Get your palate ready for a delicious array of Tex Mex dishes at the Eggspectation says Arati Thapa.

On a balmy Thursday afternoon, just when Delhi was getting into the grip of nippy noons and evenings giving a whiff of the winter days to come I was invited for a tasting menu at the Eggspectation, Jaypee Vasant Intercontinental, New Delhi. Starting 20th November the restaurant has begun the Tex Mex food festival that is worth a try if you are a fan of the cuisine. Tex Mex is a fusion of American and Mexican cuisine, deriving from the culinary creations of Tejanos and is characterised by heavy use of shredded cheese, meat, beans and spices.

Flauta

Between mouthfuls of the delicious bites and conversation on the similarities of the Mexican and Indian food, Enzo Renda kept us regaled with his stories on India, kitchen food innovations and sultry tales about his travels abroad and his passion for food.

Fajitas

Master Craft Enzo comes with an experience of 30 years as a restaurateur and is the driving force force behind Eggspectation that came into operations in Montreal in 1993.  Eggspectation is known for its Mexican cuisine ever since.

Chimichanga

A good couple of hours later I was aghast to know we had polished off a platter of Chimichanga that tasted delicious filled with sauteed peppers, onions and cheese which followed after a particularly delicious salad. The salad consisted of sweet potatoes and crunchy greens, feta cheese, fine thin slices of fresh raddish and cumin dressing. As a vegetarian on that particular day the mixing of the fresh crunchy salad leaves and the soft grilled sweet potatoes is a delicious taste I still relish. But if the salad was going to lessen my guilt of indulging in the next platters that kept coming to the table I should have thought twice!

Tacos

There was no getting away from the tempting platter of nachos served with three different dips each tastier than the other. I am not much of a nachos fan but this one tasted fresh sans any spices so I could get the taste of the dip purely of the flavour of its ingredient. Then came the tacos served with marinated and grilled mushrooms. The assumption of just taking a bite out flew out of the window as the taste of the tangy sauce touched my palate. The entire thing was devoured.

Slow cooked lamb shanks

While I am gushing over the vegetarian dishes I was told the non-vegetarian ones- prawn marinated garlic coriander and pan fried in garlic butter, chargrilled fish tacos, slow cooked lamb shanks were delicious too. The Chipotle barbecued pork ribs served with bean chorizo chilli looked yummy as its surface glazed on the table in wine red colour. There was southern style chicken too.

Tarta de chocolate

This is just some of the tasting menu being mentioned here as the festival menu is large with much more options to order and enjoy. If you are a churros lover and can't resist the finger delicacy lightly dusted with very fine powdery sugar and served with yummy chocolate fondue then don't forget to make that your finale!

20th Nov - 13th Dec

12:30pm - 15:00, 19:30 - 23:30

Eggspectation, Jaypee Vasant Continental, Lobby Level, Munirka Marg, Near PVR Priya Complex, Vasant Vihar, South, Delhi NCR

Price for two: Rs 2,000++ 
Timings: Lunch (12.30 pm to 3 pm) and Dinner (7.30 pm to 11.30 pm)
Note: The festival is on-going at all Jaypee properties in Delhi NCR