Ask any resident of Delhi where you can get the best Parsi food in the city and they will nostalgically remember Rustom’s. There was something about Rustom’s that was just… different. For almost a decade, the Parsi homestyle restaurant served something more than just food to its Delhi residents—with love, heritage, and traditions, each bite felt like a homecoming.
There are certain restaurants that redefine the fabric of a city. Over the course of some years, they become so integral to the cityscape that they take on a life of their own, becoming cult favourites in their own right. We come to know them, love them and go back to them time and time again. It feels like the reason Rustom’s had such a hold over this city is that over time, somehow, people grew up with not just their homestyle Parsi food, but also their people. While the city changed, the familiarity of Rustom’s remained. So it was no surprise that when they shut shop, two years ago, the city yearned for their return.
Bringing back the magic of Rustom’s for a night, Thali Thursdays partnered with the dikri and dikra behind both Bhawan and Rustom’s–Kainaz Contractor and Rahul Dua for the Parsi Navroze Feast. Taking us down the Rustom’s memory lane, the duo recalled a family where the kids would only order Kolmi Fry, unable to move past the starters; and another gentleman who would order Dhansak every Friday afternoon for lunch. For Thali Thursdays’ third edition on 21 March, we wanted to bring back these stories to life at Bhawan, 32nd Avenue.
After a month of planning, a record time sold out dinner service, and in the joyous community of Rustom’s and Parsi food lovers, the diners indulged in the Navroze Feast. Curated specially with all the new year favourites, the all-you-can-eat feast had classics like the Patra ni Macchi, Kheema Samosa, Kolmi Fry, Masala ni Dar for the Non-Vegetarian bhonu. While there was Patra ma Paneer, Makai na Pattice, Bheeda ma Dahi, Vengna na Patio for the Vegetarian bhonu. Along with the food, were handcrafted cocktails—Jardaloo Gin Fizz, Cusrow Baug Negroni and Rustom’s Club made with Samsara gin that paired perfectly with the khattu-meethu wholesomeness of the Navroze thali.
Take a peak at the experiential meal which was held at Bhawan on March 21, 2024.
Powered by Zomato Live, #ThaliThursdays is a monthly food theatre that shares culinary traditions and stories from different regions of India. It is supposed to be a momentary respite from the universally dreaded question – “What do you want for dinner tonight?”
