Delhi street food festival at Glasshouse

To be honest with all you guys, I’m a hardcore ‘Mumbaichi mulgi‘ with a weakness for roadside snacks. I may lunch at India Jones and sup at Seijo, but missal-pav, wada-pav wada, sevpuri, dosa, pavbhaji, bhurji-pav have always been my staples when I’m in the mood for comfort food.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m not one of those pani puri purists. I’m always game to try new stuff, especially if it has that really authentic street flavour. Which is why I was there for the ‘first day, first show’ at the Dus Din Dilli De festival at Hyatt Regency’s Glasshouse on Tuesday. Starring special treats from different streets of Delhi, the live counters being overseen by Chef Anil Khurana, had me queuing up for seconds and thirds of robust raaste ka khaana, capital style.

I started off with Bharwan Paneer Tikka, progressing towards the Pahar Ganj ke Aloo Puri te Halwa and the Chandni Chowk Ke Chole Bhature. The flavours and the freshness of the ingredients transported me to another world. As I took a lassi break and sank back into my comfy seat that gave me a splendid view of the hotel’s lush landscaping, I felt like I was in Delhi already. But my eyes were soon riveted on the chefs, as they expertly rolled out and tossed the paranthas nearby. I just had to grab a taste of Paranthewali Galli ke Paranthe with some very Punjabi Murg Lababdar. After that, it was difficult to find room for more, but I managed teensy bites of the Laung Kesar Ke Chawal with the Dahiwala Kukkad and some of the not-to-be-missed Prawn Mirch Masala — pure dynamite!

There’s just so much to try that I know I’m going to go back again and again to make the most of this 10-day bonanza. A good way to practice some national integration, right?

Dus Din Dilli De festival is on until Feb 13 at the Glasshouse, Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Sahar Airport Road; Tel: 66961624; Cost: Lunch buffet Rs 1,250 per person, dinner buffet Rs 1,295 per person (exclusive of taxes).