How often on road trips have you eaten food that tasted so good that you wished you could get it even in the city you are driving to? Here is a chance to catch up on that kind of food at the ITC Grand Chola, bringing all the flavours of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, besides the local cuisine.
The food festival — dinner only till April 13 — showcases fare from food trails along the highways. Chefs Mofid from Delhi, Mahesh from Rajasthan, Santosh Shetty from Karnataka and Sundar from Tamil Nadu have put together distinctive dishes with chef Sujosh Kahali overseeing the festival.
The drive is short and you need to just get to the Madras Pavilion and get a taste of mouth-watering dishes like Daulat ki Chaat, Dilli ki Nihari, Kolhapuri mutton from Maharashtra, Papad nu Shaak from Gujarat and many more.
The dinner menu kickstarts with welcome drinks like traditional Thandai or Delhi’s Pyaar Mohabbet (welcome drink) from Delhi and then an authentic local starter from Marina Beach in spiced raw mango and spiced guava in chickpea Sundal. Starters like Daulat Ki Chaat from the streets of Chandni Chowk, Rajasthan’s Saangri ki tikki, Yetti Ghee Roast from Karnataka (special ghee prawn masala from Mangalorean cuisine).
The Neer Dosa and Pineapple Gojju coupled with Kanile (bamboo shoot gravy) represent highway-side cuisine from coastal Karnataka.
When it comes to biryani, you are spoilt for choice. The great favourite of the south comes in different tastes from states on the National Highway 48 - Halasinakaayi Pulao served in Karnataka, Sarai Gosht Ki Biryani from Delhi, Vaniyambadi Kozhi Biryani and Ambur-style traditional biryani for the authentic Tamil Nadu rural taste will give you an idea of the variety of biryanis on offer.
In desserts, there is a touch of Namma dessert in ‘Sweet Jackfruit’, Gujarat’s Kesari Srikhand and Hirvya Vatanya chi Kheer(Green pea kheer) from Maharashtra will keep tickling your taste buds to the very end. Apart from the menu there’s a lot more to explore in your family dinner as you unravel the secrets of the highway menu.
