Feel like treating yourself to a True-Blue North Indian rustic highway cuisine? You’re in great company

The ambience at Dhaba is wonderful with rustic Indian setting complete with rustic furniture and other interesting paraphernalia that one would associate with a Dhaba on a highway. What caught my fancy was the local ‘tharra’ like bar replete with coloured glass bottles et al and yes the Bollywood dance that the staff does in between the meal sets you in the right mood.

Coming to the food, we ordered a few dishes from the blackboard hung on the wall which listed the specialities of the day! The beauty of the blackboard concept also lies in the fact that the menu is changed on a daily basis. 

That said, the a la carte menu also offers an exciting selection of delectable kebabs, delicately flavoured curries, aromatic Biryanis, robust meats and irresistible desserts making this the perfect choice for a gastronomic indulgence. The good old tradition of serving Chatpata Onion lachha, chutneys and pickles is present, with a touch of royalty. The ‘Veg Galouti’ flavoured with cinnamon and cardamom, ‘Tandoor roasted potatoes’ finished with spices, onions and Chaat masala and the ‘Dhaba Murgh Gosht’ were absolutely succulent and I can easily say that here, highway flavours reign supreme lovingly teased by charcoal embers. The ‘Tiffin chicken’ is gleaming fresh, and a pleasure to eat with Ajwaini parantha.

However the piece de resistance is the ‘Balti Meat’, a succulent lamb specialty. For the main course if you are a vegetarian opt for the ‘Dal Dhaba’ simmered to perfection in the most exotic spices or signatures like ‘Baingan ka bhartha’, and ‘Amritsari wadi aloo ’. The bar is replete with the finest selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; most interesting being the ‘tharra’ (read cocktail section). I simply loved ‘Toofan’ a delicious mix of vodka, guava juice, coriander and spices. Your meal remains incomplete without a heavenly helping of the dessert offering. To end on a sweet note go for the ‘Phirnee’ or the ‘Kulfi’. The restaurant had most of the tables occupied and it was a good mix of domestic and foreign customers. The place is raucous most of the time as it is well patronized. Chef Ravi Saxena, Corporate Chef, The Claridges group personally overlooks the brand and researches continuously for traditional recipes to add to the already amazing highway Dhaba repertoire. So people, go desi at Dhaba for it is true refinement for the appreciative Palette. All in all thumbs up! 

FAST FACTS

Dhaba by Claridges is at First Floor, Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon.

For Reservations: 0124 4900155

Timings: 11 Am to 11 pm

Meal for two: Approx. 1,000

Published in Statesman