Divine Flavours: Navratri Thali at Courtyard By Marriott Hyderabad is culinary extravaganza

Hyderabad: Navratri brings with it a sense of spirituality, devotion, and of course, culinary delights that cater to the soul and nourish the body. A spiritual way to embrace the festivities is through the art of fasting, traditionally known as ‘vrat.’

Courtyard By Marriott Hyderabad, seizing this wonderful opportunity, has set the stage for a 10-day-long Navratri Special Thali festival at its renowned Momo Café from October 15-24.

I recently had the privilege of experiencing a Sunday lunch at this exquisite venue, and I must say, it was nothing short of a culinary adventure.

The delights of sattvic food

Upon entering the tranquil premises of Courtyard By Marriott Hyderabad, I was greeted by the elegant ambience of Momo Café. The restaurant’s spacious and well-lit seating area allowed natural light to filter in, providing diners with a serene view of lush surroundings as they relished their sattvic food, specially crafted for fasting.

What truly made this experience remarkable was the opportunity to sit down with chef Anurag Sharma, the mastermind behind each delectable dish in the Navratri Thali.

Chef Anurag, hailing from Delhi, shared his fondest memories associated with this auspicious festival that inspired him to create the Thali.

“During the festival,” he reminisced, “my mother and I used to visit temples, and as a child, I thoroughly enjoyed the temple offerings, including Poori, Shrikhand, and Dahi Arbi. These sattvic dishes inspired me with their simplicity, which we have kept intact in our fasting thali. The Navratri Thali is both healthy and light on the palate. What sets it apart is the absence of spices; instead, all the dishes are prepared using only rock salt, green chillies, and cumin seeds, which are savoured during fasting rituals.”

The simple indulgence of enviable platter

The 12-item Navratri Thali is a true feast for the senses. It graced our table with a vibrant tapestry of colours and aromas, a testament to the spirit of festive indulgence.

We began our culinary journey with Kuttu Ki Poori, crafted from buckwheat flour, which transported us to the comfort of homely, heartwarming meals. Accompanied by the comforting flavours of Jeera Aloo, the meal took us down memory lane.

Adding delightful crunch to the experience were the crispy accompaniments of Sabudana Papad and Vada made from fried tapioca beads. These small delights complemented the dishes perfectly, offering a wonderful variety of textures.

Our taste buds then embarked on a voyage to savour the Samak Chawal, a dish composed of barnyard millet, adorned with fried cashews and almonds. This nutty, subtly flavoured creation served as an ideal rice substitute for fasting, offering rich minerals and vitamins with low starch content. We paired it with the luscious Dahi Wali Arbi, creating a delightful harmony of flavours.

Chef Anurag’s innovative touch extended to the Kachche Kele Ke Kebab (Raw Banana Kebab), where soft, cylindrical patties were encased in a crunchy peanut coating, infusing the dish with a delightful vegetal taste inside and nutty crust outside.

For dessert, spoonfuls of decadent Shrikhand graced our palates with saccharine indulgence. However, the star of the meal was the Lauki Halwa, crafted from grated bottle gourd. With its creamy, milky richness and vibrant green hue from blanching, it proved to be an ethereal sweet delight.

Satisfying taste buds with delicious thalis

After indulging in the Navratri Thali, chef Anurag enticed us to explore their North Indian and South Indian Thalis as well.

The North Indian Thali presented buttery Kulcha, Chhole, Dal Makhani, and Palak Paneer, transporting us to the bustling lanes of Old Delhi and the heartlands of Punjab, where these culinary treasures hold sway.

Turning our gaze southward, we tried southern delicacies like tangy Rasam, aromatic Sambhar, Dondakaya Fry, and Beerakaya Kaju Fry, complemented by Curd Rice and Papad.

Towards the end, Seviyan Payasam proved to be a symphony of almonds, cashews, and pistachios melding harmoniously with condensed milk — a fitting finale to our festive bonanza.

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Navratri and relish the exquisite flavours of fasting meals, Courtyard By Marriott Hyderabad’s 10-day-long Navratri Special Thali festival is the perfect destination.

The combination of culinary expertise, a serene ambience, and the essence of tradition makes it a dining experience that’s not to be missed.

With prices starting at Rs 1,000 plus taxes, it’s a celebration of taste and tradition that’s worth every penny. So, go ahead, embrace the spirit of Navratri, and embark on a gastronomic adventure that will leave your taste buds delighted and your soul content.