Passage to India Pop Up Restaurant at Ritz Carlton Coconut Groves with Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru

By Ali Kimia

We had the privilege recently  to partner with The Ritz Carlton Coconut Groves in creating, Successfully, an Elegant & Authentic Indian Themed Pop Up Restaurant at their Signature Restaurant, Biscaya.

It was really a pleasure to have worked with a such a Great Team of professionals of the Ritz, form the Wonderful Tatiana Lora, the Public Relations Manager of the Ritz Carlton Coconut Groves & Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, The Talented & Creative Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru, The Super General Manager of the Ritz Carlton Jacqueline ( The Only Woman General Manager of a Sizable Hotel i ever met. with the best ever Attitude), Mathew the F&B Manager & his Team….From the start, I learnt right away that the reputation of the Ritz brand  is no accident… but a great Business & Service Philosophy they live by at every step of the way.

Back to the pop up restaurant,

I am not a food writer but a food Passionate Lover, so it was natural for me to positively connect with the Ritz Carlton Coconut Groves Team and jump on board with their ” Passage to India” Project : An Authentic Indian Pop Up Restaurant.

One thing is for sure,

-This is OBVIOUSLY Not your typical Neighborhood Indian Restaurant in terms of Quality & Service …..EXCEPT for the  PRICES …..which are very much affordable. Yes many entrees under $18.

The Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru & his Team did REALLY A FANTASTIC JOB in mastering what the Indian Cuisine is all about and offering it in a Creative & Accessible Way…..

The Passage To India Pop up restaurant is scheduled for 1 Month only,  from OCT 3rd to NOV 3rd, Thursday to Sunday..

Hopefully, it is successful enough to keep ita bit longer longer….such great Indian Cuisine offering will really be a great addition to South Florida International Cuisine Scene

Few Pictures Below of the Preview Night of the Opening,

Live Camels greeting the Guests at The Opening Preview Night

Live Camels Greeting the Guests

Cocktail Time at The Lobby, an Over Size Peacock Jeweled Vase as a Focal Point

The Passage to India, …Literally

Pictures of the Dishes & the Chef , below from Newtimes Miami

the Menu

Appetizers

Mini Vegetable Anardana Samosas, Tamarind chutney

Indian style Mini Flat bread, coriander chutney

Pani Poori Shooters

Mixed Vegetable Pakora, Mint chutney

Grilled masala papadams

Chaat masala

Masala Dosa served with coconut chutney and Samabar

Kanchipuram Idli served with Ginger chutney and Sambhar

Chicken Tikka

Seekh kebab (minced lamb and chicken kebab)

Amritsar Machala fingers (Indian style fish fingers) with a duo of Mint Chutney, Onion chutney

Soups

Yellow Turmeric spiked Lentil soup, crispy papadam

Tandoori marinated cilantro chicken Barley soup

Salads

Onions, green pepper, tomato, cucumber and cilantro salad

Garlic Flat Naan bread, spinach, frise salad, cumin, cilantro champagne vinaigrette

Main Course

Vegetarian options
Everything served with cumin scented rice

Aloo Choole
Potato, chick peas stew

Malai kofta curry
Succulent deep fried potato and cheese dumplings in a rich almond gravy

Bhindi Masala
Indian Stir fried okra with onions

Panner tikka masala
An Indian classic of cottage cheese in a tomato based gravy

Dal Makhani
A rich Indian Lentil preparation of slow cooked black lentils and kidney beans

Non-Vegetarian Options

Lamb Rogan Josh
A traditional Kashmiri preparation of meat cooked with browned onions, Kashmiri chilies and yoghurt based sauce

Chicken tikka masala
Marinated cubes of chicken cooked on a charcoal grill and served with a creamy tomato sauce

Masala Shrimp
Masala marinated Shrimp, Tomato and Onion Gravy

Mixed Biryani
Marinated lamb, Chicken and shrimp slowly cooked in Basmati rice with variety of vegetables

Rice
Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryan
Green peas pulav

Breads

Tawa Paratha
Stuffed tawa paratha
Naan
Garlic naan
Roti5

Desserts

Gulab Jamoon and Vanilla Icecrem
Warm dumplings in a rose scented syrup served with vanilla Ice cream

Ras Malai
Chilled cottage cheese dumplings in a saffron flavored milk

Pista Kulfi
Frozen Indian ice cream with pistachio

Kheer
Vermicelli pudding