Tigers Experience at PUNJAB GRILL - Chakhna Menu

Look listen up If You are PUNJABI , OR YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE BEING A PUNJABI  then read below , and if you don't understand what i have written take me along to Punjab Grill it will be my pleasure of take you through a pure Punjabi experience , and this happens once in a while only , grab it til you can . 

The Chakhna menu is amazingly Inventive  , The Chefs have Experimented, Visualized, Conceptualized dishes from the Roots of Punjab which are Simple and yet too good to relish . The Presentation is impeccable . And this could only be done at Punjab Grill with the support of the entire team of Lite Bites.

The Chakhna and Chakko menu in beautiful Spanish bottles 

(check out the Salaad)

What was the concept or the funda of this crazy menu - all Punjabi's like to keep nibbling along with their drinks and every household has different finger snacks made for the evening after sundown - they have captured most of them in this menu - must compliment them for the compilation of these amazing snacks from different Punjabi households and some from the street where Punjabis do their regular Car o Bar with lookahs or chada's hahahahahah call me to know that this means, hahahahha .  Well a secret unfolds here and why not - most or rather every married Punjabi married man Loves to run away from wife every month meet up with his buddies - abuse teri bhen dee teri maa dee , buy a bottle of scotch  (in my case old monk ) go to the local kebab joint - sit in the car with full AC on , loud music and do car o bar ,,, and yes they want the restaurants mundu in attendance al the time -  or shouting out Oye chotu aithe aa , ja kukkad la , te break na lagan dee.. (chotu keep the snacks coming ) . So Chef Gurpreet , Deepak Bhatia pure Punjabi's at heart  could conceptualize the menu well and the Chef Bharat from Mumbai took two days to understand what the shit was going on as he had to replicate the same in the Punjab Grill branch in juhu hahahahaha poor chef  stuck amongst Punjabi's in Punjabi land .  Wish you luck Bharat.

Superb Lively menu - full compliments to you guys for putting this together - with or without a twist .

How much we Punjabi's love finger snacks and specially with our booze .... the hand to mouth exercise has to keep on going throughout and then you have to have a sumptuous dinner after this LOL.  chattar pattar punjabis and proud to be one . This four some was Channa Jor Garam - dunno how many know about this - street food chat pata spicy grams with nimboo and dry grams ; Makhane and dry fruit just simply salted , Channa ambrasar style and pyazz kee tikki .. dipped in hari chutney , Yummmmm . 

Jheenga 'Chowk" Ki Tikki, Masala Mattra

Aloo tikki stuffed with prawns and theeka masala  rested on a bed of pateele wale chole .. Let me start with the pateele wale channe - a common street food of Delhi , simple boiled peas with onions , chilies imli panni coriander and lime normally served with kulchas ... earlier only found outside schools but now almost every comer of delhi . The Aloo Tikki with small prawns and coriander masala was a great fusion .. a normal aloo tikki has gram and other masalas ... crisp from inside soft inside .. this one was stuffed with baby prawns just the right flavor of prawns . Innovative for sure and a great merger of taste from the street . 

Tandoori Kukkad wings, Imli Dee Chutney

Chicken Wings glazed with  Impli sauce (Tarmind) our version of the Bbq sauce , actually much better .. All time favorite is tandoori chicken so whether it is the wings legs or breast Punjabi no cares he wants his tandoori item with his drinks, thats it  .... trust me the imli marination or the glaze was fabulous - and listen to me you people please don't be formal and use fork knife to eat this bird - just go all fours to enjoy the robust flavors . Just tear it apart and bite in  .

Mutton Ki Boti in Istri

Mutton Boti kebabs in a Istree - now this word istree is a dangerous one to use infront of punjabi hahahahaha Istree means a woman in Punjabi toba toba - bad boys . The mutton boti cooked soooooo well melted in the mouth trust me when i say melted means melted ..... the khada masala was outstanding and well cooked- the concept of serving in the old traditional press was fantastic - wish the coal was also present to keep it pipping hot . This press is still used by the corner press wala found in every locality of delhi .

Sunny Side Up Tuk Tuk , Khameeri Roti

Khameere roti stuffed with a poached egg on a bed of khada masala tpped with sirke wale pyazz- what a riot of flavors .. bun tikki . Eggs in any form are a punjabis delight - specially a egg bhurjee with onions  and eaten with tandoori roti at most dhababs or drinking holes .... this is the deconstructed version of the same - beautifully cooked poached egg on a bed of tomato with some  tomato masala inserted in the khameri roti and then baked in the oven with sirke wale pyaaz.  A desi Burger patti hahahahaha take a bite and have the egg squirt all over and  followed by oh no ai kee kitha yaar .. be careful while u greedily take the first bite . I loved this stuffed roti .

Ambrasari Machhi  Te Desi Aloo Chips 

Ambrasari Machhi with the sadak wale aloo mirchi chips - Pure Punjabi Dish and from the heart of the land of punjabis ... Punjus can die for talli hui machhi - what do they love in this dish ask me an ask me .... the crisp , deep fried spicy fish is a treat .. goes perfect with a nice glass or whishky hahahahaha sound so alcoholic hahahaha . But honestly amritsar has the best fried fish on the streets and Punjab Grill team nailed it to the core, have they been walking the streets of Amritsar , need to figure this out. Superb , The combo of the sckool wali allo mirchi chips was a great think - after which u r on FIRE for sure and need t gulp down whatever poison you are on . 

Classic Mathri with Cheese n Old Monk Fondue

Now this was the most inventive dish of the evening - Mathri with cheese fondue - Home made mathi sticks , twisted cheese sticks fresh carrot and cucumber sticks with Mango ginger heeng chutney and the cheese fondue with old monk on the side ....  A dish to actually go back for .. beautiful amalgamation of the ghar kee mathi with the swiss fondue .. chef u r going to give the goras a run for their money if u keep discovering such unusual combinations . Mathri is a common snack in Punjabi household - there are several versions and combinations of the same, The Punjabi style Mathri is flaky and is spiced with Kasuri Methi,Jeera, Black Pepper and Ajwain.

Anda Tawa Rice

Tawe wale chawal with Bhujia and topped with an egg - Fly Lice oops sorry Fried Rice with Bhujia topped with a Sunny side up egg .. OMG my dream to burst the yellow and see it flow down slowly slowly ... im drooling . Mixed with imli ka paani, what a combo - was very reluctant to mix the same and spoil the eggs taste so tried it in one corner to verify the same and yes it did work .... good combo . A filler for sure . The crunchyness , the eggy flavor was delicious.

A total Chak do Phate Menu .... Punjabi ishstyle .

Rasbhari Margarita

Punjabis say this is the healthy option to drinking sharab hahahahahahahah.. fresh raspberry crushed mixed with crushed ice soaked in tequila - glass rimmed with amchoor .... killer idea . The punju women will love this ... Me too actually . Good thinking Chef . Specially the linning of amchoor on the rim , gave the drink a perfect kick .

Band Baja Te Whisky

Hahahahahaha Bhopooo , Poaa Poaaa  dont see this classic any more - good old days all rickshaw wala. all tange wala's and redi wala used to use this loud bhoppooo to make people clear the way .. i remember i too had put this on my bicycle for style lol .....  the concept behind this drink was that  Punjabi love their drinks with a lot of noise and specially at Punjabi wedding when all shout out chakho after the second drink then they dont care whether its a single malt all they want is Skatchhhh  hahahahahaha  Chak do phate .

Mele Di Chuski

Traditional skool wali chuski with vodka - haven't we all had this at India Gate and added Vodka on it ... Kala Khatta with Vodka was the combo of our college days .... The difference was that the chuski was diped in Vodka so athe end of it you actually had a fab flavored vodka . Gol Guppe ka pani , Tang wala Orange , Ambi Panna , Anar juice chuski, Nimboo Paani chuski.... crazy riot of colors and flavors . Loved sucking the chuski's after a long time ... small child like feeling with the energy of youth a total revival . Traditionally at melas in Punjab you have this man on a cycle with a slab of ice covered with a gunny bag resting on a crusher , he pushes the ice in to glasses inserts a stick into it , pours whichever flavor you want . People still go mad about it . 

Old Monk Rimzim

Ai te mera phela pyaar hai .... Old Monk with good ol Rimzim - wonder where these guys sourced the Decade old rim zim from - man gaye ustaad ...  The drink was old monk , rim zim and chaat masala and a slice of lime - man what a crazy mix of flavor , sweet sour chat pata ... a drink to get deliciously high .  Going back for more.

Ganne Ka Juice Margarita

Fresh Gaane Ke Ras kee Margarita - Oye Bale Bale .. Punjabiyan dee Shaan .... Im sure after this most popular cocktail all Punjabi's must have said Yaar Ai te dasso margarita kaun Hai ? hahahahahaha  real refreshing cocktail blended superbly with tequila with a squirt of fresh lime on top . Just the way you would have ganne ka ras in the market . good Job.

Besides these killer cocktails there were Tarbooj and banta ;Niki Te Teekhi;Pineapple Thandai ;Sufi Singh ; and im sure you have guessed why Tiger couldn take pics of the same hic hic hic ...... hahahahahaha 

The Inventor - Chef Gurpreet 

What to say to Chef  Gurpreet , Chef Satinder - you guys are total animals in the disguise of chefs how could you come up with  such amazing  combinations of dishes , riot of flavors , im totally impressed with your upbringing hahahahaha Pure Punjabi's . Joke aside - i can only say you have ticked the Punjabi's the right way by bringing the HOMEY dishes to the table  and getting them drunk . Excellent . 

The Visionary - Sharad

And you master creator - i guess you are also a part of this mercenary gang of Punjabi's to conceptualize this chakhna Menu .... Sharad another hard core Punjabi , the  incredible CEO of Lite Bites , I am  totally impressed by the independence you have given your team to experiment  with different things in terms of dishes and presentation . Not to mention another man behind this horrendous act of debauchery Deepak Bhatia - apparently he is the master curator of the play of Punjabi . Perfect Dream Team .

No Ambiance , No Food , No Service Just go CHAKHO the Chakhna Menu . hahahahahahahaha. mama im coming back to you soon . 

Ambiance : The perfect Punjabi beats behind , one drink tow drinks and you are loving daler mehndi remix blaring out . 

Service : Always Awesome 

Food : Havent i said enuf above 

Value for money : Who cares , You are Punjabi. 

Chakh Do Phatte at Punjab Grill before it gets over at Select City Walk, Saket!!!!!!

Tigers Experience of Punjab Grill - Select City , Saket

A Lite Bites Venture

Punjab Grill - Select city Mall - Saket 

Was invited to taste the Punjab Grill Winter Menu by Sonali & Rohit and was pleasantly surprised at the whole experience . 

The True Punjabi Meal Below ... Keep drooling 

If I May Call it an afternoon with "Punjabi Classics "

Mutton Ka Achaar

Mutton Achhar - very fond memories of a small village on the Kalka Simla Highway called 'Dhali ' only known for meat pickles of all kinds - i remember we used to drive up from Chandigarh to drink up and eat mutton achhar with bread  - Punjab grill has made a better version of the same , amazing flavors , masalas and the mutton is beautifully cured .The mutton gets a bit hard so don't fret , thats the way its supposed to be .

Gobhi Gajjer Shalgam ka Achaar

Gobhi Shalgam ka Achhar is a family thing for us - every winter religiously it was put before my mother passed away . It was a ceremony - One day to buy the veggies , next day boil and kept out in the sun , third day the masala was cooked - kitchen locked ,not even a shadow was allowed to reach the pickle, all women with periods to stay very far , helpers todl to bathe and enter kitchen - mother would sit in the centre of the kitchen on a mooda with all the ingredients for the famous achaar... she would mix each lot with so much love ... in Punjabi we call the earthern containers 'Peepa's"  all would be filled and taken straight tot he sun to cook and mature . The whole family used to wait for the bottle opening ceremony and jump to eat . Relatives would send their containers ,fights used to happen for sharing etc etc ... After ketchup it is the closest to my heart . Gurpreet has managed to reach the flavors definitely ,was abit sweet but the basic flavors of the Gobhi Shalgam achar was spot on .

They are retailing both these pickles at there outlets .

Kaali Gajjar Kaanji with Aloo Bonda

Kaanji

Kaanji : Yet another Winter special with Kaali Gajjar - We used to only have it in the winters but one of my friends mentioned that they had it during Holi - could be . have also heard of Kanji Vadas == vada soaked in Kaanji... like the gobhi shalgam achar this too was made wiht a lot of love - stored in earthen containers and made to rest in the sun for a couple of days and then attacked . Lovely sour mustardy flavor - this is a perfect digestive . The Punjab Grill Kaanji was perfectly cured , made to perfection by Gurpreet .Served with a aloo bonda  resting on beet root sticks from the kaanji . The art of kaanji is to get the perfect kaali gajjar not easily available . I was a bit scared to try it ,have heard crazy side affects of it like loose tumy etc but was brave enuf to plunge into it . Well worth it .

Shakarkandi Kamrakh Ki Chaat

Shakarkandi Kee Chat :Reminded of School Days when the bhaiya used to come with his thela and sell this - how we used to die for it .... smoked shakarkandi woth imli water ... yum and spicy . Infact told gurpreet to make it a bit more spicy . The presentation was like foreign type hahahahaha.... covering dish , being lift and smoke flowing out wah wah what style aur nikla Shakarkhandi hahahahahaha .  Oh yes the start fruit - nice and khata and merging well with the sweet fruit which is apparently smoked in apple wood . What a lovely presentation . Topped with curleys sprinkled with red chilly powder

Kharode Ka Shorba

Kharode Ka Shorba: Anything to do with bone injuries we were told to have Kharode Ka Soup - also known as paaya  - mutton leg or hoofs pure Medicinal soup.  Loved it - sticky, thick you can actually see the nutritious value in it - Punjab Grill serves it with Burnt onions and two  miniature Cheese naans to break the healthy part of the soup Lol ... Definitely not a soup to be made in a hurry - the bones have to extract their juices , their strength if i may say for us to enjoy - probably cooked on slow fire for a bit . 

Tabak Maaz with Mooli Akrot Ka Raita or chutney 

Tabak Maaz: A part of a typical Kashmiri Wazwan - Tabak Maaz - is twice-cooked lamb ribs, initially braised with ground spices and milk, then browned in butter - the ribs of the Goat served with amazing mooli and Walnut chutney . The mutton is cooked with the fat to make it juicy .. the one at Punjab grill was sticky and it just fell apart .. some of the smaller bones are chewable ... yum dish for hard core meat lovers and yes its a very winter dish to be had garam garam .

Methi Chicken Tikka

Methi Chicken Tikka : hmmmmmm huge pieces of chicken , difficult to cook for sure marinated in FRESH Fenugreek / Methi thats what made the difference .. though after eating the mutton this tasted quite bland ....  loved the taste of fresh methi and a well cooked chicken . Tikka toh nahi tha looked more like a ful chicken hahahahaha requested Gurpreet to reduce the size for two reasons easy to eat and also it will absorb more flavors .. this was more on the lines of banno kebab.

Chukandar Ke Kebab

Beetroot ke kebab - when my mom gave us this we used to run away from it .. today my dear friend ms beetroot is a celebrity ... beautifully crusted with crumbs , shredded beetroot filled with yogurt added to the tinge of the veggy kebab. must have for the veggies ... or convert into no neg to enjoy the Meats like i did .. by the way i met a guy who says he is Professionally Non Veg and Veg at home .. i was like whats this now ???/

Bheja Masala

Bheja Masala : Or you can call it the non veg versio of a paneer kee bhurjee .... looks and taste the same hahahaha Gurpret dont kil me for this . Superbly done brain served with Kulcha layered with fresh malai .. trust me it made a difference . otherwise me and malai dont get along , very bravely i broke bread and ate the brain masala , man both ,melted . What i like in the brain masala was that it was not over dozed with tomatoes like every where else - the tawa guys  fill it up and make a mes of the main meat . Hardcore Punjabi's are mad about brain .... and now i know why .

Sarso Da Saag

Check out the hand pounder , very convinced that they actually make an effort to remain traditional. In punjabi we say ' Hath Na Kutaya hua"

Sarso Ka Saag - Oye Bale Bale - jo kuch bhee boloonga sach boolnga aur sach siway kuch nahi booolnga - basically saying i will speak the truth and nothing else LOL .... The most amazing Dish and the most authentic Sarso Ka Saag I have ever has in my life so far ... did not need anything to go with it - could have eaten two bowls of the same .. trust me my old inlaws inspite of having eaten a ful lunch atthe mall - ate two makki ki rotis and sarso ka saag because it was just delicious .. kudos Gurpreet - you have magic in your hands . And the killer point in this was that it was hand grounded and not pushed in a mixer ... slowly pounded to perfect ion with desi ghee . Punjab grill serves it with awesome white butter and masala gurh . The Masala gurh is heat in a small bite , one bite and u r warm as ever .
Makki ki roti is not the conventional phulka , has to be bound together with a lot of effort - the makki ka atta has to be almost sweet and nothing like fresh Makki ka atta from the hills , freshly grounded.

Punjab Grill  Deg 'Hot Pot'

Hot Pot - This is supposed to be the signature dish at Punjab Grill - Mutton Koftas and Nalli with Mutton Jus and winter veggies - the baby carrots so cute and sweet was a delight to bite into , the mutton being cooked in its own Jus was full of flavors , soft, succulent and super textures. They had shalagm and onions also in it - it was like the juice from a freshly made momo ... delicious . You know what i mean

Bahurangi Biryani

Bahurangi Biryani - meaning Colorful briyani. Something unusual for sure .. a Punjab Grill creation -  A vegetarian Biryani filled with almost all winter veggies .. very healthy option after eating like pig on all the non veg food  -Carrots, Shalgam (turnip)onions , beetroot etc - Dum Biryani - was happy to eat it , believe its one of largest selling dishes.

Winter Bread Basket

Winter Bread wow- Makki Di Roti, Bajre Ki Roti , Sheermal, Naans, Pasta roti (did i hear it wrong) lol im sure i did ....

Bajre Ke Choori

Bajre Kee Choori: As they say Grandma Style Pearl Millet roti & Jaggery crumble ,Lotus seeds and Chiroli Nuts ... so healthy wow . Im trying to figure out how to describe the taste ... hmmmmm  like panjeeri , warm crunchy in short totally Punjabi flavor ... grand mothers used to stock this for the winters .

Gurh Wale Chawal

Gurh Wale Chawal - Dil Se ...... totally Dil Se - this is Gurpreets favorite tooooo and Mine also . Had so many extra helpings of this one ... was just yum . Jaggery Sweetened Basmati rice Cooked with Black Cardamom and Fennel topped with roasted coconut chips . The family relished it and said was just like home . A very winter occasion based dish severed in several Punjabi celebrations but to get get it right is an art ... Punjab Grill You were spot on .recommend some grated gajjar to add to the colors and flavors . 

Gurpreet - Proudly serving his curated dishes himself 'Pyar Se'

Once Gurpreet saw my elderly In Laws he made a fab gesture of serving them himself - so humble of him . They loved him . And even while i was trying ot all the fab dishes he sat and discussed with me each dish its origin and ways to better the same . I think he enjoyed this nmore than i did  LOL.

Gurpreet the Chef behind the research and the creations 

Gurpreet - The Wizard .... from IHM Bhopal trained at Old World - been with Punjab Grill now for 3 years - he is the man behind all Research , Experimenting , finding traditional recipes , and curating art on plate . He is a friend of Manish Mehrotra and has worked with him also in Indian Accent . I called manish to congratulate him about Gurpreet , he turned around and told me that he himself has learnt a lot of stuff from Gurpreet , which speaks very high of Gurpreet for sure . He is backed by a sweet lil chef Satinder who is lovin working with gurpreet .

Deepak and Gurpreet the men behind the Scene

Deepak Manages the Operations for all Punjab Grills - he too is a chef who diversified lol , big foodie like me . And yes Sonali who's pic is not here , she is the one who called me over for the Winter menu - thank you sonali  one of the best meals i have had and so appropriate to winters . Where is sonali for the pic hmmmmmmm  picture shy i guess.

Family - The Curious Foodies

And that is my family a bunch of hard core foodies - who's passion is to analyse the different cuts of meat for each dish - trust me this is the truth - pop inlaw can spend a day at a butchery and he is so fussy about who cuts the meat and how .... he is a passionate peshawari . Mom In law is the most amazing cook - whatever she touches is delicious ... wife has inherited values - hence my choice lol , sister in law is just a foodie . They were actually shopping at the mall and i was getting late so with due permission  from the host i called them to the restaurant to try a few sweet dishes and weren't they happy ......  They blessed each one of the team members for the awesome food and treatment . Pop in law fell in love with Gurpreets cooking and would n stop talking about it . 

Over all : I'm glad i went - and catered to the Punjabi Me . 

Ambiance - Wonderful - Open Kitchen , terrace seating , music and good aromas, I feel a bit of renovation or sprucing up needs to be done on the furniture .

Food : Do i need to say more hahahaha- Fresh Vegetables, Freshly Ground Masalas, Perfectly marinated and cured Meats . Well Researched, tried , tasted and served.

Service : Par Excellence , Attentive staff - they need a bit more education on the food

Aroma- could n really get any because its partially open , Actually was missing the actual aromas from the home kitchens .. no no thank god it wasn't reeking of masalas

Back Again - Yes yes for sure and with some Pure Punjabi's 

Recommend : RUN FOR THE WINTER MENU NOW !! Ask for Gurpreet, Satinder or Deepak to look after you , extra .

An honest confession I have been a little vary of certain veggies and meats etc for a while ,like Beetroot,Kharode,Shakarkandi etc etc never ate them at home when made and under mom blackmail but thanks to my food experiences I have removed those mental blocks and eat everything now .

With the 85th Blog , Tiger Wishes all its Foodie Friends a Very Happy New Year ... Live to Eat .