Savour the flavours of modern Europe at Graze, the new cosmopolitan replacement for The Jockey Club at the Taj Residency.
Serving modern European and French cuisine, the restaurant is the answer to a good fine-dining restaurant. With a choice of over 200 wines, an interactive kitchen, Graze has an air of relaxation amidst it’s finesse and flair.
The speciality restaurant offers an array of exotic dishes from Europe with a hint of Asian herbs and flavours. And the platter is indeed impressive with chef Steven Liu at the helm of affairs.
Hailing from China, Steven has showed his culinary skills over the last fifteen years in his home town, Taiwan and in London.
Talking about his innovative menu at Graze, he says, “In the last ten years, I collected ideas from various cuisines like Nouvelle French, British and international culture. This led to my innovative compositions.
What I am serving at Graze is exactly what I used to at the Dorchester Hotel London. The USP of any dish is it’s lightness and freshness.
My food uses some of the most expensive natural oils in the world like caviar, olive and hazelnut - to cook, to play and to toss. There are about 30 items in the menu at present, which I will change every quarter.”
Gastronomic journey
While one can try an assortment of specialities like seafood (lobster, king prawns, crabs, oysters, caviar and more), imported meats and fresh veggies, a suggestion is to try the signature dishes of the chef.
We begin our gastronomic journey with the Foie Gras, sauteed and served on crisply toasted brioche and peppered pear.
Made from goose liver, the Foie Gras is extremely light and one gets the essences of black pepper, clove, cinnamon and vanilla.
Sip on some white wine (Chef’s choice - Baron Philippe) which beautifully mellows down the flavours of the Foie Gras in your mouth. For the conventional, try the Crab Bisque - wrapped soft meat in spicy sauce.
Roast Herb Chicken comprised our main course. It is said that the quality of a restaurant is determined by it’s chicken preparation. If that is so, then Graze has qualified and been successful.
The chicken sauce is made with chicken stock to retain the flavour. The seafood lovers can try the juicy king prawns. End the meal with either the Mud Cake or the Chocolate Tart - the two best from the exotic dessert menu.
The harder layer of the Mud Cake opens up into some gooey hot chocolate sauce. Coupled with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream and spoonful of milk, the Mud Cake one is pure indulgence.
French, Italian and Californian - guests can choose from 206 wines, including special dessert wines, that complement any taste and budget.
Graze also offers a unique concept called Flight of Wines - a taster of three wines from the menu, grouped appropriately to pair it with the three-course meal.
If one wants to sit outdoors, sit next to the pool which offers alfresco dining and live grills. But why did The Jockey Club journey end? Saleem Yousuff, general manager, Taj Residency, says, “The Jockey Club as a product had lived it’s age. Taj Residency is getting more contemporary.
So, there was a need for a trendy modern restaurant. Thus, Graze. The name is indicative of people grazing in and relaxing over some good food.”
A meal for two at Graze would cost anywhere between Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 approximately. Indulge in a new experience.
