Last weekend I was invited to attend a blogger’s table at Hotel Royal Orchid. They have a newly opened a F & B outlet called Tiger Trail which serves pan Indian Grills and Kebabs. Tiger Trail is a memoir of an experience that they had a decade ago. It was so profound that they came back again to share it with the world. Long ago during the “Raj” era, the British went on trails across India to hunt the ever-elusive tiger. Those trips across the subcontinent formed a sort of pattern popularly known as the Tiger Trail. So they decided to go on the same trail, except with one big difference; they weren’t out to hunt the tiger, but to appreciate its beauty.
As soon as we reached there we were greeted with a welcome drink which was either the heavy lassi or the light and seasonal Aam Panna. I did have Aam Panna as I wanted to start with some light drink. Soon we all blogger’s started chit-chatting with each other.But I loved the quiet and serene ambiance. There was no disturbance from the outside world.
Ambiance:
What I really liked about Tiger Trail is the open air setting in small gazebos which can comfortably accommodate 4 people. The restaurant is located is at the center of city but it’s quiet and the open air sitting in the garden actually was close to the theme of Awadhi Cuisine – meaning cuisine from the city of Lucknow. This place might get a bit hot during the day. I would recommend you to visit this place for dinner as you can enjoy the ambiance completely.
Service:
The service was prompt and the staff was really friendly. Since my little one had accompanied me, she received special attention from the staff too. They catered to all the orders on time and even felt happy to pose with food infront of our cameras. Thanks to them for that.
Food:
We started with the Awadhi Kebabs. We were served with Tunde Kebab and Murgh Gulnar in the non-veg starters and Tarana Kebab and Shakarkandi Kebab in the veg starters.
Tunde Kebab is an awadhi delicacy primed with minced lamb patty. It was named after a handicapped person. I am not a mutton fan and did not like this dish. But other bloggers did love this dish and they went ahead and ordered it again.
The next was Murgh Gulnar. I really liked this dish which was soft and supple chicken marinated with chef’s secret potli of spices. Frankly speaking, I could slightly feel the taste of sandalwood in this. Awadhi Cuisine does use sandalwood in cooking their food. It was unique and cooked to perfection.
Shakarkandi Kebab was slightly average type of dish which was sweet potato cubes marinated and cooked in tandoor.
Tarana Kebab was something that I really loved. It contained baby corn, broccoli, cottage cheese and trio of bell peppers marinated with yogurt and spices. This dish despite being a vegetarian dish was the real hero among the starters.
I did try the Murgh Yakhni Shorba which was rich chicken broth flavoured with cardamom and spices. I felt the taste was a bit bland. But my little one loved this shorba and completely finished it. She even said that it was good and told me to make this type of shorba at home.
While having the shorba, the roti platter was served at our table. It consisted of different types of rotis, some of which I had never tasted before. It consisted of :
Taftan – Leavened flour bread with sweetened milk and flavored with saffron and topped with poppy seeds.
Tashkent Naan – Yeast leavened dough with yogurt slow baked in clay oven
Chironji Naan – Naan sprinkled with chironji seeds and baked
Ajwani Naan – Leavened flour dough bread with milk and egg seasoned with carom seeds and baked.
Clearly each and every roti was a winner. I could simply keep on munching these while the main course arrived.
In the main course we were served with several types of curries.
Chaap Noorani is a curry consisting of spiced lamb which is slowly simmered in rich cashew cream and butter.
The Murgh Korma was served next which had succulent pieces of chicken cooked with spices and refined with yogurt. I felt that the spice level of this dish was low and it should be increased slightly. Or probably blame it on my taste buds that I love everything spicy.
In the veg section, Paneer Khurchan, Subzi Kehkeshan and Dal Makhani were served.
Paneer Khurchan was made up of cottage cheese which was cooked with onion,capsicum and tomato and onion gravy.
Subzi Kehkeshan was a melange of vegetables cooked in tangy, buttery tomato gravy. I liked this dish in the vegetarian main course section.
Dal Makhani is my all time favorite dish consisting of black lentil. These are cooked overnight to perfection and are served next day. I really loved this dish and here too at Tiger Trail it was cooked to the mark of perfection.
Next we were served with biryani. I went for the Awadhi lamb biryani. I was impressed by the way this was served. Each and every serving bowl was covered with atta and cooked over dum.
In the desserts we were served with Gulab Jamun and Kesar Pista Kulfi. I loved both of these. I also have a sweet-tooth and really enjoyed the gulab jamun which is made up of fried khova and cheese dumpling steeped in sugar syrup.
Kesar Pista Kulfi is made of frozen thickened milk flavored with saffron and pistachio and was perfect to beat the heat.
They also have different types of alcohol, which you can order as per your wish.
Overall the food was good. If you want to have a nice romantic evening with your partner, I would surely recommend this place. If you are a nature lover like me and prefer to have your dinner at a nice and quiet place, do head on over to this place and enjoy the meal a little close to nature.
Cost of meal for two would be Rs.1600/- plus taxes without alcohol.
Venue : Royal Orchid Hotel,
1, Golf Avenue, Adjoining KGA Golf Course, Hal Airport Rd
1, Golf Avenue, Adjoining KGA Golf Course, Hal Airport Rd
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