Hyderabadi Food Festival @ The Westin, Gurgaon

For those craving for Hyderabadi food, Good News! Westin is hosting a Hyderabadi food festival from the 13^th to the 23^rd June at their all day diner Seasonal Tastes.

The right ambience has been attempted to be created – a big cut out of the Charminar at the entrance, huge earthenware pots full of spices as decoration, a hostess dressed to the occasion in shararas with maangtika and the works, etc.

Seasonal Tastes has a huge buffet spread of summer drinks, salads, chat counter, Chinese, Continental and – for this particular food festival – an Indian section showcasing the Hyderabadi cuisine presented by a chef (Qadir Khan) who comes from Hyderabad.

My friend and I commenced the culinary proceedings with Rose Sharbat which was fresh and absolutely refreshing (it took me back to my childhood when we would sneak and collect rose petals from all the gardens in my colony and mom would make us some sharbat). Papad was then served with beetroot, tomato and pineapple chutneys which were interesting and yummy followed by Murg Badaam ka Shorba which is a must try – it is slow cooked with bones and finished subtlely with almond paste.

From amongst the varied assortment of starters, the Tatari Kebab (stone mashed mutton with spices rolled in seekh kebabs), Subz Til Ki Seekh and Chicken Malai Tikka (it’s smoked flavor from charcoal was delightful) deserve special mention and veritably transport you to the land of the Nizams.

In the main course there are Lagan ka Murgh, Lashkar Kaliya (whole lamb leg simmered slowly in onions & tomatoes), Bottle Gourd Lentil with tomato and onion and Aloo Sheer (baby potatoes cooked in a curd based thick gravy).  However, the best dish for me in the main course was the delectable melt in the mouth Haleem. It was delicate and subtle, topped with crispy onion, green chilies, lemon and coriander leaves. With each bite you could taste the fibre (resha) which had totally blended with the lentils and left you wanting for more. Another must try is the delicate kachche gosht ki biryani with soft mutton and perfectly cooked rice. The vegetarians will love the vegetarian dum biryani which had a refreshing tang from the curd.

Out of the desserts, khurmani ka meetha, double ka meetha and sevian ki kheer are recommended. What I liked most though was the Double Ka Meetha – crispy fried bread lathered with rabri – couldn’t get enough of it.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 4.0 | Ambience: 3.5| Service: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0

Buffet per head: Rs 2000 (with soft beverages)/ Rs 1000 for kids under 12 years | Credit Card: Yes | Timings: 7pm to 11.30 | Wheel Chair Accessible: Yes.

Address: Number 1, MG road , Gurgaon, Haryana. | Telephone: 0124 497 7777