City’s most popular Eid eats get under one roof at 3-day fest

“We wanted to bring a whole cultural experience with mehendi counters, an Arabic-themed photo booth, Quran and hijab-selling stalls, along with a wide variety of food offerings. While food is a major component of the fest, we also wanted people to take back some memories from the event through cultural elements,” Shamshad Begum of Buva House tells DT Next.

The event will also be a platform for brand-new restaurants to showcase their food and receive public feedback. One can start exploring this three-day extravagant food fiesta with mutton seekh kebabs, malai kebabs and tikkas from city-based Kebabistaan, a month-old restaurant. Head up to a stall by Sukkubhai Biryani and try their famed beef biryani and mutton biryani with a serving of their succulent beef fry. “Our shop began in 1975 when late Sukkubhai, popular for his Sukku kaapi, started making biryanis that were loved by many. Ever since, beef biryani has been a huge hit among Chennaiites, particularly during Ramzan period,” says Abrar Ali Khan who works with the restaurant.

Don’t forget the homemade chicken and mutton cutlets made by home chefs, who are bringing traditional iftar fare to the event, along with their mutton paya, idiyappam and alphonso pudding. Mogappair-based Dish and Dash will be offering its juicy shawarma, grilled chicken and sandwiches. To please your sweet tooth, one will be spoilt for choice, with stalls offering both traditional and western desserts. Middle Eastern dessert kanafeh (made out of semolina dough, layered with nuts and cream), apple sherbet and Basha halwa are sure to win over your taste buds. Milkshake And Co from Besant Nagar will be bringing its rich shakes in quirky mugs. Top off the sweet journey with mini Dutch pancakes and hot waffles from Westfield Waffles and homemade ice lollies from The Perf Ice Candy. There’s also a dum chai if you want to end your meal with a tea.

Between your meals, play dress up at the photo booth and click pictures with your loved ones by donning abayas and kanduras. “Applying mehendi on hands is a very prominent part of Eid, so we will also have counters for that, apart from prayer rooms,” adds Shamshad.

— BA