SMC Restaurant Will Commemorate Diwali With A Special Celebration

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Several local restaurants will be honoring Diwali in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and San Francisco with celebratory meals.

"Many of us feel very nostalgic about these traditions because we grew up with them. We're excited to replicate our favorite dishes in a way that also celebrates the part of the world we now live in,” Srijith Gopinathan, the executive chef of three Bay Area restaurants hosting Diwali celebrations, told Patch. “We're taking inspiration from our childhoods, and bringing that into conversation with what our diners are most excited about here in California.”

Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights, takes place between October and November. It is closely linked to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and signifies the start of India's fiscal year. Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists also observe variations of this festival.

“For these events, we're not just offering food, we're creating an experience. We decorate each space with flower garlands for Diwali, so the interiors feel especially beautiful and celebratory,” Gopinathan told Patch. “Each menu unfolds as an elaborate feast, and you don't need to place an order. The food just appears in front of you, creating a feeling of richness and abundance. Also, for this holiday, we make some of our most authentic dishes, so people are excited to have that reminder of what they used to eat back home."

Eylan in Menlo Park is hosting a special two-night, family-style prix fixe dinner on Monday and Tuesday. This five-course feast, priced at $95 per person, is designed for a celebratory evening and will feature a blend of new seasonal items, signature dishes, and festival specials, including hot jalebi with verbena rabdi. Vegetarian options are available, and an optional wine pairing can be added for $65 per person. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.

“Diwali at our newest restaurant, Eylan in Menlo Park, will be a more elevated celebration, with a prix fixe dinner and optional wine pairing," Gopinathan told Patch.

Ettan in Palo Alto is hosting a special Diwali brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The brunch will feature a selection of approximately fifteen dishes, including new fall menu items, established favorites, and a variety of sweet and savory Diwali-inspired snacks. Highlights from the menu include homemade paneer tawa roast with mint and amchoor, sarson ka saag served with pumpkin seed roti and ghee, and chicken gilafi seekh kebab korma. Vegetarian options will also be available. The experience costs $75 per person, with children dining for $45. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.

“The simple dishes tend to resonate most with our guests. Diwali sweets are a huge part of the holiday, so we're making coconut kheer, as well as laddus and jalebis – a lot of fried snacks that we typically don't have on our menus, but see as an important part of this celebration," Gopinathan told Patch.

Copra in San Francisco is hosting a special Diwali brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The brunch will feature approximately fifteen dishes, including new fall menu items, classic favorites, and a selection of sweet and savory Diwali-themed snacks. Highlights from the menu include gongura paal katti curry, eggplant pollichathu, and a tropical halwa with mango ice and candied citrus for dessert. Vegetarian options are also available. The cost is $75 per person, and reservations can be made through OpenTable.

"Where I come from, we generally have our big celebratory meals during the day, so it's much more convenient to gather on weekends. The menus align with the approach of each restaurant, with the common thread being seasonality. These dishes will spotlight many of our favorite early fall ingredients,” Gopinathan, the executive chef at all three restaurants, told Patch. “Copra's menu will focus on coastal specialities from the southernmost states of India, whereas Ettan is more eclectic, and will pull inspiration from across the country.