Dhaba by Claridges have acquired fame for the parent branch at the claridges hotel. And now they have launched the sister restaurant at saket, DLF place. Unpretentious and fun Dhaba is a casual restaurant that delivers what it is known for, great food in traditional Punjabi surroundings. Mounted tyres on the walls, khaat style chairs, kites and the focal point of the restaurant, a huge truck. The management has left no stones unturned to bring life into the design. Dhaba is as it should be, colourful and filmy. Lip smacking north indian food served at the restaurant saves the name of the hotel it is associated with. The service is so much friendly and quick. Barnis and brass utensils bring authenticity to earthy food, rich with colours. Take your pals and go sit in the truck while you wait for the food. The standalone truck is used as a booth by the restaurant and let’s admit it does add something to the experience.
The food menu is no nonsense, simple collection of north indian recipes that have been favourite part of every indian kitchen. Galouti kebab, tawa surmai, tawa mutton, tandoori bhune aloo, tawa mushroom hara pyaaz, amritsari fish serves as the first course. The menu is short and means business. Mains page states the dhaba’s signature dish Balti meat (lamb curry), butter chicken, amritsari chole, mushroom matar, amristsari wadi aloo, yellow dal, lassoni palak, paneer makhni and matar paneer. Delicious steaming chicken biryani, tawa vegetable pulao, mutton biryani and steamed rice are the rice selections. Loads of people prefer their chicken or mutton with good old indian breads so garlic naan, butter naan, laccha paratha, roomali roti, dhabe di roti and tandoori roti gives perfect company to the spicy curries.
Dhaba has given desi names to the drinks menu. The signature cocktails like lal pari, santari, basanti, somras, toofan, gulaabo are under the title of tharra. The mock tharras as you must have guessed are mocktails. The serious drinkers will find heavier options like rum, cognac, wines on the bar menu too. But nothing can compete lassi where Punjabis are concerned. The menu maybe short but it packs a punch where flavour is concerned. The recipes are old favourites that are cooked well with lot of love. The restaurant though in DLF place mall, is affordable. So if there is a dinner pending on you then this is the place to go to.
- The must-try dishes include the 'Balti Meat' and the 'Keema Kaleji'
- Despite the theme-restaurant element, the North Indian food is consistently good
- The portions are huge so order modestly