Golden Dragon breathes fire once again

Furnishings, crockery, waiters' uniforms changed to erase memories of 26/11 attack

Furnishings, crockery, waiters' uniforms changed to erase memories of 26/11 attack

While Leopold cafe chose to retain bullet marks from the night of the November 26 terror attacks, the Golden Dragon, which is India's first eatery to serve Schezwan Chinese food, at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, has changed everything from the interiors to the uniforms, crockery and furnishings.

The 36-year-old Golden Dragon restaurant, with its iconic dragon placed in water, re-opened in its refurbished avatar on Wednesday evening to a special invitees-only guest list.

Golden Dragon and Wasabi, which is scheduled to reopen on December 1, were ruined in the 26/11 attacks last year.

Changing colours

"The crockery, furniture and furnishings at the Golden Dragon have been changed, so guests are not reminded of the horrifying night.

Days Gone By: The Golden Dragon before terror struck

Fifty new dishes have been added to the menu," said a Taj source.

While Kuala Lumpur firm LTW Design Works did the interiors of the Golden Dragon, Madrid-based company Rockwell Group is recreating the grandeur of Wasabi and the 76-year-old Harbour Bar.

Unhappy memories

Businessman Gautam Narang, whose cousin Jharna Narang (33) lost her family at the Golden Dragon last year, said, she was unlikely to return to the restaurant anytime soon.

"She's is unable to walk without support," added Gautam.
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Jharna had been at the Golden Dragon on the night of the attacks to celebrate her brother Gunjan's 30th birthday.

Do you know?
The Taj opened in 1903. The Gateway of India was completed only in 1928
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565
Number of rooms in the Taj

46
Number of suites in the Taj

11
Number of restaurants in the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel

36
Number of years since Golden Dragon opened at the Taj

76
Number of years since the Harbour Bar opened
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What has changed forever at the Golden Dragon

Waiters now wear black with red embroidery in it and not red as they used to earlier
New patterned panels on the walls, rice paper and etched glasswork mark the new look Golden Dragon
The colour and design of tablecloth at the restaurant has been changed
New sets of ivory lacquer furniture has been ordered at the restaurant
Old yellow carpet has been replaced with a red one
Cushion chairs have replaced wooden one