Aish at The Park has always been synonymous to Hyderabadi and Mughlai cuisine in a royal setup. With the Sailana Food Festival — a celebration of the cuisine of the Maharajas — the fine-dining restaurant reaffirms the same. Influenced by Maharaja Digvijay Singh’s book, The Park offers a score of new dishes in the special menu for the two-week festival.
We’re welcomed into the plush restaurant by chandeliers, the ‘royal Nawab’ chair and the aroma of freshly grilled kebabs. As we settle down, sipping on fresh lime juice, Aloo La-Jawab arrives. When you have a first look, you might think of this as potato wedges, but the flavour of amchoor and asafoetida is what differentiates the fast food from this appetiser. Served with mint chutney, the tender-cooked meat with the right amount spices makes Be Masale Ka Gosht a must-have appetiser. While the Machhi Kebab Sailana is crispy and tangy, it’s the Luft-e-Dariya — spicy fried prawns — that seafood lovers shouldn’t miss.
After a round of the filling starters, we know that this was the beginning of a long drawn out meal that is to follow. From the main course section, first up is the Karela Nafees. Although we take a small serving, hesitating to try bitter gourd, we’re quite impressed with the tangy dry curry that is full of spices, with little taste of the bitter vegetable. We pair our Murgh Kheema Roti with Arvi Rogani (braised colocasia cooked with spices) and Murgh Irani (chicken cooked in cream and curd), both of which had us going for seconds. The former, however, is best paired with Zarda Pulao, which is rather bland with minimal flavours. We follow it up with spoons of comfort food — Sailana Daal — yellow lentils cooked with cumin and molasses. Seafood lovers, don’t miss the flavourful Machhi Ki Biryani.
Post the heavy main course, we decide to limit our desserts to a few spoonfuls. However, the Lahsun Ki Kheer has us going back on our word. Topped with rose petals, the hint of cardamom adds a quirky taste to the delicious garlic kheer. Guests can also try Gosht Ka Halwa and Hare Chane Ka Halwa from the desserts.
Till December 9.
Price for two: Rs.2,000.