Hot Plate

Located at the Windsor Place rotary,the Le Meridien dispenses more than just bright floodlights during Christmas and New Year’s. The hotel’s contemporary Indian restaurant,Eau de Monsoon,is holding a “Chili Carnival” aimed to spark a fire in the belly.

The menu comprises various dishes from around the country,their bonding agent being that the recipes are centred around chillies. These aren’t limited to just versatile Indian chillies such as the dreaded Naga Jolokai (the world’s spiciest chilli),Kashmiri Mirch and Desi Laal Mirch but,like the Miss World pageant,also infuses international hottie Piri Piri (the African Bird’s Eye Chilli). While there is a twisted Jolokai Jalfrezi (a medley of lamb,chicken and prawns cooked in mustard oil and tempered with the Naga Jolokai),a Teen Mirch ka Jheenga (prawn marinated in Bird’s Eye,Byadagi chilli and black pepper),and Pepperoncini Paratha,there is also the Rajasthani Laal Maas and the Chettinad Pepper Chicken from Tamil Nadu. For those of more libatious tastes,there are chilli-and-vodka-based cocktails. Desserts include Mango and Chilli-infused Kulfis and Red Bell Pepper and Paprika Gelati.

The Chili Carnival is on till August 31 at Eau De Monsoon,Le Meridien. Average meal for two is Rs 3,000 (exclusive of taxes and alcohol)