Every week I eagerly await the new episode of Top Chef. It’s currently on Season 20–Top Chef: World All-Stars.
Thali Time recently aired forcing the chefs to make their take on Thali. The episode was intense, and Padma talked about all the flavors of a good Thali.
Lo and behold, Thali was being served at the One Esterra Food Hall. Himalaya is a rotating Global Cuisine option at many of the cafes and has remained a staple at Microsoft for good reason.
Call me Padma, and call me hungry because I’m ready to eat.
I went with the Three Thali Plate. It included:
- Garlic Naan
- Saffron Rice
- Buttered Chicken
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Paneer Curry
- Raita
- Mango Chutney
Everything was so flavorful. The spice in the curries was warming, not spicy. The chicken was moist and tender.
Someone has to teach me how to cook paneer. I’m clearly a meat eater, but if I could cook paneer like this, I’d consider shifting towards the vegetarian front.
The Garlic Naan was delicious. I’m not 100% sure how to eat Thali, so I ate it like a Gyro Platter, ripping off bits of naan and grabbing a bit of everything. The best food isn’t just tasty; it’s also interactive.
If I had one complaint, the rice was a little dry. Adding some mango chutney or raita made it fine.
Talking about the mango chutney and raita, mixing it in every other bite added a world of flavor. I felt like Remy from Ratatouille having flavors swirl in my mind and mouth.
At $8, I’m not sure what competes on having such diverse selection and flavor. Each component packed a punch. There was nothing to grow tired of as each bite was unique.
I’d eat this again.