Taste travelling: Remembering authentic Indian food

Singh Sahib, at the Eros Hotel, Nehru Place presents an out-of-time experience, where one can embrace the heritage of undivided Punjab while indulging in the wide repertoire of delicacies that are offered at this quaint restaurant.

Packaging itself as an Indian restaurant, its difference lies in its journey back to the north-west frontier, at a time when cultures, tastes, spices lived in accordance, still unaffected by the woeful partition. Like it claims, the grand décor of the restaurant, further amplified by a grand menu provides the visitor a complete culinary experience, where not just taste, but vision, and olfactory senses all collectively experience the richness of authentic Indian cuisine.

While alcohol is served, the best method to beat this heat would be a sip into the refreshing mocktails that are unique to the restaurant. The Annaras Panna, was one such delight-crafted from the pulp of the pineapple and concocted well with light tangy flavours of basil, a sip into the glass would soothe your mind as the perfect combination of sweet and sour instantly refreshes the tired body.

The kebabs which are intrinsic to Indian cuisine did not disappoint either. The Multani Paneer Tikka and Mutton Sheekh Kebab were the standouts. The paneer tikka stuffed with mushroom was cooked to delight as the spices of the mushroom perfectly balanced out the softness of the cottage cheese. The Sheekh Kebab wins hands down because of the succulent meat that would just melt in your mouth as you take your very first bite.

As main course follows you will again be welcomed by a variety of dishes to choose from – dals, paneer, mushroom, potatoes, chicken, fish, lobster, lamb – you name it and you can have it. The Dhaba meat, a mutton gravy dish cooked in traditional Indian spices was the take-away from the main course. But only after the Bharwan Gucchhi- an exotic dish created out of mushroom that has a unique taste which will linger on your palette for a long time to come. It is the kind of dish that could make a non-vegetarian say yes to vegetables only. The Patiala Shahi Chicken curry, yellow dal, and Bharman Aloo all mark up to the reputation of this hotel, but the mutton and the mushroom were the ultimate winners of the menu.

Even if you are not a big fan of Indian sweets, the Badam Halwa will leave you wanting for more. The most attractive aspect of Singh Sahib would be its balance between preserving heritage while ushering in newness-innovations in cooking style, and presentation. Overall, Singh Sahib provides the perfect venue for a lunch get together with friends and family, or a quiet dinner date with your beau. With qawwali being played each evening, the restaurant promises to take back its loyal customers to the era of unbroken culture, unadulterated tastes, and undiluted tranquillity.