Weekend spent at Bihar Utsav - 2025

 The Bihar Utsav 2025, currently taking place at Dilli Haat from March 16 to 31, is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Bihar. This festival is a must-visit for anyone keen on exploring Bihar's diverse tapestry of art, craft, and cuisine.

As you step into the event, you're greeted by a colorful array of stalls showcasing exquisite handicrafts, traditional textiles, and folk art. The Madhubani paintings, renowned for their intricate designs and vivid colors, are a highlight, drawing art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Other artisanal displays include Bhagalpuri silk, Sikki grass products, products made from bamboo, and beautiful pottery that reflect the state's artistic finesse.

The festival’s cultural extravaganza is complemented by a delectable culinary journey. Authentic Bihari dishes like Litti Chokha transport visitors to the heart of Bihar, offering a true taste of its culinary heritage. 

Live performances, ranging from traditional Bhojpuri folk songs to vibrant dance forms like Jat-Jatin and Bidesia, ensure that entertainment is around every corner, captivating audiences of all ages.

Bihar Utsav 2025 is more than just a festival; it is a lively encapsulation of Bihar's spirit and pride, offering a unique opportunity to experience the state's cultural richness right in the heart of Delhi.

The Ninth House: Restaurant Review

Overall: 2/5

Food: 2/5

Service: 1/5

Ambience: 4/5

Location: 4/5

Price: 2/5

Serving Size: 3/5

Food:

The menu wasn't great, and some of the interesting items like the dosa waffle weren't available. There weren't many options to customize dishes, and a simple request like making dal without garlic wasn't accommodated. The food tasted a bit stale. Initially, I liked the cigar roll, but the noodles inside tasted old. No sauces were served with the noodles, and I couldn't find anything on the menu to go with the hakka noodles.

Service:

The service was disappointing. The servers seemed confused and lost. We had to ask several times just to get water, and they didn't even ask if we wanted bottled or regular. After sitting down, we had to search for another menu, which took a while to get. No one came to take our order until we asked a passing staff member for help. When the noodles were finally served, the server just roughly placed the bowl on the table without any courtesy. No one bothered to serve the food onto our plates.

Ambience:

The place looks nice, but the staff behavior wasn't up to the mark.

Location:

The location is good and easily accessible, and there's plenty of parking available.

Price:

For the quality of food and service, the prices are too high. Just having a nice location and plates doesn't justify the cost. The food and service should be better to charge such prices. We paid about 1195 for Hakka noodles, cigar rolls, and cold coffee, which doesn't feel worth it since street vendors offer better quality and service for less. Luxury restaurants should provide a better overall experience, which this place lacks.

Serving size:

It was okay.

Overall, it was a bad experience. The low-quality food didn't sit well with me.

Not so happy eating... :(

Restaurant review - Bheemeshwara

Overall: 2/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Location: 4/5

Food taste: 3/5

Food presentation: 2/5

Hospitality: 1/5

Price: 2/5

Serving size: 2/5

Review:

Experience Overview:

The overall experience was somewhat average.

Return Visit:

I do not plan to return, as there was nothing compelling enough to warrant another visit.

Order Details:

We ordered the Karnataka Donne Bheemeshwara Special Chicken Boneless Biryani, Bheemeshwara Special Chicken, and a water bottle.

Cost:

The total bill for two people was 876 INR, which I found to be overpriced given the portion sizes and level of service.

Food Quality:

The "special" nature of the dishes was largely in the name only. Having had Donne Biryani in Bangalore, I had reasonable expectations, but this experience fell short.

Areas for Improvement:

- The biryani included only half an egg of poor quality, with a white yolk and a grey layer. I expect better quality when a dish is labeled special.

- The portion sizes did not justify the price.

- The biryani was served at a cold temperature.

- Our serving instructions were not followed; the biryani was served first, followed by the chicken dish after just 30 seconds.

- Adequate cutlery was not provided. Initially, only a spoon and an empty glass were given, leading to confusion, and we had to ask for the rest.

Positive Aspect:

The location is favorable, though this is not within the establishment's control.

Recommendation:

I advise potential diners to consider their options carefully. Given my experience, I would not spend my money there again.

Location:

Ground and Mezzanine Floor, 3/90, Block P, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001.

Happy Eating.. :)