Author Archives: Milly

The Leela Palace, New Delhi

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Delhi can be a daunting destination for travellers, a chaotic and dusty introduction to India. The Leela Palace New Delhi will alleviate all possible stress, ensuring your time in the capital is luxurious and exotic from the moment you step off the plane. We were picked up by one of the hotel’s smart white BMW’s and whisked away to the palatial property.

The Leela Palace New Delhi opened in April 2011 following the success of the brand’s other venues across India. The hotel is located in the prestigious diplomatic area of town and the magnificent building fits in perfectly amongst its grand surroundings. Though designed to feel and look like a traditional Indian palace, there are unique and thoughtful touches throughout the hotel, all specially commissioned and inspired by local arts.

I was staying in room 615, a standard room that was small but carefully arranged to give the impression of more space. There are 254 guestrooms in total making the hotel popular with business groups, however the wonderful facilities also make it a good choice for leisure guests. Our room was sumptuous and decadent, with a plush king-size bed and a beautiful marble bathroom complete with bath and power shower.


Whilst staying at The Leela Palace we enjoyed a lavish dinner at Jamavar, the hotel’s signature Indian restaurant. The menu includes secret recipes of the Maharaja as well as classic regional Indian dishes. It was a feast for all the senses, beautiful plates of food that smelt and tasted divine. Particularly memorable was the Bharwan tandoori broccoli stuffed with corn, cheese and fresh pomegranate and the gloriously creamy Paneer spring onion masala curry.

I highly recommend trying the Indian fare at Leela Palace but for those who desire something more international there is plenty on offer. The Qube is open for global all-day dining, and is used every morning for the breakfast buffet. Legendary American restaurant Le Cirque has an outpost on the 10th floor of the hotel offering innovative French-Italian cuisine. Or for a fresh and healthy meal guests can enjoy modern Japanese food at Megu restaurant.

I was amazed by the art collection and flower presentations at The Leela Palace. There are 14,000 fresh flowers displayed around the property everyday, which are then recycled, dried and used as natural dye. The hotel are very proud of their Indian art that is displayed around the property, this showcases upcoming artists work as well as creations by famous artists and historic artefacts. I loved the giant sculpture amalgamating three goddesses in the garden, and the fine intricate paintings in the spa.

The Leela Palace has the only Espa spa in Delhi, which is also open to non-guests. Spread over two floors, the sophisticated spa houses eight treatment rooms, an award-winning healthy café, and a relaxation room and fitness suite. On the rooftop a spectacular temperature-controlled swimming pool overlooks the city and offers a blissful haven for sunbathing and swimming.

I was sad to only be spending one day at the lovely Leela Palace New Delhi, but even in this short period of time I got a taste of the hotel’s refined Indian offering.

More information and book a room at Leela Palace New Delhi here.

Mr Bao, Peckham

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The bao craze is only just beginning, with more Taiwanese eateries opening up all over the world, particularly in London. I have been lucky enough to try a few of the best bao buns around the world and was excited to be invited recently to try the newest offering at Peckham establishment Mr Bao.

Founders Frank Yeung and Nick Birkett have transformed an old shop on Rye Lane, creating a buzzy restaurant for locals to enjoy fresh and flavoursome Taiwanese cuisine. The menu features a range of bao varieties and Taiwanese snacks as well as traditional teas and quirky cocktails. Where possible produce is bought in from local suppliers, though some specialist ingredients come all the way from Taipei. I was particularly pleased to notice Peckham’s finest Flock + Herd meat featuring on the menu.

I tried a selection of dishes from the menu. My favourites included the classic ‘Mr Bao’, a sweet and indulgent bap filled with slow braised pork, pickles, peanut powder and coriander, and the ‘Bao Diddley’ filled with fried chicken, brined for 24 hours, wasabi mayo, kimchi and coriander, a spicy but tasty option. From the sharing snack list I loved the fresh Tenderstem broccoli with ponzu and the intriguing ‘Smacked cucumber’, lightly pickled to give a subtle and refreshing vegetarian dish.

The cocktails were a tad disappointing, with no garnishes or flourishes they tasted like spirits simply mixed with fruit juice. Instead opt for a ‘Jin Xuan’ tea, which has a light but mellow taste and complements the bold food perfectly. For dessert the ‘Bao S’More’ is the only option, but no one is complaining, a naughty mess of melted marshmallow, dark chocolate and fried bao. At weekends Mr Bao offers a popular brunch menu that includes their decadent bacon bao with maple syrup, which already has a cult following.

I couldn’t be happier to have this bao business on my doorstep… I am sure I will be popping in regularly to satisfy my bao cravings in this new neighbourhood venue.

More information about Mr Bao here.

Kanada-Ya, Panton Street

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After visiting Japan my opinion and knowledge of the country’s cuisine has radically altered. I sampled ramen, tempura, yakitori, bento, kaiseke and other specialties, indicating just how varied Japanese dishes can be… it is so much more than just sushi. My visit to Kanada-Ya brought back memories of my recent travels, from the welcoming chants as I entered the restaurant to the flavoursome rich broths I happily consumed.

Kanada-Ya Panton Street is the second branch of this popular casual Japanese eatery. Fans were delighted to discover that this Soho venue seats up to 56 diners and takes booking for groups of six or more, unlike the first Kanada-Ya where there are often tiresome queues outside. The boutique ramen restaurant feels casual and makeshift inside with basic wooden tables and simple lighting… all attention here is on the food.

The menu features a range of Japanese classics, but the ramen takes centre stage. I tried their Original Ramen (18-hour pork bone broth, served with pork belly chashu, wood ear fungus, seaweed and fresh spring onion) a comforting and flavoursome bowl of food. The broth has a meaty intensity and the toppings tasted fresh and vibrant. Guests are invited to choose their noodle consistency from extra firm, firm, regular or soft, though I think its best to take the waiters recommendation on this. For a lighter ramen, nice for lunch, opt for the Chicken-Paitan (corn fed chicken bone broth, secret sauce, chashu pork collar and shredded leek). A side order of Hanjuku egg completes the dish.

From the rest of the menu I really enjoyed the light and crispy Karaage Japanese fried chicken with house mayonnaise, and the strangely enticing Truffle Edamame. For dessert Kanada-Ya offer a strikingly green Matcha Soft Serve, a favourite in Japan, but definitely an acquiried taste here in England.

A meal at Kanada-Ya will cost you around £15-20 a head, and I can honestly say this little eatery offers the best ramen I’ve tasted outside of Japan.

More information about Kanada-Ya here.