Holiday Inn gained popularity in Bangladesh

Holiday Inn gained popularity in Bangladesh

Holiday Inn, a distinguished international hotel chain, has been catering to guests and clients with a wide range of services and amenities in the hospitality sector. In Dhaka, they offer top-notch premium services. With a presence in 1233 locations worldwide, the name has gained popularity and trust among patrons. They take pride in their exceptional value services, family-oriented accommodations, authentic hospitality, personalized attention to guests, and a delightful selection of fresh food and beverages.
Recently Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre extended the reach of their premium services further with a new authentic Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, The Ilish. Taking reservations from May 19th, 2023, The Ilish presents an array of both novel and familiar delicacies from various Mediterranean countries, allowing diners to embark on a culinary voyage and savor the genuine flavors that encapsulate the essence of the region.
We reached out to one of the minds behind The Ilish, Chef Banefus Gomes to know about his exciting journey and the wonders that await the patrons at The Ilish.
Chef Banefus began his career in India during 1996 and later moved to Lebanon in 1997, where he worked for 5 years, gaining expertise in local dishes and Mediterranean cuisine. In 2002, he relocated to Dubai, working in hotels with an international selection. Afterwards, he moved to Doha, Qatar, where he played a significant role in opening a fine dining restaurant with a diverse menu. In 2014, Chef Banefus returned to Bangladesh, working at various hotels, including Hotel Intercontinental and Dhaka Regency. Currently, he is the executive chef at Holiday Inn Dhaka City Center, where he actively manages The Ilish, a Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, applying all his knowledge and experience in Mediterranean cuisine.
According to chef Banefus, a lot of thought went into the name The Ilish. Aside from the emphasis on it being our national fish, Hilsa is a sea fish that is caught in the estuaries so it represents the mingling of Mediterranean and Bangladeshi tastes. Moreover, Bangladesh gets a lot of tourists and our national fish and the king of fishes, Ilish is a good way to introduce the world to the Bangladeshi culinary world, that is the same reason why the 20th Century of Smoked Ilish on Toast is the first item on the menu. plus, what can be a better mascot for a menu which is primarily seafood based. That is why he believes that The Ilish is the perfect representation of a Mediterranean restaurant in the Bangladeshi culinary world.
The Ilish offers an authentic Mediterranean dining experience by incorporating dishes from four countries: Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, and Morocco. The chef thoughtfully designed the menu to cater to local preferences while staying true to the essence of the Mediterranean diet. “With common roots between Bengali and Mediterranean culinary culture, our diverse selection of fish and grilled meat dishes resonates well with the local palate. The use of fresh vegetables, herbs, and exotic spices further enhances the dining experience. Additionally, our focus on catering to the increasing number of Moroccan tourists visiting Bangladesh allows us to provide a sense of familiarity and comfort to our international guests at Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre.”, He says. At The Ilish, patrons can savor a new twist on familiar flavors, embracing the healthiest food habits the Mediterranean region has to offer.
As a trained professional in the local culinary world chef Banefus has been observing the patrons preferences for a long time. He believes that now people are much more aware of food and their choices keep broadening every day. They are always in search of new tastes and new culinary experiences. Therefore, a Mediterranean themed fine dining experience will be well received among culinary connoisseurs.
Chef Banefus addresses concerns among local patrons regarding prices and affordability. Especially since the term Fine Dining always makes us think of ultra-expensive restaurants. He took that into consideration and laid out the prices to be reasonable and economic for everyone to enjoy.
When asked about his feelings on the idea of launchig a Mediterranean restaurant, he expressed his excitement saying that It felt like he found his calling. Since a lot of his experience hails from his time in Lebanon and the work he did with Mediterranean cuisine, he has a deep appreciation for the diet and always desired to present his expertise in Bangladesh. With Ilish he finally has that opportunity and hopes he can do right by the patrons. The Ilish aspires to cater to every little detail and see to the patrons every need and Chef Banefus aims to reach new heights in Bangladesh culinary world.
Chef Banefus invites the guests to indulge themselves in the peaceful aesthetic and beautiful décor of the restaurant, where they will be greeted with complimentary refreshments and unique amuse-bouche upon entry. Afterwards they can enjoy any selection of delectable dishes and mouthwatering desserts. Turkish and Italian dishes are already quite popular around here. So the Beef Koobideh & Adana or the Linguine can become a fan favorite. Moreover, the chef states that Lebanese food is quite healthy. Olive is a prime ingredient in their recipes. Most of the dishes are cooked with olive oil and there is a tradition of finishing every meal with a single olive because it helps with digestion. So, he believes Moroccan dishes can be a unique experience too. Which means the patrons can have a wonderful time here with new flavors and old. Top that off with a gorgeous view of the city and chef Banefus guarantees, the guests can have a memorable time.