K3, JW Marriott, Aerocity, Delhi: The Lavish Buffet

I am off to Aerocity to check the sunday brunch at the newly opened JW Marriott hotel that proudly claims to have one of the highest numbers of rooms in Delhi. The drive through the wide new roads towards the airport is a welcome change and the stationary large aircraft nearby a delight for kids and adults alike.

K3, the all-day dining food theatre at JW Marriott, denotes three kitchens – Indian, Cantonese and Tuscan and I must say I was impressed with the extensive layout. Each kitchen is led by an independent chef de cuisine; Thomas Wee for Cantonese, Daniel Trivero for Italian &Mukesh Kumar for Indian. The live band and the charm of the enjoying unlimited champagne in open surroundings is a good enough reason for a visit and good food adds to the charm.  And yes, you heard it right. Unlike many brunch options that limit themselves to sparkling, K3 offers a legitimate champagne option, and I went with it.

The layout is impressive with soups, salads, cold cuts, home-made cheese, dim sum, sea food including fresh oysters, live grills including jumbo prawns, lamb, fish and chicken, a chaat counter and of course lavish spread of Cantonese, Tuscan and Indian delicacies apart from desserts, I took a good quarter of an hour just eating the feast from the eyes and mentally preparing on what to eat and creating excess capacity.

The dimsum are good though I would have liked the dips to be made available on the table. The pizzas with fresh tomato paste and excellent cold cuts are surely not to be missed. The oysters are served just a way a purist would like it; raw with little squeeze of fresh lemon and olive oil.

The live counters by themselves can satisfy any foodie. Except the jumbo prawns that weren’t as fresh, I enjoyed everything. A bit of caution, do not ask for the too spicy mix as one will end up losing all flavors of the seafood like we did.

Green apple mojito sounds quite ordinary but is a great drink. With spoon of honey, ginger, and smokiness coming from the fired maple wood chips, it took the drink to a different level and required a revisit to the bar. The bartender came out with interesting cocktails on his own or anyone you fancy. Still availability of a cocktail menu from the available bar ingredients would help one make informed choice.

My visit on just the second Sunday of JW Marriott starting their brunch saw full house. Perhaps social media plays a great role in informing discerning foodies of the new options. However, the service was a big letdown. Refilling of drinks took time, orders were missed and dirty plates and crockery took forever to be replaced. Executive chef, Girish Krishnan, came to our rescue. He did everything possible to salvage the situation and our end experience was much happier.

Ending with Indian cuisine, Nalli Korma is heart and mutton falling off the bone. Butter chicken is tangy but slightly congealed. My favorite was bhindi cooked in kasundi which went great with crisp rotis.

Desserts do not limit themselves only to the three cuisines of K3. It offers much more like German apple strudel, Indian mithai, Italian Tiramisu, homemade gelato, American brulee and much much more. Do not miss on the home made salted caramel icecream and surprisingly addictive gajar ka halwa.

The choices are huge, just bring your appetite and company and hope it is either a good service day at K3 or you crash into Girish Krishnan.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 4.0 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 2.5 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for Two: 5000* (without alcohol) | Credit Card: Yes | Alcohol: Yes | Brunch Timings:12.30pm – 3.30pm

Address: K3, JW Marriott Hotel, Asset Area-4, Hospitality District, Near Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Aerocity, New Delhi | Phone:91 11 4521 2121 Extn: 2120

*The wholesome Sunday Brunch includes three different price options:

– Food, unlimited soft beverages& fresh juices  (Rs 2250++)

– Food , soft beverages, unlimited premium spirits and sparkling wine( Rs 2750++)

– Food + Champagne+ Premium Spirits, soft beverages (Rs 3950 ++)