As the name suggests, Emperors Court Restaurant offers a fine dining experience, with most tables overlooking Lake Powai.
Emperor Pavilion, Renaissance Oriental Restaurant, invites you to romantic Mumbai. Especially if you come during lunch time! During my stay at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel, I was fortunate to not only have the opportunity to immerse myself in a food-loving culture, but also to mingle with Chef Cham Hun, who showcases Asia’s evolving culinary consistency on a plate.
The Royal Court Restaurant, as its name suggests, offers a fine dining experience, with most tables overlooking Lake Powai. The breathtaking view left me speechless throughout my stay. Multiple rounds of dry martinis, prompt service, delicious dishes and “very” friendly staff complete the experience.
Chef Cham Hun chose to introduce me to a variety of oriental flavours cooked to perfection. The three-course set menu starts with a hot and sour chicken soup with a nice balance of spiciness and sourness.
Crispy lotus root, salt and pepper shrimp, chongqing chicken and edamame jellyfish (classic Chinese dumplings) are a delicious array of appetizers. The crispy lotus root was a surprise – gorgeous caramel crunch with toasted sesame powder!
The main course was a blast of flavour too! The set menu allowed me to do whatever I wanted and it was a huge hit for me. Only when you are confident in the process can you taste something you have never tasted before. For the main course, scallops with chilli beans, kung pao chicken, green vegetables and more are served with simple Yangzhou fried rice and fried noodles, served with any sauce. The irresistible “Kung Pao” chicken is cooked to a crisp and juicy finish, while the chilli bean scallops add a new twist to the classic menu. Overall, each meal was creative, contemporary and showcased an amazing fusion of Asian culinary traditions.
You’d be sloppy if you skipped the rest of the menu, which is in every way a whirlwind of regional Asian cuisine. However, what surprised me was the dessert of the third course! The clear winner is this gorgeous traditional fried ice cream topped with dark chocolate. To excite the tongue, this delicious dish features multiple ingredients and the superb presentation talent of Chef Cham Hun.
Expect tons of interesting textures that will appeal to modernists and traditionalists alike. Plus, dining at The Palace means Chef Xian Sun and the kitchen go out of their way to create your favourite meals using unique, locally sourced ingredients. That’s why this is the best oriental restaurant in Mumbai and my personal favourite.
