Feast India Co. promises an Awadhi menu in a vintage bungalow 

A Mughalai matter
Feast India Co.
Feast India Co.

Residents of Cunningham Road are familiar with Fat Buddha, an Asian restaurant located in a winding street in Vasanth Nagar. Within the same compound, lies the newly opened Feast India Co. which won us over with its vintage and colonial charm. Housed within a 92-year old bungalow which once belonged to the Wodeyar family, the restaurant has retained the art and decor from the period. We enjoyed a lunch at 
the restaurant’s courtyard on a rainy afternoon. 


The menu has been curated by celebrity chef Gautam Mehrishi and boasts Awadhi and Lucknowi recipes going back to Mughal times. “We use absolutely no oil in our kitchen,” says owner Ashish Kabadi, adding “We use ghee, and that too only for flavouring.”  

Dum ki  Ghosht Biryani
Dum ki  Ghosht Biryani


Regal affair
We started our elaborate meal with the Zafrani Shorba. The delicate soup with vegetables and saffron had a silky texture and was high on the umami quotient. Next on the table was an array of kebabs. We recommend their crumbly Hara Tawa Kebab, made on a special Mahi Tawa (a type of flat tawa). The highlight was the Seekh Niloferi, made with puffed lotus seed and lotus stem and grilled on skewers. Another interesting option is the Tikka Banno, available in seafood, lamb and chicken options, which is named after a princess named Banno.


Moving on to the mains, we tried the Chooze Makhani, tandoori chicken in a creamy gravy. Best had with their Awadhi style Dum ki Gosht Biryani, a delightful combination. Next, we sampled the Dal e Dum, their version of the Dal Makhani. Buttery and rich, as the name promises, this was tried with the Saunfiyani Naan, a naan flavoured with aniseed.

Shahi Tukda
Shahi Tukda


We were also treated to the Baingan Mirch ka Salan, a combination of baby eggplants and banana peppers in a tart gravy. We paired this with Warqi Paratha, a layered bread made on the griddle.  


Sweet spot
No Lucknowi feast is complete without desserts. From their Meethi Faarmaish section, we sampled the Shahi Tukda, a crispy bread base topped with condensed milk and nuts. Another classic we were served is the Phirni. A broken rice dish with rose essence made in a clay pot. Both were a fitting end to this royal meal. 

Even though we had quite a feast, the meal left us feeling light, perhaps due to the lack of oil in the dishes. With its picturesque ambience and authentic food, Feast India Co. surely sets itself apart from the restaurants in the vicinity. 

Rs.1,500 ++ for two. 
At Vasanth Nagar

 anagha@newindianexpress.com
@anaghzzz

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