An American Route

A It is a fancy name and anything American goes at Khan Market these days. B The owners got lost on Route 04 while trying to get to Vermont. C The eatery, which is set up by the owners of Turquoise Cottage and Days of The Raj at Adhchini, wants to replicate the culinary map of America8217;s Golden Highway which is actually Route 40, but the restaurateurs blissfully decided to play with history since their address is 4 Khan Market. Correct answer: C. Never trust restaurateurs for historical accuracy, but, thankfully, you can8217;t argue with the food here.

The diner, spread across two storeys, moves away from the casual ambience of the All American Diner. Done up in a travel theme, it has mini versions of vintage and classic cars parked on the shelf that runs across the wall, and helicopters hung from the ceiling. While the first floor has a bar counter that will be operational in a month, the second floor opens into a terrace space and a live kitchen 8212; best for breakfasts. The menu is a melting pot of the classic and the contemporary, and its Power Breakfast comes with a complimentary copy of a pink newspaper. News of the meltdown sure goes well with the steak.

Must-Try
Route 04 sticks to the notoriously humungous portions that characterise American food. The thumb rule here is to never order more than one dish, and pair it with a juice or a coffee. For instance, an order of Pancake Stax with Maple Syrup Rs 225 will fetch you six large pancakes stacked together and served with a scoop of whipped cream and maple syrup. The dish accompanies a bowl of melted butter that is generously poured over the mount. We tried the blueberry pancakes that were loaded with berries and are a meal in itself. The Classic All American Hotdog Rs175 is well-done. The sausage is deep fried, and is accompanied by mandatory portions of finger fries and coleslaw in a lettuce cup. The menu combines different cooking styles and even offers cottage-cheese quesadillas Rs 195. Buffalo Chicken Wings Rs 225, tossed with Tabasco sauce, probably ranks the highest in the heat metre here. Lip-numbing, they can be toned down only if you douse the stick in a blue-cheese dip that comes along. Pan-fried Ham Steak Rs 350 resembles a nouvelle platter after all the binging. A narrow elongated plate brings in two portions of steak, with buttered toast and scrambled eggs on the side. The restaurant also offers some of its grills in skillets that truly bring alive the western cafeacute; ambience. Tenderloin Chicken Fired Steak Rs 325, a typical Bronx recipe, is served in the pan with portions of rice and fries.

The menu cleverly lists healthier options and some dishes are rolled out in small portions. For instance, you can swap a creamy shake for a fresh carrot and ginger juice blend Rs 145 or a soy milk fruit smoothie Rs 175, and the humungous burgers can be exchanged for Sliders Rs 155 which offer smaller buns with less fillings, or a soup-and-salad combo. The diner also has an in-house bakery that begins work at 5 am. So, for breakfast you can munch on some fresh crusty bagels and flavoured croissants for Rs 45 a piece.

Give a Miss
Poutine Rs 195 is a big no for calorie watchers. The very sight of the dish has the potential to pack you off on a guilt trip. Our order with chicken served a pyramid of fries, jalapenos and chunks of chicken, all topped with curd cheese and barbeque sauce. Mac n8217; cheese Rs 250, a popular order with expats, is equally laden with cheese.

Meal for Two: Rs 1,000
Contact: 4352180
Location:First Floor, 4 Khan Market