Dhaba’s are the lifeline of the highways of India. They provide nourishment, sustenance and rest to travelers and commuters. Their necessity can’t be questioned but the local cuisine they have birthed has a huge following and great popularity. It’s the kind of food I love …. bold and rustic flavors that are unpretentiously delicious. I was therefore really looking forward to my dinner when I was invited for a preview of the Dhaba Festival at Durbari.
Durbari has a quiet elegance that is pleasing, though my favorite part is the painting in the lobby at the entrance of the hotel because it provides the ethnic touch to this Indian Restaurant. We were comfortably seated and our journey on the tummy highway began with a rather delicious Ambani Panna, a tart summer cooler made with raw mangoes. With this we were served a generous portion of assorted Papads and Dips of which the Aam Kasundi was hands down the one I would happily down bowlfuls of though all were rather good. There were also little bowls of assorted chutneys and pickles and the Aam Chutney was delicious. Soon a steaming hot bowl of a Kukkad da Shorba … a flavorful chicken broth was placed before us. I rarely indulge in soup in the summer but my first spoon for tasting made me continue to indulge.
What came up next was undoubtedly rather pleasing to my tummy … the delicious kebabs. Dhaba da Paneer Tikka , Tawa Jheenga , Tandoori Murgh , Seekh Kebab Pinjori , Barra Chaap and we quietly buckled down to gorging on the scrumptious fare on offer. Each dish was perfectly prepared and had its individual flavor that we thoroughly enjoyed.
By now we did not have an inch of space but the main course and dessert were still left. We insisted that we will share a single dish and thankfully we prevailed on our warm host to oblige. Gosht Nalli Korma, Dhaba di Dal and Paratha were again excellent. The Gosht was perfectly cooked falling of the bone and the Korma Gravy tasty enough to make a meal of by itself with our paratha. I really liked the rustic Dal and only wish I had more space to eat more than a spoonful.
We ended on a sweet note with a delicious Gulab Jamun each and staggered home happy! Beside the comprehensive Ala Carte Menu, Durbari also has an excellent Set Meal with numerous choices in both Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian options.
Durbari located in Swissotel is completely friendly to people with restricted mobility.