Punjabi by Nature

Description:

• You'll know from the many Sikh families that eat here that this is one of Delhi's best-regarded Punjabi restaurants (and now a reliable chain); at this venue there are two floors for diners and a pub upstairs, all a mere 10 minutes' drive west of Haus Khas Village (or 15 min. from Safdarjung's tomb, the Hyatt Regency, or the Santushti Shopping Complex). On the first floor is a display kitchen where you can watch tandoori items and desserts being made; ask for a table here, where it's more atmospheric. Try masala quail (bataear masaledar) or fresh tandoori pomfret, and take heed of the wine suggestions. The staff is particularly proud of the raan-e-Punjab, marinated whole leg of lamb cooked in the tandoor -- you're served the tender meat as it literally falls off the bone. Vegetarians can look forward to tandoori broccoli, prepared in a mustard marinade, or sarson ka saag, fresh mustard greens served with homemade cornmeal bread. If you're adventurous, arrive for happy hour (4-8pm) and try the house specialty, a "golguppa" shot: a tiny puri (fried puffed bread) filled with spicy vodka, which you pop into your mouth whole.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010