HAPPENING -- 9:

VISIT ZEN GARDEN FOR ORIENTAL MEAL IN JAPANESE AMBIENCE

BY P S SUNDAR

This summer, tourists can enjoy dining amidst the natural surroundings in an exotic ambience – Zen Garden at Gem Park Hotels and Resorts Ooty.

“Zen Garden is often referred to as the Japanese Rock Garden.  It is a dry landscape.  As such a concept would be new to the Nilgiris, we created a miniature landscape outside our ‘Jade Garden’, Chinese Speciality Restaurant”, Gem Park Resident Director Ismail Khan said.

“We developed this as a composed arrangement of rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees, bushes and used gravel and sand.  These are tastefully raked to cause ripples in water”, he explained.

“To enhance the Japanese feel, we have imitated the Buddhist temple-like structure of Kyoto.   And, Pagoda as the temple is called is a tiered tower with multiple eaves sporting bright colour painting”, he disclosed.

The grass meadow intercepted with attractive tiles, pebbled pathways, Buddha statues in peaceful piety, Japanese colourful lamps and chandeliers, green plants, brightly painted rails – all transport the guests into the Japanese world! 

Little wonder that guests spend time clicking photos – groups individuals and selfies!   Hotel staff assist guests in taking photos thereby leaving long lasting memories of Zen Garden in their travelogue.

      

Consequently, this Pagoda has become the favourite dining area for the guests.  It can accommodate 15 guests at one go.  Guests are seen booking tables and waiting for their turn to enjoy the uniqueness of dining there.

Oriental meal is the attraction at the Zen Garden. Chicken satay, nasi goreng, pad Thai noodle and tub tim krob are among the favourite dishes there.  Executive Chef Surendran and his team interact with the guests and help them choose the dishes suiting their individual taste.

Foreigners equally enjoy the exotic ambience in the otherwise Indian hospitality.     A group of Russian dancers recently spent hours in Pagoda restaurant enjoying their oriental meal and recorded their appreciation of the service.

You may sometimes rub shoulders with film personalities, political leaders including Ministers and bureaucrats at the Zen Garden.   

“If you love to have dinner or lunch with a view of the beautiful mountain ranges and Niligiri trees, this is the place to be. We ordered veg burnt garlic fried rice with white sauce contains bells peppers, broccoli, baby corn, water chestnut and fried veggies.   Food was yummy.  Definitely a place to visit, the service is quick and the staff are very courteous”, a guest N Shambhavi from Chennai has noted in the hotel’s records.

So, while the inside dining is Chinese (Jade Garden), the outside dining is Japanese (Zen Garden) and both offer totally different experience because of the exclusive ambience. 

“The menu is ala carte and the rates are as listed in the Menu Card.  It is the ambience which enhances the dining experience; otherwise, we maintain the same standard in the food preparation and service in all our different restaurants”, Food and Beverage Manager Pradeep Kumar said.

“We had been there many times.  We keep going there for the fabulous taste of food and the view the place offers.   We found The Triple Shezhwan fried rice with prawns was yummy”, a Guest K Sunita from Bangalore has recorded.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)