Indian Food Promotion at Hilton Colombo Residence

Ah, what’s not to love about North Indian fare? Crispy buttery naan, chicken dhum biryani, and dhal makhani are just a few of the favourites on the menu at the Indian food promotion at Verandah Bistro at the Hilton Colombo Residence, Chef Ashwini Kumar’s very first food promotion as resident specialty chef.

Kicking things off, I am served a light drink of lime, mint and sugar in a shooter glass – refreshing and cool, followed by a serving of delicious tomato soup infused with coriander. The soup is fiery, plenty flavoursome and possibly one of the best items on the menu at the promotion. The lineup of dishes include soft, warm naan – garlic, butter and keema, the latter filled with minced mutton, chicken dhum biryani, boneless fish marinated in spices, paneer with spring onions and tomatoes, gobi charchari (cauliflower cooked in a Bengali style), dhal makhani, sesame coated stuffed grilled potatoes, boneless chicken cubes in a tomato gravy, char grilled minced lamb, and a mushroom, sweet corn and green pea curry cooked in cashew gravy.

The dhal makhani and boneless chicken in tomato gravy were particular favourites, especially when paired with the crispy butter naan. The paneer (Indian cottage cheese) was cooked to perfection and the boneless fish was steeped in flavour from the spices it was cooked in. The sesame coated stuffed grilled potatoes was a dish I’ve never tried before, and these make for a great starter if you’d like to snack on something before moving on to the mains.

The promotion also features a chaat counter, which serves popular Indian street fare such as jhalmuri – puffed rice cereal mixed with coriander, chopped tomatoes and onions and a tamarind sauce. Also available at the chaat counter were papadam with mint sauce, and a spicy vermicelli dish. On the spread of desserts, you will find carrot halwa, rice pudding with milk and nuts and a sweet vermicelli dish cooked with milk, nuts and rosewater in addition to other desserts such as chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, assorted slices of cake, fruit mousses, ice cream and fresh fruit.

Chef Ashwini Kumar has been at the Hilton Colombo Residence for two and a half months now, and his main focus is the Indian cuisine at the hotel. Before he moved to HCR, he was posted at the Hilton in Delhi. Specializing in North Indian fare, Chef Ashwini expressed his delight at preparing Indian food for Sri Lankans, saying that the cuisine appears to be a favourite on the island. He plans to have a kebab festival soon, in addition to a food promotion placing focus on Mughal cuisine. The Indian food promotion is on from July 9-26 at the Verandah Bistro from 7PM-11PM. For reservations and details, please contact the Verandah Bistro on 0-115-344-644 ext. 635 or visit https://www.facebook.com/hiltoncr for details and information.

By Sarah Kellapatha
Photos courtesy Hilton Colombo Residence