I was invited by the lovely people at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore to try out an exclusive menu that features Kashmiri cuisine. To be honest, my knowledge of Kashmiri cuisine is quite limited and the only aspect I was aware of is Wazwan. But after this memorable meal, I'm intrigued by the delicacies being served up by the duo of Matamaal who have curated a limited edition menu at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore. I went in as an ignorant foodie but returned with a new found love for Kashmiri cuisine. And here's why I'm convinced it'll be one of the best meals you'll have and why you should make a reservation immediately!
1. It's a sought after menu by the A-listers of the gastronomic world
Shuchir Suri of Food Talk India and Chef Kunal Kapur are just a few of the renowned foodies who have loved Matamaal's menu. Nalini and Surender Sadhu, the couple behind Matamaal's success, started out as home cooks. Nalini, the chef at Matamaal, has no formal training. However she and her husband Surender have found that their food is so good, it's celebrated by the world's best chefs. They have curated menus for top notch hotels globally including the Raffles, Singapore. Legend has it that some of the guests still talk about their meal with a lot of love. The couple now runs five restaurants spread across the globe to help spread awareness about Kashmiri cuisine to gourmands by serving Kashmiri Pandit cuisine for the first time in the world in a restaurant setting.
2. It's a rare menu that's curated for just a week at the world's most iconic hotels
The dimensions of Kashmiri cuisine are known to a few. It's often misunderstood as a cuisine that only features mutton. However, Matamaal and the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore aim to bust those myths while serving up an incredible menu to Bangalore's gourmands. When you sit down for a meal here, you'll realise that Kashmiri cuisine is an array of rich flavours and textures that create a sensory experience like no other. The heat of the red chillies in the Rogan Josh, the soft meat that falls off the bone after being marinated in yogurt, in the Mutton Yakhni, the tangy rush of flavours over your tongue from the Tchok Charwan (liver) and the fragrance of saffron-mist that envelops the table when the rice is served all make for a lovely getaway for your taste buds. The meal itself is an experience to relish for many days to come with all the elements coming together to create magic of gastronomical proportions. While you might try hard, you won't find a menu such as this easily. And the team behind Matamaal might just make you fall in love with dishes you never enjoyed before (like the liver for me). It's for these reasons why foodies rush to try the dishes prepared by Nalini Sadhu.
3. You get to try dishes that have a legacy of over 5000 years
Kashmiri Pandit cuisine is a rarity because it was only experienced when one was invited to a Kashmiri Pandit's home. The dishes are made with a lot of attention to detail and are heavy on preparation. The meats are typically slow-cooked for eight hours before it arrives on your plate. Matamaal is the first restaurant to open up its doors to the public so they cherish authentic Kashmiri Pandit cuisine that's still cooked the way it was thousands of years ago. While the Matamaal menu at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore focuses on spreading awareness regarding the Kashmiri Pandit cuisine, the expertise of Nandini and the chefs at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore extends far beyond that. The menu also offers a Wazwan menu and vegetarian options as well leaving no one behind in the team's quest to share the delights of Kashmiri cuisine with the world.
4. This menu is so exclusive it gets sold-out everyday!
Given the rarity of the cuisine and the coveted dishes served up by the hosts, the menu is a hit and sells out daily. When I arrived on day 1, I was pleasantly surprised to see a crowded Riwaz at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore on a weekday night. The specially curated menu is available only for eight days starting 2 August, 2023 and should not be missed. There are thalis available during lunch and à la carte options prepared for dinner. I'd highly recommend the Kashmiri Pandit thali which features all the key dishes and lets you experience the best of everything. You can also try the vegetarian and Wazwan thalis for lunch. All dishes are cooked without the use of onions and garlic. Riwaz also has a wonderful selection of wines should you choose to pop-open a bottle and make it a special occassion. After all, this menu deserves to be celebrated by diners!
5. There's plenty of 'sweetness' to be relished
The menu features traditional Kehwa - a warm drink filled with saffron, sweetness and dry fruits. While the mix may sound heavy, it's actually a great accompaniment for the meal. The Kehwa is smooth, warm and comforting in a way that makes you want to cozy up to the meal even more. If you're in the mood to cool off instead, try the Iced Kehwa, I couldn't stop sipping it. It's a chilled twist on the traditional drink and is only found on this menu at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore! Overall the dishes feel comforting, homely and is a treat to the palate - whether an experienced gourmand's or that of a novice. Best enjoyed by eating with your hand, the chefs encourage you to devour the meal the way you like it, as if you were home being served your favourite comfort food. (I can vouch for this as the flavours feel enhanced when eating with your hand!)
Whether you consider yourself a food connoisseur or just someone in search of the nostalgia of home food, the hearty meal at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore by Matamaal hits all the right spots. It's comfort food fit for royalty and does not disappoint. I'm grateful I got to savour this lovely meal and learn so much about Kashmiri culture. Nalini and Surender Sadhu and the team at the Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore leave no stone unturned as they bring the best of Kashmiri cuisine to their keen guests who are right to queue up for their meal. Their warm hospitality and enthusiasm to serve the flavours of Kashmir in an authentic way shows in every bite you take. The meal is made with the best ingredients, a generous serving of nostalgia and the warmth of loving mother all of which makes it that much more tasty! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make a reservation so you don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime menu!
To make a reservation visit this link or call +91 974.103.5124
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