FIRDAUS 2.0 - REVAMPED
FIRDAUS & Taj Krishna
Hyderabad always craves for more street food and people from other states complaint about its scene not like Kolkata or Delhi. We never to get see a glimpse of reality. Well, fear not, NH2 Highway Trials by Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre is here to do exactly that for our foodies. Chef and his crew travelled for 10 days non-stop from Delhi to Kolkata to explore the highway street food scenes with immaculate details and this "NH2 Trials" replicates most part of it
Now how did the do this and prove a brand like Marriott notches the whole preparations to another level. Well, listen to this. Executive Chef Aunghshuman , F & B Director Jomy Abraham , Suhasini Trichy (PR) and their team travelled all the way from the capital land to explore the streets of purani dilli and discover amazing delicacies served on streets and small shops and travel along the highway NH2 spanning from Delhi ➡️ Mathura ➡️ Agra ➡️ Allahabad ➡️ Varanasi ➡️ Kanpur ➡️ Dhanbad ➡️ Kolkata . All on road travelling every day and exploring more and more of the street food traditions from each region and incorporating them into the planning and execution. With planning & scheduling for around 45 days, the team came back in September to experiment the dishes and perfect them before the BIG BANG festival. Enough said, this shows the prowess of Marriott to go above and beyond to curate ONE OF A KIND FOOD FESTIVAL. It sounds cliched as I tell that every time they host a fest, but its true and they stand to the testimony of it. Irrespective of the festival feedback, the team as such has to be praised to travel - eat - roam for 10 days back to back without loss of passion and energy , come back to Hyderabad and curate such a fest. HATS OFF TEAM !!!!
Watch out their video teaser below to get to know what's in store for you from the festival and the brilliant journey by the Chef and team. Amazing video by Marriott (Video courtesy - Marriott , Hyderabad)
As I entered into the okra, I looked up and loved the NH2 highway symbol and a tollgate setup at reception and as I was greeted into the tollgate, I knew their home work has been perfected. As I walked by indoors, I saw maps to the cities covered up in this mega street food extravaganza, As I was guided into the outdoors, it was like a shaadi ka damaka setup. Lit perfectly for a pool side breezy night, the decor and ambience was picture perfect.
The whole live counter section has been detailed and mimicked to have same setup like the original regional influence to give you the authentic feel. One side you got delicacies from Delhi and the whole other section focussed on the Kolkata and its influenced street food scenes.
This one of a kind festival is officially starting from 14, Nov 2018 till 01, Dec 2018 for dinners only. Weekday dinners are priced at 1800++ and Sunday brunch with unlimited alcohol at 2300++ at Okra. I should say for the pricing, you get to d a travelogue from delhi and kolkata, experience the whole live counters and still not able to cover the entire array of delicacies. It will definitely take multiple visits to try each of 'em.
The Delhi scenes had some iconic stalls setup. The paranthe wali galli stall immediately grabbed my attention with their delicacies and varities of parathas where you can chose the stuffings and made fresh for your taste buds. Next is the ever lovable chai counter serving hot garam-a-garam chai with Naankatai (traditional butter biscuit), one bite they are just pure heaven as they just melt in your mouth kinds. The Tijendar dhaba counter gives you cravings for your kebab and chur chur naan dreams. Chur Chur naan is not yet famous into hyderabad with only a couple of places trying to serve authentic experience but if you know the street food scenes from Delhi, you know the crazy following behind this dish. The chur chur naan thalis also had variety of options to chose from and again made to order. The Kebabs were also so flavorful with aroma engulfing the scene. I tried the chicken tikka, fried fish and many more and they (though a tad cold , due to weather) were flavorful and stood testimony to the original tijendar dhaba.
The famous Karims known for their fragrant non-veg curries had an exclusive section with some amazing butter chicken, chicken korma and many more served with warm and aromatic sheermals and dozen assortments. Lovely counter and I can just imagine how the original Karims would taste <3 Also was another counter serving hot and fresh kachoris and samosas , again served fresh on order and to your choice. Another separate counter for Kulchas and all sorts of assortments made the DILLI fun-fare all the more interesting. Overall the Delhi section impressed me mighty and I can just imagine how much more will the actual Delhi street food scenes. This short trip to Delhi was quite satiating to me.
Amidst the fun-fare of street food in each counters, I took detour to their innovative desi daru cocktails and after trying quite a few, I could say, the drinks were so perfect for the spicy and hot Indian food. Cutting Chai made with Baileys I guess had a wonderful dark choco n coffee flavors and was so refreshing and serving in an actual cutting chai setup was icing on the cake. The regular Gin n Tonic from the bar on my request was refreshing and this combination doesn't get bored off. Banaras Paaan , a replica drink based on the actual banaras paan was vodka concoction served over the betle leaf in martini glass. Again on point drink quite refreshing as well. Rum Jaggery made out of rum and jaggery combination was a tad strong and sweet for me but served in typical daru bottle you used to get the bar shops, the presentation was captivating.