Garam Dharam, Naam to suna hi hoga. If not of the hottest Buzz in town i.e. the new restaurant in Connaught Place, then of our Loving Dharamendra jee, probably the most lovable person in Hindi Cinema.
I started loving the concept from the moment I got to know about it. I was sure if implemented well then this is going to be awesome place to hangout and dine.
The plan was to visit it after a few days of opening so that the initial rush settles down and I can enjoy at peace.
So, I was excited when I received an invite from the restaurant itself to experience it.
Located in the M Block of Outer Circle of CP sitting comfortably between the legendry York Hotel and 3 years old Chew- Pan Asian Café is the brightly lit, Colourful “Garam Dharam- Dhaba te Theka”.
One look at the Board and you know this is going to be a Relaxed but colourful experience, the kind that one craves while travelling beyond the city frontiers.
On entering the restaurant I heard hindi movie songs from Dharamendra Paajee’s Movies which were quite melodic & peppy and transports you to a different era. Seems all the songs have been handpicked as all of them were very good and I kept humming all of them in my 2 hour stay over there.
The sitting is unconventional yet very comfortable. The table was set like it is in Dhabas, with Achars, Chutneys, Mirchi, Namak, Kali Mirch, Sirkke wale pyaz in centre.
I requested the server to get me whatever is good and in small quantity as I would want to taste as much dishes I can with no wastage at all.
Good to see that menu says “All Your Food is Cooked in Desi Ghee” The key word here is not Desi Ghee but YOUR. Baaki saare to OUR likhte hai 🙂
In a few minutes, I was presented a Platter with 3 Veg & 3 Non Veg Snacks.
The Veg Snacks included the Hara Bhara kebab, Masala Soya Champ and Paneer Tikka. All of them passed the cut and if I need to reorder then I would have definitely asked for more Hara Bhara kebabs which were very Flavourful, Paneer which was very soft. Soya Champ would have also been reordered if it would have been cooked a bit more.
The Non Veg platter had Chicken Tikka, Mutton Seekh and Chicken Seekh. Here I thought that I should have ordered myself. As having 2 types of Seekhs was not my idea. I would have ordered the third one to be more rustic, something like Tandoori Chicken or say, Mutton Burrah. Though seekh kebab were of different meats, but tasted more or less the same when eaten together. Would have loved some difference, Have to say that taste un teeno dishes ka accha tha. Seekh kebab were really very juicy and thore bahut mast wale spicy be.
One more feature I liked about the restaurant as that they had strategically placed Charging points. A must need in today fast moving Digital World.
The Pyaaz rings they served along with the Snacks were sahi! Only BIG ROUND OUTER RINGS of Onions that gave you a proper Dhaba feel.
As I mentioned that I wanted to eat more variety but less quantity, I ordered for their Non veg Thali as that would have everything and give a good feel of what Garam Dharam has to offer.
I was right… The well presented Thali had Amritsari Cholle, the Super awesome Rajma, The Authentic Mutton, Buttery Butter Chicken, Thick Dahi, Kofte wali karri, Aloo Gobhi, served with a huge Naan and a bowl of rice. After the meal the Kheer was also there to polish all that I had.
Have to say that Garam Dharam has paid a lot of attention to the overall experience. The heavy Copper Thali’s and the Dhaba Glasses add to the feel.
Thali was a perfect whole some meal. However, it is not something one should have in a hurry. The Portion size, the Ambience, the amount you pay for this is only worthy if you have some time to relax and absorb the complete experience.
For me the best deciding factor about a Restaurant’s Food is its Dal Makhni, So I ordered for a katori of it. And that firmly affirmed my faith in the food as the Dal Makhni was perfect. Not very Creamy, the colour perfect, best Ratio of Dal-Rajma and not very thick. Oh yes, it was served super hot too 🙂
With my Tummy full and heart satiated, I got up from my seat to see around the restaurant’s decor and was good to see the Truck Styled DJ console, Bike similar to the one used in movie SHOLAY.
Also I loved the way Bar was done. Reminded me of a song from Movie Yamla Pagla Deewana. Tinku Jeeya.
Bilkul wahi mahaul tha.
I came back happy and would love to go back again with my DREAM GIRL to try Garam Dharam Special dishes now!
After this amazing experience I was able to pen down a small poem. Some words may sound familiar to Dharam jee’s Movie Titles
“Chahe tum ho Rajput, Punjabi, Joru ke Gulam ya kehte ho khud ko Yamla Pagla Deewana
Chahe Phool aur Pathar lekar jao, ya for haath mein Shalimar,
Jaise bhi karo, Garam Dharam jao aur Gazab ka khana khao,
Chupke Chupke na jaana, Apne – Dost “Dharam-Veer” ko bhi laana..
Sholay par bane Kebab Khana, yakeen man’na Tehelka mach jayega
Wahaa jaane ke baad tum bhi kahoge “Aaye Din Bahaar ke, “Aaya Saawan jhoom ke” aur fir “Yaadon ki baraat” lekar hi wapas jaoge
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