The Independence special

In the 62 years since Independence, India’s tastes have undergone a change. People prefer sushi to samosas, falafel to falooda. However, our native delicacies take some beating. So, on Independence Day, many premium restaurants across the country are focussing on the dizzying diversity of Indian regional cuisine. And in a country where, traditionally, cutlery has never really taken hold, “finger licking good” is a term that could have been coined for the occasion.

The Park, New Delhi
Mist, the all-day dining restaurant at The Park, New Delhi, is hosting a special buffet which will bring together distinct flavours from places like Amritsar, Sabarmati, Bhopal and Kolkata. There’s Amritsari dal with kulchas and lassi, farsan from Sabarmati, pav bhaji from Mumbai, Allahbadi chaat, Keema ghogni from Kolkata and Manipuri black rice kheer. All for Rs 1,000 per person (plus taxes).
The Park, New Delhi, 15 Parliament Street, New Delhi, 011-23743000

Park Hyatt, Goa
If you’re headed to Goa for the weekend, the Park Hyatt has a special set meal that brings together an amalgamation of salads, main courses and desserts from Punjab, Hyderabad, the Konkan Coast, Kashmir, Rajasthan and West Bengal. Their specialty for the day is the tirangi pulao specifically being made to celebrate Independence. For Rs 900 per person (plus taxes).
Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, South Goa, 0832-2721234

Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre, Mumbai
At the Marriott’s Renaissance property, Independence Day brunch is all about bringing the best of India to its patrons. The buffet at Lake View Café will include a live chat station, a selection of biryanis and specially concocted mocktails, all at Rs 1,200 per person (includes tax).
Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre, #2 & 3B, Near Chinmayanand Ashram, Powai, Mumbai, 022-66927140

The Lalit Ashok Bangalore
Tricolour is the theme at 24/7, the hotel’s trendy coffee shop, for the special dinner buffet on Independence Day itself. On Saturday, this otherwise multi-cuisine coffee shop will offer an all-Indian buffet that will include a tirangi pulao, a tirangi biryani and a tirangi mousse. This dinner buffet will be available for Rs 950 per person (plus taxes).
24/7, The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, Kumara Krupa High Grounds, Bangalore, 080-30527777

Fort Jadhavgadh, Pune
A mouth-watering meal has been prepared at Pune’s luxury hotel, Fort Jadhavgadh. The poolside restaurant, Chhajja, brings together the most-celebrated threecourse Indian meal—the biryani with raita, pulao and a traditional meal platter, among other offerings. Lunch is served between 12 noon and 3.30 p.m. on August 15 for Rs 650 or Rs 750, including beer (plus taxes).
Fort Jadhavgadh, Jadhavwadi, Pune, 02115-305200/ 202780.