Melting Pot

It's a cuisine that has so far not appeared on any of the menus in the city. In fact,the sheer mention of Mongolian fare will,in all probability,draw a blank with many foodies in the city.

Bella Asia offers a slice of Mongolia in a pot

It’s a cuisine that has so far not appeared on any of the menus in the city. In fact,the sheer mention of Mongolian fare will,in all probability,draw a blank with many foodies in the city. But Bella Vista’s executive chef Duddi Reny Manohar saw an opportunity here,coupled with the fact that Mongolian flavours might not taste as alien to Indian palates as most would assume. So the newly opened Bella Asia,the multi-cuisine restaurant housed in Bella Vista hotel in Panchkula,makes space for Pan-Asian fare,including a Mongolian set meal. It’s the latter that we were most eager to try.

Think of Mongolia and the images of warriors and nomads on horseback,with weapons and shields,come to mind. “The warriors used their weapons not only to fight and defend themselves,but they also had a unique way of using their shields for preparing food,which they gathered as they rode and camped at the end of the day,” explained Manohar,as we took seat at Bella Asia,the ambience of which reminds one of an open courtyard with European leanings. Though Bella Asia boasts of 140-covers,it’s well spread out. The menu resembles a fat hardbound book,but the Mongolian fare,for the moment,is restricted to a set meal (Rs 499),which offers a portion of soup and appetiser of choice,along with a Mongolian hot pot that diners have to make for themselves by hand-picking from a range of 32 ingredients and 12 different sauce selections. The choices can be a bit confusing for first timers ,but the chefs help with suggestions. A scoop of gelato and chocolate complete the meal.

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“We have designed special crockery to help assemble the hot pot,” said the chef,handing us an iron basket which would hold the choice of ingredients. We filled ours with thin noodles,shredded chicken,fish,an egg,sliced button mushrooms,corn,sliced carrots,mixed bell peppers,pakchoi leaves,yellow pumpkin slices,broccoli florets and chopped green onions. There are plenty of sauces to choose from and it would be safer to let the chef decide. We opted for red curry,ginger chilly sauce,soy and pepper garlic sauce and headed to the chef to toss it in the wok. While our selection was very filling,we regretted not adding some extra curry. That’s the tough part about the hot pot — how your dish tastes rests entirely in your own hands. It will take you a few visits to find your favourite combination. Else,just let the warrior’s spirit guide you.

The gelato was a little runny,but tasted good,specially the Biscottino. Apart from gelato,freshly-made flavoured yoghurt is also available. And if you aren’t feeling adventurous,there’s a Pan-Asian buffet also on offer for Rs 599.

Meal for two: Rs 1,200

Location: SM-8,City Centre,

Sector 5,Panchkula.

Contact: 0172 5064848

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