The winter sun combined with the lush lawns of Nehru Park provided the perfect spot for a picnic. Every year, many Delhiites make it a point to pack a picnic basket, a few board games or a football, and head to the many gardens that dot Lutyens’ Delhi.
This weekend, however, food lovers in the city need not need to worry about packing a picnic basket as some of the best restaurants in the city have set up stalls at the three-day Palate Fest Food Festival, that began on Friday.
Day One of the festival was not very crowded, so the area was clean and visitors spent hours sipping Sangrias and relaxing.
Stalls selling food from countries like Turkey, Spain, Mexico, France, Italy, Japan, China and other parts of Asia have been set up along with stalls selling food from different parts of the country.
Some of the city’s luxury hotels have also set up stalls and will be showcasing award-winning chefs, who will cook in front of an audience. Tasting sessions will be conducted over the weekend.
A market selling organic produce where you can taste the product before buying it has also been set up.
The festival also boasts performances by some established and upcoming names to add to the gastronomic experience.Prakshi and her friends who work at an Embassy decided to walk to the festival during their lunch break but ended up spending three hours at the event.
Prakshi said: “It is not often that such a huge variety is on offer. Food courts may offer variety, but they do not provide such a nice ambience. We have had a sushi platter, tapas , Turkish rolls and tried some sinful desserts too. Wish we had space for more.”
Mumbai resident Kanish, who had come with his family, chose to sprawl out on the grass and eat while listening to an artiste playing the guitar instead of seating themselves on the tables provided around restaurants.
“It reminds me of my time as a student in Europe. We used to lounge in the park, open a bottle of wine, read a book and relax.”
If afternoon picnics are not your cup of tea, the festival is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. so one can spend a chilly winter evening feasting on food straight off the grill or steamed.
