Friday, September 30, 2016

Karnataka Food Festival at Namma Bengaluru - My Place, Movenpick Hotel & Spa


If someone asks me what fascinate me most, it will be the different cultures and cuisines from all across the world. Maybe that's one reason I love food festivals. Food festivals' according me is a great platform to enhance your knowledge. It can be about food, cuisine or culture linked to it. This time at My Place, Movenpick Hotel and Spa, it was a blend of everything. My Place is hosting a Karnataka Food Festival from 29th Sep - 13th Oct, 2016 which primarily focus on the array of dishes from South to North Karnataka. This festival special menu is curated by Chef Rayomund Pardiwalla and Chef Gaurav Bathla.


Movenpick Hotel & Spa is located in New BEL road and can be easily located through Google map. This was my third visit to Movenpick Hotel & Spa. 'My Place' is famous for its Sunday brunch with a countless variety of spread they serve. After getting stuck in the evening peak hour tailbacks, one can't think anything less than a comfortable dining. I was invited for an exclusive media preview of the Karnataka food festival. Once I entered the premises first thing I noticed was the beautifully set lightings, Pookalam (floral carpet), and the festival special stalls in front of 'My Place' which showcases the handicrafts from Karnataka.


The main highlight of this fest is that Chef Gaurav could bring the essence of different regions as he has traveled the length and breadth of Karnataka. I was welcomed with two drinks - Buttermilk and pink colored Kokum (Garcinia indica) drink. Both the drinks were so refreshing after a tiresome journey.

Next on the table were accompaniments for the starters and main course- four types of pickles and chutneys each. As I mentioned earlier, starters had a variety of inspired elements from the Bangalore food street (the famous VV Puram).


Chef Rayomund Pardiwalla and Chef Gaurav Bathla

Some of the must-try dishes from the exquisite menu -
Starters


Raw banana and Chilli bajji (fritters) - A platter full of hot chilli and raw banana fritters along with four chutneys is must-try unless you're not a diet conscious person.
Congress Masala (Peanut masala) - Classic peanut masala which had all the ingredients required to call it a perfect delicious snack.
Nipattu (Crackers) Masala - Crackers topped with chaat ingredients like onion, tomato, sev, puffed rice and cilantro leaves with a hint of lemon juice.
All the starters were fresh, tasty, and crunchy.

Kokum drink
 
Main Course

Mangalorean Prawns Curry - Mangalorean style Prawns curry in coconut milk gravy was the perfect dish to have with steam rice, sannas and even rotis they served.
 

Clam and Mussel Fry - Give me one plate of Clam and Mussel fry, I will finish it off in few minutes. It was finger-licking good.

 
From top clockwise- Sannas, Neer dosa, Akki roti and Jowar roti
Jolada (Jowar) Roti - North Karnataka special roti made of Jowar (Sorghum), a type of millet.
Akki Roti - This was more like Bangalore style Akki roti with dill leaves. It tasted wonderful with Prawns and Pork dishes.
Sannas -This soft and fluffy steam cake can be taken with any gravy.
Neer Dosa - I have tried Neer dosa in many places and felt this one could've been better.
 

Coorg Pandhi Curry - Even though I'm not a Pork lover, this dish just blew my mind. It tasted amazing and goes well with very thin akki rotis.
Mangalore style Southekkai Sambar - Best to have with bisi-bisi (hot hot) rice
 

Chicken Ghee Roast - My all time favorite Mangalorean dish which is made with ground coconut and other spices.
 

Ragi Mudde - Best known as 'farmer's food'. Ragi mudde is rural Karnataka's staple food and it is made of Ragi (Finger millet).
 
Desserts


Holige/ Obattu and Dharwad Peda - Both the desserts were outstanding. Holige tasted heavenly when a good amount of ghee was poured on it. Dharwad Peda was the best one I had till date. No one can just have one :P

Karnataka Food Festival is going on from 29th September and it will be on till 13th Oct, 2016. As it was a food tasting session, we have given our valuable suggestions to Chef Gaurav Bathla. Some interesting dishes like Kori roti, chakli, and Noolputtu are also on their menu. I had thoroughly enjoyed dining at 'My Place' and will go back again for another wonderful experience. My Place has a great ambience and service is quick. Buffet charges for the Karnataka food festival - INR 1200 + taxes for lunch and INR 1500 + taxes for dinner.

Don't miss this food fest! Make your reservations before the fest gets over :)

Address:
My Place, Movenpick Hotel & Spa
#115,  Gokula Extension
HMT Road (near BEL Circle)
New BEL Road, Mathikere
Bangalore
For reservations, contact 080 43001000/ 49652719

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For any queries or feedback, call +91-9886771173 or send a mail to afoodiestrail@gmail.com