Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Even though Chandigarh and Panchkula are neighbours,the dining out preferences of both vary significantly. While an average Chandigarh resident likes to experiment with new flavours,the other town finds comfort in familiar fare (read north Indian and Chinese). So news of a bistro opening in Panchkulas Sector 20 came as a surprise. The location might be a deterrent for the Chandigarh diner,but for the residents of multiple housing colonies of the area,the place is ideally located,with ample parking space. Bistro 313 has a very aesthetic feel to it,with wind chimes,pots of herbs lining the porch and an outdoor seating arrangement.
We reached Bistro 313 (the number represents the address) on a rain-soaked afternoon and caught chef Angat Grewal,an alumnus of Institute of Hotel Management,Aurangabad,and his partner Venkata D in the kitchen. The bistro has an open kitchen on the ground floor with a more spacious layout in the basement,which is where we settled down. Wooden tables and chairs including a charming cane sofa seating with cookery books along the shelves,lending a cosy feel to the bistro. The music,though loud,was well-chosen. Its nice to find a place thats not pretentious with its interiors and the Bistro with its 40 covers maintains an easy,homely vibe.
The menu has a good mix of continental mains such as pastas,sandwiches and salads,with some Thai curry and Shawarma options too. The menu also brings in popular dishes from the Indian kitchen such as chicken tikka,murg tikka lababdar and paneer reshmi. Our focus is continental fare but we didnt want to leave out popular Indian favourites either as theres a demand for it, says Grewal,who also hosts parties and catering. The beverage menu offers smoothies,shakes and mocktails. Given the weather,we opted for paprika fish fingers,whole wheat spaghetti alio olio with onion and mushrooms as well as a portion of mint paneer. A glass of Guava Mary,a non-alcoholic twist to the classic Bloody Mary cocktail,paired well with the dish. The fish fingers were well done and the pasta with its delicate flavouring is a must try.
If you relish homemade flavours,especially mint chutney,then the paneer tikka is a safe option. The food was certainly fresh and light and most of the herbs are plucked fresh from the premises. We ended our meal with a lemon cheesecake and filter coffee a comforting end to an indulgent meal.
Meal for two: Rs 550
Location: DSS 313,
Sector 20,Panchkula
Contact: 4013313
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
