Last week, I had the pleasure of dining at Kavita Kitchen for Cultural Wednesdays, a monthly series that invites guest chefs and collaborators to explore India’s diverse regional cuisines. Kavita recently earned its first Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction, with general manager Yash Shah receiving the Michelin Guide’s Service Award. Not a bad month for the restaurant!
The latest dinner took us to Rajasthan, with Chef Tushar Shroff of Indish joining Kavita’s Tushar Tondvalkar for a five-course, family-style meal inspired by Shroff’s Marwari and Rajasthani heritage, childhood travels, and recipes passed down by his mother and grandmother. We started with a signature Lamb Fat Whisky Sour, made with lamb-fat-washed bourbon, bell pepper juice and agave. The cocktail was a new experience for me and, although a little too spicy for my taste, it paired well with the first course: crisp Raj Kachori served with tamarind chutney.
Next came a glass of Trimbach Riesling alongside mirchi vada, a stuffed chilli accompanied by a tangy buttermilk curry. While the pairing worked, I thought an off-dry to medium-sweet Riesling might have been an even better match, with a touch of sweetness to balance the chilli heat.
The heartier dishes brought the comforting, rustic side of Rajasthani cooking to the table. Panchmel dal, a blend of five lentils, was served with baati, a golden wheat-flour ball traditionally baked or roasted and often brushed with ghee. Broken apart and mixed with the dal, they made a satisfying pairing of creamy lentils and hearty bread. Gatta curry—Rajasthan’s answer to gnocchi—featured chickpea-flour dumplings simmered in onion curry.
My favourite dish of the evening was Laal Maas, a deeply spiced goat stew served with Pea pulao and Tikkad Roti. The fragrant rice and rustic flatbread perfectly complemented the rich and tender goat.
Dessert was Malpua, a small fried pancake served with Rabdi, a creamy, aromatic preparation of sweetened, thickened milk, topped with pistachios. If you love cardamom, this one was for you!
If you’re curious about India’s regional culinary diversity, add Cultural Wednesdays at Kavita Kitchen to your list. With over 30 distinct regional cuisines, there’s plenty to discover.
