Feb 08, 2010 04:18 PM
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Here, I am not going to write about Swagath, Def Col, but about the new Swagath, at Hotel Janpath. It was my b'day and we went to Hotel Janpath for one of its other restaurant when the valet told us "Ek naya seafood speciality restaurant, Swagat khula hai."My hubby n I looked at each other and said, let's go.We went in and we saw a few people in the restaurant, just on one table and a party going on outside.We took a table n no one came to serve us and we thought, strange place? Then, we saw some p3p in the party outside and the staff busy with that. As it was my special day, I wanted a nice treat and we decided to summon a steward and asked him who would serve us and he said that he would gladly serve drinks on our table but for food, there was buffet outside.We went out and no one came to ask how many people we were as they do if you go in for buffet at any hotel.
Liquor was also being served.Then, we called another head steward, his name was S.K.Singh and we asked him how it all worked and he told us, "Sir, today, this restaurant has been launched and this is a party thrown by our chairman, so go ahead and enjoy yourself."Then, that guy, within seconds ensured that we had our plates and there must have been scores of starters, he called the waiters and served us each and every starter available.We had the tastiest pattrani machhi, bombil, king fish, jumbo prawns, chicken and so on.All the while he hovered around us solicitiously, though we were nobodies in that crowd of p3p.Then, a a gentleman, with chubby cheeks, and a sweet smile came to make the guests on the table next to us, comfortable.
By that time, we were stuffed to our gills with starters and were sitting with our drinks and the table cleared up.The moment this gentleman saw we were not eating anything, he summoned the waiters, despite our protests, got them to lay the table and called one of the waiters and gave him instructions, within no time, that waiter turned up with smoking hot fried fish, and it was served to us and we were told by that man to have it while it was hot, and waited to see that we did so, then he requested us to have Pattrani Machhi and I told him that we already had that.I could make out he was person of some repute, looking at his personality, and thought, could be the chairman.
Later, we had the main course, but couldn't eat much but tasted Crab Choora, Chettinad chicken, Hyderabadi Biryani and Swagath Special Daal and then had Kashi halwa, Jalebi and a teaspoon of chocolate pudding which my son devoured along with fruit pudding and my hubby ate Kulfi which he said was very creamy and delicious.Apart from this, salads, idli, dosa, vada were also there.As we were leaving, we looked around for S.K. SINGH but couldn't see him around.And, on the gate was that gentleman with folded hands, asking my hubby and then me, whether we enjoyed our evening.Wow! What a celebration it was! I came home and googled Swagath and found that gentleman, the most gracious and humble host was in deed, Jayaram Banan, the founder and Chairman of Sagar Ratna and Swagath.This week, in Delhi, he's in Brunch in Vir Sanghvi's article in rude food, and you are awed by the rise of this man.
I'll visit this place and then, may be, I will add one more star after seeing how the staff behave with CM not around.The food was no doubt excellent.
