AltAir, the boutique hotel nestled in Salt Lake’s Ambuja Neotia Eco Centre, has opened doors to its Indian restaurant, Rendezvous, with a revamped look and a menu, boasting progressive modern Indian cuisine. My Kolkata dropped in for a food tasting and here’s what we experienced.
A view of Salt Lake Sector V
The outdoor area offers a dreamy view of the skyline of Salt Lake
Perched on the 20th floor of Ambuja Neotia Eco Centre, Rendezvous boasts the stunning view it has showcased since its 2017 debut. The outdoor area offers a dreamy view of the Salt Lake skyline. The edges are lined with flowering plants adding a touch of greenery.
The Jacuzzi for the guests
This area is a perfect hangout spot during winters. The infinity pool and Jacuzzi are nearby, exclusively available for the guests staying at the AltAir hotel.
Timeless charm meets contemporary elegance
The warm browns and soothing beiges, bathed in gentle light from shaded chandeliers, create a cosy atmosphere. As you step in, the bar welcomes you on the left. The bar’s wooden decor exudes an old-school charm, while the lighting adds a touch of modernity. Adjacent to the bar, a private room with larger tables awaits, perfect for family or team dinners. On the right, indoor seating offers a live view of the bustling kitchen.
The walls of the restaurant adorned with paintings
The walls are adorned with a mix of vintage and contemporary portraits and paintings, accentuated by strategically placed plants that seamlessly bring the outdoors inside.
“Rendezvous is where timeless charm meets contemporary elegance, ensuring a lasting and unforgettable dining experience,” shared Nitin Kohli, CEO and whole-time director of AmbujaNeotia Group.
Beverages with twists
The variety of mocktails on offer
We began our rendezvous with some sips of some refreshing mocktails. We tried the Calcutta Bazaar with a basic Virgin Mojito and Burnt Orange and Ginger Basil Sparkle. The Calcutta Bazaar stands out for its kala khatta flavour infused with pineapple. The drink comes with a kala khatta gola on top that makes the experience all the more nostalgic, more Indian! There are crafted cocktails, too.
Diving into the soup
Murgi ka Arq
A comforting bowl of soup is all you need on a wintery afternoon to prepare yourself for the meal that follows. The Rendezvous menu has three soups on its a la carte menu — Mushroom Cappuccino and classic Tomato Soup in vegetarian and Murgi ka Arq for the non-vegetarian option. We relished the Murgi ka Arq, which was a clear chicken soup with some strands of noodles, bits of carrots. The soup had mild flavours from the fresh coriander. It was served with a bread stick topped with finely minced chicken drops.
Bowls and salads
Baby Burrata
Moving on to the next course, we were served a bowl of Baby Burrata from the salad options. The bowl came with an orange-sized Burrata that was served with cheese toast, cherry tomatoes and asparagus. The Burrata was topped with some Balsamic vinegar and a mix of seeds like flax, black sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The Burrata cheese was fresh, soft and milky. Other options under this section were Rendezvous Caesar Salad, Raw Papaya and Mango Salad with chef's special Burmese dressing.
“We embrace fusion, blending global influences into our cuisine to create innovative and visually stunning dishes that retain the essence of Indian flavours in our plates, pizza and sandwiches. While we innovate, we cherish the classics, ensuring an unforgettable experience at Rendezvous,” said chef Chiranjib Chatterjee.
Shakahari starters
Avocado Malai Toast
The vegetarian starters have a modest option of dishes with a balanced desiness with flavours of different countries. There are interesting dishes like Chana Hummus Kolkata Bhel, Kolkata Paneer and Beet Chops with wasabi cream and apricot murabba, Street Phuchka with Yogurt Spheres and Turkish Tomatoes, Avocado Chaat, Chermoula Broccoli and roasted Cauliflower Taco etc. We tried the tacos that came loaded with small cauliflower and broccoli pieces dunked and fried in a batter. The smoked Rajasthani Chilli Chutney added an Indian twist to the flavour.
Mansahar starters
Thambi Chicken Molecule and (right) Miyas Lamb Shammi Kebab
The non-vegetarian starters included chicken, fish, lamb and prawn dishes. We indulged in a crunchy and juicy Thambi Chicken Molecule followed by Miyas Lamb Shammi Kebab. The Thambi Chicken Molecule had bite-sized chicken balls with a juicy keema filling coated in crispy crumbs. Fried curry leaves sprinkled on the chicken balls gave it a touch of South Indian cuisine flavours.
Moving onto the Miyas Lamb Shammi Kebab, the platter came in with the kebabs placed on mini parathas and each topped with an onion ring. The kebabs had a fine texture and well-balanced Awadhi spices.
Other options available for non-vegetarian starters were Smoked Chilli and Panch-Phoran Chicken Tikka, Miso Tempura Fish 65, Bekti Ajwaini Tikka, Grilled Prawns Ala Ghee Roast etc.
Vegetarian and non-vegetarian mains
Desi Shakahari Haleem and (right) Old Delhi Charred Chicken with garlic naan
The mains offer a large variety of options in gravies and curries to pair with bread or rice. Pizzas, burgers, rolls and sandwiches are also available on the menu. From the veg options, Desi Shakahari Haleem stood out. The haleem combines superfoods like quinoa and oats with masoor and chana dals, garnished with a mix of nuts and desi ghee, mirroring the flavours of non-vegetarian haleem without the meat.
For non-vegetarian choices, we tried the Old Delhi Charred Chicken with garlic naan. The charred chicken in a tomato bisque replicated the classic butter chicken.
‘Meethe mein kya hai?’
The yummy Rose Petal Kheer
Indulge in a sweet finale at Rendezvous. Kheer, tart, mud pie and ice creams make up the dessert menu. The delectable Mihidana Rose Petal Kheer comes in a cart. Watch in awe as the stewardess works magic with liquid nitrogen, enveloping the dish in swirling smoke, making the culinary experience at Rendezvous a hazy bliss.
Address: 20th Floor, Ambuja Neotia Eco Centre, EM Block, Sector 5, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700091
For reservations call +91 33 7101 7101
