Kerala Food Festival at Spice Haat, Hyatt Regency, Chennai

Where: Spice Haat at Hyatt Regency, Anna Salai, Teynampet.

What: Kerala Food Festival

When: 11^th April 2016 to 25^th April 2016

Would life be as beautiful as it is without the essence of spice? So to pack our life and tummy with extravagant food and enrich our palate with Indian spices, walk your way into Spice Haat at Hyatt Regency. As you locate them at the rightmost corner of the lobby, you will immediately figure that they have indeed setup a huge market to justify the 'Haat' in their name. The decor mesmerises with the subtle yet classic Indian depictions through statuette and attractive possessions. And walk across the endless dining arena witnessing the aromatic food counters. A glance at their food inculcates an urge to explore every possible dish at the spread.

As the Chef crafts the layered flatbread (Parotta), the visuals of colourful and aromatic Keralite delicacies reminds the reason behind my visit. Yes, it's an extravagant food festival brought down from the god's own country 'Kerala'. Where to start? It was one overwhelming food experience that made me cherish my love for home cooking.

Though cold coffee and mojito help to beat the heat, it shall never match with the refreshing Sparkling Coconut and Pineapple Breeze. Biting the slice of Chakk Varatti (jackfruit and jaggery halwa) and licking the Injipuli (ginger jaggery pickle) made be ecstatic and curious to further explore the handcrafted menu of Chef. Though the chef remained calm their food spoke volumes.

Like warm-ups before the match, the enticing plates of appetizers glared gloriously on the table. The sweet and crispy Banana Fritters (Pazhlam Pori) and the tasty yet delicate Ulli Vada made of small onions were delicious. Nevertheless the non-vegetarian counterpart proved to be the best; succulent and backed by flavours was the Kerala Style Chicken Fry and then came the perfecto, Mutton Ularthiyathu, tender mutton pieces soaked in spices swept my feet off the ground.

As I was searching for words to appreciate, my favourite delicacies from the Kerala thali were placed one after other on the plate. The Kerala red rice mixed with tangy and delicious Puliserry along with the Pappadum did the magic for me. All those lip-smacking vegetarian sides, Peera (Snack Gourd poriyal), Parrippu Kootan and Avial were proofs that they have mastered the intricate flavours.

The flaky-fluffy Malabar Paratha were great with the Mutton Kurumilagu Ittathu, as the black pepper, coconut and meat combination could never go wrong and another perfecto. And could we sign-off without getting the glimpse of fish at a Kerala food festival so came the authentic Meen Vattichathu, loved it. I am still salivating thinking about the tangy and delicious King Fish curry.

Signed off in a traditional way by slurping a bowl of impeccable Ada Prathaman and Chakka Prathaman. But this isn't the end of the movie, you have huge counters with Continental and other Indian delicacies; and noteworthy array of desserts so don't miss them.

That royal and lavish food mela comes for the price tag of: Vegetarian Thali - Rs.1000, Non-Vegetarian Thali - Rs.1200 and Dinner Buffet - Rs.1550 excluding taxes.

Breaking Down Points

Location & Parking: Positive. Elite locality with valet parking.

Ambience: Positive. Mesmerising!

Food Variety: Positive. Rotational menu. Lavish spread.

Taste: Positive. Home food, comfort food.

Quality & Quantity: Positive. Top-notch and buffet spread is luxurious.

Service: Positive. Perfect.

Price: NA. For that royal food treatment it is apt.

So my Verdict!

Indulge into the land of Kerala at Chennai during this festive season.

Splendid Presentation of Impeccable, Charismatic and Elegantly Handcrafted Authentic Array of Tantalizing food from Kerala cuisine.

For Reservations & Enquiries call +91 44 61001234

P.S. This write-up is based on my food palate & dining experience during my restaurant visit. On-the-house bloggers meet for Kerala Food Festival at Spice Haat. Remember, no two person's food palate can be same. And this post is only for the Kerala Food Festival happening at Spice Haat.