Fire And Crackers

If you have teen patti, they have teen pâté: asparagus and pistachio, roasted nuts and cheese, bell pepper and feta. Indigo Deli’s takeaway menu for Diwali parties features these fancy pates and more – hors d'oeuvres, salads, spreads and dessert – that can be ordered 24 hours in advance and picked up from the restaurant, ready to eat at your soiree.

The fun thing about this extensive and not surprisingly pricey food selection is that it offers elegant substitutes for usual Diwali table sightings. So yoghurt chips and dip can make way for egg with whisky mayo and garlic chips, salmon and chive mousse in Parmesan éclairs can replace canapés; and chicken tikka rolls can be ousted off the menu for rare beef and blue cheese wraps.

Dress Up

You should also be warned that with over twenty types of salads on offer - aubergine tzatziki, seafood ceviche with bloody mary, pulled pork with onions – greens made up in yum dressings could be crashing your do. For those who crave the usual, there’s always bruschetta and creamy chicken tartlets. Dessert includes six inch tarts and pies, chocolate and fresh fruit cakes and the Deli’s yum in-house ice creams sold by the tub (get the organic lemon curd). The finger foods are served by the dozen (start at Rs 280), salads by the kg (start at Rs 650) and pates and hummus by the tub (start at Rs 365).

bpb placed several calls to both Deli outposts and found that the staff at the Lower Parel restaurant seems quite clueless about this Diwali service, even though they stock leaflets that advertise it. Instead, call Colin Rodrigues (9619656568), manager at the Colaba outpost who will mail you the menu almost immediately.

Toute de sweet!

Getting there: Indigo Deli, Phiroze Building, ground floor, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, call 66551010 / 9619656568 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 280 for a dozen assorted bruschetta.