Once again, I’m back after a long pause. This time, I have a valid (well, sort of!) reason for the silence. I was on my annual trip to India..the usual, 2 week visit, filled with travelling, jet-lag, and an over-stimulation of the senses that leaves me wanting a vacation after the vacation. Only this time it felt a little different. I was visiting India without the rest of my family, for one. Nikhil was in India for over a month with his cousins and my trip was planned solely to bring him back home. This time the 2 weeks was filled with the same crazy travelling, jet-lag and did I mention, eating to my heart’s content, and, shopping? Those were a part of my previous trips too, but this time it felt a little more relaxed. I felt like I was savoring every minute of my trip, taking in all the flavors, the smells, the food, like there was no tomorrow. Maybe it was a new fangled appreciation for food or the fact that I really tried to plan my visits to the various cities so I could make the most of my stay and savor the local fare. I took lots of pictures and tried to capture many foodie moments that I will recount here.
My first halt was New Delhi, more of a transit stop on my way to Hyderabad. I was only there for the night, but was bright eyed at 9.30pm when I reached my hotel and absolutely famished. And no wonder..it was time for my lunch! Girish had suggested I eat at the Bukhara, and am I glad I did.
The restaurant is rated not only the best in New Delhi but one of the top 14 in the world according to UK Magazine, and is supposedly one of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s favorite places when they visit India. The restaurant has apparently added the “Hillary Platter” recently to their menu! The cuisine is one from the north-west frontier, prepared in a clay ‘tandoor’ oven, in a kitchen area that is visible to customers, and which adds to the experience. Another unique fact about the restaurant is the red and white checkered apron they offer you instead of a napkin to tie around your neck before you attack the food with your bare hands. Yes, they do not give you silverware, as that takes away from the taste, they claim. And they are absolutely right! Meals are expensive, but the food is to die for! Bill Clinton, on one of his visits apparently said he wished he had two stomachs! Let’s just say I ate like I did!!
I ordered the Vegetarian platter which had a sampling of their famous tandoor vegetarian options, succulent paneer tikka (grilled Indian cottage cheese), tandoori phool (gobi or cauliflower), tandoori aaloo (potato), roti (bread) and the world famous Dal Bukhara (black lentils simmered in gravy). This was followed by rasmalai for dessert. I was in heaven with all the food options in front of me and me being me, I absolutely had to sample them all. All I can say is that the UK mag is about 14 ranks off the mark and I have a renewed respect for the Clintons …if only for their taste in food:). I spent the night tossing and turning with my stomach full of tandoori delights, but it was worth it!
Next stop…Chennai. Yes I did say I was going to Hyderabad, but that was only for a day, and I was soon on my way to Chennai to meet the in-laws and of course, see Nikhil after a whole month! Chennai food round-up coming up next…