Obamas take time out for toning up body, mind and soul

The first couple of America, who stayed in ITC Maurya hotel during their three-day visit to the national capital, started off their day on Monday on a healthy note by using the facilities in the hotel’s luxury Kayakalp Spa and gym. Kayakalp – a Sanskrit word meaning rejuvenation of mind, body and soul, was kept open during their entire stay in the expectation that the high profile guests may use it any time, sources in the hotel said.
The couple’s breakfast in the hotel consisted both Indian and American food including croissants and rolls from the hotel bakery and fresh fruit juice.

Lunch was a mix of Indian and continental with the special Obama Platter unveiled exclusively for them. The platter was made in Bukhara, a popular restaurant in the hotel. However, the Obamas did not visit the restaurant due to time constraint; instead the hotel staff unveiled the platter at their presidential suite. The platter contained a mix of north Indian and Mughlai dishes including chicken and paneer khurchan, tandoori raan, tandoori salad, fish tikka, reshmi kebab, sikandari raan and tandoori aloo. As the president is fond of meat, the platter also contained red meat dishes and sea food. For dessert, it had ras malai and kulfi.

The chefs at Bukhara said “the president had shown keen interest in tasting our ‘thali’, which we call the ‘Obama Platter’. He also mentioned his love for Indian food.”
“A team of chefs, after carefully understanding their (Obamas’) likes and dislikes, came up with the menu,” an official from Bukhara added.

The hotel had earlier played host to two other US presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush. They too, like Obama, were put up at the grand presidential suite that occupies an entire floor.  The hotel also prepared Clinton Platter which is still on the menu of Bukhara containing an aromatic spread of mixed meats, lentils and oven baked bread and priced at Rs 5,000, sources in the hotel said.  

Before leaving for Indonesia on Tuesday, the hotel authorities took the President and his wife around the sprawling hotel building and showed its solar heating project - billed to be one of the largest in the world.