The First Sky Bar In Lonavala – Marquee Blends Nature's Beauty With Culinary Precision

It all started with a rainy day cab ride to Lonavala on the weekend. The mountains, covered in a blanket of green, soon started prying my eyes away from the phone, a rare feat, I must say. It had been quite some time staring out from the cab's window, feeling like the main character of a coming-of-age film, when suddenly the greyish architecture of the Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala came into my view.

After a traditional Maharashtrian welcome, I was shown to my room, where I was to wait for a few hours to get to my dinner reservation at the property's newest addition. Touted to be the first sky bar in Lonavala, Marquee is a breath of fresh air in the mountains and here are all the reasons why I plan on going back soon.

First Impression - Ambience And Decor

As soon as I came out of the lift, I was welcomed by a coppery chrome decor and a striking 25-feet-long rock bar that sets the tone for the night. The crackling fire and a nonstop rainfall imitation added a certain elegance and fervour to the vibes. On nights when the sky is clear, the restaurant opens its retractable roof to give you a starry night experience right out of your dreams. With the Sahyadri hills as a picturesque backdrop, Marquee has been designed and divided into three immersive zones: The Rock Bar, Eclectic Dining, and a luxurious Sunset Garden. 

While you eat, you can watch your chefs doing their magic in the live kitchen counter, steam rising from the noodles, and busy hands prepping and plating the dishes. I knew that my early morning travel on a weekend was successful when I looked at the happy faces around me, people celebrating their loved ones' birthdays, families enjoying a meal together, and couples on a monsoon date. It was a groovy vibe made even better by the melodious live music that ranged across different genres. 

Dinner Under The Stars

While the decor comes in a close second, the food and drinks are the main stars of the place. Their Celestial menu has everything, from small bites like Sushi, Dim sum, and mezze platters to main course items like pasta, wood-fired pizzas, barbequed meats and veggies, Thai cuisine, to authentic Asian street-style food. 

For starters, I was craving a hot dim sum plate with spicy dips on the side. I ordered the crunchy iceberg and vegetable dim sum served with spicy black beans. The portion was quite good, to my surprise, and the flavours were intense yet not overbearing. You could feel the crunch of the iceberg on every bite, and when paired with the sauces, it made for a nice start to my meal. 

If you are in the mood for some seafood, then try out their selection of sushis, like shrimp tempura maki, salmon nigiri, maguro nigiri, which has tuna, wasabi, and shiragiku, and ambassador maki that has deep-fried maki, salmon, and unagi with sesame seeds. You can also try their mezze platter or the Lebanese roast chicken for a trip around the Middle East. 

I had one eye on the view outside the restaurant at all times, the shiny droplets on the windowpanes being a beautiful reminder of the weather outside. It made me crave something savoury and spicy at the same time. For the main course, I went with a Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and fresh chilli sauce that went well with my palate and complemented the vibe of the night. Asian food lovers will find themselves completely in awe of the menu, owing to the street-style food offerings like kung pao chicken, stir-fried wok pomphret, and Szechuan noodles with vegetables and chives. Guests can also try an assortment of Thai dishes, ranging from salads like Som tam salad to Thai green curry with Thai-style fried vegetables and Pad Thai noodles. 

Tiramisu And Drinks 

The best part of my night was watching a live plating of Tiramisu on my table. A comfy layer of mascarpone, two lady fingers doused with espresso and another layer of creamy mascarpone. It was light, indulgent, and not too sweet, just the way it should be. A heavenly finish to my dinner. If you are looking for something else, there are chocolate and hazelnut tarts, banana toffee, and a hot chocolate souffle that has molten chocolate cake with a vanilla bean gelato and seasonal berry compote to go with that nip in the air that comes with a rainy night. 

For drinks, I went with the Lady of Fortune, a sweet, peachy concoction that accompanied all my dishes. It had hints of rose and made my solo date even sweeter. The other mocktail options were Sundown Horizon, Twilight, Tiki Odyssey, and Lunar Orchard, all inspired by the night theme. The bar also boasts a stunning collection of wines and other alcoholic beverages that the guests can order from 5 pm to midnight. 

As the live music came to an end, I finished my meal and was filled with that warm, fuzzy feeling that often accompanies a happy, hearty dinner. This solo dining experience will surely become a night to remember. A weekend of rest and rejuvenation, with a hearty meal under the stars at the end of it, is how I would sum up my experience and if you are planning to travel to Lonavala this weekend, keep Marquee at the Radisson Resort & Spa bookmarked for a beautiful memory you will cherish.