Parsi perfection: Check out Batlivala & Khanabhoy’s Parsi wedding and festival favourites at Sagan nu Bhonu

The New Year spells new beginnings. Yet, instead of trying to whip up an entirely new menu, Batlivala & Khanabhoy’s Sagan nu Bhonu festival dives back into traditional Parsi wedding and festival favourites — some of which feature on the restaurant’s regular a la carte bill of fare. With nostalgia on the cards, the primary focus of the festival has quite a bit to do with recreating memories associated with celebration and might explain why songs like the Sunny Side of the Street (Louis Armstrong’s version) and Frank Sinatra’s The Way You Look Tonight play in 
the background. 

Classic start 

The festival offers a traditional Parsi style thali, of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare, that comes on a banana leaf that is placed vertically (unlike the South Indian tradition that places the leaf horizontally). The set menu of eight dishes, each of which comes with an option, includes the quintessential Parsi soda. Our choice is the raspberry flavour that has a citrusy after taste and compliments the meal perfectly. At our table, we are served a selection of their best picks from the vegetarian and non-vegetarian bhonu. We start with the Papeta na Pattice — a potato-based patty stuffed with a savoury green chutney. The creamy mashed potato filling, which is devoid of any lumps, and the crunchy crumb-coated exterior is a delightful play on textures, to say the least. We quickly move on to the Salli par Eedu cupcakes, a spicy muffin made with salty potato sticks and eggs. However, even as we begin to dig into our muffins, we are distracted by a distinctly familiar aroma. Enter, Irani-style mutton kheema. 

Down main’s street  
 

A highlight of the entire meal, just the whiff of Kheema per Eedu possesses the ability to transport you to the gullies (bylanes) of Hyderabad’s old city on a Ramadan evening. The rich spicy kheema masala is paired up with a butter-toasted pav and makes for the ideal comfort food. From the entrees, Ghost Kebab Na Pulao with Masala Ni Dar stands out. Cooked in the typical Parsi layered style, the pulao’s rich flavours come out from the slow cooked chicken and the caramelised onions for garnish. 

Cold comfort

Even though you may not have any room left for dessert we urge you to try the malai kulfi instead of the Lagan nu Custard. The kulfi, which is extra creamy, comes with a generous sprinkle of pistachios and almonds and makes every extra calorie worth it.

Vegetarian meal at Rs 599+ and non-vegetarian meal at Rs 749+. Sagan nu Bhonu ends on August 27. Details: 7339525445

— Rebecca Vargese
rebecca@newindianexpress.com
 @rebecca_vargese