The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
February 6 - The Nachana Neighborhood
Back at Nachana Haveli, we spent a little time with Prince Vikram, one of two brothers and a sister who comprise the next generation in the Maharajah's lineage. He comes across a bit like an international mover and shaker but has some ambitious plans for the property. Eventually he wants to restore what was intended as the original facade of the complex and really complete the plans for making the structure into a three-story building. Due to the untimely demise of a few key players over the centuries, the original structure was never completed. All they built was the ground floor and a couple of rooms on the second level.
Vikram has already done some work on a pool and wants to turn a former underground stable (also with 20-foot ceilings) into a night club as soon as the economy improves. Eventually the family will move up to the new spaces when they are built and their current living quarters will become a lounge for the guests.
I also want to acknowledge a great job by Dharmendra Goswami, the hotels GM. We joked around a lot but he was always there with a smile, ready to help. Whether the project was to help me get online, arrange a camel safari or just answer our dumb questions, he made us feel welcome and well-cared for. The hospitality industry needs more people like him.
Right next door is the Mandir Palace. We never did find out what it was originally. We thought it was the Maharajah's palace but it turns out that the big guy lived where we are. In any event, it is now a hotel ... and a great example of carved sandstone craftsmanship.
A hollowed-out tomato, a hollowed-out green pepper, a couple of tea candles ... and voila! It's a WOW!
© 2009 Restaurant Doctor
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