Railway Journey
I still have vivid childhood memories of the delicious lunch I relished in the restaurant car of the iconic Taj Express via Agra while travelling from Delhi to Gwalior. In those glorious days of yesteryear — most prestigious trains — especially in the central, western, and northern parts of India — had restaurant and dining cars — run with pride and flair — each proudly serving its own distinctive cuisine and signature dishes.
There were a variety of items on the menu — Regional Indian and Continental fare.
The year was 1979— and may be longest and the most epic journey of our lives from Trivandrum in Kerala to Dharamsala in Himachal— as the train chugged its way from Coimbatore to Chennai and Delhi through to our final rail head Pathankot. 5 days 4 nights traversing the sandy seashores, back waters, river valleys, hills of the Deccan plateau and the Indo Gangetic plains mountains with dense jungles of the Bhil Nagpur & Gondwana forests.
We ate roast chicken — my father had Chicken Cutlets and chips — omelettes toast and tea and my mum the Vegetarian Thali Meal. — we ate leisurely — savouring every bite — while enjoying the picturesque verdant scenery through the large open windows of the old-style luxurious restaurant car. unhurriedly in relaxed ambiance. I eagerly looked forward to enjoying inimitable railway food — and for me this was the most exhilarating part of a train journey.
This menu reflects my memories made on many a journey across a nation defined by its trains and the people who served and savoured it.
Asheesh Dewan
