Though Mrs Mage is tucked away at the poolside at Hyatt Gachibowli, the teal and white furniture, draped fairy lights on the surrounding trees and a stylish blue neon sign state its presence. In line with the oceanic tones, the wide bar with flame-coloured backlighting adds some warmth, with some of the reflection shimmering in the water. The evening is cool with a slight overcast, but the weather does little to diminish the anticipation for the feast to come.
Mrs Mage is the Hyatt group’s own concept; it is based on the various delights a fictional character named Mrs Mage (created by the hotel group) has enjoyed in her years of travel around the world, be it tempting dumplings from South East Asia or fresh, handmade pasta from the Mediterranean. All of these come with a spectrum of cocktails and mocktails developed by the hotel group’s in-house mixologists to suit the mood of the diner and of the meal.
My first cocktail of the evening is a Whisky Sour followed by a refreshing gin-based Maze Sour. The pricing is quite reasonable, inviting you to try more as your meal progresses.
A feast for the senses
The first to come is the Tonjin Burnt Garlic Soup, deep brown and teeming with fresh vegetables for some crunch. The soup is not too spicy but the freshly-ground pepper offers a warming-from-within feeling, preparing us for what is to come. Unless you are big on soups, I would recommend splitting this with your co-diner. For those craving something with some more fire, try the Pound Chilli and Cilantro Chicken Broth.
The array of appetisers at Mrs Mage will pamper your taste buds. For those who, on instinct, love a plate of crispy corn, opt for the Rock Corn Tempura. The two are synonymous, but Mrs Mage’s take has an airiness to the coating that does not fill you up.
I am a big fan of bao so when our server brings out a steaming portion of the Chef’s Special Steam Chicken Bao, I am not disappointed. I have had my fair share of baos that are far too dense and often overwhelm the fillings. But here, the baos are like clouds. The hoisin chicken within is flavourful and tender, complementing the fresh and crisp lettuce against which it is nestled.
However, my favourites, to this day, are the Jack’s Crispy Chilli Chicken (named after the chef who formulated the recipe), the Five Spice Glazed Pork Ribs and the Mrs Mage Chilli Pork. Fried to a satisfying crisp with dry red chillies and peppers, I could not stop digging into these. If you love dumplings, do try the pot stickers and seafood lovers can enjoy the Prawn Har Gao.
Just when I thought I could not fill myself up more, the main course comes out; an impressive spread of steaming rice, noodles and more meat dishes. Thankfully, these portions are not too big, giving you space to enjoy as much as you want to, without worrying about carrying home too many doggie bags.
If you still have space in your tummy and have quite the sweet tooth, dig into Mrs Mage’s Bombe Alaska or the Lemon Meel-foy (a fun play on millefeuille ). These desserts are ideal for sharing and are totally photo-ready with their deconstructed look.
Do not miss an opportunity to have a safe and delicious meal at Mrs Mage; though the ambience is intimate, the experience feels very personal, complete with a refreshing al fresco setting after two monotonous years of rooftop dining spaces. And the best part? The hotel premesis is pet-friendly so feel free to bring your non-human bestie along!
Mrs Mage, Hyatt Gachibowli, is open for dinner from 7 pm onwards. The cost for two for a three-course meal is approximately ₹1,500, excuding cocktails. Call Hyatt Gachibowli at 040-4848 1234 for reservations.
