Chaitra Navratri, which devotees will begin observing from March 18, will celebrate the movement of seasons along with the divine goddess. The transition into summer coincides with the Navratri festivities, while rituals are woven around nine forms of Goddess Shakti. Primarily, states in North India, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, celebrate the festival with much fanfare, punctuating the auspicious nine days with prayers and fasting. Ritualistic fasting food items also make an appearance on platters, ranging from potatoes to Kuttu Ka Aata. Here is a roster of restaurants in Delhi-NCR who are serving Navrati platters to their patrons.
Give your taste buds a tour of the ever-evolving list of Navratri food with SodaBottleOpenerWala festival titled Vrat Ka Khaana. Armed with a menu, that comprehensively captures the spirit of the Navratri festivities, the restaurant is reviving the traditional fasting food concept with much ingenuity. For instance, Gwarfali Cutlet is the highlight of the starters section, while Khattu Meethu Kaddu is an interesting riff on the Pumpkin Curry and comes with a Tangy Sweet And Sour Sauce. Of course, there is Kuttu Atta Poori and Vrat Ke Chawal to complete your meal while Sabudana Ki Kheer and Vrat Ka Falooda add a sweet note.
The Navratra festivities are being welcomed at Chor Bizarre with a lip-smacking menu featuring a cornucopia of dishes. Staying within the realm of traditional fasting ingredients, the restaurant is serving dishes like Dahi Chirongi Ke Kebab, Ramdana Vada With Dahi Chutney, Phaldhaari Kofta, Stuffed Paneer, Singhara Atta Parantha, Vrat Ka Malpua With Rabri and Lauki Badam Ki Kheer.
Roseate Hotels & Resorts is embracing the Navratri celebrations as it whips up a spread that will dismantle your preconceptions about fasting food. The Navratri Thali offered at DEL and Kiyan restaurants renews your interest in traditional institutions through Aam Panna, Sabudana Croquettes With Chilli Jam and Kuttu Paneer Potli. The main course thali is equally scrumptious with Paneer Panchratan, Arbi Shammi, Aloo Akhrot, Dal Dhokli, Singhara Atta Puris, Samwat Pulao, Raita and Kheer.
Price: Thali at Rs 850 per person, + taxes. À la carte options are also available.
Navratri is being marked at Ssence, The Suryaa with a special menu featuring dishes that play around with an assortment of Sattvik fare. All through the 9 days, you can gorge on delicacies like Kuttu Atta Flatbread Parantha, Kacche Kele And Cottage Cheese Koftey, Ghee SaboodanaTehri, Mewe Lauki Aur Makhane Ki Kheer and special Navratri Thali.
Upstairs at Indian Accent
Date: March 18 - April 4
Time: Open for lunch, 12 noon onwards and dinner, 07:00 pm onwards
Price: Rs 2500, plus taxes, per person.
The Navratri Tasting Menu, a 13-course vegetarian extravaganza awaits you at Upstairs At Indian Accent. The second pop up at the cosy dining space is being presented by its own Corporate Chef Manish Mehrotra and can be tucked into beyond the Navratra days as well. Traditional Sattvik ingredients are the highlight of the inventive menu which features delicacies such as Chaat (Avocado, Pomelo, Radish, Nut and Kuttu Papdi), Sweet and Sour Pumpkin served with Quinoa and Tulsi Almond Crumble. Giving them company, are a dish of Gobhi Musallum with saffron as well as a plate of Baked beetroot, Candy,Walnut and Yoghurt. Capping off your meal is a Shrikhand that is served with Amaranth Toffee.
Susmita Saha is a Delhi-based Features Writer. She has worked as an Assistant Editor at India Today and The Telegraph and writes on arts and culture, films, travel, food, architecture, design and various other lifestyle subjects. She has seriously itchy feet and plans to tick the world off her bucket list, one burger at a time.
