Sweet (and Savoury) Diwali Treats

Not just dudhi halwa

Among The Sassy Spoon's new Diwali-inspired desserts, dudhi halwa with cardamom mousse, marzipan hazelnut ganache and masala chai sorbet wins hands down be it with looks, bite or flavour. The creamy mousse perfectly compliments the gooey halwa inside. The duo work just perfectly together, with the right balance of textures, without being over-sweet. The chai sorbet would be a sore aside, at least for some, and the nutty ganache below could either adds oomph or is a harmless accompaniment, depending on who's eating it. Last year's gajar halwa crepes that come wrapped in banana leaf, accompanied by gulkand ice cream is a great pick this year too.

Where: The Sassy Spoon, Nariman Point, Bandra, Juhu
Price: Rs. 365 + taxes

Burgers so bright

While the bright colour of the buns—green for the Palak Paneer burger and red for the Lamb Rogan Josh one—can scare you at first look, chef Harpal Singh Sokhi assures us that although food grade colour has been used, the hue also comes from natural ingredients such as palak for the former, and beetroot juice and chilli powder for the latter. We like the softness and sponginess of the bread and the filling sliders in between. The cheesy-spinach sauce and curry mango sit well on the palak-paneer patty and the meaty burger too is lovely with a flavoursome lamb patty and not too overpowering Kashmiri rogan josh gravy—neither too sweet nor too spicy. You can dip it in harrissa mayo. The burgers come with a pack of French fries.

Where: Genuine Broaster Chicken, Versova
Price: Green: Rs. 199 + taxes; Red: Rs. 279 + taxes

Dishing Diwali, the NRI way

In keeping with its concept Atul Kocchar's NRI brings you a three-course meal of dishes relished during Diwali by the Indian diaspora abroad. So you've got soyna from Fiji, chicken curry puffs from Singapore, kuku paka from Kenya, alu shaak ratatouille, and kurma with chenaar paayesh from Guyana. The simple dessert of kurma with paayesh is popularly sold as a Diwali sweet in the region, but the other dishes, we are told by sous chef Siddharth K, are festive foods you may sometimes find on other big occasions too. In fact, meat uncommon during Diwali in India is also part of the celebration spread because for those settled abroad, the festival of lights is an excuse to celebrate Indianness, and sees participation from all Indian communities, religion no-bar. As you're served the soyna, you may at first think “oh, that's the same-old Gujarati patra”, but this one uses urad dal with the besan and is topped with a white grape relish and red-grape dip alongside, that will make you go wow. And that's exactly what the chef has done—combined nostalgia and novelty. The wines served with each course are well-selected too, especially the earthy sangria paired with the mains and the dessert liqour accompanying the paayesh. With four dishes and two desserts—all replenish-able—to be split between two, NRI's Vilayati Diwali menu offers great value for money too besides great taste.

Where: NRI, BKCBKC
Price: Rs. 2500 + taxes (for 2 people)

Boondi Bonbons

The combination of hot and cold in food is always fascinating. Think gulab jamun with kulfi. Sucre Des Terres' frozen bonbons is an ambitious idea that has ice cream—in flavours of lemon, vanilla, roasted pistachio and chocolate—encased in boondi ladoos. We recommend the vanilla, which in this case not boring at all, and roasted pistachio that stands out as different and interesting in this concoction. The combination with lemon is not for everyone, and the one with chocolate is not likely to impress anyone. Though it comes in an assorted box, they would be glad to oblige if you have a preference.gulab jamun with kulfi. Sucre Des Terres' frozen bonbons is an ambitious idea that has ice cream—in flavours of lemon, vanilla, roasted pistachio and chocolate—encased in boondi ladoos. We recommend the vanilla, which in this case not boring at all, and roasted pistachio that stands out as different and interesting in this concoction. The combination with lemon is not for everyone, and the one with chocolate is not likely to impress anyone. Though it comes in an assorted box, they would be glad to oblige if you have a preference.

Where: Sucres Des Terres, Worli (Delivery South Bombay and Bandra)
Price: Rs. 950 (assorted box of four)