The Diwali Festival of Lights will be taking place on the 4th of November, and to celebrate this special occasion, Chef de Cuisine Manav Tuli will be hosting a one-night-only tasting menu incorporating many of his favourite dishes at CHAAT at the Rosewood Hong Kong.

CHAAT at Rosewood Hong Kong, a place well-known for its bold renditions of India’s street snack culture, is to host an elaborate one-off tasting menu specially created by Chef de Cuisine Manav Tuli to honour the Hindu Festival of Lights on 4th November 2021.

About CHAAT
For those that might not know, CHAAT is a Hindi term that means “To Lick”, which seems like a pretty perfect name for a restaurant! As mentioned earlier, CHAAT is known for its excellent quality Indian street food. Their Chef de Cuisine Manav Tuli is at the restaurant’s helm and wants guests to experience all the best Indian foods and traditional street snacks he enjoyed during his childhood in India, which includes his hearty homemade Paneer Cheese and Pav Bhaji.

To create the perfect flavour profiles, Chef Manav Tuli uses three authentic tandoor ovens, which results in a menu that pays homage to the rich and varied culinary lexicon of India’s central states and Bombay coast, the northern Punjab and Kerala in the south.

A closer look at what’s on the Diwali Menu
The evening’s repast commences with Dhokla Ki Chaat, an appetising snack of wheat crisps, pomegranate and tangy homemade chutneys. Lobster Rasam follows a South Indian-style clear and spicy lobster soup infused with black pepper.

Inspired by the Hindu tradition of sharing mountains of food with the community during Diwali, the family-style Tandoori Kebab Platter features Lamb Boti Kebab with mint chutney, tamarind-glazed Tandoori Pork Ribs with fennel and onion seeds, and Tandoori Foie Gras with mango chutney and chilli balsamic.

The seafood star of the menu is Halibut Polichathu, a tender, Kerala-style halibut pan-fried in coconut oil and wrapped with banana leaves that penetrate the fish with aroma and flavour. This is enjoyed with sides of Methi Kaddu, a Bengali-style butternut squash stir-fry with fenugreek leaves; Dal Panchmel, a healthy and protein-packed Rajasthani dish of five different lentils; Basmati Rice; Kachumber Raita; fresh vegetable salad; and Tandoor-baked Lacha Naan.

For dessert, Berry Shrikhand Eton Mess is a special take on the classic English dessert. It was one of Chef Manav’s favourite desserts during his time in the U.K., and his special touch incorporates traditional Indian strained and spiced yoghurt with berries.

CHAAT is a great place to experience the feeling of being in India’s much-loved social bazaars. It has a convivial atmosphere and is an ideal place for friends, and new acquaintances to gather over a shared love of food and conversation.

CHAAT – Where and how?

The special Diwali menu will be an abundant feast bursting with flavours, in keeping with the vitality of India’s most colourful and festive holiday of the year, and is priced at HKD1,288 plus service charge per guest, available for one night only.

CHAAT is located at Level 5, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. For more information, please visit their official website, www.chaat.hk.

What is Diwali?
Diwali marks the return of the Hindu deity Rama to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana and the deity Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. The festival commemorates the triumph of Rama’s good over Ravana’s evil; Krishna’s knowledge over Narakasura’s ignorance. Every year, celebrants dress up in colourful clothes, fill their homes with the bright light of oil-wick lamps, set off fireworks and share delicious food with the whole community.

To Hindus, light is symbolic of knowledge and goodness that drives away darkness and evil, as well as a way of welcoming Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, power, beauty and prosperity, into their homes.

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