Savour the spirit of Diwali with thali in Dubai

Dubai: The Ananta Restaurant in the Oberoi Hotel has come up with an elaborate Diwali Thali (a platter made up of variety dishes and priced at Dh330 per person) and I simply couldn’t resist the temptation of giving it a try.

As I stepped into the posh hotel at Business Bay at 7.30pm on Thursday, I realised I was the only person at the restaurant at that time. I wondered if I was there a tad too early to enjoy the ‘Diwali Experience’ that Ananta was promising in its brand new menu.

But no sooner had I settled down than other diners started pouring in.

I began my meal with an exotic Green Apple and Cardamom Martini (sans alcohol). It was a palette cleanser which prepared me for the feast that was waiting for me.

The next dish was a Dahi Bhalla — hot vadas (savoury doughnut-shaped fritters) soaked in sweet yoghurt and chutney. I was a bit disappointed as the vadas were hard.

Perfect drink

A Strawberry Panakkam — juice made with strawberries and jaggery and topped with cardamom powder — followed next. The acidity from the strawberry was masked by the sweetness of the jaggery and the cardamom enhanced the flavour to make it a perfect drink.

For starters I tried the Meat Kebab Platter which had a combination of Murgh Malai Tikka, Tandoori Salmon, Ajwaini Prawns and Lamb Seekh Kebab. Among the variety, I found the Tandoori Salmon delicious.

The Ajwaini Prawn too was interesting as it had a strong chilli flavour. The menu also included vegetarian starters such as Dahi Ke Kebab, Khumb ki Gilawat, Paneer Pudina Tikka and Vegetable Seekh Kebab.

The aerated Aam Panna was served next. The fizzy Sprite in the drink made the digestion of the starters easy.

Following this, I tried the special festival vegetarian thali. Set on a banana leaf, it had seven dishes including Khumb Palak, Raw Mango Paal Curry, Kadai Paneer, Baingan Bhartha, Mint and Onion Raita, Daal Makhani, Zaffran Pulao.

Assorted breads and rice were also part of the thali. Among the variety on the platter, the Raw Mango Paal Curry impressed me. It was tangy and full of flavour. The rest of the dishes were mildly spiced and not good enough for me.

The Zaffran Pulao — a rice preparation with saffron — was aromatic and full on flavour. The rice coated with ghee (clarified butter) was well presented.

There was also a non-vegetarian option for those who can’t do without meat.

Murgh Makhani Masala, Amritsari Tawa Gosht and Goan Prawn Curry are some of the delicacies featured in this thali.

I was already full after finishing the thali and was sincerely hoping the desserts would be simple. And just as I had hoped, the dishes came in the proportions and included Angoori Jamun, a piece of Rasmalai and Coconut Water Payasam. However, I was a bit disappointed with the South Indian filter coffee which was served after the dessert. The coffee was light and not good enough for me as I’m used to a much stronger brew.

If a thali is what you’re looking for this Diwali, then Ananta could be an option to consider.