Foodies on a high despite recession

Popular restaurants and food joints in Vadodara are doing their best to woo customers
Devanshi Joshi.Vadodara/DNA

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

When it is festival time, nothing can stop the food-loving Gujaratis from enjoying eating out. Not even global recession. Popular restaurants and food joints in Vadodara are doing their best to woo the customers too. Restaurants have special Diwali menus, themes and decorations and are offering special discount to attract foodies.City-based popular Gujarati restaurants have specially prepared Diwali menu, which include varieties of Gujarati farsan and sweets. Restaurants have found innovative ways to and some have even made changes in the interiors to provide a different ambience. A restaurant in Subhanpura area of the city has come up with food items such as 'kaka-bhatrija khichdi, derani-jethani dhokala, mama-bhanej mithai in their menu this season. “During Diwali people usually opt to go out for dinner or lunch to celebrate the festival with their family. This year we have introduced food items with new names,” said Bharat Patel, a restaurant owner. Restaurants in the city have added mehandi, tattoo and photograph counters for customers to make their visits memorable. Discount on take away and high bill amount are also being offered at various restaurants in the city. Restaurants, food outlets and food joints in mall have lit up with different Diwali themes and decorations. Restaurants on the highway and at remote areas are also becoming popular places to eat out. “Downturn in the market would not affect the restaurant and food business. If people cannot buy this season at least they can spend time with their loved once at restaurants and food joints. We have prepared a special menu for these five days of Diwali which includes varieties of dishes,” said Manoj Sharma a restaurant manager at Fatehgunj.As said by Hiral vyas a homemaker at Gotri, “Gujaratis are known for their love for food and when it is time of festivity, food tops the list for every Gujarati. Every year, during Diwali we try out different restaurants. The selection of the place depends on the food taste and the ambience.”