarashi to have your tongue clack, yuzu - a Tibetan mandarin for the tangy tinge and topped with coconut froth, which they call 'Triangle of Tropics '.
While you may experiment and have your tumbler done bespoke, they infuse vodka with lemon grass, kaffir juice, ginger and have cubed apple swirl to release its tender sweetness for a pitcher of 'Thai Wonder'.
And incase you are a sufi, at Oona, they are open to trying fusions, amalgamating different food and liquids to suggest you the right non alcoholic drink which you may look for in the rest of the town but success won't come to you !
As I was understanding about the oils they get to moisten the drinks, I attempted to puff in some basil oil and it, at once flew me into a garden, pacific. Adequate testimony of things natural !
With hands on experience in hospitality for more than two decades, Prashant has this mess sergeant who knows his culinary skills good and can attempt at catering guests from all walks of tastes. ...only to come back again to find a new cuisine done right !
Spread to seat about 180, this place offers to block certain space and house parties, corporate events, formal meals and of course the music zone to have the toes tap, makes it complete with its smiling crew which overtly takes care of each guest.
And if you are lucky, you will witness some peculiar art about poetry and portraits, if you happen to visit here that day.
By the way, this is the only place in the town which serves baked cheese cake... ...that's my last scoop and go into the bag, my diary, pen, the Sushi I got packed and I know I am coming here to awe the guests with reciting my poems someday soon.
At Samridhi Building, New A. G. Colony, Kadru Road, Ranchi ...Oona it is!
Oona The One - Ranchi
The writer is a qualified lawyer, a mother, an artist, does poems, articles, ghost writes.