BENGALURU: Rediscover and savour the ‘Royal repasts’ cuisine of Vijayanagara at ‘The Vijayanagara Feast’ at Cubbon Pavilion, ITC Gardenia.Celebrating the culinary arts of one of the most powerful kingdoms in its time, the feast includes royal dishes such as Mamsa Sukka chops, Seegadi Kal Menasu, Kothimiri Koli Saaru and Akki Payasa, for your sweet tooth.The buffet spread is exhaustive but the menu changes every day except for some of their signature dishes. Here is my pick of the best dishes and the ones that failed to impress.
What’s good?
Seegadi Kal Menasu: The prawns have a natural sweetness and it becomes important to retain its essence along with the spices you use. The prawns tossed up in black pepper and curry leaves comes together to delight the diners.
Kothimiri Koli Saaru with Akki roti: Again, the rich and intense flavours do the talking here. This chicken in a coriander and coconut gravy was one of the highlights of the evening. I think this was that kind of dish that makes you say wow. I would suggest to have this with Akki roti, one of the best I have ever had.
Urida Mamsa: Cooking lamb is challenging when you have diners coming in with different preferences and palates. Some like their lamb to be tender and soft and others prefer it to be a bit chewy. When it comes to lamb chops, I prefer the latter and the chef did a great job here marrying the lamb chops with roast spice masala.
Meen Huli: This fresh seer fish cooked with tamarind and tomatoes was so simple, nothing extraordinary yet such that it stands out.
What’s bad?
Mavinakai Annam (raw mango rice): There was no essence of raw mango in the rice at all, it was bland. This was the only let down and I am sure this will be rectified.
What’s Ugly?
Absolutely nothing.
The Vijayanagara Feast is on until June 4 from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Cost: D1950 + taxes