“Edible, adj.: Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm. “ ~Ambrose Bierce*
Doesn’t this quote summarize our live to eat or eat to live attitude depending on how important this edible food is! : )
I am the former type and so is my better half. It shows on both of us too! Together we make more than a whole. Sigh! Of course that hasn’t stopped us from exploring new restaurants and make our taste buds experience the best, the worst and something in between with an uncanny enthusiasm. And I have a feeling that Cubby isn’t very different either.
Names can be distressingly misleading in Bangalore. A restaurant might say North Indian food, but look out for some key words. Does it say tHandoori or chapatHi or paroTa? This simply means do not enter! So when you see a restaurant called Legacy of Punjab rubbing shoulder with Kudla a Mangalore food specialty place, you have your own doubts. Both these restaurants are a part of Hotel Ramanshree on Richmond Circle, Bangalore.
Yet, nothing ventured is nothing gained and the brave keep moving on. So here’s how it went at LoP. (By now I don’t think I need to mention the laziness factor!).
The ambience at LoP is just perfect.They are Punjabi by nature. There is a huge charkha at the entrance. The brick walls are adorned with old and new movie posters like a dhaba. There is chair and sort of sofa seating with big gol takkiyas and cushions thrown in for the rustic effect. The wooden tables are unadorned with any table cloth and have just the paper tablemats.
The restaurant is divided into sections because of the kind of seating arrangements they have. Every section’s ceiling has décor that spells rustic Punjab. One area has those tokris hanging, while other has colourful bangles and one has colourful kites. The waiters are all dressed in traditional attire and first impressions are impressive enough.
Now for raison d’etre – the food! :D
Crispy n kadak seeka hua papad with yummy green chutney comes to your table complimentary and unlimited! You take the big menu card and start reading through the specialties. I somehow am not too keen on soups at northie restos because I like mine Chinese! So move straight on to the starters. Must try here is chicken reshmi kebab which is tandoor cooked melt in mouth pieces of chicken wrapped in unbelievably fluffy and light egg whites.Macchi Amritsari – fish deep fried in spicy batter tingles your taste buds to eat some more. Vegetarians needn’t fret. The stuffed alu with its spicy filling and cooked in tandoor is mouthwatering. There are other things too, but I haven’t tried too much ghassphoos.
I have eaten entire meal just coupla times out there and at other times we have just ordered lots of starters followed by dessert, skipping the main course completely.
The simply tadke waali yellow dal and maa ki dal is perfect! The tawa subzi was quite interesting and butter chicken absolutely delicious. Some fish in gravy that we had wasn’t so amazing, but still better than average.
The lassi served in TALL and BIG aluminum glass is thick with just the right amount of sweetness! Make sure its chilled though!
The food is served in huge brass thaalis and really adds to the whole effect.
The choice of breads is pretty decent though I would suggest steer away from Ajwain Paratha unless you like ajwain too much or like too much ajwain! :P Pudina paratha or kulcha or just the roti or naan are made to perfection.I haven’t tried the other desserts, but jalebi with rabdi is to die for. Garam and kadak jalebi with thick rabdi is the perfect way end to your meal.
The service is quick and efficient, though they aren’t always very accommodating with special requests. (They did bring a simple fruit cake for Cubby to munch on, when we asked for bread sticks!;). Ofcos he wasn’t complaining!
They serve alcohol, cocktails and mocktails and have a decent variety of daru that comes from their Daru ki Dhukan (the only wrong H at this place!).
The prices aren’t cheap, but food is VFM. A meal for two with starters, main course and dessert with cost around 800 to 1200bucks.The quantity is also pretty good.
Reservations are required especially over the weekend and I recco it even on weekday nights. The number to call would be 080 – 41350000. Valet parking is available. Bliss!
They have buffet lunch on all days which is Rs.201/person on weekdays and 235 on weekend. This is including taxes I think. Dinner is only a la carte.
All in all if you like north Indian food especially what comes from the tandoor, Legacy of Punjab is a MUST visit. My bet is you will go again!
“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. “ ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story
Amen!