Capital Fare

Hotel Mountview has rolled out a three-day festival called Chandni Chowk to Chandigarh,with quintessential Chandni Chowk fare on offer. “We called in chefs from Chandni Chowk to put together the food festival,” says the hotel’s general manager R P Singla. Hosted at the hotel’s Rustles restaurant,it is a buffet spread of lunch and dinner priced at Rs 600 (inclusive of taxes). To give a Delhi-like feel,the fine-dining restaurant has been turned into a mini Chandni Chowk,with a quaint haveli-like gate at the entrance.

We begin our journey with a refreshing and slightly tangy Jaljeera. The buffet has been designed like a food street with the speciality chefs in attendance. So you have Ustadji bringing in his Murg Biryani while Hyder Ali arrives with Keema Kaleji. For starters we settle for Lallu Ki Dukan Se with Dal Bati Churma that’s a must-try. “Some of the chefs here run shops that are decades old and the recipes have been passed down the generations,” says the hotel’s banquet manager Jagan Nath Bains. The spread also packs in a Chandni Chowk must-have Bedmi made by Chajju Ram. It pairs up with Aloo ka Saag teamed with Methi ki Chutni to make a delicious combination. For those who swear by Patile wala Channa Kulcha,the buffet offers that too. Though the spice quotient is fairly high,the food is delectable. Don’t miss out on the melt-in-the-mouth Seekh Kebab teamed with the sweet Sheermal roti. Desi ghee jalebis,Shahi Tukda and Phirni help round up the desserts.

Keeping everyone entertained in the evenings will be Ustad Rahat Ali Khan who shall render ghazals and sufi kalam. The food festival is on till May 2.

Meal for Two: Rs 1200 (including taxes)

Contact: 0172- 4671111

Location: Sector 10,Chandigarh