FRESC CO. | shivangireviews

The beautiful tradition of cake-mixing was brought to life at Fresc Co. in Connaught Place this Wednesday. As Christmas is approaching, festivities are in the air. It is a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Christmas magically makes all of our problems go away, even if it's only for a day. We are happier, we smile more and who doesn't love elaborate buffets of appetising Christmas treats?

Fresc Co.'s cake-mixing ceremony started with an interesting array of dried fruits like raisins, cashew nuts, almonds being displayed beautifully in huge containers. You could see gloved people enthusiastically mixing and kneading tutti frutti, black currants, dates, prunes, soaked figs, candied cherries, oranges and ginger. This would all soak for a month and then go into making a fabulous Christmas cake. The spiciness of the Christmas cake comes from cloves and cinnamon and the bitterness comes from rum. I loved the atmosphere - so festive!

Christmas decorations should be all about creating magic and Fresc Co, managed to do just that. What a lovely way to welcome Christmas spirit - the restaurant had been turned into a miniature Christmas haven. The ornaments, the colourful lighting and cheerful people created an unforgettable experience.

Chef Ankit Mangla and his team prepared an elaborate buffet that began with hors d'oeuvres, succulent meats and ended with delectable desserts.

I started with the subtly flavoured Chicken Salad that consisted of tender pieces of chicken and beans. I loved the Hummus, beautifully done with just the right amount of Olive Oil, absolutely loved the dribbles of lemon juice here and there, and bursts of fresh garlic. The meal went down very well with refreshing sips of a delicious warm Orange Drink infused with star anise and ginger.

Much more the thing was the main course of roasted leg of lamb with a seafood stew with cherry tomatoes, fennel, basil, lemon rind and glorious garlic. The lamb was soft and succulent and fell off the bone, it was slow roasted to perfection. You could taste the beautiful marinade of garlic and fresh rosemary and the red wine sauce complemented it famously.

The sweet and salty bacon wrapped around water chestnuts were the perfect combo with Sangria that had fresh pineapples, apples and melons. The Pintxos as they are called were beautifully caramelised. I did wish I had started eating early so I could have my hands on hotter food. Which is why when we were served hot thin crust Pizzas at our table I was thrilled. I personally really enjoyed the Pepperoni and the Grilled Vegetable Pizzas. It is really cold in Delhi and hot Pizzas are perfect for cold winters!

My book on Desserts in Delhi cannot be complete without talking about the desserts at Fresc Co. The desserts were where the 'Wow!' factor really kicked in. The mini Banoffee Tarts were delicately flavoured with caramelised bananas, stunning whipped cream and sprinkles of chocolate; a flour less Chocolate Cake was soft, light and satisfying; the tiramisu, was a fabulous confection of cream and coffee. It was so light and creamy that I really did not miss my favourite NY Cheesecake; the best I have ever eaten. And I've eaten a lot of tiramisu.

For me I will always remember that:

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away,

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

"Let Every Day Be Christmas"

-N.W. Brooks

LIKE ME ON Facebook: www.facebook.com/shivangireviews

FOLLOW ME ON Twitter: @shivangisinha

Food Reviews on:

Wix: http://jhenwick.wix.com/shivangireviews

Wordpress: http://shivangireviews.wordpress.com