Guests were in for a night of Indian delights as they entered Royal India Restaurant located on the 2nd floor of the Double Tree by Hilton.

Stained patterns on folded doors leading up to the entrance gave a sneak peek of the long bar inside. At the entrance to the restaurant was a beautifully laid out Kolam, a painting with geometric designs made up of coloured rice powder and said to bestow prosperity. Surrounded by rose petals and lit candles on brass candlestands, it was a very welcoming sight.

Dato Steve Day, Datin Patricia Indot & Dato Jaffar Indot

Mr Soren Ravn, Mrs Malene Ravn, Ms Marjolijn Van De Geer, H.E. Marc Mullie

Specially invited guests to the dinner hosted by MIGF Organising Chairman Dato’ Steve Day and Datin Su Wai Fun included HE Marc Mullie, Ambassador of Belgium, and wife Marjolijn Van de Geer; YM Tunku Dato’ Seri Iskandar Tunku Abdullah and Datin Seri Maneesah; Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad and Puan Sri Fauzah Mohd Darus; and Dato’ Jaffar Indot and Datin Patricia Indot.

Arriving guests were welcomed and those who drank were served the Official Beer of MIGF, Kronenbourg 1664, courtesy of Carlsberg, with Mr Soren Ravn, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, and wife Malene Ravn, also among the invited guests. Finger food prepared by Royal India’s kitchen team led by Chef Rakesh Prasad included crispy papadums that were accompanied by two delicious dips.

Inside the restaurant, two long tables were set in the main dining hall. Bright orange and earthy brown tones in the glass window designs, curtains and interior made for an ambience fit for royalty.

Dato’ Steve introduced to the guests Group CEO of Spice International, Thesan Selva, who then did the same for his team, comprising Operations Manager RN Kumar, Marketing Communications Manager Ranjinder Hans and Festival Master Chef Rakesh.

Ms Jess Ellmer, Mr Aaron Soo	Datin Su, Ms Roshan Valiram, Mr Sharan J. Valiram, Mrs Lavina Valiram

Ms Ranjinder Hans, Mrs Mette Clausen, Mr Henrik Clausen, Mrs Malene Ravn, Mr Soren Ravn

Throughout the night, Dato’ Steve also introduced the guests to each other, offering insights into the lives of the attendees, who also included Mr Henrik Clausen, CEO of DiGi Telecoms, and Ms Mette Clausen; Mr Aaron Soo, CEO of Sunway Lagoon, and Ms Jess Elmer; Mr Sharan Valiram, Director of the Valiram Group, who was accompanied by Mrs Lavina Valiram and Ms Roshan Valiram; and Mr Krishnan M, Group General Manager at Melium.

And as they tucked in, the guests heartily complimented the meal, which started with tandoor-grilled chicken marinated with yoghurt and honey and a starter of mutton broth. The main dish comprised dum basmathi rice cooked with Kashmiri saffron and herbs, traditional Indian multi-layered bread with mint, boneless chicken cubes marinated with Royal India’s signature masala and fresh vegetables with onion tomato gravy.

Paired with excellent wines – Aves Del Sur Sauvignon Blanc from Chile and D B Cooper Cross Chiraz from Australia – the meal was an enjoyable one indeed, and was completed with the dessert, blended basmathi rice boiled with fresh milk and served with cashew nuts, pistachios and saffron, served with a Spanish wine, Castano Dulce – Monastrel.

The rice dish went down a treat even with the non-Asian guests, with the Belgian Ambassador choosing the main course as his favourite of the night, saying, “Because of the spices used in Indian cooking, it was very well balanced and not too overpowering from any particular seasoning.” His Excellency also said he enjoyed the evening as it allowed him to make new friends, and commended the Organising Chairman for his efforts in promoting the local fine-dining scene through MIGF. “Dato’ Steve pushing and driving the Festival, making people aware that it’s happening, is a good idea,” he said.

The sumptuous food in the regal surroundings of Royal India were a treat indeed, and shows that in this wonderfully cosmopolitan city of KL, there is a wonderful place that allows you to dine like a Maharajah.