Regional Specialties From A Culinary Journey...

The G.T. Road is a restaurant modelled around the concept of Asia's well-known trade route by the same name - linking four countries and leaving its traces through three empires beginning from the Mauryan Empire.

Spanning across the length and breadth of the massive 2600 km, the Grand Trunk Road still facilitates transportation for commoners and traders alike. And hence, The G.T. Road is a culinary journey that traverses 2600 km to bring the best of dishes from Kabul to Chittagong. 

Spinning off on the concept of dining like a prince but paying like a pauper, G.T. Road caters to the variation of spoilt-for-choice buffet with the local specialties of the countries that the roadway passes through being brought to the table.

The G.T. Road spells vintage like no other, with the customary vintage car at the entrance, coins, rifles, artefacts, photographs and archaic utensils perfecting the ambiance.

On a recent visit to Chandigarh over the long weekend, one of the restaurants we chose to dine at was this one, and pleasantly, the Delhi outlet and this outlet could be said to be the mirror images of each other as far as the overall experience is concerned.

From on-table grills to the live kitchen counter vested in the preparation of the choicest of street foods and also crisp Jalebi, to the extensive variety in Main Course and cheat meal kind of indulgence as far as the Desserts are concerned, this place is for patrons who like being spoiled for choice.

Also, do try their Bunta served in the 'glass bottle with a marble' especially the Lychee variant, and the Kala Khatta mocktail.

As always, a meal here concludes with a handful of सौंफ-मिश्री.

Saying It With A Bunta...

Bunta Bar is an ode to the bar culture of India. It is fun, familiar, yet innovative. Bunta Bar aptly reminisces the fondness for the bottle with a marble i.e. Bunta.

Located in Janpath, right next to Fresc Co., Bunta Bar is spread across a floor and a restricted but beautiful rooftop.

While the decor ingeniously incorporates elements like Bunta Bottles to form an arch over the seating area complete with sofas and ice-cream sticks to adorn the paper napkin holder, the ambiance is moderately lit and features a mix of chairs, benches, and sofas as seating. The creative on the wall is also beautiful.

The food re-creates and amalgamates the best of multiple regional cuisines, thus being inspired by the culinary diversity of our country.

The Menus are designed in the form of Coffee Table Books, distinctly for Beverages and Food. Housing one of the largest varieties of Buntas (both alcoholic and otherwise), Bunta Bar's attempt at popularizing Buntas once again, reflects through.

The Beverage Menu has a border of digital Bunta Bottles running through each page, while the Food Menu has Indian designs in its making.

Here's what would be the must-have dishes when visiting Bunta Bar.

Beverages:
'
KPT Bunta was a flavorful concoction of Kokum and Paan.

Bunta Soda had the Jaljeera flavor spot on.

Choco Nutty Shake was thick and the chocolate flavor lingered on the palate.

Lemonade Iced Tea had that refreshing vibe.

Salad:

Quinoa Bhel Puri was complete with pomegranate seeds, Sev, and Papdi. Quinoa has caught pace as a healthy grain and is now being incorporated into dishes by many F&B joints.

Appetizers:

Chakna Platter was presented in glasses of Cutting Chai and had small bites which went well with the Bunta.

Paneer Tikka Masala Nachos were crisp and cheesy, served alongside sour cream and salsa.

Corn and Feta Samosets are easily one of the best appetizers at Bunta Bar, owing to their thin outer crust, and delicious filling of corn and feta cheese, which went well with the two kinds of dips.

Mushroom Shami was firm yet melt-in-mouth served on a Malabari Parantha and garnished with an onion ring and mint dip.

Kerala Chicken Nuggets had the prominent flavor of black pepper and curry leaves.

Sole Tandoori Tikka lent the lingering mustard flavor to the fish, which was itself soft and melt-in-mouth.

Main Course:

Half 'n' Half Pizza i.e. Veggie Lovers and BBQ Chicken.

Dessert:

Brownie with ice-cream was the Dessert of the Day, topped with chocolate sauce on a platter.

All in all, Bunta Bar comes across as one of the nice places to bid adieu to mid-week blues with friends and a relaxing vibe. :)

Warehouse Cafe Is The Hub Of Good Food

Warehouse Cafe stands true to its name with the look and feel of a warehouse, the cogs, wheels and gears. The food is also done appropriately well. Visited this particular outlet situated in the bustling Sector 29 Market for dinner yesterday, that has come up with numerous food joints apart from the one that is being reviewed. Warehouse has a brewery incorporated into itself apart from good food.

It was a first visit and I got to know that they have a Live Band performing on Tuesdays also.

Begun with their mocktails, being a teetotaler, namely Ginger Collins, which packed a punch with its core ingredient and tried the childhood favorite Jaljeera and Strawberry Chat Bunta Mocktails. Somehow, the bottle with a small marble within, fascinates and the flavors inside that bottle stood true to their respective names too.

While the Jaljeera Bunta imparted that iconic, classic flavor, the Strawberry Chat Bunta was the right mix of sweet and spice.

As for Adam's Apple, found it to be an overload of sweetness, owing to the concentrate that they utilize in preparing the drink, while Coco Loco was a hands-down favorite.

Their Greek Salad had a bit too much of lettuce I felt.

Moving on to the Starters, both the Chicken and Fish Tikka dishes were tastefully done and were soft and succulent, while the Paneer Tikka was good. The fried balls with Biryani stuffed in them, I'm unable to recall the name, made for a unique presentation and taste as well.

For the Main Course, went ahead with the tried and tested Dal Makhni, Kadhai Paneer and Murgh Makhni, accompanied by nicely done breads. The consistency of all the three gravies is what stole the show.

Tried their Pizzas too - Peri Peri and Paneer Tikka - the presentation of Paneer Tikka Pizza is what I found to be unique and good, while Peri Peri Pizza stood true to its name and imparted unprecedented spice to the preparation.

Also tasted their Murgh Biryani which came in a classic Handi accompanied by Salad, Raita and Poppadom.

Topped up the elaborate meal with their classic Fudge Brownie with Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla ice cream scoops. As always, it was a cherry on a delicious cake.