Aromatic Tales From the South At This Food Festival

The diversity of India&rsquos southern landscape is no secret. And that diversity extends into their culinary world, much to the delight of us foodies. With the same promise of coastal delicacies, we entered Zambar, to sample the authentic flavours that have influenced Chef Vetri Murugan, during the ongoing food festival &lsquoAnna's Southern Yatra&rsquo. Designed to highlight dishes across 5 states -  Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala & Goa - Chef Murugan has turned to a thali style format, with each regional Thali being available for 10 days before moving on to the next state. 

Our brush with delicacies from Tamil Nadu went beyond the staple offering of sambar, dosa, vada and idli. We sat on one of the suspended swings across decorative windows that provided a glimpse into monuments of India. We were welcomed with mutton elumbu rasam, a warm refreshing drink that felt like a warm hug in India&rsquos chilly capital. A gigantic thali, with an assortment of dishes were next laid on our table, with slight notes of coconut oil circling the air. There are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali options, and we gorged on the latter.

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With delectables like pallipalayam chicken, chicken salana, chettinad avail, Thanjavur fish kuzhambu and adai dosa, served with a side of rice, we were taken on a tasty journey across the state&rsquos palate. The highlight of the experience, however, was the sweet dish, elai kozhukattai, which is quite like gujiya it is made of coconut and jaggery stuffing in rice dough that is steamed to perfection in a banana leaf. All in all, a fitting homage to the land of rich culture and cuisine. 

Where Zambar, 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, Gurugram

*Anna's Southern Yatra food festival will continue till 29th December, 2021