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.

Vintage Hues At The G.T. Road...

The Grand Trunk Road or GT Road for short is one of Asia's most iconic and longest major roads. The route that existed during the reign of the Mauryan Empire has linked South Asia with Central Asia. It runs across four countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan) and spans major landmarks of Chittagong, Howrah, Delhi, Amritsar, Lahore, Peshawar, and Kabul.

Borrowing from the concept of this roadway that is still in modern-day use for transportation in present-day India and Pakistan, Bright Hospitality has come up with the newest brand in their kitty, catering to buffet family dining that offers a spoilt-for-choice variety to patrons at economical price points, thus establishing themselves at market-competitive prices.

With classic vintage decor boasting of rifles, coins, lanterns, and archaic utensils, that iconic car (aptly christened 'High Maintenance Old Lady') on the welcome aisle against the backdrop of a multitude of city names on the wall, monochrome photographs of the pre-Independence era, spacious seating spanning across two identical floors, and prompt service, GT Road offers an aesthetic breakthrough in the F&B space.

A 'Menu of The Day' is consciously placed on the table each of which features an on-table grill accompanied by dips (say, tomato-garlic, coconut, mint) and standalone appetizers which borrow from specialties of regions lying on the 2,500 km motorable stretch.

As for the Main Course and Desserts, both boast of a concerted Indian buffet spread, and no-nonsense of unnecessary fusion of cuisines. GT Road as a restaurant caters solely to the delectable spread offered by the countries that the road spans along.

At GT Road, they also have a variety of 'मुरब्बा', pickle, and digestive candies to soothe the appetite.

As for the welcome drink, Shikanji was served, and Indian Chaat items were prepared by Chef on a live counter and served as bite-sized portions.

A special mention for the Desserts, for which the heart goes out. Even the ice-cream flavors borrowed from the authentic date and fig flavors that are commonplace in Afghanistan.

Mocktails, on the other hand, are christened as 'जाम-ए-खास' and are curated as per individual liking, in accordance with the pre-set Menu.

A variety of mouth-fresheners, digestive candies, and पान are also customarily presented on completion of the meal.

As I could see on my visit, The GT Road in the heart of Connaught Place is already one of the most popular among families, and I wish that it continues to be so. :)