Hai hai mirchi

If you like to keep it teekha, try the chilli promotion at fire

If you like to keep it teekha, try the chilli promotion at fire

If you are a true blue dilliwalla, you never need a reason to visit an Indian restaurant.u00a0 I am amazed at how popular the Indian food stalls peddling middling chhole bhature and kadhai chicken at the many food courts across malls in the capital are. The wife dislikes eating Indian food on our one and only dining-out night because it reminds her too much of the routine food eaten at home and office in the long working week.

I, on the other hand, am a dilliwalla! And so it is that there are a few Indian places we consent to eat at and Fire, the pan-Indian restaurant at The Park is one of them. Apart from the fact that this restaurant has consistently maintained the quality of the food (particularly the Raan, which is well-cooked and well-served), it has always innovated with food promotions and festivals.

Its latest is the Chilli Promotion, which has recipes from various regions of the country featuring different varieties of chillies. I was told the recipes would also use jwala, kanthali, baydgi, naga jolokia, baluchuri, dhani, and srikakulam chillies apart from the usual popular ones.

But they had me at C, considering my only contribution to grocery and vegetable shopping is chillies and peppers in all shapes, colours and sizes.u00a0u00a0If you want to eat good food, then place a balanced order of starters and main course. But, if you want to treat yourself to chillies then stick to the starters and pair these with the excellent ajwain-mirch parathas, which can be had on their own with just the beetroot relish. You must have the batatas, little potatoes served in a bohri-style masala, not only for the fact that you will rarely find these on Indian food menus but also because they are made just right.

Of course, you must have the Rajasthani mirch pakoda, stuffed the authentic way and am sure the prawns are great too (I have mentioned the excellent seafood at all The Park restaurants before) but for reasons of medical and marital harmony I had to forgo the pleasure. The paneer layered with green chilly paste is just about alright but the chicken leg is a must-have for all non-vegetarians.

For the main course, we had curry with spices from Kerala and Goa but like I mentioned before, only the mirch-ajwain parathas would have been enough. Even the aloo-shimla mirch parathas are good. I was hoping for some hot innovation with dessert (Fire has award-winning desserts) but was disappointed. Maybe they can take some pointers from Rampuri cuisine and try making the unique (and if done well) mirch ka halwa the next time around?

On: Till February 27
At: The Park, 15 Parliament Street
Call: 2374 3000
Timings: 12.30 to 2.45, 7.30 to 11.45