Seating yourself in Rajdhani will be a vegetarian move you won’t regret making.
The Gujarati and Rajasthani thali restaurant, also the self-proclaimed flagship brand of Mirah Hospitality, is serious about feeding and pleasing.
Boasting of over 72 changing menus and 22,464 regional delicacies, the restaurant can be summarised as a gastronomic splendour. However, its trademark variety merits the same with words.
Proving its commitment to hospitality, Rajdhani restaurant sticks to tradition by applying tilak and performing aarti for incoming guests. However, the skeptical or simply confused can sidestep this ritual and head straight to a table.
Once seated, waiters arrive pouring water out of an Aladdin-esque kettle for guests to rinse their hands – a gesture whose importance anyone who has eaten a thali before can attest to.
While the menu rotates daily, highlights of my visit included Dudi Muthiya, a fried dumpling made of gourd and a medley of spices during the Farsans, Gobhi Paneer Capsicum and Green Gujarat, which reads more like a failed environmental initiative than a vegetable dish during the Subzis and a tangy Gujarati Khadi presented with the daals.
Besides steamed rice, waiters brought, using their curious but efficient handsignals, a Masala Chana Khichidi, which like with every other dish, they were happy to refill the plate even before requesting for it.
Serving of breads, which is the only item in the menu that doesn’t change, featured ghee-garnished Fulkas, mini-Puris, Bajri Rotla and Biscuit Bhakri.
To finish, waiters served Akhrot Halva, colourfully decorated Ras Malai, and Kalajamun as dessert.
A variety of rich chutneys and pickles were served during the meal as well, including Garlic Chutney and Mango Pickle.
The Rajdhani in Hyderabad is located in Banjara Hills, opposite Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
However, if you find yourself plagued with a craving for Gujarati and/or Rajasthani food while traveling, be sure to check out any of their 35 locations across 19 Indian cities and in the Middle- East.
Rajdhani also offers meal boxes for its busier customers, providing four types of thalis-in-a-box ranging from the Elite Meal Box, Special Meal Box, Working Meal Box, to the Snack Box.
