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.

A Trip To Punjab At Pind Balluchi...

Pind Balluchi has always been one of the iconic brands in the F&B space that comes to mind, and the first choice for many when it comes to relishing authentic North Indian delicacies.

I decided to conclude a recent shopping spree with a light-hearted dinner. And, Pind Balluchi came across as a reasonable choice.

The ambiance is pretty much similar across all outlets of the said franchise, with the imitation of a village, with the सरदार जी on the cot at the entrance, a Banyan Tree setup which is a center of attraction, a kitchen enclosed in glass with all the flavorful aromas, some paintings depicting Punjab folk traditions and ambient folk music playing in the background.

Here's what would form for a nice meal when visiting Pind Balluchi...

Beverages:

Orange Blossom

Indian Summer

Appetizers: 

Chatpate Tawa Mushrooms were stuffed with veggies in between and had a tangy aftertaste.

Paneer Tikka Shashlik was chargrilled to perfection and layered with bell peppers and onions.

Tandoori Murg Tikka is one of the classic preparations at Pind Balluchi and was finished with a dash of lime.

Fish Tikka Lemon and Pepper had soft fish chunks seasoned well.

Dahi Saunth Ki Papdi had the street food undertones, finished with yogurt, tamarind, pomegranate, and sliced potatoes.

Main Course, served with an assorted bread basket:

Paneer Hara Pyaaz Lababdar had well-sized, soft cottage cheese chunks in a creamy gravy.

Dhaniya Murg Curry had flavorful chicken chunks in a coriander gravy.

Desserts: 

The meal concluded on a sweet note with  Rasmalai, Kheer, and Matka Kulfi.

On the whole, Pind Balluchi comes across as a fine place to relish North Indian cuisine, complemented by attentive service and a rustic ambiance. :)

Feasting On Lohri At Pind Balluchi...

India is a land of festivals. Food in India, is a festival in itself too. Why should it not be so, given that India is a melting pot of cultures and beliefs?

The onset of January thus marks the first festival in India, that is celebrated with fervor across North India (though mainly Punjab) is Lohri. What better place to celebrate Lohri then, other than Punjab itself? 

What if I make known to you, the fact that Punjab has rightfully descended in Delhi/NCR through the iconic Pind Balluchi, that emulates a Punjabi Village or Pind as it is called? Well, of course, Pind Balluchi is a classic brand and must be a favorite for many of us when it comes to authentic North Indian fare and festive celebrations with family by means of food. 

I am thus, no different, as I decided to celebrate Lohri by pampering myself with a feast of sorts at the newest outlet of Pind Balluchi, located at Level 3 in Mahagun Metro Mall, Vaishali, Ghaziabad. 

Pind Balluchi is an interesting amalgamation of rustic ambiance and authentic food. The ambiance being dominated by earthy tones mirrors a rural backdrop, with mud plastered walls, imitation artifacts, and their staff's ethnic attire which have ਪਿੰਡ ਬਲੂਚੀ embroidered on it.

Pind Balluchi is a place which transports patrons into a quintessential Pind of Punjab. The experience begins from the entrance itself where a traditionally attired सरदार जी sitting on a मँजी welcomes patrons with a सत् श्री अकाल. The traditional entrance doors and windows, झरोका with dazzling hanging beads and bangles, wooden chairs, and lanterns further aesthetically enhance the entire village set up.

An artificial Banyan Tree is also positioned central to each Pind Balluchi to play a vital role in enhancing the aesthetics of the restaurant. An open kitchen in the restaurant emulates a ढाबा with some delicious तंदूर and तवा preparations which further enhances a dining experience.

Pind Balluchi aces it with their food, because the flawless preparations, authentic taste of dishes and quick service are what make them earn points in their kitty.

Going by the 'Best Of Pind Balluchi' section earmarked at the beginning of their extensive menu, we decided to relish the following preparations, which were presented as Pind Balluchi's home-style signature dishes.

Appetizers: 

• Mushroom Kurkure - Button Mushrooms placed in fried, crispy cups, stuffed with Khoya and Cheese. It had a unique presentation and taste and would be one of my must-have dishes at Pind Balluchi. 

• Dahi Ke Kebab - Hung Curd with a mild tang, stuffed in fried bread. Simply melt-in-mouth. 

• Paneer Tikka - A तंदूर preparation, with Chef's Special cottage cheese chunks char-grilled to perfection. 

• Ajwaini Fish Tikka - Another तंदूर preparation which is Chef's classic, with a lemony zest infused into fish fillets char-grilled in mustard oil. 

• Kalmi Kebab - Chicken leg pieces marinated with cashew paste, hung curd, and mildly spiced, yet again in तंदूर. 

• Also tried their Soups - Murg Shorba and Tamatar Shorba - steaming hot and flavorful. 

Main Course: 

• सरसों दा साग ते मक्की दी रोटी - Quintessentially Punjab. It would be a crime to overlook this classic preparation when at Pind Balluchi. It was served alongside sinful pieces of गुड़ and melt-in-mouth मक्ख़न. If you'd ask me, this is the one preparation that is most highly recommended, more so because the साग is authentically prepared in mustard oil (सरसों तेल) as well lending it an unforgettable taste. :)

• An array of Indian gravies and curries, namely Chef's Recommended Pindi Choley, Khumb Pyaaz Bhujiya, and Murg Lababdar paired with Chicken and Mutton Parantha respectively. 

Desserts:

Classic Punjabi sweet delicacies were there to bring the meal to a fitting conclusion.

• Gulab Jamun 
• Thandi Kheer 
• Rasmalai 
• Matka and Teela Kulfi 
• Gajar Ka Halwa 

I had a great time at Pind Balluchi and would like to say that it is one of my must-visit places for authentic North Indian delicacies since the past many years. It is one chain that is effortlessly keeping the essence and the legacy of home-cooked food alive. :)