Maharashtrian Food Festival at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre

Being Marathi, the classy way!

An all Maharastrian food festival at one of Mumbai’s suburban luxury hotel! Say what again? That’s how we reacted when told about this delectable Marathi spread at the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel – Marriott in Powai. Having lived in Mumbai for 10 years now, I hadn’t stepped beyond the usual Dabeli and Vada Pao, routine to explore the cuisine in a more in-depth manner, owing to the lack of restaurants which present the cuisine in an appealing fashion.

Upon entering a classic Mumbai auto greeted us with endearing Marathi music chiming in the background. To acquaint guests with pinches of creativity, the spread was accompanied by a live chaat and roti counter with ladies kneading the dough and creating bespoke rotis right in front of your eyes!

What really was a treat to watch was the intricate Marathi-ness which the ambiance exuded. Right from a warli art table mat to the display of confetti dabbas, the entire space was laced with Marathi nuances. The staff and chefs had done their research and it showed well and how!

We binged on the Maharashtrian street specialities, including Ragda Patice, Pani Puri, Sev Puri, Bhel Puri and rounding it off with a Dabeli and Pao Bhaji. Drinks included the traditional Piyush, Limbu Pani, Kokam Sharbat to creative cocktails like Mumbai Martini and Bandstand. There was a live ‘create your subzi counter’ which dished out a delectable Vegetable Kolhapuri, keeping it exactly how we had asked for. Since Marathi cuisine is largely influenced by states in the vicinity, the spread included farsans like Dhokla, Khandvi, Kothimbir Vadi and Namkeen Para, along with Chaklis and Bhakarwadi.

The most attractive bit about the festival was its Maharathrian nature in its entire authenticity, including cuisines from the regions of Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Konkan. What drew our attention was the diversity of Marathi food which is never explored beyond certain preparations. The property plans to have a Marathi night every week at the Lake View Café. We hope they do it more often with different cusines as anyone who comes to India wishes to try local cuisine and nothing could get better than trying it at the comfort of your accommodation in a healthy and authentic manner.

The Maharashtrian Food Festival at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel is on from 28th – 8th March 2014. For reservations, call: +91 22 66927540