Avartana celebrates its first year in Delhi with a refined, innovative Sunday lunch experience.
Avartana, ITC Maurya
When an iconic brand completes its first successful rotation around the sun in a new space, there is certainly cause for celebration. So is the case with Avartana at ITC Maurya, Delhi – a culinary brand known for marrying modern flavours from South India with innovation and detailing to present emotion on a plate. “At Avartana, it’s not just about the ingredients — it’s about how they converse on the plate. With its modern South Indian cuisine, Avartana at ITC Maurya continues to weave innovation and intuition into every creation. It’s a reimagining of Southern cuisine that stirs the senses as deeply as it satisfies the soul,” explains Amaan Kidwai, Area Manager Luxury Hotels North and General Manager at ITC Maurya.
To mark the momentous occasion, the restaurant has launched a new Sunday lunch experience. For it, new and innovative culinary techniques have been employed to create fine flavours and provide a culinary experience that surprises the taste buds, while being served in a unique and luxurious rooftop setting with lovely views of the Delhi ridge. In keeping with the USP of Avartana, one can look forward to an interplay of bold flavours meeting a variety of textures to shine a light on the sheer variety of the culinary heritage of South India. As Kidwai explains, “The simplest elements come together with effortless grace. From the first amuse-bouche to the final flourish, the experience is immersive, theatrical and deeply rooted in southern culinary excellence.”
The newly launched lunch tasting nine-course menu being served on Sundays, features dishes like the brand’s iconic French Pressed Tomato Rasam, which is a delicious concoction brewed for 24 hours, Stir Fried Chicken, Cauliflower Crunch, Uthukuli Chicken and more. In each of them, unique ingredients come together for memorable results. For example, the bottle gourd is delicately tempered and added to a bold and vibrant plum chutney, resulting in an unexpected but wholly welcome contrast of flavours which titillates the senses.
Though Indian flavours and spices lay the groundwork, the end result is often inspired by global favourites. Hence, Indian dumplings with their comforting folds contain soft shrimp seasoned with fresh coriander which is lightly smoked. There are also classic dishes with a twist, like the Coconut Stew served with String Hoppers and Asparagus, Drumstick Lamb with Neer Dosa and Seafood Fritter Rice. For dessert, one would do well to try the Fennel Pannacotta infused with delicate aromatics and topped with crisp, golden angel hair caramel, which looks beautiful and tastes fantastic.
Topping off the memorable experience is rustic earthenware, ornate steel cutlery and contemporary glassware, which also owes its origins to the South of the country. Last but by no means the least, is the new cocktail menu to mark the special occasion. Titled ‘Avishka’, the menu offers an array of crafted concoctions infused with spices, blending tradition with a contemporary twist, inspired by South India’s history, rich culture and vibrant flavours.
Avartana, pronounced ‘Avartan’ which is the Sanskrit word for fusion, was born from a concept that sought to bring to life an exclusive blend of traditional and progressive southern Indian cuisine, rooted in the one-of-a-kind aromas and flavours of the spices from this region. Despite its divided ethnicities, the southern Indian peninsula is unified by the region’s numerous peppers and spices. To capture this wide range, Avartana at ITC, which is now five branches strong across the country, offers patrons a range of specifically crafted tasting menus which offer differing numbers of courses, to provide the opportunity to savour many dishes crafted by the Chefs.
The ITC Maurya hotel located in the heart of New Delhi, is already home to a number of world-renowned, award-winning dining destinations like Bukhara and Dum Pukht. Avartana is another feather in its cap, as it comes on the heels of the brand’s grand success at ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, as well as its other branches – ITC Royal Bengal in Kolkata, ITC Maratha in Mumbai, as well as ITC Ratnadipa, which is the hotel brand’s first international hotel located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“Inspired by the ethos of serving a universal palate at Avartana, our cuisine is the choice of Indian and international diners who appreciate reinvented gastronomy. Each delicacy at Avartana is an amalgamation of stories of traditions, shared cultures and familiar flavours presented in groundbreaking sensorial renditions,” shares Kidwai. He adds, “We are rooted in a strong cultural narrative to explore new frontiers of southern Indian gastronomy by delving into the past with modernistic expressions. In a transformative approach to cooking that celebrates a confluence of art and science, and manifests a distinguished culinary world, our chefs bring you an augmented array of guided degustation menus named Anika, Bela, Jiaa, Maya and Tara, each leaving you at a state of heightened curiosity, remodelling your edible canvas through each course.”
The original thirteen-course menu titled ‘Anika’ provides the best sampling of their unique offerings. ‘Jiaa’ is the eleven-course menu, ‘Bela’ has nine courses, while ‘Maya’ has seven courses. ‘Tara’ is an exclusive thirteen-course menu dedicated solely to seafood. Kidwai ends with, “We invite you to experience the newly-launched special menu at our award-winning restaurant offering an enviable view of the green ridge, that transcends the ordinary, becoming an extraordinary journey inspired by rhythm, mysticism and magic.”
The new Sunday lunch menu is available from 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm. It introduces a nine-course tasting menu priced at ₹3750 plus taxes per person, at Avartana, located in the rooftop of ITC Maurya, New Delhi.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
