If you happen to be the street food type but want to avoid the traffic and the jostling in the city’s congested byways, here is a chance to enjoy the same savouries in the well-manicured lawns of a star hotel. It not only guarantees you hygiene but also the comfort of being served on perfectly laid table.
Take a street-food walk first in the attractive décor complete with old film posters stuck on tree trunks and olden-day lanterns lighting up the area — the sale of plastic toys and dolls, bangles, colourful ribbons and pottery items lending the look of a village fair. Once you get the roadside feel, it’s time to pamper your palate.
The best way to begin is with a plateful of ‘Dilli panipuris’ or ‘Bengal phuchkas’. With the tangy imli ka pani tickling your tastebuds, drool and dig into the paapri or sevaiyan chat or simply tear into the succulent kebabs. Next, watch the man beat a soft paratha on a sizzling tawa, flinging the broken pieces in all directions in a rhythmic motion and in between mixing chopped onions and tomatoes. Soon your plate of “Koothu parotta” garnished with chopped coriander is ready.
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The ‘aloo chaat of Delhi; ‘jhaal muri’ (puffed rice mixed with oil, chopped onions, chillies, coriander leaves and spices) and kaathi rolls of Kolkata and vada paos or pav-bhajis of Mumbai and dabelis from Gujarat are giving a challenge to the South India idlis and quick fire dosas with their multi-coloured chutneys on its home turf. Other street foods whipped up for you at the festival include the omelettes, variety of spicy fried items and masala chai besides a host of murukkus and mixtures, ice-golas, jalebis and jhangris and the local jigarthanda, of course.
It is the riot of flavours and tastes assembled under one roof from four corners of the country that makes the experience different. The fun of seeing hot and fresh food cooked right in front of your eyes and you getting a step closer to the distinct and vibrant cultures of our country through food is what such festivals aim at. There is little doubt that street food is becoming posh and a fad too.
“Light, hot and fresh, we are preparing street food hygienically, while retaining the flavour and style as it is served elsewhere in the nukkads (street pockets) where they are eaten with much relish," says Executive Chef Balasubramaniam, who toured the country before setting up this week-long festival.
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“Street food is the very soul of the culture of any city. Besides bringing alive the delights of age old shops, it is a safe bet. It fills you up comfortably, adds F& B Manager Dhanesh.
The day I dropped in, the place was overflowing with tourists, mostly foreigners. It turned out to be a pleasant evening with lot of new converts to eating streets. As for many domestic tourists, it was like paying a tribute to their childhood fantasy or reconnecting to the small gullis of their towns and cities.
If you want a change in taste and are willing to snack on during dinner time, try and mob the place. Being brought up on Delhi’s chaat culture, I felt the roadside repertoire for the festival could have been bit more elaborate. Taste-wise of course, no complaints. It simply rekindled memories.
The festival is on till February 5 at the lawns of Orchid restaurant. The spread of street flavours is part of the regular dinner buffet through the week and also for weekend lunch.
The platter costs Rs. 600 plus tax for adults and Rs. 350 plus tax for child. For reservations call 8220136666 or 9791410101.