WFM - Working From Merak

Being a part of the IT Industry, a lot of us have the flexibility of working remotely, and I recently worked from Merak, JW Marriott's co-working space, and it is hands down, the coolest place I have worked from yet. And how often have we complained about bland and unappetizing cafeteria food? None of that here with bespoke cocktails and excellent food! 

The Best Part: Pay only for food and drinks that you order; the space and wi-fi is complimentary! Here is a review of the food and cocktails at Merak:

Food:

'Not the Usual Bhel' – A unique twist to the bhel puri, this has Thai herbs and a sweet-chili dressing added to the bhel. It is topped with crispy chicken bits. Honestly, anything is good with fried chicken!

Pork Char Siu -  A Cantonese favorite, these are sticky Chinese barbecued pork belly pieces served with braised pok-choy leaves and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for a bit of crunch.. If you like pork, you will love this dish.

Cantonese-Style Lobster - Striking presentation aside, this was batter-fried lobster pieces with scallions, soy, ginger and celery. Extremely delicious, though I would have preferred something that brings out the delicate flavor of the lobster.

Zaffran Crème Brûlée and Almond Biscotti – An unusual variation to a regular Crème Brûlée, this creamy dessert had saffron infused into the custard instead of vanilla. The end-result was a richer, fragrant and much more satisfying Crème Brûlée.

Cocktails:

Merak has some of the snazziest glassware I have ever seen, and they complement the excellent cocktails that they have here.

Merak Garden - Hendrick's gin infused with Hibiscus Tea, Rose Water, Cucumber and spices on a bed of preserved moss. This is one unforgettable cocktail and one that I would order every single time at Merak. Beautiful herbal notes as you take your initial sips that transforms into something far more complex, with the floral hibiscus and rose notes dominating the body of this cocktail. 

Martini Gazer - Blue Pea flower decoction, Cointreau, Martini Bianco, Beefeater Gin and a dash of Ginger Ale. This one had lovely herbal notes from the gin complemented by the earthiness of blue-pea flower and sourness from the lemon. 

Co-Working Space:

While the food and beverage aspect is well taken care of, the work aspect is also well-thought through. Lots of seating options, like chairs and sofas for personal space, longer tables for community meetings and several cabanas setup well-spaced apart for a private conversation/meeting. Add to that a gorgeous view of the pool and I can easily say that my work-space at Merak is better than yours.

Verdict: Unobtrusive yet efficient service from JW Marriott, superb food and beverage options and a lovely pool-side view, hard to dislike a space like this! Highly recommended!