Gabbar’s Bar & Kitchen recently turned one and to celebrate, they are out with some new additions to their menu. Out of all the restaurants that do molecular gastronomy in Kolkata, I find Gabbar’s to be the most innovative. Here, the humble Papdi Chaat gets a makeover with liquid nitrogen, the Khichdi gets an Italian twist, the Khowsuey condiments come in a Ferris Wheel and the Paan is served with a filling of gulkand flavored mousse!
Starting off with the cocktails, there are four new ones to choose from – Jager Float (Rs 345), Bollywood Bhang (Rs 275), Ab Gola Kha (Rs 475) and Espresso Sangria (Rs 345). The Jager Float which is jagermeister and beer with a vanilla topping is served in small glass skulls, the Espresso Sangria is a heady mix of wine and coffee with a dash of liquid nitrogen, Bollywood Bhang is the good old thandai spiked with rum and Ab Gola Kha is orange margarita served in a sculpted ice sphere. Along with the drink, you also get a small hammer to break the ice and get your drink out. Gabbar’s calls it the perfect ‘ice-breaker’!
If chaats are your poison, you will love Gabbar’s 2.0 version of the Papdi Chaat (Rs 325). Here, liquid nitrogen is added to the dhokla which freezes it up. The dish looks as good as it tastes. I also loved the tangy Vada Pao Salad (Rs 295) served on a leafy bed. One of my favorite dishes at Gabbar’s is their kaali dal and now, you can enjoy some blue cheese and truffle mushroom kulchas along with it (Rs 345). Birbal’s Favorite Khichdi is nothing like the one it is named after. This khichdi is a classic Italian risotto with cheese and olives but there is a desi element as well. It is accompanied by tandoori mushrooms or prawns (Rs 395/Rs 495). At Gabbar’s, Hindi Italian Bhai Bhai 😀
Order the Khowsuey Mela (Rs 375) and you get a mini ferris wheel on your table. Tiny buckets hang from the wheel which contain condiments like fried onion, burnt garlic, spring onion, coriander etc that you add to the khowsuey bowl. Instead of noodles, here you get fried or steamed spring rolls that soak up the coconut milk and chickpea flavored broth. Comfort food at its best! If you love a bit of spice in your dishes, order the Jai Thalaiva or the South Indian minced paratha with a serving of either eggs or mutton curry (Rs 295/395). The Gabbar Ghotala (Rs 375) is a beautiful spicy keema served with an egg and bread buns.
We all love a good black forest cake. At Gabbar’s, Jungle Mein Mangal (Rs 375) is a deconstructed version of the cake that you can watch come alive in front of you with the addition of liquid nitrogen. If you crave for a paan at the end of a meal, the delightful Paan Mousse (Rs 295) is for you. A light and airy gulkand flavored mousse is filled inside crunchy, paan leaves. The liquid nitrogen ensures the leaf stays cold and crunchy and the cream stays put inside the leaves.
Gabbar’s Bar & Kitchen always served good food. With these new dishes, they have taken the presentation and quality of food a notch higher. Definitely go there to experience the new twist to the molecular menu.