Tarami…
What will one look at when reviewing a restaurant and what it serves? Will the interiors matter? Will the food served be more important than the décor? Will the presence of a genuine Waza make all the difference? Will the willingness of the staff to explain the intricacies of Kashmiri cuisine tilt the balance? Will the location of the restaurant impel you to go once more?
I think every one of the factors mentioned above will matter to a person who loves good food in a place that is not just tasteful in décor but also connects it all to the region from where the food is.
TARAMI is a speciality restaurant in Hauz Khas Village and this makes it positioned well as the place is full of eating joints that will push you into oblivion if you don’t make an impact and if you don’t keep the customer happy with innovative changes and inclusions.
This place is on the first floor in Hauz Khas Village and the large windows overlook the history of the place… so one can look out and dream while tasting the wonders of dishes like Khumb ki galauti, Dahi ke kebab, Waza Chicken Haaq, Tarami, Gushtaba, Fish Tujji, Nadru Shammi Kebab, Yakhni, Khumb badam ka shorba and follow up all these delicacies with sweet dishes like the wonderful Phirni and the delicate Shahi Tukda! I’m sure all these names awaken a yearning to be there… well, the owner is Goumtesh Singh and he added, ‘You can get to taste the best kahwah… or even Noon Chai, if you prefer.’ No, my taste buds were all already intoxicated by the way the spices come together to create a Kashmiri dish and so I left the charm of Noon Chai for another day.
I was explained that a Waza can be a Muslim as well as a Kashmiri Pundit… and they would have subtle differences in the way they prepare the dishes. So far as the flavours are concerned, there was, for sure an aroma that was delightfully Kashmiri… so the nose tended to agree with the taste-buds that were in full agreement with the décor… and all these were in a great culinary consonance. The afternoon spent in this delicious place was so intuitively energetic that I was actually transported to the days I had spent in Jammu and then in Srinagar… and all the memories came tumbling into the centre of our conversation and the ambience then had the advantage of audible bytes that brought in Kashmir through the ear too!
Yes, this is one speciality restaurant where I was encouraged to eat with my hands and I liked this. Who would want to eat the kebabs, galautis, and the gushtabas impaling them with a fork? I mean, why? Use your hands and you’ll discover that the taste magically multiplies manifold… and Tarami is one restaurant where the server or waiter will not appear to be sniggering behind your back.
No, I am not going to talk about prices here… though I will mention that they are inconsequential when what you are looking for is taste and tastefulness. You end up getting more than just these though… you come out with a new friendship. A friendship that says: Tarami is all about togetherness!
2013_05_06_The Education Post_The Masthead
2013_05_06_The Education Post_Tarami
This post also got featured on www.burrp.com… click here to go to the post on burrp.
Tarami featured on burrp
Arvind Passey
Written on 05 May 2013
Published on 06 May 2013
4 comments
Rickie says:
May 19, 2013
Sounds like another great cuisine and restaurant choice in the village. Will check it out.
Arvind Passey says:
May 19, 2013
It is, Rickie… I was fascinated with the service, the way they treated you, and the food there. The portions served were worth the money paid, so to say.
Neetu Singh says:
May 19, 2013
I love Kashmiri food.I find a distinct difference in the cooking styles of the Muslim and the Hindu Chefs.
But undoubtedly both are delicious. Will certainly check it out .:)
Arvind Passey says:
May 20, 2013
Sure, do give this place a try. Tarami captures the Kashmiri flavour quite well!