Here’s where you can enjoy gigantic desi-style buffet platters in the city
The thali, a wholesome Indian meal served on a platter has over the years got supersized. Serving enormous portions to satiate the ever-increasing appetites of food revellers. And to ensure that nothing goes to waste, many eateries have started letting groups feast in one platter. Here’s a round-up of gigantic thalis that pose a challenge of epic proportions.
1. THE BIG FAMILY THALI
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If you believe that a family that eats together, stays together, then Maharaja Bhog’s concept of ‘poora parivaar khaaye saath’ will resonate with you. A group of four to five people can dine at the same time in one of the biggest thalis, the city has to offer. Essentially, four to five regular thalis are served to individuals in one platter, you get to enjoy good food and quality time together. Served in a traditional bronze thali, the authentic Rajasthani and Gujarati spread includes salads, farsan (both fried and steamed), along with special dish of the day like dal bati, dal pakwan, etc. There’s also four different types of vegetable preparations, four different lentil preparations, a variety of rotis, different type of rice and i. To top it off, there’s also two to three different types of sweets that you can enjoy unlimited portions of. Maharaja Bhog also serves special kesar chandan sherbat, herbed buttermilk, and a variety of papaddums.
Cost: Rs 585 multiplied five times on weekdays and Rs 635 multiplied five times on Saturday and Sunday
At: All Maharaja bhog outlets in the city
2. CHINESE THALI
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If you love Indo-Chinese fare and you are game for fusion food, the Chinese thali will be a feast that you can enjoy. Forget bowls, chopsticks and green tea, the food comes in a thali with katoris full of Chinese koottan. A novel idea of serving the assorted accompaniments with the staple rice or noodles. The menu is fixed with a wide range of choices within the two food combos. The Veg allows you the choice of Veg Manchurian, Honey Chilli Potatoes, Kung Pao Paneer, Paneer Black Pepper, Crispy Veg all with the rice-noodle combination. The same goes for the Chicken Combo serving a variety of chicken appetisers like Chicken Lollipop, Crispy Chicken, Chicken in Hunan Sauce, Butter Garlic Chicken along with rice and noodles.
Cost: Rs 999 for veg and Rs 1,199 for non-veg
At: Ohannas, Andheri (W)
3. MAHARAJA THALI
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Another desi platter that calls out to food lovers with ravenous appetites is the Maharaja Thali. It’s almost impossible to finish by one person, but if you do manage to devour it all, it’s on the house. The Non-Veg Maharaja Thali has an array of 16 non-vegetarian dishes including mains of Butter Chicken, Mutton Rara, Dal Makhani, Chicken Biryani, etc and starters like Fish Fry, Murgh Lasooni, Lucknowi Boti, etc with other accompaniments and desserts whereas the Veg Maharaja Thali consists of mains like Paneer Butter Masala, Methi Mutter Malai, etc, and starters like Tandoori Aloo, Paneer Malai Seekh, Paneer Malai Tikka along with other accompaniments and desserts.
Cost: For veg Rs 2,499 and non-veg Rs 2,999
At: Quarter Canteen , Bandra (W)
4. AN-ALL YOU CAN EAT CHALLENGERS
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There are regular food challenges and then there is the challenge posed by the Dara Singh Thali. Eat it all and you don’t pay a penny. Specialising in flavours from the Northern region of India, you get to devour a platter comprising over 30 items. The icing on the cake is that you also get to feast on lesser known regional delicacies like Yoghurt Lamb Curry, Shakarkandi Chaat, Akhrot ki Seekh, etc.
Cost: Rs 2,400 for a veg and Rs 3,200 for non-veg
At: Mini Punjab Lakeside, Powai
