Amaranta at The Oberoi

The Oberoi in Gurgaon is a work of art. Echoing serenity with every fibre of its sprawling expanse—we’re talking huge pools of water and a largely glass façade—Amaranta (the Indian restaurant on the premises) mirrors the vibe of the mothership, washed in cool cream with accents of colour popping in the gold cutlery, wood floors and wisps of green foliage contained within cream flowerpots. The menu however, is where all the fire and flavour have been unleashed. Offering an extensive seafood menu—inspired from nine distinct regions along India’s 8000-km coastline from Gujarat to the Sunderbans—marries signature coastal flavours while adding great culinary flair in terms of presentation. Their biggest accomplishment lies in the freshness of the ingredients—the seafood is flown in fresh every morning, and nothing carries forward to the next day’s menu. The food is exceptional, the accoutrements (fresh chutneys, smears of sauce, pickled vegetables) complement the dishes beautifully, and the contemporary plating adds a dollop of oomph on the plate. The Chennai foie gras and tempura prawns with tomato sorbet are definitely worth ordering, and the fish of the day is guaranteed to be a stand-out dish.