Read the Lakshman Sagar hotel review on Telegraph Travel UK

"An utterly peaceful retreat for nature-lovers and stargazers. This former hunting lodge, decorated in an engagingly whimsical style, looks out across the barren beauty of Rajasthan’s ‘badlands’. A perfect choice for kicking back and recharging on a cultural tour."

Lakshman Sagar, Rajasthan

Location 
The property is a three-hour drive east of Jodhpur, sunk into natural folds in the soft granite hillocks that surround a small lake where peacocks parade and nilgai antelope come to drink. The small traditional town of Raipur is a 15-minute drive through vegetable farms. 

Style & character
The twin 19th-century hunting lodges have been given an imaginative makeover: splashes of candy pink and baby blue lift the crisp cream plastered walls. Inside there are secluded alcoves, balconies and terraces that capture the breeze and the far-reaching views. A rock-cut swimming pool stretches out below. Across the lake, the 12 thatched rock-and-adobe cottages are embedded in the landscape. The hotel has an eco ethos, sourcing building materials, furnishings and food as locally as possible. More

Rustic Luxury and Slow living in Rural Rajasthan - Lovelifeandstyle

Lakshman Sagar is without doubt the most incredible, beautiful, relaxing hotel I have ever had the pleasure of staying in. I know that is quite a remarkable statement to make but I honestly felt a million miles from reality there, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Lakshman Sagar is part of the Sewara Slow Living group, a secluded resort set around a private lake and a 19th-century hunting lodge in Raipur, rural Rajasthan.

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate this extraordinary swimming pool, cut out from the side of a mountain. It doesn’t get better than this.

With 12 beautiful cottages spread over 32 acres along a man-made lake, each mud and stone cottage offers privacy in a stunning, serene setting. Influenced by indigenous Rajasthani architecture, the rooms are designed with luxurious simplicity in mind; striking designs coupled with quaint, rustic touches. The private plunge pools offer spectacular views of the lake where you’ll hear all kinds of birds and see wildlife rustling around in the trees. I spent hours lounging on the day beds reading a book, having a little snooze and cooling off in the pool; blissful living.

The cottages are also quite large and come complete with a rustic bathroom and a bright lounge area with views over the lake. It is the perfect setting to relax, reconnect and just live in the moment.

We stayed in Room 5 which I highly recommend as it’s not too far from the restaurants but offers privacy in the perfect little setting. You’ll need to walk down steep steps to reach the cottages so it’s probably not best for children or those with disabilities. Read more

Fit of quintessential luxury, every diner needs to experience — Lodi - The Garden Restaurant

For starters the place is brandished for romantic dates and lazy brunches and lives up to the expectations by throwing itself on you with its view of the attached Lodhi Gardens. For people who don’t know about the Lodi Gardens; the iconic gardens are known for its monuments and streams adjacent to very own posh frequent visit of the elite, Khan Market. On the very first glance you notice the hanging lights and the carts paving your way into the open air restaurant with the host expressing her delight as she expected to see us in the evening.

Upon entering and finding us a perfect spot offering assistance in ordering, the service hints towards diligent knowledge. The First two suggestions which were happily accepted, sesame coated deep fried scampi prawns with sweet chilli relish ( INR 525) and pickled chilli stuffed with goat cheese and thyme mousse (INR 395) was a good start. Where the prawns were fresh and gave a good lead for a bland palate, the goat cheese and the subdued pickled chilli and goat cheese did delight with the rich creaminess. A good start.

We ordered cold fumes ( INR 225) a good kick of ginger, lemon and orange with lime, however on the sweeter side with a dash of Vodka and cool buzz a non alcoholic fruity buzz of blueberries which added the balance to otherwise heavier starters.

Delightfully moving with the Poached Pears salad with goat cheese with melon and olive oil dressing (not mentioned on the menu but a seasonal addition) was crisp and dressing spoke volumes of chefs research on the balanced dressing of a classic English salad.
From the salad and keeping in the mind the fresh produce for the menu concept the next on the table was the catch of the day, touted as exquisite, we were served a bassa fillet (INR 895)(this is the widest farmed catch hence the idea of exquisite is not the most convincing one) with capers and lemon sauce, nothing special about the prep nonetheless did contain the taste and flavours of a fresh fish and capers sauce, and did lack a bit of texture.

The fish was followed with soup of the day, asparagus soup with roasted garlic and walnuts which chef had forgotten to offer before the fish. asparagus soup(INR 365) — tasting of fresh vegetables, was buttery and garlic would have ensured asking for a refill however the walnuts smelled a little too funny and restricted a second serving.

However the dining experience peaked with the mains with fresh rosemary quinoa with butter nut squash and seasonal veggies ( 695), Pumpkin ravioli in burnt butter and sage (INR 595) and braised lamb shoulder in rosemary and red wine jus served with the peppers and egg plant grilled on sides. The mains were prepared with the sworn oath of recipes followed with utter discipline. Where quinoa retained its texture, the vegetables added crunch and a lot of moisture to the otherwise granular preparation. The ravioli had internalised the sage and burnt butter combination, adding a lot of country side flavours to so far polished city meal. The classical moroccan braise had great texture and mutton did offer itself in tender form however the wine and rosemary jus could have used more seasoning. The Grilled pepper and egg plant was tastier than the lamb.

We have had satisfied ourselves with the meal so far and with already full stomach were contemplating to whether to go or not for the desserts. The manager did manage to convince us(fortunately) by confessing his love for the Almond bread pudding with fig ice cream and toffee sauce(he pops a piece every now of then of the pudding himself) (INR 395) And Fresh Fruits in orange liqueur and whipped cream (INR 295) Where the pudding was balanced and not overtly sweet the toffee was warm to compliment the creation perfectly. The orange liqueur shone bright between the fruits.
Well we do recommend people to add this amazing garden restaurant on their list of special dates and times when they would love to experience the time tested recipes and a setting which is one of its kind.To read more

A HAPPY HEALTHY TREAT AT LODI GARDEN RESTAURANT

A place becomes special in your heart when you have beautiful memories attached to it. Regular readers of this travel & food blog would know that Lodi – The Garden Restaurant is one of my favourites. I have written its review earlier and have also called it one of the most romantic restaurants in Delhi.

A couple engrossed in conversations, a foreigner enjoying his beer, some people engaged in casual corporate discussions — that’s the usual crowd I see at the restaurant on a weekday afternoon. It is perfect for all occasions. Weekend evenings are more eventful with a stand-up comedy show or some event in the background. Winter evenings is when the magic quotient of the place comes to life.

While winter is far away, the restaurant has been celebrating monsoons. I am here on a day when the weather is having a major mood swing; it can’t decide whether to be slightly pleasant or utterly humid. Mostly muggy, it is one of those (rare) days when you feel like having light/healthy food. That’s not at all a problem at Lodi since it has myriads of wholesome options to choose from.

On my most recent visit to the restaurant, I got a taste of the mango special menu and some of the new items added to the menu. Here’s a review of the dishes I savoured at Lodi:

Mango Virgin Mojito seemed to be just what the doctor ordered on that humid afternoon: light and refreshing.

Yellow Lentil Soup: A new addition to the menu, this Mediterranean delicacy is a rare find. Flavoursome, healthy, it comes with fried ginger garnishing. What’s delightful were the accompanying toasts — bread loaf cut into half with sides cut out. Homemade flavour to the core! Perfect for the weather. (Rs 365)

Homemade flavour: Bead Toasts with a healthy soup

Sea Shell Pasta: I like shrimps. I like pasta. What’s there not to like when both are combined! Plus, the goodness of homemade mustard mayo and a little crunchiness with fresh cucumber. I found it quite delicious. (Rs 495)

Greek Style Salad: Now, this came as a recommendation and I agreed since healthy meal was on the agenda. I am rarely surprised by salads and hence avoid ordering them. This time was no different. With a whole lot of veggies in it, it is surely a healthy option but no wonderful surprises here. (Rs 395)

Pan Fried Tofu: It’s difficult for an ardent paneer (cottage cheese) fan to like tofu. Making an exception, I thought of giving tofu a chance since we’re talking health. The flavour of peanut butter sauce did the trick. It’s an enjoyable dish with crispy veggies on the side. (Rs 665)

Wholesome and toothsome!

Grilled Chicken with Mango chutney: A part of the Mango Fiesta menu, this was my favourite dish of the day. Succulent chicken with spicy unripe mango sauce, it was a delicacy. Since it was a part of the special menu, you may not get the chutney otherwise but do try the grilled chicken.

Grilled chicken with spicy mango chutney

Rosemary Thyme Quinoa: Okay, I disliked it when I had quinoa (pronounced keen-waah) for the first time at Sanskriti Vedic Retreat in Rishikesh. I did not try it last time my mother ordered it here in Lodi. But since it was a day of many firsts (tofu, salad etc), I had to give it a try. A superfood, it is loaded with protein and fiber. Can’t get healthier! It is crunchy as well as fluffy. Tastes great with veggies. (Rs 295)

Quinoa is a good replacement for rice

Not so healthy but delicious desserts!: The reward of eating a healthy meal should be sweet, literally! Sure, it defeats the purpose if you’re watching weight but a little indulgence never hurts. Homemade fig ice cream is a favourite. This time I tried Almond Bread Pudding with warm toffee sauce and fig ice cream (Rs 395). Need I elaborate? The name tells you how delicious it is. Triple layer Mango & chocolate souffle (Rs 395) and eggless chocolate truffle (Rs 365) were equally toothsome. Read more

Askmen Reviewed Lodi - The Garden Restaurant

Far from the hustle and bustle of life, Lodi - the garden restaurant is a chic, cozy and romantic haunt in Delhi. We had the chance to sample some of its gastronomical offerings recently, and we've come back thoroughly impressed.

Ambience
 
As you enter the restaurant, you'll feel like you've been transported into a magical land with lanterns that dangle from tree tops, candles that gently flicker with the evening breeze, wooden carts that double up as tables, and curtained cabanas that offer its patrons a sense of privacy. Lively, vibrant, yet very homely, Lodi fuses the very best of European and Mediterranean decor to its patrons.

And as the sun fades, you will find yourself relaxing under the stars dotting the velvet black sky, in the womb of a lush green garden – well lit with a plethora of hanging lanterns.
Lodi boasts of an eclectic menu of sorts, blending in the best of European and Asian culinary delights. The chefs use fresh and mostly ‘home-grown’ seasonal ingredients from their own Noida garden, and every dish looks like a work of art— a pleasurable experience for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Every dish is meticulously crafted by the hands of Lodi's expert chefs, and this attention to detail can be felt in every bite. The best part about this place is that its chefs keep evolving the menu to keep up with the season, the demand and the expectations of the customer.
From food festivals to fresh menus per quarter, Lodi does what others in the restaurant business fail to provide - a seasonal upgrade. Customers can pair their meals with a drink from the full-serviced bar as well.

The main course
 
- Salad: We tried two types of salads. First one was made up of farm fresh greens, tomatoes, pear, sunflower seeds & goat cheese with extra virgin olive oil & honey dressing. Not only was it refreshing, but the hint of goat cheese worked as a superb palette cleanser.
The second salad was a raw papaya salad with runner beans, shallots & coriander leaf,garnished with cracked peanuts and burnt chili.
- Starters: For starters, we tried the ‘bharwa mirch paneer’, a dish where the sweetness of goat cheese intertwines with the crispy outer layer of mirch, served with plenty of sweet chilli oil. Next up was a portion of crispy prawns doused in sesame seeds. These tasted as good as they sound.
- Pasta: The vegetarian penne pasta is their most talked about dish. And for good reason. It's light and healthy, cooked in olive oil, and enhanced with just the right amount of basil and garlic
- Spare ribs: The pork ribs glazed with house barbecue sauce will melt in your mouth. Coated with the adequate amount of spices, their smoked baby back ribs are a must try.
 
Dessert
 
We definitely recommend their home made fig ice-cream for one. The strawberry cheesecake is downright heavenly, and the banoffee pie is excellent too. However, with a loving blend of deep-dark caramel, the fig ice-cream was a showstopper.

So would we make another trip to this restaurant? Absolutely, but not just for the food. The staff is extremely courteous as well, and as we've already mentioned, the ambiance is stellar. This place is perfect for a family outing, especially if you're looking at a Sunday Brunch.


Meal for two: Rs. 2,500 /- for two people (approx.)
Location: Opposite Mausam Bhawan, Near Gate 1, Lodi Road, New Delhi.
Contact Number: 011 33105163

"New Delhi's 10 Stunning Restaurants You Should Experience" by The Culture Trip

New Delhi is not only the political capital of India, it is also a cosmopolitan city at its best, boasting a wide range of outstanding cafés, award winning restaurants and memorable local eateries. This list explores the best places in town to experience mouth-watering local and international cuisines in impressive settings.

Indian Accent | © Indian Accent

Indian Accent

Overlooking a lush lawn and a beautiful veranda, Indian Accent at The Manor offers Indian fusion food at its best, combining global techniques and ingredients with traditional flavors of India. In 2014, Indian Accent was rated as number one restaurant in India and number three in Asia by the '2014 TripAdvisor Travellers’ ChoiceTM Restaurants' awards, honoring travellers’ favorite fine dining restaurants around the world. Welcoming guests on a unique culinary journey, the restaurant’s chef Manish Mehrotra has succeeded in designing a menu which can satisfy both adventurous palates and traditional ones. The chef’s menu can be paired with delicious wines, offering good value for money.
Indian Accent, 77, Freinds Colony West, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2692 5151

roast scallops balchao, saboodana papad, kokum powder | © Indian Accent

Social Offline

Social Offline offers a variety of dishes from around the world, but what it really stands out for is its innovative design and concept. Also located in the trendy Hauz Khas Village offering beautiful unmatched views of the area, Social Offline is a space that blends both office and coffee shop worlds together. It is the ideal urban hangout place to work while relaxing, to be in the real world, socialize offline on their premises, while staying connected to the virtual world. Social Offline is the urban hub for New Delhi’s most talented innovators and artists, offering them a collaborative workspace. They always have an exciting art and culture agenda, including stand up comedies, photography exhibitions and guest DJs playing live.
Social Offline, 9A & 12, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, India, +91 (0)7838652814

Lodhi Gardens on a bright sunny day | © Amaninder/WikiCommons

Lodi - The Garden Restaurant

Set against the backdrop of the ‘Lodhi Gardens’ heritage park, which showcases beautiful 16th and 17th century Mughal architecture, Lodi - The Garden Restaurant is one of the most popular al fresco casual dining establishments, offering the best of European influenced cuisine. Hidden behind beautiful trees in a lush botanical environment, this restaurant offers a quaint and peaceful atmosphere, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Against a backdrop of jazz and chattering birds, guests can enjoy a romantic dinner on the outdoor terrace, mouth-watering evening cocktails and even a leisurely Sunday brunch in the elegant interiors. Lodi also hosts a range of cultural events from live music to book readings and stand up comedy, making it the ideal cultural hub in New Delhi.
Lodi - The Garden Restaurant, Opposite Mausam Bhavan, Near Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, India, +91 98187 43232

Evening Scene at the Hauz Khas Village Lake | © Sanjayscifi/WikiCommons

Yeti - The Himalayan Kitchen

Located in one of the hippest and happening places of New Delhi, namely the Hauz Khas Village, Yeti - The Himalayan Kitchen offers the best of Himalayan cuisine. A wide range of this hilly area’s cuisine is available on the menu, which also reflects culinary imagination. This type of cuisine is particularly spicy even to Indian palates. The food is always delectable and the service efficient. Guests sitting near some of the windows can also enjoy beautiful views on the Hauz Khas lake and the 14th century structures overlooking the park.
Yeti - The Himalayan Kitchen, 50 A, 2nd floor, Hauz Khas village, New Delhi, India,+91 98119 90608

Latitude 28

Latitude 28 is Chef Ritu Dalmia’s gem, a café with a kitsch design at its best located in the popular Khan Market, inside Good Earth; a premier destination for sustainable home, housewares and clothes. Also popularly known as the Good Earth café, Latitude 28 is the perfect place to hang out with family and friends and enjoy food in a small, modern and comfortable urban Indian setting. The food is always fresh and healthy, including a variety of dishes such as bruschettas, mouth-watering desserts, fresh pasta and crisp salads among others, and can be paired with exquisite wines selected by the Chef herself. Latitude 28 was voted the best café in Delhi by Hindustan Times.
Latitude 28, 9, Khan Market, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2462 1013

Sevilla at the Claridges Hotel

Set in one of Delhi’s oldest and most prestigious hotels, namely the Claridges, Sevilla offers the best of Spanish food to be found in the city and beyond. Indeed, the restaurant was awarded the Times Foods Awards for the Best Spanish Restaurant in 2014. Named after the beautiful cultural capital of Andalusia in Southern Spain, Sevilla at the Claridges Hotel is New Delhi’s most reputable Mediterranean casual dining restaurant. Even the interior design was planned in a way that reflects the Spanish Riviera to the delight of the restaurant’s guests. Its innovative gastronomy continues to attract Delhi’s food lovers’ attention who keep praising this place year after year.
Sevilla, The Claridges Hotel, 12 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi, India, +91 11 4133 5133

Connaught Place, New Delhi | © Daderot/WikiCommons

Wenger’s

Located in New Delhi’s old business district, namely Connaught Place, Wenger’s is a pastry shop and bakery that offers a wide range of signature cakes and desserts, pastries, sandwiches, artisan breads and much more. They have been around in the same location since 1926, making it one of the oldest and most reputable bakeries in Delhi. Starting as pioneers in the Swiss confectionery business in India, the reputation they have earned over the years is one to die for, and other bakeries around the city are still not able to compete with this legendary place.
Wenger’s, A-16, Middle Circle, Block A, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, +91 11 2332 4373

Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs

No visit to Delhi would be complete without a visit to Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs, especially for kebab lovers! Located in the historic city centre of Connaught place, Nizam’s Kathi Kabab serves the best of North Indian cuisine. Kebabs are of course a house specialty, especially kathi kababs and roasted kababs, but so is the delicious biryani! Also, it is worth noting that the meat they serve is always halal and includes goat meat and chicken.
Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs, H-Five & Six, Plaza Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India, +91-11-2332 1953

Qutub Minar | © NID Chick/Flickr

Cherie

Located in Old Serai, Cherie is a romantic restaurant with a French touch of elegance blending influences of well-known energetic Parisian jazz clubs and the warm Garden Bistros found in Provence. Set against the backdrop of the Qutub Minar, the second you enter this area, it feels like you went back in time. Luckily, there is Cherie, a beautiful restaurant where guests enjoy evenings in the vicinity of the Qutub! There is also a great ambiance in the restaurant itself which specialise in Italian, European and Continental cuisines. It's a must try for any pizza and Italian cuisine lover is their wood fired pizza!
Cherie, One Qutub, 1501, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli,, New Delhi, India, +91 88004 80048

 

Thai High

Thai High, with its fashionable bar and rooftop terrace, is one of the hidden gems in New Delhi. They mix authentic Thai cuisine to contemporary designs and romantic views overlooking the Qutub Minar, and other beautiful and green areas of Delhi to make their guests’ dining experience one of the most memorable! Candle lit tables, and the sounds of world music and rippling water, only help creating a fairy tale but modern and refreshing ambiance. Not to be missed are the signature prawn black pepper, crispy vegetable salad, and red snapper chili sour.
Thai High, 1091/1, Ambawatta Complex, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India, +91 99108 84229

By Sarine Arslanian