A Nouvelle Tribute to Awadh, 'Ummrao Saaj', Through the Eyes of Chef Gaurav Sircar

/ courtyard by marriott mumbai/

At Ummrao Saaj, the story begins not with a concept note, but with a feeling—one of reverence.

We caught up with Chef Gaurav Sircar, Executive Chef, to understand the thinking behind this modern expression of Awadhi cuisine.

Chef Gaurav Sircar

What’s the core inspiration behind the ‘nouvelle tribute to Awadh’?
Ummrao Saaj is shaped by reverence. Awadhi cuisine carries a quiet regality — poetic in spirit and precise in craft. The patience of dum, the gentle layering of spices, silken gravies, and warmth that unfolds with restraint reflect a cuisine rooted in finesse.
Our inspiration was to honour this elegance through the sensibility of today’s diner. Here, nouvelle speaks of reinterpretation with integrity — a thoughtful exploration of how Awadh might express itself in the present moment.
At its heart lies a simple intent: to preserve the soul of Awadh — its craftsmanship, its tehzeeb, its romance — while presenting it with a lightness and clarity that feels intimate to the contemporary palate.

Why blend modern plates with rooted stories?
Awadhi food has always been more than a meal. It unfolds like a courtly conversation — poetry in motion, layered with cultural memory and emotion. Every korma, every kebab, every pulao carries a sense of lineage.
Modern plating becomes a way to illuminate these stories with clarity. It sharpens flavours, brings precision to portioning, and sparks curiosity at the table. Most importantly, it opens the door for a new generation to connect with a cuisine that holds deep history.
The rooted stories keep us honest.
The modern expression keeps us relevant.

If someone visits once, what are the must-dos?
Begin with the Raag Table — a communal welcome where the experience gently unfolds. Set beside the Ummrao Saaj Bar, which showcases a splendid collection of Indian-born spirits, the Raag ritual interprets India’s seven swaras through flavour, aroma, and mood.
Guests play a note on the xylophone, and the swara that resonates becomes their cocktail — each sip a story in melody.
As the dining experience unfolds, the Palak Dudhiya Kebab offers a soft, silken bite of cottage cheese and pine nuts, lifted by a vibrant chlorophyll sauce. The Galouti Khaste, a delicate meat pâté khari with kasundi, brings warmth and depth, while the Raan Wellingdon — pulled lamb encased in puff pastry — arrives as a rich, theatrical centrepiece.
End with Shakr Amba, a sweet-tangy finale that lingers like the last refrain.

How do you balance Awadhi roots with modern, global appeal?
For us, balance begins with reverence.
The foundations of Awadhi cuisine — dum cooking, nuanced spicing, textural refinement, and tehzeeb in service — remain at the heart of everything we do. Gravies continue to be slow-cooked, kebabs handcrafted, and spice blends layered with patience.
Where we evolve is in interpretation. Textures feel lighter while retaining depth, plating gains refinement while holding warmth, and familiar global formats offer a new canvas where Awadhi flavours lead the narrative. Tradition gives us depth. Modernity gives us reach.

What’s next?

Right now, our focus remains on deepening the experience that guests are discovering today. Rather than rushing toward new additions, we see this phase as an opportunity to build familiarity — to invite guests to return, to notice new details each time, and to form a lasting connection with the space and its cuisine.
For now, the most exciting chapter is the one unfolding every evening in the dining room.


Abhishek Sachdev

Ummrao Saaj is a special moment for us as it marks Marriott International’s first Modern Indian restaurant in South Asia. The idea was to create a space that feels rooted yet relevant, built on restraint, elegance, and storytelling.

The cuisine, cocktails, and overall experience come together naturally to create moments that feel timeless and invite guests to not just dine, but truly connect.

What sets Ummrao Saaj apart is its belief in quiet sophistication. There is no performance, only purpose.

- Abhishek Sachdev, General Manager

About Ummrao Saaj

Located at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, Ummrao Saaj presents a contemporary celebration of Awadhi cuisine—where centuries-old culinary wisdom meets modern creativity.

Guided by its philosophy, “Modern Plates, Rooted Stories,” the restaurant balances heritage with evolution through three pillars:

  • Nava – thoughtful reinterpretation of tradition

  • Raag – cocktails inspired by Indian classical music

  • Sangam – shared, unhurried dining experiences

From slow-cooked dum preparations and delicately layered spices to multisensory cocktail rituals and storytelling-led service, Ummrao Saaj is designed as an immersive journey—one that honours the past while speaking to the present.

Details
Lunch: Saturday–Sunday, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Dinner: Daily, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost for two: INR 3,000++
Contact: +91 77188 94075
Address: Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri East, Mumbai – 400059