PATHANKOT PUNJABI RESTAURANT

Tired of eating out and tasting the same old dishes? Want to savour something different? Next time try Pathankot Punjabi Restaurant, on L.B. Road, Thiruvanmiyur, which, as its name indicates (Pathankot is very near the Himachal Pradesh border), serves Punjabi food, which has a distinct influence of Himachal cuisine.

The interior of the restaurant has been done up to project an ambience of the real 'Punjab'- it is replete with swords on the walls, carpets, jharokas (windows), a bell between tables, bare wooden furniture, brass tumblers and other brass vessels complemented by waiters dressed in colourful kurta-pyjamas. Pathankot was started in August 2000 and is promoted by Ramesh Kumar.

Doled out by a Punjabi chef, the menu of the 50-seater restaurant has a splendid variety of mouth-watering dishes, from Pyases (soups) to Mithais (deserts). The Pathankot specialities include Hasnoo Kabab and Champey Kabab (chicken kabab items priced at Rs 90/- each). Other non-vegetarian delicacies are Galouti Kabab, a type of mutton kabab at Rs 90/- and Murg Chandi, a chicken side dish with gravy priced at Rs 90/-.

For seafood lovers, the Samudrian section of the menu provides a sumptuous fare from Til Mil Jinga, a dry prawn side dish priced at Rs130/-, Jinga Narialwala -prawn in coconut gravy side dish costing Rs 90/- to Machi Bhar, a fish with gravy side dish, which is again priced at Rs 90/-.

For vegetarians, the Punjabi Tarkari Shorba -vegetable soup at Rs 40/-, Gobi Kalimirchi, a starter priced at Rs 60/-, Subzi achari and Kadhi Punjabi (vegetable side dishes with gravy priced at Rs 60/- each), and Methi Paneer Pulav (Rs 50/-) is highly recommended. Of course, the Sarson ka Saag (Rs 60/-) is an all-time favourite with regulars. There is also a choice of tadka, makni, ajnabi, panjrangi and channa dals for Rs 60/- each.

Some five different special rotis - missi, makki, mithi, kastha and methi,  are available for Rs15/- each. Kulchas come in four varieties - masala, piaz, subzi and aloo - again for Rs 15/- each.

The desserts are again exclusive, comprising of Phirni, Rabri, Matka Kulfi and Gur Bagga (Rs 40/- each). An average meal for two would cost around Rs 250/-.

Pathankot has hordes of professionals working in Tidel Park thronging it for lunch, so it offers a vegetarian thali (meal) for Rs 79/- at lunchtime. In the evenings, the customers are usually North Indian and South Indian families.

The restaurant also provides home delivery and has an efficient system for this service -patrons are given registration numbers, so that when they call in with their order, it is easy for the restaurant to locate their address and send their person to deliver.

Address : Pathankot, 141, L B Road (Opp. IMPCOPS), Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041
Phone : 440 3080