The Vue Bar known mainly for its music and drinks has had a makeover. It is now the Harbour Vue cafe and lounge at Hotel Novotel. The spectacular sea view and the profusion of light besides a fusion of the classic and the contemporary, makes it the place to be.
Harbour Vue connects with the history of Visakhapatnam that finds expression on itswalls and décor. Architect Ameet Mirpuri acknowledges the local style of architecture which is often associated with the fishing community, the port, the remnants of Dutch history and the harbour.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh : 16/10/2019: Dishes from the specially crafted menu presented at the newly launched cafe cum lounge at Hotel Novotel in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019. Photo : K.R. Deepak / The Hindu
“The city and its elements were our inspiration for the design of this new café and lounge for the hotel. Every space is a result of a lot of research, ” explains Ameet.
At the entrance the symbolic fishing boats provide a pop of colour . Along the walls inside are black and white pictures of the city in the 1950s and 60s. The main pillars are reminiscent of the stone cladding ones from St. Alloysius School, one of the iconic buildings of Visakhapatnam. The blue of the ocean is everywhere – from the floor tiles to the tiles on the wall cladding. A sunshine yellow bar interrupts the blue. . Behind the counter is a big kinetic installation of a moving propeller. The seating arrangement here is a mix of high tables, couches and low tables. Evenings are lively with live barbecue counters on the outdoor deck, overlooking the swimming pool and live music.
- Hits: Arancini ala gongura, masala cola long island iced tea
- Misses: Prawn punugulu
- Price: ₹ 600 to 800 (per person)
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The menu is also an interesting fusion of global and local cuisine. “It was finalised after four to six months of trial and error to tweak some of the classic recipes with a local flavour,” says chef Krishna Kishore. So the risotto has a twist of gongura along with cheese and rice. The prawn punugulu is a sea food variation of the classic Andhra dish. But, this did not quite appeal as I felt the tender prawns were smothered with thick layer of the batter.
I try the arancini ala gongura. The traditional arancini is the rice ball stuffed with cheese and coated with bread crumbs before it is deep fried. The gongura variation of it offered in the Harbour Vue’s menu does not take away anything from the crunch and creamy texture of the original.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh : 16/10/2019: Paper straw and wooden stirrer in a mocktail and a cocktail at the specially crafted menu presented at the newly launched cafe cum lounge at Hotel Novotel in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019. Photo : K.R. Deepak / The Hindu
Try the masala cola long island iced tea, which has the kala khatta flavour with a tinge of chaat masala. Coriander leaves replace mint in the classic mojito, while lemon soda is replaced with cola. For those who do not like to experiment, some of the old classics remain.
