We tried Calgary’s largest Indian buffet & restaurant and here’s what we thought
Two years ago, my favourite curry place closed, and I’m not entirely over it yet.
Regardless, I still deeply miss going out for Indian food — so after an admittedly long mourning period, it was time to broaden my horizons. And what better place to do so than at Calgary’s largest Indian buffet and restaurant?
Hitchki Grand Indian Buffet is a premium all-you-can-eat restaurant with up to 150 items, live food stations, and unforgettable beverages. The tantalizing aroma hit me before I was even at the front door, and I knew I was in for a real treat.
The restaurant itself is massive, and has nine different private dining and party rooms that can host anywhere from 20 to over 300 guests. When the clock struck five and Hitchki opened its doors for dinner, the place began to fill up fast — plenty of multi-generation families, couples on dates, and the odd girls’ night out. It’s clearly a restaurant that appeals to many.
The grandest of buffets
I started things on a sweet note by ordering a virgin mango habanero margarita, and it was incredible.
I could have slurped back several of those on the spot, but I wanted to savour the goodness, and more importantly, I knew I had a large meal on the horizon.
Kendall Bistretzan (Daily Hive)
While the servers take care of drink orders and clearing empty plates, the guests are free to hit up the buffet at their leisure.
I headed to the floor with my plate in hand and was blown away by the sheer amount of options, among which were a full salad bar, a golgappa and chaat station, a chef making fresh masala dosa and chole bhature on the spot, sizzling tandoori, four types of naan, twelve curries (half vegetarian, half with meat), and a dessert station.
A world of flavour
Kendall Bistretzan (Daily Hive)
I started with golgappa, which I had never tried before. Golgappas, a.k.a. panipuri, are deep-fried, breaded spherical shells. You poke a hole in them and fill them with a combination of potatoes and sweet or spicy water cooked with chickpeas. Then, you eat them in one bite. It’s a refreshing street food and a treat for the senses. Unless you accidentally inhale the spicy water like I did… Oops.
Next was the part I was most excited about: the curry station.
There was so much to choose from, but I settled on lamb curry (I can never say no to lamb), palak paneer (I had no idea what it was but loved the colour), butter chicken (yes, I’m basic), and garlic chilli momos (I love how every culture has its own type of dumpling).
The lamb was so tender, and I enjoyed the kick of heat from the chilli momos. Naturally, the butter chicken was to die for, but I was especially impressed by the palak paneer — perhaps because I had never had it before. Turns out, the base of the sauce was spinach of all things. Who knew I’d be so willing to eat my greens when they’re served with cheese and great spices?
Sweet treats
By this point, I was so full, but I couldn’t leave before visiting the dessert station. The gulab jamun looked like smaller donut holes, but when I bit into one, I was pleasantly surprised by a cool and almost juicy texture.
I also tried freshly-fried malpua and jalebi, and kheer, a type of rice pudding. All were so light and sweet that I imagine they’d taste even more sublime on a hot summer day.
Your table is waiting
Hitchki promises a warm and welcoming dining adventure full of delightful twists and turns, and it’s safe to say they delivered.
Even if you don’t live in the neighbourhood, it’s well worth the trip. Visit Calgary’s Hitchki Grand Indian Buffet for lunch, dinner, and special celebrations to experience true culinary heritage with a modern twist, or, book them for your next event!
Branded Content