Mango Festival at Rajdhani
We are in the peak of summer and what is the flavour of the season? Obviously mangoes! Do you love mangoes? Now that is indeed a dumb question who wouldn’t like the king of fruits? What are the delicacies you have had that have been made from mango? Aamras, Mango Lassi, Aamrakhand, Mango Pickle, Mango Murabba, Aam ka Panna and so on. But have you ever tasted Mango Jalebi? Well I sure did along with a plethora of other mango dishes at Khandani Rajdhani in Phoenix Mall, Pune.
It was the Aamlicious – Mango Festival at Rajdhani restaurant and I was there to experience the culinary journey with some special dishes from the land of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This vegetarian thali chain is spread across 27 locations in India and is also present in the Middle East.
You start the meal by washing hands with water poured from a kettle by the staff at your table. The friendly staff dressed in a rust jacket and cap are always there to feed and pamper you. My plate was overflowing with all sorts of delicacies and the staff ensured it never got empty. There was food, more food and more food. Well never in my life was I fed so much of food.
There was Mango Jalebi, Mango Dal Dhokli, Fajeto, Raw Mango & Onion Bhajia, Mango Pulao, Goonda Kairi, Mango Curry, Aam ki Lunjee, Mango Curry, Raw Mango Raita, Amrakhand, Aamras-Poori amongst others dishes & accompaniments like Kairi Chutney and Mango pickles. I didn’t know that one can make assortment of dishes with this wonderful tropical fruit. These were the mango delicacies apart from the regular Dal Baati Churma, Matar Paneer, Rajma, Aloo Rassa, Kadi, Dhokla, Dal Thika, Mango Thepla, Puri, Roti and Dal Khichadi.
I wondered if I was savoring a royal spread hosted for kings and queens as it was worth one.
We met chef Induram Devasi who rustles the amazing 72 different rotating menus with 22,464 delicacies from Gujarat and Rajasthan. He took me to the kitchen and showed me the various items being prepared by his team.
Mangolicious or Amlicious, life is one merry spread with a huge variety of food that is sure to spoil you for choice. This two month long festival is ongoing until 15th June’15. Go ahead and indulge into this satiating food that is sure to leave you glutted and overwhelmed. Its indeed a riot of flavors, spices and a celebration of senses. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you 🙂