About Time: You Celebrated Diwali at BenaresBy Angelica Malin
Fancy something different? Then get planning this amazing event at Benares. Known as the “festival of lights”, Diwali, the five day event from 11-15th November, is a riot of colour, sweets and snacks. This year, at Benares, the Michelin-Starred Indian Restaurant and Bar in the heart of Mayfair, Diwali will be celebrated for the full week, from 9-15th November, with beautiful floating candles, Marigold flowers, and an eight-course tasting menu, with a vegetarian option also available. Here’s what you need to know:
Dishes will be created by the infamous culinary creative, Atul Kochhar, and will include the amazing Lobster Moilee Salad – a sublime starter dish of Scottish lobster, coconut and curry leaf mayonnaise, tomato and iceberg lettuce. There’s also Turbot Malvani Tikka – a delicate dish of Malvani-spiced tandoori wild turbot served with kuchumber salad, and calcutta batak, a rich and decadent dish of Barbary duck breast, mustard poha, jhol jus and aubergine fritter.
With the focus on sweets during this celebration, a select number of recipes will also be available for anyone wanting to celebrate Diwali with a sweet treat at home, such as Atul’s coconut and cardammon burfi, just one of the dishes that bridges his contemporary approach with classic flavours and Indian tradition.
To celebrate the occasion further, on the eve of 11th November, (the main day of the festival), Benares will also be giving away a complimentary Benares candles, one per booking, for every table that chooses to enjoy the tasting menu. With decadent interiors, a spacious restaurant area, four private dining areas, and a separate bar area, Benares is the ideal place to celebrate Diwali, whether it be as part of an intimate family gathering, or party with friends.
Benares is at 12a Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6B
