The city has gone from blazing summer to chilly monsoon weather within a span of a few days and Mynt at The Taj West End welcomes the rains with the Gourmet Burger Fiesta, helmed by Chef Sandeep Narang. “Many of our regular diners have just returned from their long summer breaks and so we thought this would be a good way to welcome them back,” says Sandeep. The menu offers a mix of classic and experimental flavour pairings, with a special focus on exotic cheeses and specialty breads. There’s also a selection of sides with options such as classic French fries, nachos and BBQ wings, apart from milkshakes
and toppings (bacon strips and ham slices to name a few).
Our tasting started with the BBQ wings, which proved to be tangy, spicy and sticky — all the qualities you’d expect well made chicken wings to possess. The Pepper blue cheese steak burger served in a thyme and parmesan bun boasts subtle flavours and the meat, mildly spiced with pepper, was perfectly cooked. We loved that the marination didn’t overpower the flavour of the meat.
The Park Street chilli chicken in a bao bun comes with spicy kimchi slaw and mayo which is perfect for rainy evenings. The highlight of the menu, for us, is the Crab and artichoke meat burger with an artichoke and crab meat patty, brie cheese, tartar sauce and herb butter. Again, the flavours are subtle and the combination of umami, salty and tangy notes work beautifully together. The fried onion bun it came in was soft and pillowy, and the browned onions added an extra edge.
Taking a break from all the meat, we next sampled the Spinach and paneer shikampoori burger, which was light and delicious. This one is paired with Amul cheese, mango chutney and a multigrain bun. Also not to be missed is the American cheese burger with beef mince patty, grilled onions, lettuce and tomato topped with either cheddar or gouda cheese and served in a sesame bun. Our patty was juicy and succulent and the vegetables fresh and crunchy. The menu also includes options such as Soya and chilli glazed salmon (with bagel bun), Balik Ekmek (Turkish-style fried fish in Turkish bread) and Capresse Capresse (burrata, tomato jam and pesto arugula in ciabatta).
If not for the meat, the festival is worth visiting just for the variety of breads on offer, which have been cleverly paired with the appropriate fillings.
Until July 1. Rs.750 upwards. At The Taj West End, Race Cource Road. Details: 66605660