A 360° experience: Global fare with a side of storytelling

There's a charm in revisiting places that have left an imprint on your mind and heart. For me, the 360° at The Oberoi, New Delhi, tops that list. 

From relishing some of the finest international meals to long conversations over coffee—I’ve made a ton of memories here over the last decade. However, there has been a hiatus since my last visit in 2021. 

Recently when I visited 360°, at first glance, it seemed like nothing had changed. The restaurant—fashioned like a drawing room—was teeming with visitors, old and young. 

As I got myself seated, I was presented with the new menu that 360° recently launched. Initially, I was sure they’d mistakenly given me a coffee table book, but soon, I realised it was a part of the reimagined experience the restaurant had promised.

I flipped through the pages of the menu (that looked like a collector's edition) and was impressed with the variety of dishes on offer. From an extensive range of salads to sushi, Indian staples to pizzas, and chaats—there was much to choose from. 

But what was the highlight? The immaculate storytelling, ably supported with fine illustrations, kept me glued. 

“The revamp of the menu at 360° was inspired by travel magazines and coffee table books, aiming to create a playful culinary journey around Asia, India, Europe, and beyond,” says Executive Chef Manish Sharma at The Oberoi, New Delhi. 

A well-thought-out narrative 

The refreshed menu at 360°, Chef Sharma says, weaves the four pillars of international cuisine—Japanese, Indian, Western, and Thai-Indonesian—into the web of storytelling. The narrative aims to capture tales from the past and present, the lands travelled, meals shared, and cherished memories. 

“The variety in the menu caters to creative minds and healthy appetites, emphasising organic, sustainable sourcing, and healthy eating. The process involved extensive research and design efforts, resulting in an anthology of dishes that provide a grand world tour of authentic and Indian cuisines,” he adds. 

Each section has accompanying stories or legends in line with the dishes offered. For instance, the section on Indian appetisers titled ‘The Flavour Of Folklore’ paints a rustic image where different colours, textures, and elements take centre stage. Unsurprisingly, tikkas and kebabs feature in abundance. 

Meanwhile, the Japanese menu ‘Making Miso and Memories’ pays tribute to Japan's rich culinary traditions and meticulous approach to food preparation. The new menu includes sushi platters named after Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and traditional Kare Udon, making for an interesting addition. 

The soups section, aptly named ‘Taking Stock’, includes a vegetable stock recipe that's the secret to a hearty bowl. It has a cute story featuring the protagonist, Lulu, who digs out her favourite roots every winter to make a nutritious and delicious broth. 

Of course, there are many more stories, interspersed with quotes that make you spend more reading it. 

Representing international flavours 

After you've had your fill of stories, there's no way you wouldn't want to dig into the many dishes that occupy a pride of place on its menu. 

I am not a salad person, but the many options led me to give it a shot. The Yam Som O salad brought together the flavours of Thai pomelo, cashew nuts, lemongrass, and garlic, enhanced with a sweet-spicy bird's eye chilli dressing. 

The crunch from the cashew nuts, the aroma of lemongrass, and the zest of Pomelo stayed on my palate even after I’d finished it. Diners can also choose prawns as an add-on to this salad. 

Never settling for one, I ordered the Tricolore salad—a visual feast of several colours. It had my favourite burrata, lots of vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, basil, and Maldon salt that has a tactile texture and is less bitter than other salts. 

This one was a fail-safe salad, but what stood out was the quality of the ingredients. A salad is no good if it isn't fresh, and this one just hit it out of the park. 

You have to give a north Indian some kebabs and tikkas, and 360° ensures you are spoilt for choice. On the chef’s recommendation, I ordered the Silbatte ki Shammi—a kebab made with meat minced on a silbatta or a stone grinder to ensure delicate texture and flavour. 

It's rare to find restaurants or hotels using time-honoured techniques today, and their hard work paid off as the dish had the perfect amount of spices and melts in the mouth. 

Guests can also order the Tandoori Malai Broccoli, Bharwan Paneer Tikka, and Edamame Seekh, among other options. 

While I was bursting by now (no kidding!), I couldn't help but order their Japanese specialities. I went with a simple Charred Spicy Edamame that had the flavour of chilli garlic for a spicy kick. It's a healthy yet delicious snack, which I found myself finishing within a few minutes.

A little later, I tried the Seafood Ceviche that had everything in generous measure—salmon, tuna, scallop, and Hamachi, laced with yuzu aji amarillo dressing. 

If you aren't a fan of raw fish, this ceviche is a great option. It's got a spicy flavour, thanks to the Peruvian peppers aji and amarillo in the dressing. However, it was a tad zesty for me—dumbing it down would have helped.

Other options on the menu range from woodfired pizzas to Norwegian salmon and Australian lamb chops, fragrant curries, rice and noodles dishes to indulgent desserts—go and try whatever you like!

A sweet ending 

There's always room for dessert, and trust me, I wanted to try everything. But I zeroed in on the Baileys Pour Over, with rum-soaked Savoiardi, coffee mascarpone mousse, cocoa streusel, and Irish cream sauce. 

The bittersweet taste added a surprising twist to the classic tiramisu. Every bite had the taste of Irish Cream and coffee, which, let's be honest, transported me to an Italian getaway!

There's so much to try if you're up for it. From cheesecakes to Toffee Rasmalai to Parsi dairy kulfis in flavours like mango, custard apple, and malai—the choice is plenty. For those who prefer sugar-free treats, there's Chukandar aur Anjeer ka Halwa, Raspberry Caprese, and the Salted Espresso Gelato as popular options. 

All in all, 360°’s new menu hits all the right notes, with its food enriched with storytelling. Go with your friends and family as you’d want to have many dishes! If not, you can always return to try more!

Timings: 7 AM to 1 AM

Cost for two: Rs 6,000+ (without alcohol)