The Ashok
Hotel unveils The Oudh experience for
the health conscious
Oudh
(pronounced: Awadh) is the central Indian region around Lucknow celebrated for
its high standards of gastronomic etiquette, which are still preserved by its
famous bawarchis (chefs)—mostly from the Qureshi clan—who continue to follow
the traditional style of cooking handed down to them by their ancestors.
The Oudh brings to you the true essence
of this magnificent cuisine. Its rich
ingredients have been adjusted by chef Rajan Loomba to suit the palate of the health-conscious
generation and cooking time and methods have been re-engineered for the
health-conscious, without affecting the taste and flavour of the dishes –yet
preserving the feel of the magnificent times of the Nawabs of Oudh.
What is
unique about the menu of The Oudh is
that it has been thoughtfully created with vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan
(no animal products), eggless, and olive oil options to cater to the diverse
sensibilities of an international clientele.
All
dishes at the restaurants and banquets of The Ashok are now prepared in
trans-fat free oils. The Ashok is arguably the first hotel in
The option
of some stevia-based desserts is one more reason for diabetics and the health
conscious to head for The Ashok. (Stevia is a 100% natural herbal substitute
for sugar.) In its use of stevia and its concern for the health of its guests
The Ashok might be the first ever.
The
Menu Book, also perhaps for the first time in the world, has been created in all
the languages of the United Nations, viz,
French, Spanish, Russian and, by next week, Chinese—apart from English and
Hindi—given that The Ashok is India’s most favoured international conference
venue.
The size
and type of fonts used in the Menu Book is meant to be easy on the eye and to
be read without glasses. Also for the first time in
Even
before its launch, the thoroughly researched Menu Book, with diacritical marks
for accuracy, has become a collectors’ item. From next week it will be sold in
all six languages at a no-profit price of Rs.3,000 a copy.
The Oudh has private dining options.
Ladies
often complain about the air conditioning, even in summer. Fresh silk stoles
are available for their use on request.
Begin
your gastronomic journey with the “Lucknowi Yakhni Shorba” or, if you are a
vegetarian or vegan, with the ‘Dal Shorba’. The ‘Jhinga Mehrunnisa’ (prawns
flavoured with saffron and roasted in a tandoor) and the ‘Tangri Malihabadi’
(tandoori grilled chicken legs) are kababs which The Oudh has the privilege of introducing to diners outside
The “Murgh
Rehana” (barbecued chicken simmered in a gravy of cashew nut, tomato and cream),
the “Hussainabadi Gosht” (mutton and potato roundels simmered in spicy masalas)
and the “Teh Biryani” are intended to convince even the most fastidious food
snobs of
All
restaurants of The Ashok take special care not only of vegetarians but, now,
also of vegans, once again becoming the first in
The “Gilafi
Kulcha”, “Sheermal” and multi-grain breads are the perfect accompaniments to a
royal experience that can best be concluded with a truly heavenly “Muzafar” (vermicelli
cooked in saffron with nuts). For the health conscious (and diabetics) the “Shahi
Tukre” of The Oudh now come in multi-grain
bread and stevia variants.
The Oudh
is a truly royal experience.
FACTS : Lunch :
Buffet from 1230 to 1500 hours
Dinner: A la carte from 1930 to 2330
hours
Private dining rooms and a well
stocked bar.