Okhla mein hain Dilli 6

Crowne Plaza has brought in the varied flavours of the walled city under one roof. Find out how

Its narrow lanes are filled with colour and aroma. As you enter the serpentine lanes of Ballimaran and Dariba Kalan, you are transported far away from the glitz and glam of Lutyen's Delhi. Yet this was once the place from where the shehenshahs and the sultans of yore ruled the country.



Chandni Chowk used to bustle. Much of that grandeur is gone now. But even then the place doesn't fail to attract Delhiites and tourists alike. Some go for the wide variety of lip-smacking fare, yet others go trousseau shopping.

Small eating joints here have become institutions in themselves. Some (like Karim's) find a mention in famous food guides, while others are known to connoisseurs alone. Some dishes have become synonymous with its makers. So it isn't surprising that they attract foodies in large numbers who don't mind braving the crowds, the filth and what not to reach their favourite food joints. And all of this adds to the ambience.

Recreating the magic
However, there are many who would like to avoid all that at any cost. The food is greasy and oily, they sneer, so why bother taking all the trouble. For such people, Delhi 6 food festivals at five stars are just perfect. We visited one such place to find out if the life of Chandni Chowk can be recreated in the cold interiors of a swanky hotel.

And we liked what we saw. Crowne Plaza has tried to recreate the atmosphere, sans the crowd. It's global-cuisine restaurant Edesia has been converted into mini Chandni Chowk. A boot polish wallah and a bioscope wallah greeted us at the entrance. Inside, there are luggage carts, pigeons in cut-out form, old film posters, paanwallahs and all the trappings that you generally associate with the old city.

Bringing them together
While Delhi 6 food festivals are nothing new in city hotels, what we liked here is that the hotel has collaborated with all the big names in Walled City's food business (read crowdpullers) and brought them together under one roof.

So you can actually try out Paranthewali Gali ka parantha, Sharma ka chaat, Natraj ke dahi bhalle, Karim's Nihari and Sheermal, Feroze's Habshi halwa, Ghantewala's Sohan halwa, Dariba Kalan's Jalebi and many more under one roof.

While the hotel collaborated with big names, a team of chefs from the hotel scouted the Walled City to cull out the best. The food comes directly from the Walled City while some stuff like Paranthas are made at the hotel. Reason why they were not as greasy and deep fried as Paranthas in Paranthewali Gali. There are about a 100 items and a separate bar counter with Dilli 6 specials that we liked.u00a0
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From golgappa to haleem
We started with some delicious Golgappas and moved on to some very nicely cooked and tasty Matra kulcha. Bhagirathmal's Samosas were good but the succulent kebabs from Sikri were a hit at our table. We didn't like Karim's Biryani. You sure do get better Biryani in the Old City.

However, the Nihari and the Haleem (meat cooked in dal) explains Karim's popularity. We fell in love with the sweetmeats and wished we could have tried all that was available. The Daulat ki chat that is prepared by soaking it in dew is mind-blowing. And the Phirni and Rabri falooda bowled us over. Do check out.

At: Edesia, crowne plaza today, Okhla
On till: February 6
Timings: 12.30 pm to 2.45 pm (lunch) and 7.30 pm to 11.45 pm (dinner)
Ring: 46462000
Price: Rs 1500 plus taxes per person