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The Secret Ingredient Behind Le Belvedere’s Transformation into XO & Mi at Le Meridien New Delhi

New Delhi, 31 January 2025: XO & Mi @Le Belvedere, the highly anticipated restaurant at Le Meridien New Delhi, is all set to redefine the dining experience, with the creative solutions of Secret Ingredient, India’s leading food and hospitality consultancy. XO & Mi @Le Belvedere is a modern take on the former Le Belvedere restaurant, which was known for its Szechuan Chinese cuisine. It reimagines the legendary restaurant, blending its rich legacy with a bold, modern vision that promises to captivate culinary enthusiasts.

Secret Ingredient has played an instrumental role in bringing XO & Mi @Le Belvedere to life through a comprehensive approach encompassing research, concept development, design collaboration, and operational planning. Starting with extensive internal research and a feasibility study, Secret Ingredient conducted a deep dive into the target audience, local demographics and market trends. This strategic analysis ensured a distinctive positioning for the restaurant, crafting a dining experience that embodies the dynamic essence of Asia’s street food culture- elevated with a modern and sophisticated touch.

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The creative direction of XO & Mi @Le Belvedere was carefully crafted with a compelling brand narrative, positioning and a distinctive food and bar identity. Secret Ingredient assisted in vendor partnerships, training staff and conducted food and beverage trials to ensure quality and consistency. Inspired by the lively food markets of South East Asia, the restaurant’s menu seamlessly fuses authentic flavours with innovation to offer a sensory adventure that transforms dining into a memorable experience. The menu is carefully curated into distinctive sections, each offering a unique culinary experience. The Izakaya Style selection presents an array of playful small plates—both hot and cold—perfectly suited for cocktail pairings. The Curry House and Noodle Cart bring comforting, authentic flavours to the table, while the Tempura & Katsu Shop showcases Japan’s mastery of delicate deep-frying, delivering crispy, golden perfection.

The addition of unique features like the Saké Bar—a curated centrepiece offering interactive customization of glassware and serving temperatures—further elevates the journey, while The Permit Room speakeasy invites guests to enjoy colonial-inspired charm paired into two innovative cocktail categories – Legends of the Orient celebrating Southeast Asian mythology with bold, imaginative drinks like the “Wukong,” and the other being – Take a Bite! which pairs cocktails with nibbles crafted from their key ingredients, such as the Fortune Cookie—a Japanese whiskey and miso caramel concoction served with an actual fortune cookie. Together, these elements position XO & Mi @ Le Belvedere as a premium destination where tradition inspires innovation and culture meets creativity.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of the XO & Mi @Le Belvedere journey, a concept that masterfully blends innovation with authenticity,” said Sid Mathur, Founder of Secret Ingredient. “Perched atop one of Delhi’s most iconic rooftop locations, XO & Mi offers a breath-taking setting that enhances the dining experience. It was a pleasure collaborating with the incredible team at Le Meridien to bring this vision to life. At Secret Ingredient, our mission is to help brands share their unique stories through exceptional dining experiences, and XO & Mi embodies that vision. From concept to execution, every detail has been carefully crafted to deliver guests an unforgettable culinary adventure. From interior mood boards to the development of the brand touchpoints, every element was meticulously curated to create an unforgettable experience. Secret Ingredient worked closely with designers to conceptualize and bring to life this vision, ensuring every detail contributes to the immersive experience.”

Secret Ingredient also played a pivotal role in optimizing operational efficiency, refining kitchen layouts, and selecting high-performance equipment to meet regulatory standards. Additionally, they also contributed to the core structure and hiring process, defining the ideal team requirements and aiding in the recruitment of top-tier culinary talent, including sous chefs, CDPs, and mixologists.

 With the aim of bringing creative and impactful solutions, Secret Ingredient provided XO & Mi @Le Belvedere with a strategic roadmap from concept to execution. Their comprehensive approach, industry expertise, and attention to detail have been instrumental in crafting a standout dining destination within Le Meridien New Delhi.

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