Dim light, vibrant live food stations and an alluring aroma greet you when you enter the Leela Palace's Spectra — it's the perfect setting considering we're sampling their Global Street Food festival fare. It only gets better when Executive Chef Dharmen Makawana takes us around, stopping at every live station with an irresistible description about each dish. “We do not compromise on authenticity, so we use chefs who are experts in various cuisines,” says the chef.
Starting with kebabs from the streets of Delhi to tortillas from Mexico, the choice is insatiable. Walking around we find ourselves amidst biriyanis, kebabs and curries at the ‘Purani Dilli Ki Galiyon Se’ station. Bhujing Chicken, made with chiwra or flattened rice, is a must-have. You will also find various vegetarian and non-vegetarian tikkas like Teekhe mutter ki tikki, Ajwani paneer tikka, lehsooni murg tikka and boti kebab to choose from, besides the Purdah biriyani.
Easing past the traditional chaat counter, you will see the Thai section where the wok is constantly being tossed. The delicious tortilla-inspired-pizza — crispy, crunchy with a burst of flavours and nachos with a range of toppings, was a delight. For sushi lovers, The Japanese station is where all the action is at. And yes, there is a ‘Namma Chennai’ station too with pazhampori, banana chips, mysore bonda, filter coffee and other such local favourites. Interestingly, there are also separate counters for Maggi noodles, juicy shawarmas, burgers, steamed corn, bread omelettes and so on.Life is incomplete without desserts and Spectra ensures that we're spoilt for choice: we get to choose from a smooth raspberry crumble tart, fruit pavlova, guava pannacotta, green tea cranberry cake and a very desi kulfi!
(Visit Spectra on Wednesdays for dinner from 7.30 pm onward. A meal for two is priced around `3,700 ++ and `4,900 ++ with alcohol)