It was a regular evening when my sister and I, both writers and both foodies, decided to spice up our last night together in Delhi. I was leaving for Mumbai the morning after. And what better way than to eat lovely food and celebrate in the company of my sister and her husband? My sister, a writer with a popular magazine in Delhi, suggested this restaurant called TAB – The Ancient Barbeque. The name, I have to tell you was very exciting. I’m not much excited about barbeque but the name suggested that the décor and the atmosphere in this place was going to be something special. And before I could even say yes, my sister was driving me and her husband to the restaurant. Let’s just say, she is a bigger foodie than me.
We reached the restaurant in Gurgaon by 8PM. I’d say it’s a little early for dinner in my world. But the moment we entered the mall where the restaurant is put up, we were being pulled to the restaurant by an external force (Read: Exotic smells). Picture Jerry being pulled by the smell of cheese? Something like that. Almost. We were quickly seated and knowing that my sister was here to review the restaurant, the food started to pour in almost immediately. I would like to sound all sophisticated by saying that we reviewed each dish separately and discussed its recipe and ingredients. But we didn’t. And that is an amazing plus for the restaurant. The food was as delicious as the very meaning of the word and we were far too busy devouring it.
The very first dish was the Salsa Potatoes. I’m a borderline health-conscious person, and that must make you understand that I sort of cringed when he said he was going to serve us potatoes. I try to stay away from them. But once the dish arrived, I cheated and how! When someone says salsa, you immediately think spicy, tangy and Mexican. But this was sober, cheesy, sophisticated and one hell of a dish. We called for a second round of the same dish. That should explain how good it was. After that there was a signature dish, and a very interesting concept that the head chef explained to us. At TAB, every day their signature dish changes. And as per the response they do re-runs of the same signature dish next week. So the dish of the day was, batter fried corn. Again, I cringed. I hate corn. Never liked it and don’t think I ever will be able to develop a taste for it. But for the second time in a row, TAB proved me wrong. The batter fried corn was my friend for the night! It was crunchy, it was spicy (thanks to delicious seasoning) and it was light; perfect accompaniment to the mocktails.
Now is a good time to mention that I’m quite a non-vegetarian and I was eagerly waiting for the non-veg starters to find its way onto my plate. But there was one last vegetarian dish that had me swooning. I think I found love that night. It was the hara-bhara kebab. I love these kebabs, but very rarely do you get them perfectly made. TAB nailed it on its head. They were crunchy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside and the seasoning had me licking my fingers. And hey! I’m a lady, I don’t usually do that! So TAB was like this man on a mission, turning me into a primal human, hungry for food. And so far they were successful.
Finally the non-veg starters arrived and I was drooling again. What with the prawns (how can you fall in love twice on the same night?), the fish (make that thrice!) and the chicken (4 times!!!). After ordering more rounds of the prawns and the chicken, we finally retired for the night. I think I must have looked like a seal lion, now that I was stuffed. But we sure didn’t move for a while. I wouldn’t be able to comment on main course, because by now, there wasn’t any space left in me. But I can sure say it must have been something I missed, because I could see people queueing again and again. Looks like I have to pay TAB another visit… soon.
aprononme 