Barbeques along Dal lake dish out enticing delicacies

By Afzal Butt

Srinagar, April 22 : Mouth-watering non-vegetarian delicacies served at the banks of popular Dal Lake in Srinagar are a major charm for tourists and residents who throng here in big numbers from far off places for a delicious evening.

Many people say that a visit to the scenic Kashmir valley remains incomplete without relishing the mouth-watering meat and fish delicacies prepared by vendors along the Dal Lake banks.

"It's very tasty and I never tasted this flavour anywhere before. And the best thing is that Dal Lake happens to be in the background, rather just near to this place where these items are sold," said a Delhi tourist A. K. Mittal.

"I want to come here again and again and I will ask everybody if they are going to Kashmir, they must taste this Tikka, visiting Kashmir is incomplete without it," he added.

Everyday around five o'clock in the evening, the entire stretch of Boulevard that skirts the Dal Lake radiates the spicy aroma of roasted meat and fried fish eats.

Be it the sumptuous mutton Tikka, Kababs or fried fish, they are one of the most favourite items which attract many foodies to this place.

Lots of people start flocking by evening to the banks of Dal lake and enjoy dining in a different environment with spicy delicacies.

The barbeques have been set up in a traditional European style of open-air eateries on the pebbled pathways.

"As in Europe one can find a number of food spots on the road side, where people go with their families for dinner in the evening after finishing their work, one can enjoy that feel here. There is no decoration around those food outlets. They sell food on the roadside only. So I am feeling very happy that the same concept has started in Srinagar also," said Shafiq Ahmad, one local.

Vendors add special spices to the mutton or the fish and marinate them overnight for the tantalising treats on the next evening.

There is a good income generated by the barbeque owners here.

"It's very good. We start selling our food items from 4 o'clock in the evening. People enjoy a lot here as there are Dal Lake and gardens too. I sell mutton here. A number of tourists come here and enjoy this food very much," said Mohammed Yousuf Shah, a food vendor.

ANI