Rajwadu

We ex-pats tend to roam in herds ourselves so a group of us went to this great place called Rajwadu. Now if you're thinking Xanadu, then I'm your #1 fan but that's a whole other issue.

Anywho - Rajwadu is one of 2 places in Ahmedabad that provides a lovely evening of traditional Gujarati cuisine, dance, and puppetry, with a little Rajasthani thrown in for good measure. It may sound cheezy but it's quite cool! It's tucked away in a very non-descript neighboorhood with a very unassuming entrance. They have created this open air venue that's very intimate; it's almost like a secret garden with winding pathways with little bridges over ponds and greenery everywhere and all lit with candles and torches. There are larger, main areas with lounges to watch traditional dancing with women balancing burning pots on their heads (not sure if that part is traditional but still a really great effect!) and fire-breathing men. In another corner, a puppet show with an elaborate stage set up. I may be missing something but after the dancing, we were called to dinner and led through the pathways to our private dining area. The food is served in Gujarati Thali style which is a large metal plate with a multitude of small dishes on it...server after server come around with every type of dish imaginable; dal (lentil stew/soup) kadhai (similar to dal but more sour/ yogurt based), at least 5 kinds of bread, 3-4 types of cooked vegetables/potatos, 2 sweets, buttermilk, raita (raw vegetables in a spiced yogurt) and of course pani (water). But as if ths weren't enough, the servers come back a few times each offering 2nd, 3rd, or 4th helpings! And they still serve ice cream as desert (they even offered a 2nd helping of that). The cost of all this is still a meager Rs. 325 (approx US $6.65). I love india.