The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru is a one-stop destination for business, dining, conferencing, leisure and entertainment

Much like the ‘Three Musketeers’ of the French historical adventure novel penned by Alexander Dumas in 1844 who fought for justice, the trinity of Sikh chefs working at The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru too fight for justice. But of a different kind. The three battle it out in the kitchen to do justice to each and every delicacy they churn out for their guests at the property’s five world-class restaurants. The trio – Corporate Chef Jatinder Pal Singh, Senior Sous Chef Gurpreet Singh and Sous Chef Prabjeet Singh – brings the flavours from the world to your plate with marked perfection and serve with extreme delight in their soft and knowledgeable voices. Needless to say, each one is a treat. So, if you happen to be in Bengaluru, don’t miss having a meal at The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru and encounter one of the three along with their most favourite companion, Executive Sous Chef Eliyaz who, unlike his kitchen teammates, is a man of few words but a master at the craft of cooking like them.

The largest integrated township in Bengaluru, The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru is steeped in traditional values of glorious Indian legacy. Spread across five acres of Special Economic Zone, it is one the most recently launched properties of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, featuring an impressive lobby, 281 luxurious guestrooms in six different categories – Deluxe (140), Premier 60), Royal Club (58), Executive Suites (11), Luxury Suites (11) and the Presidential Suite (1). It also boasts of extensive banqueting and conferencing venues, a world-class spa and a state-of-the-art fitness studio. A one-stop destination for business, dining, conferencing, leisure and entertainment, the hotel is perfect for celebrations, weddings, bespoke events and business meetings. Offering quintessential settings, modern technology and personalised services, the mixed-use complex comprises the hotel, luxury residences, convention centre, dining, retail spaces, entertainment, office and commercial spaces. 

The property is helmed by the suave and polite General Manager Reuben Kataria. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Kataria is recognised for his leadership qualities and astute business acumen in managing hotels. “The positioning of the Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru is its most interesting aspect. We are, in fact, not too far from anything which is significant – airport (25-30 minutes), heart of Bengaluru city (35-40 minutes) and Manyata Tech Park (12-14 minutes),” shares Kataria, adding that the property is one of the very few hotels in the world of which one can easily say – ‘Once you take up a room at the hotel, you get a city with it’. “Eat. Work. Play. Love. Everything can happen here,” he says. Interestingly, the hotel is located in the central district of Bhartiya City which also comprises The Leela Residences, the convention centre, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru and a soon-to-open PVR.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

The star attraction of the hotel is the Indian speciality restaurant, Falak on the rooftop, the 17th floor. Overlooking a panoramic view of Bhartiya City, Falak carries the legacy of an authentic fine dine experience, offering recipes that have been preserved and reinvented over the years. “These recipes were created in an era of indigenous spices and traditional cooking methods. From Awadhi to North West Frontier fare, we prepare a variety to cater to every true aficionado of fine Indian cuisine,” says veteran Chef Farman Ali, the Corporate Master Chef of Indian Cuisine at The Leela Group. 

He adds that consistency is the key characteristic of the restaurant and one must not miss its Tandoori Chicken. “It is the best in the country, giving flavour and culinary precision a new definition and essence,” says Chef Farman who has over five decades of experience. Other not-to-be-missed classics are Dadi Jaan Ka Qorma, Daal-e-Falak, Nalli Nehari, Koyla Atta Chicken and Balai Ka Tukda. One can easily say it is at Falak that the past and future of Indian gastronomy comes alive.  

But if you have a penchant for Oriental cuisine, you can head to The Lotus Oriental for a vibrant dining experience comprising Thai, Japanese and Chinese delicacies. 

“The signature dishes include steamed dim sums of barbequed duck in lotus leaf, Cantonese buttered milk prawn, Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodle and Yuzu lemon curd tart ice cream. Here guests can travel to different regions of China with a menu that offers signature delicacies from Sichuan, Canton and the classic northern regions of Lioning and Shandong. Then cross the Yellow Sea and follow the food trail to Japan with its unique seafood flavours,” says Chef JP, effervescent as always. 

The Library Bar is the place to be if you want a a relaxed evening with your family or friends. It is here you can sip on the choicest of rare malts and Armagnacs or may be have an innovative cocktail. However, the most happening place when it comes to food is Quattro that offers an ultimate all-day dining experience, utilising seasonal and locally-sourced produce. “Each dish here is meticulously concocted by the hotel’s talented chefs to weave together an international spread comprising Mediterranean, European, Oriental and Indian cuisines,” shares Chef JP adding the signature dishes at Quattro include Spinach and Caramelised Onion Ravioli and Keto Salmon.  

He adds that except for some proprietary sauces for the Asian restaurant or the caramel chocolates which are exported, most supplies are sourced locally on a day-to-day basis. “Chef Eliyaz has tied up with a few farms around town, including a fishery in south Bengaluru. We even get our cheese locally. So, most of our supplies are from within the ecosystem,” he informs. However, to get authentic delicacies on the plate, especially the Indian spread, the atta, ghee, papads and vadis are brought in from Amritsar. “We can’t be compromising on what is being served to our guests, thus this sourcing,” he says. 

Most recently, The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru launched their own signature label of wine, Falak. “The inspiration of this blend comes from Falak, an immersive Indian fine dine experience. The thought process for our very own label of wine is in continuation to Falak. A meticulously crafted blend, this wine is complex, well-balanced and magical with pronounced aromas of red berries and cherries perfumed with floral notes of violets and potpourri roses,” says Rohit Pandey, Hotel Manager and the man behind the idea of the private label of wine in collaboration with Grover Zampa Vineyards.  

WELLNESS REDEFINED 

If there is a not-to-miss F&B spread for food lovers at the property, health and wellness conscious souls can head to one of its most treasured luxuries – Amaris The Spa. Overlooking the Central Park of Bhartiya City, the spa has a calm and a soothing aura that instantly makes one get the feeling of revitalisation, relaxation and rejuvenation. As you navigate your way through the spa, you find five spacious treatment rooms, including a couple treatment room, steam and sauna. Besides its rich interiors, what makes Amaris The Spa distinctive is the range of services it offers –exclusive massage therapies like the Swedish Spirit and Balinese Massage to traditional techniques of aromatherapy and abhyanga. “All these have been deftly curated for you to select from, keeping the well-being of body and mind at the centre of it,” says Dr Ranjitha Alva, Spa Manager, Amaris The Spa.  

After availing the services at the spa, the guest is escorted to the lounging area of Amaris The Spa where hanging couches lift your feet off the ground in a mini-foot dipping pool. All you need to do is close your eyes and gently swing on the plush couch as the water flows around your feet, immersing you in the greatness of the spa experience that you just encountered. 

Alva adds the spa menu too has been thoughtfully curated keeping the changing lifestyle and needs of the present audience with therapies borrowed heavily from ancient rituals to offer the best of traditional healing and cooling ingredients. “Body treatments like anti-ageing scrubs and brightening wraps to vitalise and energise your body are conscientiously chosen using natural oils and herbs to make it an unforgettable experience. Facials with practices like marine rituals, rehydration, desensitisation and super lift treatments will make you and your skin feel fresh and beautiful,” informs the ever-smiling Alva.  

So, one can easily term The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru as the place to experience quintessential Indian luxury and the perfect escape from reality. 

This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'BW HOTELIER - THE TALENT POOL SPECIAL'