Kashmir aur Kashmiri Khaane mein kuch khaas hai ki naam lete hi mooh mein paani aa jaata hai aur dimmag mein halka sa suroor. Pride Plaza Aerocity
And something similar happened a few days ago when dear Friend and great Chef Sanjay Raina Bhai called me to invite for a Food Festival he was doing at Hotel Pride Plaza Aerocity, New Delhi.
The festival is from 22nd to 4th march and the formal launch was on 22nd Feb.
Ab I was travelling to Dubai very same day and had to excuse myself from being present but not before promising to be part of it as soon as I’m back.
Ab Vaada kiya hai to nibhana paregga.
So, I was Back in Delhi on Monday morning and Monday shaam ko hum Hotel Pride Plaza pahunch gaye jee for relishing the great festival.
Now I have been to Pride Plaza many a times and have always loved its Practical Approach.
Every corner is well thought of, every place utilised. Means kuch wasteful nahi lagta and banawati nahi lagta.
I have been there for a meal and also a couple of times for breakfast and have to say that I love the breakfast spreads they have.
I can have curry any time and they are one of the handful of 5 Star Breakfast places that serve Non-Veg Curries in Breakfast.
Other Hotels would just have some Cold Cuts in Non veg and that’s it.
Chalo Kashmiri food festival par aate hai.
As soon as you enter the Hotel lobby you can see the Kashmiri Decor welcoming you with a shamiyana outside and then Red Velvet Sheets on tables and Shikara miniatures on your table.
You can’t miss the Kashmiri Flavour as even the servers are in Kashmiri Attire.
It was overwhelming to see Chef Sanjay Bhai whom I have been connected for long but met for the first time aaj. Also Aditti Ahluwalia jee who is a super sweet person and she ensured we had a great time.
Sanju Aneja Bhai is a dear Friend whom I respect a lot and any meal with him has to be a great one. We have dined together multiple times before.
Sneha Saikia jee was also there and is the loudest and sanest voice in Delhi with regards to North Eastern Culture and more specifically Food.
I had just taken my seat and was trying to feel the mahaul and ussi time Starters Serve hone shuru ho gaye.
Started with Chicken Kanti, Seekh kebab, Paneer Kanti and my favourite Tabak maaz.
Needless to say mera haath pehle Tabak maaz ki taraf barra and First bite of Tabak maaz and mera dil bola ki bas isko hi kaate raho.. Aur kuch nahi chahiye.
But ab aisa kaise ho…. Khaana to sab hi hai na… baaki khaane ko naraaz nahi karna.
The Seekh was very fine and unlike the ones that we find everywhere. Chicken Kanti was good too and I would say ki Chilli Chicken ka Desi bhai laga and I believe hona bhi aise hi chahiye.
Abhi we were already full and Chef Sahab asked for some Hot kahwa served in the traditional style for us to help in digesting what we had eaten already and in no time we did felt a few kilos lighter 
And then shuru hua silsila Main Course ka. Sab tha.. Means kuch nahi chorra unhone.
From RoganJosh to Chicken Yakhni, From Mutton Kaliya to Rista, From Gushtaba to Dum Aloo and from Haakh to Mushroom Yakhni.
Sach batau…. Non veg itna kha liya tha ki veg ki jagah hi nahi thi.
Also, have to mention that Rocky Mohan Sir taught me 3 years back. He taught ki Kashmiri khana should be had one dish at a time.
I have been doing it since then and every meal turns out to be great as you get time and focus to relish each dish individually and uske flavours acche se samajh mein aate hai.
I did the same at Pride Plaza too and Loved it.
Though they served many kinds of Breads but I struck to plain old Favourite Rice.
The food was amazing and my favourite was Yakhni, Rogan Josh, Goshtaba, Rista.
Aajkal hand Pounded Mutton wala khana asaani se nahi milta and wohi mehnat hoti hai jo Gushtaba ki mutton balls mein jaan daalti hai and gets its Silky texture.
So glad that Chef Sanjay Sahab took utmost care in that department in Delhi and made it an Unforgettable experience for us
While we relished our HEAVENLY khana, There were 2 musicians on the stage and playing music on Rabab and Matkki. A perfect Accompaniment to a great meal.
When I thought bas ho gaya and aur nahi khaya jayega tabhi the Dessert platter appeared with Sadabahar Meethe Chawal called Modur Pulao and Shufta. Shufta is a sweet dish made from Dry Fruits, Kesar, Cinnamon & Infused Sugar and with every bit I could feel its Richness in taste as well as its properties. Sardi mein acchi garmi deti hogi yeh Dessert
Looked and Tasted as if its a Dessert Perfect for Royalty.
Isse pehle kuch aur aaye we stood up and picche murrkar dekha to accha laga ki Entire Dining area was filled with Diners and every one relishing their Gushtabas and Tabak maaz.
Waise while this promotion is on, they have the regular Buffet menu also but we stayed with the SPECIAL Kashmiri menu
So, if you are looking for a place to head for a Good meal this weekend, then do got to Pride Plaza Hotel in Aerocity for the Kashmiri Food festival curated by Chef Sanjay Raina.
Oh yes, Mister Tikku members get a special Offer too.
For details on that msg me jee…
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