Bone Appetit - Fine Dining for the Canines

Nivaya Bhatena, Tanisha Mukerji, Chef Varun Inamdar

A first-of-its-kind event by Westin Mumbai Powai Lake had doggies and their parents enjoy a fine-dining affair under the stars

Who would have put fine-dining and dogs in the same sentence? The folks at Westin Mumbai Powai Lake along with the Lakeside Chalet Mumbai- Marriott Executive Apartments, and Chef Varun Inamdar, that’s who. In an unprecedented fashion, the pooches of Bombay were hosted for a sit-down dinner on the 15th and 16th of April, at the beautiful open-air venue of the 5-star property, beautiful lights, shamianas and multiple courses in place.

Hoomans were more than delighted at the prospect of a day out with their fur babies in an intimate setting where they could let their hair down – the dogs their fur – and enjoy a human meal while the dogs their doggy food. But it was no ordinary meal, for Chef Varun Inamdar pulled out all the stops to spoil your pooch silly. The Guinness World Record-holding chef plated a four-course meal with locally- sourced, organic ingredients, free from preservatives and additives, serving up a delicious and nutritious meal.

The dogs were salivating as the amuse-bouche of Turkey Côtelettes - turkey and cranberry nuggets served on shavings of sweet potatoes, carrots, and baby zucchini, with coconut oil sprayed on top – made its way out first. Next was the entrée, The Ultimate Grin Bowl, which had chicken tenders, whole eggs, carrots, broccoli, honey, flaxseed oil, toasted nori, red pumpkin, fresh sardine with myoglobin protein, and watermelon popsicles. The main course was a mouth-watering dish known as Doggizza. A doggy pizza with chicken breast in a hearty bone broth, whole eggs, chicken livers, zucchini, grape tomatoes, baby spinach and young Cheddar perfectly cooked and seasoned.

Dessert was much-awaited, to see what Chef Varun orchestrated. Ice Goofies were lapped up by the pooches – blueberries, strawberries and home-made yogurt which was freeze-candied.

Such a night under the stars will always be remembered for it is rare that spaces like these are provided for our furry ones in the city. And a fine-dine experience at that!