'French Weekend' at the Swissotel Kolkata Neotia Vista

Kolkata Food Bloggers Team with Swissotel GM, Marco Saxer, Mademoiselle Louise Arnes, Enakshi Kundu, Asst Manager Marketing & Communications, Ms Debiroopa and Pastry Chef Sanjay 

Swissotel Kolkata, redressing its pure passion for perfection presented  'French Weekend', a French specialty menu as a run up to the French National Day (celebrated on 14th of July) with Mademoiselle Louise Arnes  who brought with her traditional recipes from Lyon, the Gastronomic capital of France.

As a part of Kolkata Food Bloggers team, we were treated to a dining experience which lived up to the signature Swissotel pamper.

The drive (both figuratively & literally) to the Swissotel Kolkata comes more from the hunger of exceptionally good food that pronounces its own authentic characteristics individually. Its perplexing to choose the better amongst the bests and it is this personification of perfection that Swissotel looks to execute each time which turns a casual checkout approach into a regular check-in habit.

Notwithstanding the Swissotel's contemporary swiss styled and locally inspired flair that attracts business and leisure travellers alike who enjoy high end hotels with fresh innovation, Swissotel also bears a noticeable hospitality which reflects genuinity in nature, making the dining experience more enjoyable.  

Welcomed with sparkling wine under the envelope of the Football World Cup fever, the flow of starters soon changed hands with endless array of classic and contemporary French specialty menu.

Amongst the starters the Smoked Salmon and Avocado Verrine served with Caviar was mesmerizing. Each element of the dish clearly pronounced an individualistic but synergized robust effect on the palate. 

Also served were dishes like Gougeres (cheese puff), Asparagus and Ham Ballotins, Mini Chicken Croquet Monsieur etc. Accares (Fish dumpling) was again an amazing dish with flavours of crab meat and a melt in the mouth texture. 

The starters

The main course consisted of both the vegetarian and the non vegetarian dishes that were equally impressive. 

The vegetarian dishes had the likes of Warm Camembert with Wild Mushroom Fricassee, Dauphinois Potato (Potato Cooked with Cream), Ratatouille, Onion Leek Tart etc. 

It was hard to pick the best vegetarian dish but the Wild Mushroom Fricassee won our hearts and taste buds along with the other French classic Ratatouille.   

The vegetarian spread

The Non-Vegetarian spread saw a blissful spread of the French classic Lobster Thermidor, Poulet au Vinaigre (Lyon speciality of vinegar braised chicken), Boeuf Bourguignon (Tenderlions cooked with red wine), Gigot d'agnaan (Roast leg of lamb served with roast potato, Pork Tenderloin with bacon and apple riesling sauce.

Our unanimous pick was Lobster Thermidor which truly represented one of the all time great French dishes that has won the hearts of millions around the globe.   

The Pork Tenderloin with Apple riesling sauce was again a standout dish with tenderloins cooked to perfection.

The Non-vegetarian spread

The Dessert spread had an amazing array of traditional French dishes such as Croquembouche, Paris Breast, French Apple Tart, Pear Tarte Tatin, Mille Feuille, Cherry Clafoutis, Creme Brulee etc.
The intricacies of the Croquembouche left us spell bound with its presentation and taste.
The Paris Breast with a lovely hazlenut spread was another treat to the sweet tooth.

The Dessert spread

Exactly as Mr Marco Saxer, General Manager of the Swissotel Kolkata Neotia Vista said, that the French cuisine is known for its exquisite taste and presentation and was proud to present traditional French recipes brought to them from Lyon, France,known as the gastronomical capital of France, and that he was sure that the people of the city would enjoy the dishes, the French dining experience was truly a treat never to be missed.

Along with the Kolkata Food Bloggers Team we wish to immensely thank Swissotel for inviting us over for the fabulous French Weekend.

The French menu festival started from 11th July and continued through to 13th July at Cafe Swiss for buffet dinner from 1900 Hrs to 2300 Hrs and was priced at INR 1600 plus taxes per person. 

Happy French National Day

Vishal & Amrita