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| King Mahabali at our table. |
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| A fitting repast. |
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| Beautifully decorated Onam display. |
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| Onasadhya |
For the first time King Mahabali graced our table with his presence today. Though he was given just one day to visit this world we were elated to be his chosen subjects.
It has been a tradition with us to always troop out for the grand Onasadhya on the day of Onam. Nowadays you don't have to go to Kerala. You can get it here in Goa.
We almost didn't get it though. We landed up only after 3 pm, after we checked out Turmeric, Porvorim, and Fortune hotel, Miramar. Turmeric decided to bank on the coming weekend serving on 29th-31st August. Fortune hotel, Miramar was not entertaining any more clients. Our best bet was Southern Basil, at Fidalgo, Panjim. We had actually been there last Sunday in quest of a Shravan thali but had a South Indian thali instead.
The place was packed. It was like a wedding reception in Kerala. All were dressed in traditional attire to celebrate Onam. We just managed to squeeze into a table. People has gathered with friends and family. King Mahabali was presiding, after all.
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| Food items in Onasadhya. |
The fare for the traditional vegetarian Onasadhya was delicious. I actually stopped counting the items after a bit. Queenie and me devoted ourselves to slow eating. I pecked at the banana chips for starters. Once the cool butter milk was sipped, the rasam, and sambhar beckoned.
A Malabar paratha saw us through the tasty curries of beans, and yam. I attacked the avial with the appam, and proceeded to the boiled rice. It was served with dal topped with a generous serving of ghee. We kept piling on the papads. The waiters were so attentive and eager to serve.The sweet dish of payasam proved to be a fitting finale. I dipped what looked like shirvoleo in it. The banana fruit beckoned too.
By the time we rose to leave, it was well past 4 p.m. A side table with souvenirs, which was humming with activity, looked deserted. Perhaps I will take a peek, as this sumptuous lunch is also available tomorrow (27th August).
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Location courtesy Southern Basil, at Fidalgo, Panjim.
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