Showing posts with label Rajasthan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rajasthan. Show all posts

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

खम्मा घणी Goldfinch: Reminiscing The Rajasthani Food Festival

Mastering regional cuisines is an art. Many F&B setups in the city try their hand at it occasionally and some even manage a decent job of it, but there are few that manage to leave a mark.

Case-in-point is Sanadige where I relished the choicest coastal preparations a couple of months back. For the uninitiated, Sanadige is the brainchild of Goldfinch Hotel, Bangalore.

I was recently invited to Goldfinch Faridabad's ten-day-long Rajasthani Food Festival to relish some authentic Marwari delicacies. And, having known Goldfinch, I couldn't refuse.



It was a good decision indeed as their rooftop had been decked up complete with canopies, ethnic umbrellas and puppets, not to forget ambient folk music in the backdrop amid open skies.

Have a glimpse for yourself...


Here's what all formed for a highlight at The Rajasthani Food Festival at Goldfinch Hotel, Faridabad.

Jaljeera was offered as Welcome Drink and is a staple beverage during the Summer months in Rajasthani households. It set the tone for the delectable meal to be served thereafter.



Appetizers were paired with an assortment of dips or चटनी



  • Mint (पुदीना) 
  • Garlic (लहसुन)
  • Cucumber (कचरी)
  • Tomato (टमाटर)
  • Tamarind (इमली) 

Mirchi Vada being a Jodhpuri specialty was prepared using Banana Peppers and had the apt tang. 



Rajasthani Murgh Tikka had been spiced up and went especially well with the tamarind dip. 


An assortment of fritters had also been presented. 



The quintessential Dal Bati Churma could as well be declared the State Snack for Rajasthan and Chef Karam Dogra had prepared the Ghee soaked balls stuffed with nuts for that impeccable flavor.  




The Main Course was laid out on a buffet and had a potpourri of some of the well-known delicacies of The Land Of Kings to offer. 

Soya Pulao had nicely cooked rice with soya chunks and peas for the added taste. 


It was conveniently paired with 'Boondo Raita'. 


Laal Maas is another specialty and the mutton had been cooked with a tinge of fennel that lent the dish a unique flavor. 



Banjara Murgh had succulent chicken chunks cooked bone-in with coarse spices. 



Mixed Vegetable Khichdi was a one-pot meal on its own, though it can be paired it with Matar Ki Sabzi which was one of the best curries in Mains. 


Rajasthani Kadhi and Gatte Ki Sabzi are the unsaid stars of any Rajasthani Thali and same was the case with this meal too. 


For Desserts, the Moong Dal and Gajar Ka Halwa garnished with nuts was at patrons' disposal, while Chashni Ke Chawal and Mawa Kachori would also culminate in deliciousness. 



On the whole, The Rajasthani Food Festival was quite popular for its duration of the second week of this month, and why shouldn't it have been, given that it had been priced reasonably at ₹1000++pp and had some delicious Rajasthani fare to offer too. :)

Monday, 19 December 2016

पधारो म्हारे देस At Rajasthali...

Rajasthali Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Rajasthali in Connaught Place provides a kaleidoscopic view of the culture of Rajasthan through the authentic spread it offers. Located quaintly in C Block, in a lane behind Odeon, it has the same concept as Rajdhani Thali Restaurant, which I had visited in the past too.



Having had a hawk's eye experience of both the establishments, I can surely vouch for Rajasthali having an upper hand. While the interiors are humble, the service is informed and quick. 

Thanks to the fact that Rajasthali aims to replicate the amicable hospitality of Rajasthan is reflected by the fact that a gentleman smilingly welcomes you to come and relish the delicacies of Rajasthan, presented in the form of a Thali.



There is also a change in Menu each day, so that patrons don't feel that it is a monotonous tryst with the state and its food. During weekdays, the Thali is priced at ₹299 per person all inclusive, while it is ₹375 for weekends.




The Welcome Drink here is Masala Chaach or Chaas and an antique vessel is offered for washing hands, before commencing the meal.




The Thali on offer presents the best of Gujrati and Rajasthani preparations and you're free to take multiple helpings of any of the items of your liking.



Their Gatte Ki Sabzi is the one to watch out for, as is their Paneer Methi. As has been Rajasthan's signature, Dal Baati Churma was quite a hot-selling item in the platter.

The first thing to be served was a portion of corn, cucumber, carrot salad along with accompanying chutneys, followed by a rotation of the curries, Khichdi, Rice, Breads etc.




Their desserts, namely Kheer and Halwa are light and flavorful on the palate. Special mention to the Malai (Rasgulla) Sandwich.



The place was quite choc-a-block on Sunday, and as I may have observed, Rajasthali is already wooing its patrons thanks to its authenticity. :)

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Acing The Flavors At Janpath Grill House...

Janpath Grill House Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Janpath is now the newest kid-on-the-block as far as restaurants are concerned. It was thus, a pleasant experience when I was invited for the new Menu tasting as a Blogger by the folks at 
Janpath Grill House




The visual USP of this place has to be Delhi painted on its walls, from Jantar Mantar to Rajpath, from street food to boho-chic, from a casual shopping spree at Janpath with a world of shopping  bags by your side to foreigners admiring Indianness in the capital city.


Janpath Grill House is all about Janpath and good food offered in two concepts - patrons can opt for either Ala Carte or Buffet. However, my visit came about as a consequence of their exclusive Menu panning five Indian States - Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi - under the colloquial tagline - 'Janpath Grill House - Handcrafted In-House Gourmet Specials'.



With live music going on, my time at Janpath Grill House was good enough for me to say I would love to visit a second time. The food was fantastic, the place is a crowd puller is what I could witness when I went, the service could  be a bit more pepped up in terms of quickness and alertness.

A Boondi-filled Golgappa presented atop a mini-Achaar Ki Barni was served as amuse bouche.



We savoured the following preparations in Appetisers:


  • Anjeer Aur Akhrot Ki Tikki - The first and only time I had savoured an appetiser with the same ingredients (plus Lotus Stem too) was when had pledged to Lighten Up This Diwali With Canola Oil, and such a Tikki was prepared by Chef Jolly of Masterchef fame in a live demo. I was surprised to see this on the Menu and the fact that they had aced the preparation to an extent. Good job there.

  • Bharwaan Tangri - Leg Pieces stuffed with Egg, hence Bharwaan.

  • Lahsun Aur Sarson Waali Machchi - Minimally oiled, non-spicy, soft and succulent flavorful fish.
  • Firangi Gobhi Ka Tikka - Broccoli tossed in White Sauce.

  • Galauti Kebab - Simply melt-in-mouth.


  • Dahi Ke Kebab - Yoghurt was on a high with this - had to be.
  • Parde Wali Raan - Authentic lamb preparation


All the curries were most loved and neatly presented. We had the following:


  • Sabzi Makkhanwali
  • Dadisa's Desi Murgh
  • Dal Janpath
  • Dum Aloo Banarasi



Accompanying the curries and gravies were:

  • Kathal  Biryani



  • Bread Basket

And, we rounded up a filling meal with quintessential desserts:

  • Phirni

  • Gajar Ka Halwa


All the savoury and sweet dishes were on point with their flavour and preparation factor. The presentation was also nice. The drinks, namely Kokum Sharbat and Nectarine Mojito could have been better prepared, as they lacked a bit with their flavours.

That being said, I am definitely coming back to Janpath Grill House, solely because they have aced their ambience, decor, and taste game. :)