Filmy bites

In true Bollywood style,on our right is a section called ‘Ladies Tailour’ ,(is Tailour consciously spelt like this?) with posters of blouse patterns and mannequins wearing ghagra cholis hanging from the wall partitions. As we go a little further,we come to the ‘Billoo Barber’. This section has posters of hair cutting styles and mirrors adorning the bright yellow and blue walls. Even the cushions have prints of Madhubala,Dilip Kumar,Nutan other yesteryear stars. Right in the middle of the restaurant,there is a huge yellow bird cage with a seating arrangement inside,a place for birthday cake-cutting ceremonies and other special occasions for guests.

The furniture,though brightly coloured yellow and green,the food is kept simple. The glasses are a larger version of the tea-glasses one is served at a local road-side tea shop in the North. The easy-to-choose menu has few signature dishes. The smooth and sinful Patiala lassi,is served in an approximately seven inch copper tumbler,which is almost as filling as a meal in itself. For the starters there are unconventional pani puris. The puris were stuffed with chopped onions and served with a hot bowl full of tomato shorba.

The main course calls for the chef specials for the day- Ludhiana Murgh and Paneer Hara Piaz with Tandoori Roties fresh from the oven. The Ludhiana Murgh is a preparation of boneless pieces of chicken in a tomato and mustard based gravy. The gravy is tangy and spicy. One can taste a tomato base made with fresh tomatoes rather than a ready-made puree that tends to taste like ketchup. The paneer is soft and crumbles easily into the green spring-onion based gravy which is thick and flavoursome. Though it looks like a regular palak panner,it has a world of a difference when it comes to taste. The taste of spring onions is mild,yet very much there,a perfect balance of flavour. Our culinary trip ends with a bowl-full Gulab Jamuns.