Review: Top 5 reasons why you should not miss the Andhra Food Festival at South of Vindhyas, Orchid Ecotel

“Apna Desh toh apna desh hota hai” said Chef Bala. We all nodded. Seated around the table at Orchid, at Vile Parle were foodies who had something in common. They all loved to explore the rich culinary treasures of India. And they all had at some point in time left India for lucrative job offers abroad. And come back. Eventually, don't we all? But what triggered this conversation? Well, the Andhra food festival did. How come? Do not leave this page if you want to know more.

Andhra Pradesh, a leading producer of red chilies is known for its spicy traditional meat and seafood delicacies. South of Vindhyas, Orchid’s signature restaurant will be showcasing the best vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood delicacies of this region under a specially designed sit down buffet prepared by Chef Bala till February 9, 2015. Wicked spoon confessions sampled a little from each menu. Here is a list of the top 5 things we like from the Andhra food festival.

1. The traditional decor:

Step into South of Vindhyas and one sees a traditional lamp lit to welcome guests. A colorful rangoli is made radiant with small tea lights and lends a beautiful aura to the entrance. A spice boat announces that the ride ahead will surely tingle taste buds. The table is set with candle light and banana leaves on thalis ensure a traditional touch. The beautiful evening is made resplendent with soothing notes of sitar. 

The beautiful table setting. 

2. Tasty delicacies that tease the tongue

Pitta roast (quail roast) a starter, Pachi pulusu (Rasam), Nimai Anam (Rice), Kodi roast ( chicken starter), chappa vepudu (spicy fried fish) will tickle the tongue and taste buds alike. The fresh and homemade spices elevate the taste of each dish to the level that your taste buds will sing a high note. The choice amongst the vegetarian buffet (Inr 1300) non vegetarian buffet (Inr 1500) or seafood buffet (Inr 1700) is difficult but wicked spoon confessions loved the seafood delicacies

Clockwise- Kodi roast, Pitta roast & spicy prawns 

3. The live appam station

There is nothing more comforting that wrapping a soft appam around a spicy Andhra curry and relishing it slowly. We had a choice between puris, appams and nachni paranta and we kept asking for soft appams. 

4. The homemade taste:

We were dining at a restaurant but the homemade taste was evident in all the dishes. Chef Bala had sourced authentic spices for an authentic taste and some spices were prepared in his kitchen too. The curd rice that ends the meal tastes like one prepared in a Andhra home. Tangy buttermilk and khus sherbet cooled down the dancing taste buds- another Andhra home staple.

The wholesome food at Andhra Food Festival

Khus Sherbet & Tangy Buttermilk

5. The papads, pickles and chutneys

A meal at South of Vindhyas is incomplete without a dollop of your favorite pickle from the pickle trolley. Choose between lime, mango, gongura ( sorrel leaves), garlic and more to add that extra zing to your meal. At the Andhra food festival the flavorful chutney podi (homemade chutney powders) made with sesame, peanuts and dal are added to complete the meal. Pour in a spoonful of ghee and dip that masala vadai, we bet you will ask for more :)

Bite into the crispy papads. 

Tomato and green chutney- add that zing!!

The chutney podi and ghee- blissful combination.

Andhra Pradesh, known for its ever enchanting landscape and spice laden cuisine was a must visit on our list. The food festival at Orchid made sure we were transcended to this magical land with mouth watering dishes with its liberal use of red chilies. If you want to eat scrumptious food made with love and served with warmth, head to the Andhra Food Festival.

Where:
The Orchid, 

Near Domestic Airport,
Nehru Road,
Vile Parle East,
Mumbai

Call- 022 26164040