A Taste of Mediterranean Bliss: Unraveling the Charms of The ILISH

A Taste of Mediterranean Bliss: Unraveling the Charms of The ILISH

Holiday Inn, one of the most renowned global hotel chains, has been providing patrons and clients with services and amenities of all kinds in the essential hospitality industry and in Dhaka they are providing premium services. The name has been established as popular and trustworthy among guests at 1233 locations all over the world. They pride themselves for their great value services, family friendly establishments, genuine hospitality, personal level services, fresh food and beverages.
Speaking of fresh food and beverages, they have exciting news for Dhaka dwellers with a knack for fine dining. Especially for those who look for authentic foreign cuisine. This 18th May, they held the grand launch of The Ilish, a fine dining restaurant that caters authentic and premium Mediterranean cuisine at a reasonable price range. The restaurant started taking reservations from the 19th of May. The restaurant brings an assortment of new and familiar dishes from different countries in the Mediterranean that will make the patrons taste the region and feel the flavors that could take them on a culinary trip.
Why Mediterranean
Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre opted for a Mediterranean menu after thorough research on the palate and preferences of the consumer market in Bangladesh. The restaurant aims to explore the common roots between Bengali and Mediterranean culinary culture. The Mediterranean diet being hailed as the healthiest diet, has fish as one of the primary food sources, which is the same for the Bengali diet. This common trait in food habits is one of the primary reasons behind bringing in a Mediterranean menu. On top of the fish, meat is also an important ingredient in any Mediterranean pot, especially when grilled. Furthermore, most Mediterranean dishes are prepared with a wide range of fresh and exotic vegetables, herbs and spices; another similarity with the Bengali appetite. Therefore, at The Ilish, consumers and patrons can get a new twist on a familiar feel. With that plan in mind, the executive chef Banefus Gomes has designed the menu.
Chef Background
Chef Banefus brings in an impressive and remarkable expertise, gathered in over 20 years of professional experience. He started his career in 1996 in India, then he shifted to Lebanon a year later, which is where his hands-on knowledge on Mediterranean meals began. He worked in Lebanon for five years focusing on Lebanese and general Mediterranean dishes and gathered the bulk of his knowledge on the area there. Afterwards, in 2002, he moved to Dubai and worked there till 2009 in the courtyard and Hotel Rotana where he mostly dealt with international palates. Next on, he took his skills to the Ramada hotel in Doha, Qatar. He joined there right when it started and was closely involved with the operations there and even opened a restaurant with a versatile menu. Then finally, in 2014 he returned to Bangladesh and joined forces with The Long Beach, Dhaka. Then 4 years in 4 points by Sheraton. Next, he joined Intercontinental Dhaka where he was a part of the pre-opening team. This was followed by Dhaka Regency, where he was the executive chef. “Dhaka Regency had a grand operation so it was a fun challenge for me”, says Chef Gomes. Next, he joined Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre about 3 months ago and was directly involved with the idea and launch of The Ilish. He used the best of all his knowledge gathered throughout his entire career and not just his time in Lebanon to design the menu personally.
Behind the Name
Chef Banefus also had an input in naming the restaurant. He says that there was a lot of thought given behind naming a Mediterranean restaurant Ilish. Since Hilsa is a sea fish that is caught in the estuaries, it represents the mingling of Mediterranean and Bangladeshi taste. 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. Moreover, what can be a better mascot for a menu which is primarily seafood based. The Operations Director of Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre, Shahidus Sadeque shares the sentiments behind naming the restaurant as such. The chef utilized his expertise and focused on dishes from four Mediterranean countries, namely Italian, Turkish, Moroccan and Lebanese. Another focus of forming a Mediterranean menu is to cater to the increasing number of tourists from the Mediterranean. There are plenty of people visiting Dhaka from Turkey, Morocco and Lebanon. They could feel more at home in Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre if they dine at The Ilish.
Affordable
It is to be added that the pricing of the items has been devised keeping in mind that people can get the authentic Mediterranean, fine dining experience and enjoy the taste of the region at an affordable cost. On the thought of how patrons might enjoy the Mediterranean cuisines, Chef Banefus comments, “Our people developed a far wider taste for food and always look for something new to try. I have been working in the country since 2014 and I have seen a huge increase in returning local patrons in fine dining restaurants. Among most of them the demand for international cuisines is much bigger than local cuisines, so there is a consistent demand for new things to try. Which is why we believe a wide range of Mediterranean dishes will be welcomed among the local crowd. Though Turkish and Italian food is quite popular in the country already, other regions like Lebanese are yet to be introduced." The chef has included his own fusion twist that includes flavors from all around the Mediterranean, he believes it will cater to all the patrons taste. So amazing dishes like the Beef Filet Medallions, an Italian delicacy prepared with local tenderloins; Beef Koobideh & Adana, a combination of the two most famous Mediterranean kebabs; or the classic Lobster can be enjoyed with mouthwatering desserts such as the Apple Creme Brulee, the Turkish Qatayef or a comforting Tiramisu.
Interior
The restaurant space has a breathable 2700 square feet area that can seat up to 60 people at a time. The interior has a soothing ambience that goes along with the Mediterranean menu. There are tranquil color combinations of beige and turquoise that remind anyone of the Mediterranean. Beautiful lanterns hang from a shiny reflective ceiling and an intricate carpet covers the floor. If you want a quiet time away from the rest of the crowd, there are also private rooms at one section of the restaurant. This ambience is what makes your time in The Ilish an authentic Mediterranean experience rather than just a Mediterranean dinner. Guests will be greeted with complimentary refreshments and amuse bouche to settle in with the warm welcoming environment of the Ilish and get a teaser of what they may experience when they order from the dedicated menu. Finally, after desserts, they can sit down and enjoy the stunning, wide open view of the city from the 16th floor with a cup of tea.
The Ilish has been taking reservations starting from the 19th of May, it is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30pm to 10:30pm. Patrons can call the number, +8801324717025 - 26 to make reservations.