Trust our hotels to capitalise on every opportunity. For years now we have had Navratra thalis to coincide with the festival when the devout have food restrictions. Now, we have special Ramzan or Iftaar thalis too. For instance, Mosaic hotel in Noida is offering an Iftaar thali that aims to provide a complete meal to those who fast for around 17 hours a day. It offers a complete meal from starters to desserts, not to forget beverages. Keeping in mind the popular practice, the thalis offers dates to the faithful to break their fast. Then comes the feast with Awadhi lassi, mutton seekh kabab, boti lazeez, murgh malai tikka, murgh hariyali tikka, dum murh biryani, mix raita, dal nawaabi and baby naan, etc. It is all topped up with zaffrani seviyan as a dessert.
I started my Iftaar with Awadhi lassi topped with saffron and almonds. It offered myriad flavours and can be said to be perfect for somebody having his first sip of the liquid for the day. If only mutton seek kababs could be a little more tender and less oily, they could have shared the top space with Awadhi lassi. Malai tikkas were just fine and boti lazeez was spicy, the way it should be. Hariyali tikka had the right amount of spices and a hint of mint. The chicken was tender too.
In the main course dum murgh biryani, daal nawaabi — daal garnished with cream and butter – went well with baby naans which were not as small as they sound. The mixed raita made by tempering of spices and addition of chopped onions, tomato and cucumber was refreshing and provided good company to biryani garnished with ginger, fried onions and coriander.
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Zaffrani sewiyaan won hands down for the right amount of sweetness and consistency.
(Iftaar thali is priced at Rs.700.)