PAN-ASIAN PLATES WITH A PRESIDENTIAL VIEW

Reimagined to match modern tastes and capitalise on its unparalleled location, XO & Mì at Le Meridien is a case study of how thoughtful design, market-driven menus, and storytelling through space can reposition a legacy restaurant for contemporary relevance and standout appeal in a crowded market.

- SUMAN TARAFDAR

Which restaurant offers an unparalleled view of Lutyens' Delhi? One that stretches from India Gate to the old and new Parliament buildings, the National Museum, National Archives, and iconic institutions that shaped modern India-Krishi Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, Vayu Sena Bhavanand, of course, the North and South Blocks, flanking the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan, often rising through a veil of mist or, well, the city's now charateristic smog that only enhances its ethereal presence.

Turn another way and the distinctive skyline of the city's CBD towers comes into view. Shift your gaze again, and the outlines of old Delhi's historic monuments appear in the distance. Beyond India Gate, you might spot the National Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Humayun's Tomb, and the landmark high-rises of south-central Delhi. Remarkably, all of this seems to emerge from a planned 'forest'-a green cover envisioned nearly a century ago, now offering a sweeping, leafy canvas.

Think vast tree canopies interspersed with structures that embody the historical, administrative, and cultural heart of contemporary India.

XO & Mì @ Le Belvédère at Delhi's Le Meridien undoubtedly offers excellent dining, but the views are in themselves just as big an attraction. While Le Belvédère has been a longstanding much-favoured culinary destination, it has just been renovated. In its new avatar, the restaurant embodies a far more casual vibe, embracing a look where minimalism meets richness, soothing pastel tones complimenting the spectacular views.