Jumbo Prawns Or Galouti Kebabs? You Will Have A Hard Time Choosing, At Dhaba Claridges

Dhaba-style atmosphere comes packed in a cool, posh restaurant format thanks to Dhaba By Claridges. Throw in Bollywood music and some North Indian quirk, and you have a winner!

Dhaba Prawns, Galouti, Chetta Butter Chicken

Their mocktail shots, especially the Ganne Ka Saar, which is a mock sugarcane juice.

Generous portions, the jumbo prawns

Bright and sunny, the restaurant aims for a dhaba but is significantly posher. Colourful furniture, cheeky lines on the wall {and bathrooms} about customers and the dhaba life {most likely written by a copy writer in an agency but should be on the back of a truck}. The good-natured staff also routinely break into dance to popular but loud Bollywood numbers. And television comes in the form of a robust Punjabi music channel for that highway vibe.

There is really nothing dhaba-like. Where would you get succulent jumbo prawns and delicate galoutis in humble dhabas? But at this posh place, you get both. The jumbo prawns that took us straight to heaven, came marinated in yellow chili, hung curd and grilled with that magic dhaba masala. But we couldn’t get over how good the galouti kebabs were. Served on tiny parathas, the soft and delicate kebabs were best had with mint chutney and plenty of onions. The Amritsari fish here is the real deal and so is the Dhab daal {dal makhani actually}

For mains, the balti meat {mutton curry} comes with lots of tomatoes and spice, but the star was the Chitta Butter Chicken. Unlike the regular version {which these guys have too}, the chitta version is absolutely white and comes with lots of butter, cream, nuts and pepper. It is salty, savoury and oh so good. Best mopped up with their Dhaba Ki Roti, a version of the khamiri roti.

If you have space left, indulge in their incredibly sweet and rich desserts. I tried two spoons of the swimming-in-ghee badam halwa and passed out.

The prices are not dhaba-like at all {a naan sets you back INR 100!}. But the food, though really good, cannot be eaten during office lunches because it is too heavy and laden with all the good things in life such as ghee, butter and cream.

The raan {a roasted leg of lamb} comes with nearly 700 grams of meat on it. I am taking along a full army to try that one next time, and suggest you do to.