Tigers Experience at Jaypee Siddharth - Mexican Food Festival

The Mexican Food Festival at Jaypee Siddarth , Rajendra Place .

La comida es excelente

Visited Jaypee Siddharth  Rajendra Place after years and was pleasantly surprised with the new additions at the lobby level - Tapas bar , Eggspectation coffee shop - airy , well light up ,lively food counter .. it has a good buzz . 

Well for the Mexican festival the recipes used are from the original eggspectation chain - well adapted to the Indian palate , further adapted to the Punjabi lifestyle of west Delhi .

BTW all Jaypee hotel coffee shops are designed by a international chain called eggspectation - their menu is just amazing - and i personally fee the most under rated coffee shops in the country , they definitely deserve more .

Jaypee hotels is lucky to have a team of Experts with them, I was honored to have them sit with me on the same table for lunch  - each is a maestro in their own fields - General Manager IP Singh - Ex Hyatt was the man behind Hyatt being instrumental in India . Chef Ashish Joshi a Ex IHM Lucknow Ex Taj is now doing an amazing Job at Jaypee Siddharth in Rajendra place - the Punjabi of West Delhi swear by his culinary skills . Like all chefs Ashish is also from the humble school , belonging to Uttrakhand , a Veggy by Choice and on a perpetual diet ... his knowledge , his research was amazing .Prashant yet another experienced F & b person - comes with amazing experience at some of the most upmarket Hotels and restaurants - he is looking forward to change the positioning of the hotel soon .

 About Chef Joshi - almost 20 years in the kitchen - studied at IHm Lucknow - joined the Taj Group for 9 years in almost all kitchens but he patronizes Indian and International cuisines , then he moved to Jaypee group to launch their Indian specialty restaurant Patra - he is designated as the executive chef - Chef has been a part of several food promotions abroad , he has been a judge in numerous food events - he want to learn how to write from Tiger Himself LOL he dreams of writing a book soon and ma sure he wil be able to take out time to do so ....  oh btw he is forced to be on a diet by his 7 yr old daughter  lol maybe i shud learn something from him . Thoroughly enjoyed sharing experiences with him - how he adapts dishes to the Punjabi Palate and caters tot he wild wild west of Delhi .



About I P Singh the man behind the success of Jaypee Siddarth - amazing polished man - Ex Hyatt instrumental in opening all the Hyatts in India (19 Years)- joined Jaypee for the past 6 years specialize in banquets and Bars - his smile is infectious for sure ... while leaving was told that the re launch of the Jaypee Green Spa and Golf resort was done by IP Singh which is commendable as it is the most sought out Golf club in the country today . On the other side he reminded me of a very strict Head master from school Lol.

I asked him (Chef Joshi ) why Mexican ? and how much of the original recipe have the maintained int he dishes to cater to the Punjabi Palate ... he gave me super logical answers . Answers went back to history of the climate of both countries matching , the agricultural products being almost the same (except my fav tequila) , the cultural similarity and of course the habits lol . Like us they also shoot at sight hahahahhahah. Well keeping the above in mind - the basic similarity i found was the love for kidney Beans - Rajmah , Corn and chilli Peppers ... the level of spices , the use of tomato , the concept of eating rotis (Tortillas and Enchiladas) with every meal ... so we land up being indo mexicana or texmex as they call it .

Then the next question to all three of my friends from Jaypee .. why Siddharth Rajendra place and why not anywhere else ........... simple answer .. the palate matches that of the Punjabis.  No further questions.

Divine Coolers

watermelon/ pineapple and coke .

Bella Salad

Fresh Lettuce , Cherry tomatoes, figs, Freta , Oranges, Black Grapes and in light vinegrette dressing . Im a salad freak so cherished the tangy crisp bite of the fresh salad .. perfect acidity .

Tortilla Soup 

Very nice Broth / Soup - tomato , herbs , choliya (dont know the hinglish name ) tortillas cream and cheese .... loved it but had to leave it in anticipation of the things to come . comfort food , tangy healthy filing and wholesome a real homie. This broth had onions , garlic , tomato, jalapeno,peppers . paprika,cinnamon , and namak swad anusaar hahahahahah

Chicken Corn Tostadas with Avacado Salsa

Finely chopped chicken , green /yellow/ red peppers,tomato, cilantro on fried Masa tortilla chips .. loved this . would go super with some tequila based cocktails for sure .

Chipotle Bean and Corn Tostadas

Chipotel Chilli,red beans , green beans , jalapeno, fresh cilantro ,tomato, corn fried  Masa Tortilla chips and cheddar cheese - Super option for the veggies ,crunchy and amazing with the Avocado dip topped with the sour cream .

Loved the Avocado dip , the sour cream was the winner for me ... 

Sea food Enchilada

The Sea Food Enchilada - stuffed with Prawns and Fish topped with tomato puree, roasted cumin, cilantro topped by fagita dressing  and melting cheese was my favorite ... thought i wud eat some leave some but was not possible . superb dish .

Polo Veracruz

Pollo Vera cruz - Herb crusted chicken Breast served on bed of spicy rice and topped with Monetry Jack  Cheese - i remember eating this particular dish at TGIf for the first time and it became my all time favorite . Brought  back the flavor to me ... well done Chef

this is served with long grain rice with cubes of chicken peppers and Mexican spicy dressing .

Chilli Sin Carne

Would you mind if i explain this in Punjabi .. LOL , kutte de rajmah ,naal timatar te pyazz da kuchumber hahahahahahahahah - The veg option of a non veg looking dish ... chunks of soya , rfined beans , pinto beans, jalapeno ,pobleno chilli with taco dressing .. im sure this wil be hit with the Punjabis .

Grilled cottage Cheese Burritos

Veg Kathi rolls the Mexican way - grilled cottage cheese , peppers for the spice , lettuce for the crunch .

Cajun Spiced Chicken Quesdilla

Simple filling of Cajun Spices , chicken breast ,  fried onions red chillies jalapenos Cheddar cheese and  but all in all a perfect dish

Mexican Bean Burger with Red MoleSalsa

Trust me i was reluctant to taste this dish , one it was veggie second it was too big for me to try ... chef insisted that i diggin and i did ...... beautifully cooked Bean patty topped with avocado salsa jalapenos bell peppers .  ASnd now hear the ingredients - red Beans , Pinto Beans ,Black Beans , Black eye Beans ,refried beans , polenta chilly, green onions,cheddar cheese , sour cream guacamole - oye bale bale - totally amazing .. is it very windy in mexico lol 

Killah Mustard Sauce

The mustard sauce was their own version , never seen it so white and pure ... a better version of the  famous kasundi for sure .. fries dipped in this were too good.

Oaxaxon Grilled Shrimp

Simple Spicy flavorful dish - Shrimps marinated ion lemon juice, cilantro  cumin seeds parsley and chilli paste - grilled thats it .. served on a bed of spicy rice .Together it was a perfect combination of true Mexican Flavors.

Anise Churros with Chocolate Sauce 

Just read somewhere the second most fattening desert after a Jalebi are the churros  ..hahahahahaha and inspite of that i was eating away haadd hogayee yaar - cudn resist . Honestly speaking had these the first time and quite loved them . wish i had more space left .Aniseed flavor ,special dough (like choux paste) coated with breakfast sugar as simple as that .

Apple Enchilada

Beautifully soaked apples in cinnamon and maple syrup dressing wrapped in light tortilla bread - mixed together with chocolate sauce - was a divine desert . 

Overall Tigers Experience : Good company . Beautiful coffee shop . Brilliant Mexican food - simple flavorful and certainly  worth the drive - hope they extend the festival . Mexican food is comfort food for me - infact a much healthier option compared to the Indian cuisine. Shall definitely go back for more . I am always impressed by the Team , The Passion behind the festival .. all this adds upto the experience which was too good.

The Brilliant similarity in our cuisines always impresses me .... they have done a great job of merging the two for the typical Punjabi Palate .

Food : Even though they have followed the recipes of Eggspectation - and even though the food of Mexico is quite similar to Indian food - the flavors have been well adapted to the Punjabi palate - very impressive

Service : Well informed , perfect pronunciation , prompt , courteous 

Ambiance : Need more pep , more Mexican decorations to give the feel of a Mexican festival - otherwise a perfect setting for a Five star coffee Shop .