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NDTV
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
New In Lonavala: Enjoy Hillside Sundowners At Marquee, Radisson's Plush New Sky Bar
Mumbai folks, if you're tired of seaside sundowners, how about heading to the hills for a special one? Imagine watching the sunset over the lush Sahyadris as you sip on exquisite drinks and enjoy elevated comfort foods. Echoes of mist and rain enhance the landscape, making it all the more relaxing. Sounds enticing, doesn't it? Well, if you stay in Mumbai (or Pune, for that matter), you don't have to travel too far for this experience. You just have to go to Lonavala. A unique rooftop lounge called Marquee recently opened its doors at the Radisson Resort & Spa in Lonavala. This elegant establishment is Lonavala's first-ever sky bar, and it promises a sumptuous escape. Thanks to the resort's location away from the main town centre, guests can truly enjoy a sense of seclusion not commonly found in this popular hill station. The lounge has a variety of aesthetic seating options. The striking 25-foot-long rock-carved bar complements the semi-celestial theme also reflected in the cocktail menu. There are two adjoining al-fresco areas on either side, offering views of the hills all around. The glass roof is bound to offer stargazing opportunities after the monsoon. At the far end, guests can peek into the proceedings in the live kitchen and enjoy glimpses of various treats being prepared. From the theatrics of mixologists at the bar to the culinary creations on the other side, the space feels animated and energetic. When we visited, there was a charming live music performance that enhanced the mood further. Inspired by the ever-changing hues of the sky, the ambience shifts fluidly from golden hour to a starlit soiree. Hyeon Park is the mixologist in charge of the bar programme and curation of the cocktail menu at Marquee. The signature drinks have been named "Liquid Constellations" - a nod to the overall theme of the bar, meant to evoke twilight skies and lunar landscapes. Highlights include: the Spirit & Stone, which offers a warm, earthy blend of cognac, chocolate liqueur, and sweet vermouth, rimmed with salted caramel and cacao nibs. If you want a lighter start to the evening, embrace Lady of Fortune, made with vodka and sparkling sake with notes of peach and rose. For nostalgia with a twist, opt for Chai on the Moon - featuring Bourbon, a unique puree of masala chai and cashews, lemon juice and bitters. For shared experiences, drinks like the Lover's Eclipse and The Marquee Soiree are served in teapots or punch bowls. There's no separate curation of zero-proof drinks. Rather, non-alcoholic versions of each cocktail on the menu (except for one) are available. Complementing these whimsical signatures is a good selection of classic spirits, wines, freshly brewed coffees and other liquid refreshments. Marquee's food menu, curated by Chef Shyam Gupta, spans refined small plates, globally inspired comfort food and bar bites that are stylish and satisfying. Expect mostly Pan-Asian, Italian and Mediterranean flavours with a few familiar desi mentions. We enjoyed some classics as well as some experimental takes, including delicacies like the Truffle Mushroom Cappuccino, California Roll, Salmon Nigiri, Thai green curry, etc. We sampled numerous dim sums throughout our evening, and they did not disappoint. There is also a lot to explore beyond sushi and dim sum, as the menu spotlights elevated street eats alongside many stir-fried dishes. If you want to skip Asian fare, opt for pasta or a wood-fired pizza with multiple topping options. After all, there's something undeniably comforting about indulging in a cheesy delight at a hill station! End your meal with decadent desserts, including signature takes on tiramisu, tarts, souffles and the like. That's not all. If you're only dropping by for a quick bite and drink, there are also burgers, salads, tapas and mezze options you can consider. The food offerings are indeed extensive here. Whether you're connecting over cocktails, savouring a globally inspired meal, or simply soaking in the mountain breeze, Marquee delivers a memorable experience.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- The Hindu
Sky high in Lonavala: Marquee blends craft cocktails with Sahyadri views
It was one of those wet, low-lit Mondays where everything feels like it is wrapped in grey. Driving into Lonavala, the Sahyadris played peekaboo behind a soft curtain of rain. But upstairs at Marquee, the newly opened rooftop bar at Radisson Resort & Spa, the mood lifted like the clouds themselves. Marquee is touted as Lonavala's first sky bar, and for once, the claim holds. It is not flashy, but it knows how to hold a vibe. Think open-air, lots of stone and wood, and panoramic views that change hour by hour — from brooding midday mist to golden-hour drama. The space is split across three zones: a stone-clad Rock Bar, a chilled-out dining area, and a Sunset Garden with front-row seats to the horizon. But it is the drinks that do the talking. I tried three of their signature cocktails and came away pretty impressed. The cocktails Spirit & Stone is a cocktail with weight. Cognac forms the base, tempered by a soft hit of chocolate liqueur and the roundness of sweet vermouth. This one leans dark and velvety, slightly bitter but comforting. It is a solid match for anything umami-rich: the soy-slicked shiitake dumplings on the small plates menu, or a plate of charred lamb skewers. Skip the sweetness here. Twilight is the wildcard. Gin, orange liqueur, lychee and apple juice, brightened with lemon and finished with butterfly pea flower and lavender syrup. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but somehow it works. The flavours unfold in layers: citrus first, then fruit, then the soft floral fade. It is best paired with light, zesty dishes — go for seafood, ideally with chilli oil as an accompaniment, or anything with yuzu or lemongrass. Lady of Fortune is the crowd-pleaser. Vodka, peach schnapps, white peach purée, rose syrup, lemon, and sparkling sake — it is pretty, slightly fizzy, and easy to drink. On a rainy evening, it lands like a tonic: soft, floral, and clean. This one plays well with creamy cheeses, or even burrata. It also holds up surprisingly well next to a thin-crust mushroom pizza. Each drink has a zero-proof twin with the flavours adjusted, not dumbed down. By day, Marquee is all misty introspection; by night, it gets a quiet glow. No big switch-flip energy, just a gradual shift in tempo. You come here not for a scene, but for a slow burn: a good drink, a thoughtful plate, and the rain as your background track. A meal for two is ₹2,500 plus taxes. Address: Plot Nos. 19-21 & 27-29, Gold Valley, Sector-D, Tungarli, Lonavala, 410401
