Street treats in immaculate confines

Yummy chaat cravings on your mind? head to The street food fest, where chaats rule the roost, not to speak of a host of other streetside delights

Yummy chaat cravings on your mind? head to The street food fest, where chaats rule the roost, not to speak of a host of other streetside delights

Strolling around the bylanes of purani Dilli, you will probably get some of the finest tasting raaste ka khaana, but you might not like to venture there, with all the hygiene concerns on your mind. The Street food festival at Limelight will give you both the taste of street food combined with the cleanliness of a star hotel.

We walked through the thoroughfares and the endless chaats being made fresh by the chefs with gloves on their hands and felt at ease instantly. Thankfully, we didn't need to fret over the after-effects of this street food for one. And the taste was near perfect too.

Take your pick from the sundry nibbles on offeru00a0- Vada Pav, Kachori, Pav Bhaji, Pakodas, Kulche Chole and Rolls. We tried the Ghoogre, basically black channa with boiled potatoes seasoned with ginger and chillies, a completely inept dish you might like to skip.

Chilla, which is made from the paste of moong dal is a tad too oily and salty. The foodies will not mind the surfeit options like dosa, uttapams, vegetable biryani and matke ki dal served with phulkas. Wash this down with a masala soda, a shikanji or better still hot milk with dry fruits in a small kulhad (pot).

There's also aloo, gobhi, mooli, paneer, methi and ajwain paranthas, which are a foil on your homemade original paranthas. You will not like the paranthas, especially if you're a Punju or have tasted the Punjabi paranthas, as these are nowhere close to the original. For your sweet cravings try the Jalebi with Rabdi or the Roller Kulfi.

We loved
The puchka, papri chaat, jhal muri and bhel puri score high on the taste factor, swishing away all your surmise on the possibility of the dhool-mitti mixed with the chutney at your road-side chatwallahs, adding to the taste. Don't forget to sample the infallible aloo tikkis, which will remind you of the ones you would have tasted at your family's favourite chaat shop. These chaats are a haven for those who crave for the right combo of mint and tamarind chutney and dash of dahi (curd) on top of their chaats, especially in Bangalore.

Why go there
If you're a chaat freak and don't mind spending a few bucks for zestful plates of chaat, then go ahead. The ambiance is apt with haath-rickshaw, earthen pottery, thatch huts and kites adding that little extra touch to the grub.

Wallet factor: The cost of a meal for one person is Rs 650+tax, which includes the dinner buffet and the street food buffet.
At: Limelight, Hotel Royal Orchid on old Airport Road and also at 9th Mile dhaba, The Royal Orchid Resort, Yelahanka, Bangalore.
On till: September 27 everyday between 7 pm to midnight.