Pind Balluchi-apna gaanv…
Sarson da saag-makki di roti, aaloo da prantha-aam da achaar…welcome to Pind Balluchi- a ‘village’ restaurant which is neither as high-end as an Italian-special eating joint, nor as run-of-the-mill as the fast food chains. The ambience, the smell, the feel, the menu…everything seems to be straight out of the latter half of film Dilwaley Dulhania Le Jaaeyenge. Its side look from the road might disappoint you, so wait for the beckoning front view- chaukhat par kharha darbaan, imam jasta and kundi sota (equipment used to prepare masaalaas), charpoy ke bagal mein hukka, saamney kuaan, and ice creams available from a tonga. A similar mood of village is elegantly established inside with wooden tables and chairs placed below trees, hut style pillars, fast-track dhaba music and ever-courteous Punjabi mundaas as waiters. You’ll be greeted with a warm sasriyaakaal, ushered to an appropriate place and handed a menu. The menu, again, will produce a smile on your lips. It’s carved out on a wooden slate. Adding to the aesthetic set-up are the heavy bronze water tumblers.
Most of the dishes are bound to remind you of your grandmom’s preparations. Two things not-worth-missing are aam ka panna and hara kabab…do try them. There is tangri kabab and the hara-bhara kabab. While the former is a chicken leg piece roasted with white pepper and nuts, the latter is a preparation of spinach and chana dal. Mouth watering dahi kabab is made from buttermilk and chopped vegetables stuffed in bread. Pind Balluchi offers varied dishes for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Mushroom kurkure and roasted cabbage are the vegetarian delicacies that are bound to leave you asking for more.For the main course, there is an array of delicacies like dal tarka, paneer masala, fish amritsari and murg Balluchi. Mutton and chicken biryani, hot and spicy are also on offer.
Says the durbaan, “It’s great working at a place like this. Whenever I open the door for visitors, their expression immediately shows their happiness. Everyone seems to fall in love with the atmosphere inside. And, when they are coming out, the cheerful faces munching on saunf and gur brighten me up”.
In a city like Delhi, ‘Pind Balluchi’ takes the elderly back home … back to their childhood days in villages. It gives the young-middle age group a feel of something they have always known about, but perhaps, never experienced. And, to children, it gives a glimpse into another world.
"In the present scenario, when everybody is running after Mediterranean and French food, we came up with an Indianised version because we believe it's more permanent and not occasional like other foods. One can try this at any day and any time," says Meraj Rizvi, owner of Pind Baluchi.
Prices are not very attractive, but the quality of food served is. So, next time you feel like treating some special friends (or your parents) in a different ishtyle, go ‘rural’… go to Pind Balluchi – 8 Main Ring Road, Near State Bank Of India, Lajpatnagar-IV, New Delhi- 65. Banquet hall and advance bookings: 51325760-61.
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