Posh-buts unpretentiou Punjabi

Punjab Grill

Though it sports a sleek, elegant décor and high-end prices, Punjab Grill is not pretentious at all; rather, it has great, friendly service that adds to the fabulous dining experience. The extensive menu features Punjabi specialties (the Punjab region is located in Northern India and Eastern Pakistan) that are conveniently divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Wanting to try a selection of different delicacies, both my husband and I opted for the five-course, non-vegetarian degustation menu ($98). Highlights included the incredible murgh badami shorba starter, a spiced consommé of chicken and almonds – I can’t stress enough how delicious this was; we wanted to drink a vat of it! The main course featured a selection of delicious salmon tikka, New Zealand lamb chops marinated with cloves, black cardamom and fenugreek, and tandoori tiger prawns (our favourite of the three, if we had to pick). Another course consisted of tasty murgh makhani (butter chicken); Chef Javed Ahamad’s butter chicken is presented as a tart-like treat, accompanied by lamb biryani. Of course, I couldn’t go for Indian food without eating my favourite, chicken tikka masala ($40), which I ordered à la carte – it was perfect! – along with garlic naan ($10) to dip into the deliciously rich lentil-based dhal panjratani ($32).

We loved watching Chef Javed work in the glass-enclosed kitchen while we ate, and enjoyed every single beautifully presented dish he came out with – paired with nice red and white wines suggested by our waiter. This is definitely a spot for lovers of Indian food, particularly for a special night out; it’s a great date-night destination! Star dish: It’s a toss-up between the chicken tikka masala and the juicy, wellspiced tandoori tiger prawns, though the chicken-almond soup was divine, too…