All-new flavour for Pankawalla
Pankawalla is New Plymouth’s newest restaurant.
That sounds like a contradiction, since the Indian restaurant has been open in the city for almost 10 years. But with a new frontage, new decor, a new menu, new chef and new management, there doesn’t seem much of the original left.
One thing hasn’t changed, according to the Pankawalla team of executive manager Roman Singh and restaurant manager Gagan Pardhal. They introduced the changes this month and say a quality experience is the common element in old and new. And they are pleased with the positive response from customers.
A meal at Pankawalla has always been an upmarket dining choice, says Roman, and that was emphasised by the white tablecloths, the light decor and the sense of an elite environment – almost a silver-service experience.
White has gone, with dark-coloured walls and more subtle lighting welcoming customers back into the restaurant. Tables and comfortable chairs in light oak add a pleasing balance to the look.
The furniture search was an issue for Roman and stretched around the world. ‘‘We looked at a lot of samples,’’ he recalls. ‘‘We wanted furniture that was trim and slim looking … not too bulky.’’
The mix of light oak and darker surroundings is a combination that creates a more relaxing, more intimate environment, says Roman. And that appeals to both customers and staff.
Walking into Pankawalla today is a new experience in itself – the roller grille has gone and the frontage has been reshaped with large bifolding windows opening up the front tables to the footpath environment. That’s been a popular change already with many customers, says Roman.
The wall of backlit quotes that was a feature when Pankawalla first opened is still there, although Roman suggests that may also be refreshed in the future, with new quotes for customers to read and discuss during their meals.
Those meals, of course, are the focus of the experience at Pankawalla.
While a number of the usual menu items will be familiar to diners, there are many new dishes to tempt the tastebuds. Roman describes the menu as contemporary Indian.
It’s variety has been helped by his own varied experience. It began with a front-of-house role at the India Today restaurant in Palmerston North and continued in New Plymouth with another front-ofhouse role at the original Pankawalla. He then studied as a chef at Witt, before taking a position as a chef with Cafe Mantra in Oakura, and then returning to Pankawalla.
At the revitalised restaurant today, Roman blends his management duties with his chef skills. He says it is important to spend time in the kitchen.
‘‘Close contact with the cooking means I can adjust tastes if necessary,’’ he says.