Have you been to Gabbar’s, the fun Bollywood themed restaurant in Kolkata? If you haven’t, book a table right now because they are out with an all new menu. From Curry Apple Martini to Rome Ali Pizza to the evergreen Kochi Pathaar Jhol to Mango Cigars, the new menu is an interesting concoction of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. I was invited by Gabbar’s to sample the new dishes last week and it was one delightful gastronomic experience.
There are four new refreshing summer coolers in the menu now – Litchi and Kaffir Lime mockatil (Litchi crush mixed with slightly crushed Kaffir Lime leaves, lime juice and soda), Watermelon Basil Mojito (Watermelon puree, muddled with fresh basil and lime juice, topped with lemonade), Curry Apple Martini (Curry leaves muddled with apple juice, lemon juice and served with crunchy slices of apple) and Gerua (Grated orange teamed with orange and a dash of lime). To beat the heat, the drinks are perfect and while I tasted all of them except Gerua, I was a tad partial to the Litchi and Kaffir Lime Mocktail. The sweetness of the litchi and the tanginess of the lime juice complemented each other very well.
There is a whole new range of appetizers now. My favorites were the Chicken Potli kabab (tandoori chicken potlis filled with chicken keema), Nanza (naan topped with makhni gravy and cottage cheese/sliced chicken and baked) and the Tandoori momo (Momos filled with chicken keema or vegetables, baked in tandoor and served on a sizzler plate). I would always turn my nose up at the mere mention of tandoori momos. To me, they were an unnecessary aberration but after tasting the tandoori momos at Gabbar’s, I’ve changed my mind about this dish. The twist is really not that bad but only if made well and Gabbar’s makes theirs very well!
The new items in the mains are Chettinad Mushroom, Kochi Pathaar Jhol and Chicken Kasha. I found the Kochi Pathaar Jhol to be slightly bland but if you prefer your food not to be too spicy, you will like it. Dessert sees the addition of Mango Cigars or mango espuma piped into crispy filo pastry cigars, a dish that is not only visually stunning but also tickles the tastebuds in all the right places. And if chocolate is what you crave for, you can always go in for the ever popular Gabbar’s Chocolate Soil 🙂
Gabbar’s Bar and Kichen
11, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kankaria Estate, Park Street area, Kolkata
Cost for two – approx Rs 1500 + taxes
