Dehlavi Food Festival at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

It was a walk down the narrow lanes in Chandni Chowk, enjoying the aromas wafting from the various food stalls and spice bundles in the stores nearby. There was Chaat, kebabs cooked in Ghee, thick mango lassi, delightfully flavoured veg/non-veg biryani and just about everything else you could dream up. And all this was served up in fancy crockery in the lovely setting of Madras Pavilion at ITC Grand Chola. They were celebrating it under the title of "Dehlavi cuisine". that had been put together by Chef Mohammed Mofid from Sheraton new Delhi and Chefs at Madras Pavilion.. It was truly an evening that took us back to Delhi... the old Delhi to be precise.  

Delhi as most of us know is a blend of cultures, and each of them brought in their influences with respect to clothes, food and art as well. And today Delhi continues to enthral us with the blend of  Mughal, Punjab, the Vaishyas, the Kayasthas and the Marwaris. It can be quite an assault on the senses for the uninitiated, but if you ever do a trip to Delhi do set aside few hours everyday to explore the local food , you will be in some kind of heaven.. [not an exaggeration]

Let me take you on a journey through the dishes we were served as part of the Dehlavi Food Festival...

Nadru ki Shammi [Yam kebab]... it was soft, melt in your mouth and rich with Ghee flavours.

BADAM KI GALOUTI- it had Badam slivers, badam paste and bit of channa mashed up and slow cooked. Was again a melt in your mouth dish...

From the Chaat section- Pani puri, Aloo chat and Dahi Bonda 

 The three veg side dishes [served alongside lachhca paratha, roti and naan]- 

MATAR PANEER NEZE

Green peas and cottage cheese cooked together in curd based gravy with a generous sprinkle of pine nuts that added to the richness of the dish...

Dahi Bartha 

A gravy made with yoghurt and brinjal cooked down with mild spices..

Hing wale Aloo

Baby potatoes boiled and cooked with simple flavours

Veg biryani.. we also had Mirchi ka biryani [NIMONA PULAO

Basmati rice cooked with green chillies stuffed with green pea mash]

The trio of Desserts-JHINGORA PHIRNEE in the cup,  Ladoo on a rose petal and Kulfi served with some falooda.. I skipped the lad but the other two were quite nice, not over the top sweet or rich..

Stop drooling and book yourself an evening of indulgence. Remember this festival is on only till the 13th Sep. 

Venue: Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola

Date: Till the 13th September, 2016

Time: 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Dinner Only)

Price: INR 2200 plus taxes (per person)

Address: No., 63, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032

Phone:044 2220 0000

Website : http://www.itchotels.in/hotels/itcgrandchola.aspx

Disclaimer: The reviews posted on this blog are based on my personal experience. Also remember these were just my views!! Remember, no two palates are the same. Bon Appétit :-)