GLUTTONY @ DELHI HIGHWAY, ANDHERI, MUMBAI

While the cuisine of North India especially that from Delhi and its surrounding areas is predominantly non-vegetarian, there are numerous vegetarian preparations that are assured to wow the palate of an obstinate non-vegetarian like me. This is precisely what transpired during my recent dinner at the pure vegetarian restaurant, Delhi Highway in Andheri East, Mumbai.

Here is a detailed account of my glutton at this place:

START TO THE MEAL
I commenced my gluttony on a sweet note with the humble LITCHI DELIGHT served as welcome drink in our set meal.  Subsequently we were served a bowl of steaming hot TOMATO BASIL SHORBA. The soup was pleasingly tangy and had a conspicuous herbaceous flavor owing to presence of fresh basil in it.

CHAAT
Next came the delicious Delhi-style, street food dishes – DAHI BHALLA CHAAT & GOL GAPPA SHOTS presented in a captivating way. The former was a riot of flavors with the sweet and spicy elements perfectly balanced out. A base of crispy papadi, fried chana dal & anaar dana further enhanced the flavors and added a nice crunch to the dish. The latter had spicy, flavored water filled up in shot glasses that came topped with crisp puris. A mixture of fried boondi & sweet anaar dana was provided as filling for the puris. All the components gelled well together to please the taste buds.

STARTERS
CHARCOAL MUSHROOM: The earthy taste of button mushrooms combined with creamy flavor of shredded paneer (cottage cheese) & zesty bell pepper filling works wonders on the palate. The smokey flavor imparted to the spice mixture coating as well as the mushrooms owing to their preparation in charcoal fired oven (tandoor) further lures you into consuming copious amounts of this appetizer.

NARAM DIL KEBAB: This was yet another cottage cheese preparation. The kebabs had a golden, crackling shell and a silken, subtly sweet interior of cottage cheese.

KADAI PASTA: This dish was a desi twist to the popular Italian preparation of penne arrabiata. The sauce for the pasta was typical tomato-based thick curry laden with Indian spices. Also, instead of garlic bread, miniature garlic naans are served with it. The dish had the right balance of sauce to pasta and just the precise amount of spices that make an enjoyable curry.

BROCCOLI & PESTO KEBABS: These were your quintessential harabhara kebabs comprising of broccoli. The kebabs had a crispy exterior and came topped with yummy pesto.

INDO-MEXICAN QUESADILLA: This was yet another fusion dish on the menu where the stuffing for the quesadillas had the classic ingredients – refried beans, bell peppers, and cheese flavored with Indian spice mix.

DAHI KE SEEKH: These kebabs were tactfully ­created by skewering hung curd. The texture was silken, taste was creamy but I found the level of seasoning and spices a tad bit low for my liking.

MAIN COURSE
The main course part of the set menu arrived as a lavish thali or platter with an array of lip-smacking curries, lentils, raita (beaten curd), mini tandoori paneer stuffed kulchas and jeera rice.
The gravies part of the platter were:

• METHI MALAI MATAR: This was a creamy and sweet gravy comprising of fenugreek leaves (methi) and green peas.
• PALAK & CORN: Yet another green leafy vegetable preparation in the thali where the sweetness of American corn kernels cut through the herbaceous flavor of spinach.
• PANEER DELHI STYLE: This is was the most lip-smacking preparation served in main course comprising of cottage cheese cubes, mushrooms and bell peppers cooked in a tomato and onion gravy.

The lentil preparations included were:

• PINDI CHANA: This was a spicy dish of chickpeas cooked in an onion-based gravy.
• DAL DELHI HIGHWAY: Split black gram was simmered overnight on tandoor in a buttery, creamy, tomato-based gravy to arrive at this sumptuous lentil dish.

SWEET ENDING
DELHI SPECIAL LASSI:  This was served in traditional way in a kullad and was deliciously rich, creamy, perfectly sweet & chilled. It served as a befitting palate cleanser for the desserts to follow.

KESARIYA FIRNI: This was a thick, rich, creamy, mildly sweet, saffron infused, rice and milk preparation.

JALEBI RABDI: The taste of this sweet delight was as marvelous as its presentation. The jalebis were piping hot and perfectly crisp while the kesar (saffron) rabdi was rich and flavorsome. Feasting on this dessert was the perfect epitome of sinful gluttony.

The meal indeed was a challenge to finish for a glutton like me. Also, a hardcore non-vegetarian like me was left spell bound by the delicious vegetarian food here. I was flabbergasted when I learnt that the entire aforementioned, elaborate meal had a cost of INR 650 plus taxes per person.

The ambience is tastefully done up with elements that are reflective of the charm of old Delhi. This pleasing setting and the warmth of the staff further go on to elevate ones dining experience here.

So, do try out this place and let me know of your experience.
Till, then HAPPY EATING…

(PS: The dishes were served as part of special bloggers’ table so actual portion sizes and preparation may vary. However, my review is subjective and unprejudiced.)