The harvest festival of Onam is here, marking the annual return of King Mahabali from Patala to his own kingdom of Kerala. The benevolent king had to relocate to the netherworld since he gave away his kingdom in an act of charity to the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But the judicious king’s benevolent gesture did not go completely unrewarded. He was granted the permission to return to Kerala and his loyal subjects once a year, while his visit was immortalised as Onam. Usually held every year during the end of August or beginning of September (this year’s dates are September 1 until September 13 with Thiruvonam on 11th September 2019), Onam calls for ritualistic household decoration such as atthapookalam or flower carpets as well as grand feasts known as the Onam Sadhya.
The restaurant will open its doors for a special Onam Sadhya from September 10 to September 12 for both lunch and dinner. The Mahabelly Sadhya, served on a plantain leaf, is an exhaustive list of 22 vegetarian dishes, including Uppu (salt), Upperi (Banana Chips), Sharkara Peratti (Jaggery Coated Banana Chips), Pickles, Pappadams, followed by elaborate fare, featuring the likes of Kaalan (Yam and Raw Bananas in Yoghurt Curry), Olan (ash gourd and red beans in coconut milk), Rice and two varieties of Payasam (our version of Kheer).
Zambar plays up the creativity of the Sadhya meal and its emphasis on fresh, seasonal vegetables with its elaborate menu represented by 27 vegetarian dishes. Let your palate revel with every bite of Avial, Eriserry, Khichadi Beetroot, Mambazha Puliserry, Kootu Curry,Cabbage Thoran, Beans Mezhukkupuratti, Inji Puli, Thiyal, and more.
Round off your coma-inducing meal with Ada Paradhaman and Pal Payasam, that shine the spotlight on creamy coconut milk and jaggery.
Date: Wednesday, 11th September 2019
Time: Lunch - 11:30 AM to 04:30 PM, Dinner: 07:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Price: INR 999 + taxes. (per person)
Early birds can avail 15 % discount before September 8th, 2019
At Savya Rasa (Taste of the South), the proprietors claim to have travelled across the southern states of India, gleaning culinary information from local cooks, chefs, grandmothers and housewives. The end result is a menu celebrating authentic dishes from eight regions of the south, each of which stands out for its distinctive flavour and taste. The Sadhya (refer cover image) here features a medley of 30 items, including Inji Puli, Narainga Achar, Manga Achar, Mulakku Varuthathu, Parippu Vada, Kaalan, Kootu Curry and Manga Chammanthi.
Address: Ardee Mall, Gurgaon
Date: 7th September to 13th September, 2019
Lunch: 12 noon to 3.30pm
GRs Searock Cookhouse Restaurant and Bar
The full-course Sadhya at the GRs Searock Cookhouse, the city’s go-to place for coastal cuisine from four southern states, will leave you completely sated. Feast your way through the Onam menu of 11th September, featuring Sambar, Rasam, Cabbage Thoran, Parippu Curry, Pineapple Pulissery, Thayir, Palada Pradhaman, Avial and more.
Address: L - 3, 4, Block L, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Date: 11th September - 13th September
Time: 12 pm - 12 am
Maachis
The capital’s one-of-a-kind regional tapas bar Maachis is laying down the red carpet for Sadhya enthusiasts with its special menu, albeit with a twist. In case you want to give the traditional Sadhya meal a miss, but are keen on trying a more adventurous non-vegetarian adaptation of it, Maachis is the place to be. Its extraordinary menu features dishes like Fish Polichattu, Missi Coastal Pizza (a hand-rolled high protein crust with Chettinad and Malabari toppings), Tender Mutton Stir-Fried with Keralan Spices and Chillies, Tempered Beets and Coconut Salad with Feta Cheese and much more.
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.
