The Great Indian Food at Suryagarh Resort, Jaisalmer
Suryagarh Resort is not about Destination Dining alone! Their ‘in house dining facilities and services’ too are exemplary. I can never forget the great Indian food I had there. Suryagarh Resort by itself is a fantasy world, add to that their warm hospitality and to that add their innovative cuisines; once you experience all these exiting the place becomes difficult.
Innovative Cuisines. Have of you heard of them? At Suryagarh Resort, the Chefs construct cuisines. Yes, that is what they do. How else do I explain the The Royal Suryagarh Thali we had for dinner there? It is the confluence of cuisines of Bhatiar community and the locals of Rajasthan.
Our tour guide specifically highlighted that the Bhatiar community came with Mughals in 12th and 13th century. They were the cooks of Mughal army. Some of them permanently settled down in Rajasthan. The chefs reinvented and reconstructed Bhatiyar style of cooking and made it their own.
Great Indian Food – Suryagarh Thali
First came a series of starters.
Dahi Ke Kebab, the name stuns you right? A very unique dish, made of Sago coated deep fried hung curd kebabs. The dish was flavored with cardamom and mace and served with tomato and herbs extract. Pathar Kutta Gosht, as the name suggests this was dish of goat meat kebab hand pounded on stone with black cardamom & cinnamon, served with walnut chutney, garlic and ker pickle. I have always had whole walnuts never as chutney and this was the tastiest version of all nuts I have tasted so far. (Ker is a berry of Rajasthan, the green raw fruit is sour and is pickled. The ripe one too is used.) There was a continuous flow of wine too, I however settled for Neembu Pani, basil flavored citrus iced water.
Then came the parade of mains dishes.
Maas ke Kofte – minced goat meat dumplings simmered in stew and Murgh ka Mokul – Chicken morsels cooked in cashew nut gravy flavored with saffron & cardamom. Both these dishes had influences of Bhatiyar community. Khada Lasooni Palak – I totally relished this vegetarian dish of ‘Fresh Spinach sautéed with Garlic’. The rice based dish that was in main course was Jaisana Pulao – seal cooked basmati rice with vegetables, tempered with cumin & fennel.
I would be remiss if I don’t mention their Dal, Bati, Churma, tempered yellow lentils, unleavened baked wheat Roll, sweet wheat crumble with nuts & clarified Butter. After almost 8 years I was having this authentic version. I realized what we get in Bangalore restaurants by the same name taste so different. By this time we diners had almost reached our limits, but they did not listen to our reasoning.
At the end of this epic meal came the desserts!
Dessert, they said was simple. Yet to me it looked grand! The forever favourite Badaam ka Halwa – having ground almonds cooked with clarified butter & sugar. And Khajoor Ki Rabri – dates flavored condensed milk. Both were wiped clean and the plates looked as if the desserts never existed.
Stay Well Breakfast Curated by Sangeeta Khanna
Most mention worthy menu here is the ‘Stay Well’corporate program. Popular food blogger Sangeeta Khanna and the team at Suryagarh designed this healthy menu. The dishes range from millet waffles, ancient grains muesli parfaits, spiced probiotic congee variants, ragi dosas and even delicious millet based pooris with light subzi for their famous breakfast buffet. You will find Amaranth laddus and Flaxseeds barfi along with the traditional Rajasthani Dal Pakwan and Gujrati Dhokla with kadhi and much more.
The all day a la carte menu has included some millet based dishes like Ragi Burger sliders served with sauerkraut and Ragi based steamed Bao served with Kimchi. There is a special meal in a bowl that is designed after ancient grains and healthy stews.
Here is what the blogger, the maker of this menu, Sangeeta Khanna has to say about this program:
I appreciate the effort taken by Suryagarh to bring in the local produce into their menus and growing most of their exotic salad greens, heirloom tomatoes, exotic flowers and even cumin and chamomile during winter months when it is possible to keep the garden. Suryagarh is in fact making an exemplary effort to offer farm to fork experience even if it is for a short period of winter months, in the middle of nowhere. If Suryagarh can do it in the harsh desert of Thar, the hotels located in greener ports of the country can do it like a cakewalk.
Halwai Breakfast at Central Courtyard
As if the previous night’s epic meal wasn’t enough we were treated to a grand nourishing breakfast the very next morning by the team of Suryagarh Resort. The breakfast menu very lovingly stashed with traditional Indian sweets & savouries, showcasing the culinary art of the Halwai.
From Halwai`s Wok
The dishes served that morning were: Chaat, Savory Crisps with onions, tomatoes, chillies and coriander, dollops of seasoned yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutneys, and pomegranate seeds. That was very elaborate wasn’t it? Then we had Kachori – spiced lentils encased deep fried pastries, Mirchi Wada – peppers filled with potatoes, batter fried, Samosa- short pastry filled with potatoes, green peas & nuts. Poori Bhaji – whole wheat deep fried puffed bread, served with potato curry.
Wait. After this above spread we were served with more.
Stuffed Parantha – Griddled Indian flat bread, stuffed with spiced vegetables, accompanied by: achaars & dahi (homemade selection of pickles and fresh yoghurt). And also Jalebi with Pista milk – deep fried refined flours crispies dipped in saffron syrup with cardamom flavored hot milk.
Homemade Indian Sweets & Savories: Selection of sweetmeats & savories prepared by Halwai Chef Gatta Ram.
Suryagarh Resort hosted me from 15th to 18th September 2016. This experience is a part of that.
Beautiful pictures of beautiful food! With this post, I feel like I am in India already. I also love the container of their dishes. They remind of those steel lunch box back when I was a kid.
Such a informative blog post. Im in India at the moment and i also love the Khada Lasooni Palak! Not so sure on the deserts yet though i hope they will grow on me!
I have once tried to enter in the Indian Restaurant before and I must say, I enjoy the food. These are the foods that everyone should taste. I can’t wait to visit India and would do a good food trip when I get to India. This made me hungry.
LaiAriel
I have once tried to enter in the Indian Restaurant before and I must say, I enjoy the food. These are the foods that everyone should taste. I can’t wait to visit India and would do a good food trip when I get to India. This made me hungry.
LaiAriel
The Stuffed Parantha (and honestly, all the other food pictured here) is making me hungry – and I’ve just had dinner! I’m so happy to have Indian friends and therefore I’ve been exposed to the unique flavors of this cuisine. So textured and full of flavor! Man, I’d love to eat Indian food soon again!
There are too many good food here. The presentation looked impressive too. You should probably give separate articles for each food next time. Just kidding! I like the desserts from India because they put varieties of nuts. I have eaten Indian curry most of the time. I’d like to try Khada Lasooni Palak and Jaisana Pulao because I like spinach and basmati rice. Hoping to read more from you.
I am very curious with indian foods. I dont know much about what recipes and ingredients they usually put into they menus but i think they like spicy? Is that true? That was quite a satisfying treat you had there. Looks amazing!
That was a treat to remember for you. So as long as you enjoyed the food, then that is all that matters. I am not familiar with Indian food but on a few occasions, I have tasted some. I think you have very nice curry dishes and the bread… I do not know what it is called, but it is very good. Glad you have a nice time with your stay at the resort.
I’m a huge fan of Indian food. Plus points for having authentic cuisines in there! I think it’s very important for resorts to have good food. This way their clients don’t have to buy outside their rooms.
Water in my mouth and gurgling in my stomach… you just tortured me with all these food pics 🙂
I want them all… well may be except for the stay well breakfast :p
Coz when I travel, I ain’t health conscious at all! Wonderful foodgasm (clap)
Namaste! I am not from India but I will definitely try those food delights. They certainly look delicious. I wonder how they are made and the taste of each. Will take note of these once I come to India.
These dishes look yummy, and healthy too, so that’s a really good thing 🙂
Never had Indian food before and I hope I do soon!
Lovely pictures and description ! It made my mouth water. Going to Rajasthan this week end 🙂
Hope you have a great trip!
I am always a big fan of Indian food and these food you have shared are truly delicious to look at. What I like about Indian food is the unique spices that you’re putting in which is very rare to experience only in Indian Cuisine and I think that makes Indian cuisine remarkably delectable and known.
LaiAriel
I have heard a lot about this place and you have mentioned everything so beautifully. My hunger kept on increasing as i scrolled down through the page.
when the post said great indian food, i was thinking to see something different from what i watch on snack attack and other food shows on indian meals and i must say am impressed as this looks yum and truly is a great indian space for the meals…
Yum this post made me seriously hungry! I’ve always wanted to taste Indian cuisine in an authentic way. I find it interesting how they have reconstructed the cuisine and created their own. I as stunned to find in this mix kofte and halva popular for let’s say the Turkish cuisine and even my country Bulgaria under the Turkish influence through the years.
All the dishes sound so scrumptious! I love the intense flavors of Indian dishes. Have only tried a few but would love to try more!
Ahhhh indian cuisine… i definitely love it! Curry, kebab… i definitely would need to find a good restaurant near home soon! Thanks for your recommendation and tips! 🙂 pics are definitely awesome ? best!
It’s a sumptuous feast, as expected at a venue like this. But the best part here is the setting in the middle of the desert. I need to have this experience some day.
So much food, it’s definitely a feast. I’m quite envious of your stay there! Now, I’m really hungry and I’d love to try those dishes as well. 🙂
This just made me so hungry right now! Ok wait, India is not just about curry and stuffs, I just can’t! Ugh those delicious delicacy! You made a good presentation of the food itself and in words.
What a feast! I’m not much fond of food adventures, but the way you share your thoughts into writing makes me crave to taste these kind of dish. Hoping to try them one of these days!
Everything looks so delicious! I predict I’ll be having some Indian food in the near future after reading this! Also, the table set up at breakfast is so beautiful!
Your post totally makes me hungry! Maybe a not so good idea to read early in the morning when I haven’t even had my breakfast yet. Haha! Kidding aside, I am surprised how chefs “construct” dishes. That Fresh Spinach and ones with lentils are some dishes I would love to try myself, among others.
That looks like an absolute feast. Definitely like the look of the Halwai Breakfast!
Wow those sweet and savouries looks so yummy. Hmm this is a greatplace for feasting for sure.
wow the food looks incredible. Ragi Burger?? I can imagine the color but not the texture. Sounds interesting.
I love Indian food. As a vegetarian, I am sure I would have enough vegetarian and even vegan dishes there as well.
Wow, yummy!
Feel like going there:)
Spectacular and mouth watering… !
What an amazing spread of food. What a hotel or resort offers food wise is just as important to me as how comfy the bed is. I really does make or break my stay.
These pics are tempting enough to excite us. We knew about the authentic thali but looks like there are much more to tickle our taste buds. Hope to explore soon
Wow! What a feast! I’ve always wondered what it would be like to eat real Indian food (which I am sure is very different to what the UK offers as Indian food!). I can’t wait to visit and try the curries for myself!
All the food really looks like a spread fit for a king or queen. My personal favourites would be the Halwai Breakfast. I flipped for the Dahi Kebabs and Churma Bhati too.
I love these pictures and the food in India is divine. I would definitely like to visit this place on my next visit
All of this food looks delicious, especially the Indian dishes! I always love innovative cuisines and trying creative dishes. I love the idea of a stay well breakfast, too–sounds fantastic!
Looks incredible. Love Indian food and I know that eating real Indian food is so different to what other countries offer up as “Indian”. Definitely would love the curries although it all looks fabulous.
I love all Indian food, north and south, but have never seen dishes like this. I need to try these out. I would definitely head to this eatery next I’m in your beautiful country.
The food looks incredible. I’m not sure which of the meals I would like more. The stay well healthy menu sounds good but the curries from the night before have caught my eye.
Looks like you weren’t in danger of going hungry. It seemed like there was quite a few veggie options. Did you notice if there was any vegan options?
The dishes look great. Wonderful post 🙂
oh wow! This food looks amazing! 🙂 I am totally in love with Indian food (never been to India before but eat a lot of Indian food in the central Europe) but I always fail to remember every.single.meal.name. Definitely something I need to work on. Now I would totally eat some of these meals 🙂
Awesome pictures, feast for eyes
A feisty experience!
Its very pathetic for me to read such a post today…coz the delicious dishes made me feel to get some spicy non-veg preparations like these but today non-veg is not allowed.
btw, the preparations with goat cant be made with chicken? i dont like the taste of goats.
Such a feast. The pictures are delight to the eyes and triggers my temptation for good fooood. Yum. 🙂
Wowwwww…fabulous snaps! The food looks delish and the way its presented is so cool…those glass bottles, the jute bags, the shot glasses..etc…. Being a foodie, will surely do this someday..
Lovely site on food. Makes me hungry. India does have awesome cuisine . The only problem is I can’t handle spice that well. But perhaps one can learn to get used to them. Food is always great after a long trek in the Himalayas. Cheers.
This post has made me hungry…:-) I’d love to stay at Suryagarh someday and experience its excellent food. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, such a feast you were offered. The presentation of both the food and the setting look lovely and its great to know that even in these standard of establishments, they make the effort to source local produce. That cheese board in particular… delicious!
Oh wow, thats just out of the world!! So much deliciousness in your post :). The Halwai’s Wok brought back all the food memories of Jaisalmer. Thanks for sharing all the mouth watering delicacies.
Hey Indrani,
Never am I coming back to this post ☺️Damn this made me so much hungry.. Such amazing food Suryagarh serves. I have been there and till today my favourite hotel is this one!
So much food! I always liked Indian cuisine but of course, I know that speaking about a single cuisine in a nation so big and culturally variegated is almost a nonsense. Let’s say that I like the western way of the Indian cuisine, but I’m absolutely open to trying every delicacy that I can find!
Oh my God! It was a Feast!! Those dishes look incredible, I wouldn’t mind joining you for the round of sweets! Spicy food also looks tempting to be truthful, but sweets… Wow, they are really appealing!