There is nothing I can say about P.F. Chang's that hasn’t already been said. The American brand has more than 300 outlets worldwide and is most loved by desis across the world. The Dynamite Shrimp and Lettuce Wraps are not just favourites, they’re absolute bangers that a thousand recipe blogs have tried to recreate, and for a good reason. If the brand had a tagline, ‘Been There, Done That’ would be it.
It is almost surprising it took so long for the brand to make its way to India, but now that it has, it promises an elevated, quality dining experience that puts the universality of the distinct P.F. Chang’s taste at the forefront. Chef Jerry Thomas, whose illustrious career has given us food that brings home comfort and quality at The Runway Project, Ministry Of Crab, Chili’s, and more, kept it at the forefront of his priorities while undertaking the project to not compromise on the classic flavour of the brand while also attuning the taste to the Indian audience. Some of us have had the privilege of being patrons of the brand on our overseas visits, and now we get to appreciate it with a taste of home.
The Gurugram establishment in Delhi’s favourite spot to hang out after work, DLF CyberHub, is adorned with elements of Japan and China. Expect classic red and gold colours, a beckoning cat at the bar, and a ceiling full of cherry blossom flowers. The ambience and the menu both make it a perfect spot to catch up with friends, family, and even date nights.
The menu has a 40:60 ratio of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and a special ‘Jain’ section in the menu. As a (struggling) vegan person myself, I found the menu very refreshing because it finally felt like I had options and wasn’t just choosing whatever was available off the menu. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, the managers and servers at the restaurant are more than happy to accommodate your requests and to go over and above to make you feel comfortable.
When asked why he recommends people to come over to the restaurant for a meal, Chef Jerry candidly shares, "Most Asian restaurants today have similar flavour and menu, what we’re trying to do is offer something different. It’s an American-Asian chain and incorporates elements from across the continent. We’re very used to having sweet, sour, tangy flavours and the menu has a good balance of that, instead of just one-toned spicy food.”
While none of the classics have changed, everything from the composition of the menu to the table sauces is attuned to the Indian palate. While the Mumbai joint has sweeter sauces to accompany the food, the Gurugram one features spicy options along with a balancing sweet sauce. In my opinion, this is testament to how detail-oriented the team has been to ensure they marry the specialties of P.F. Chang’s with our unique taste buds.
Coming to the food itself, I started off the meal with the famed lettuce wraps and am happy to report that they live every bit up to the hype. The fresh cool lettuce balances well with the crispy and tart-cooked veggies and tofu (in my case) and is a snackable dish that can (and should) be polished off in moments. I went on to have the Avocado Cream Cheese Roll (the team held the cream cheese on my request without any qualms), which was fresh and simple. Fun fact: All the vegetarian sushi rolls on the menu were specially crafted for the Mumbai and Delhi restaurants and are not available at any other P.F. Chang’s in the world.
I went on to inhale the Mapo Tofu and Lo Mein as well. The Mapo Tofu is a beautiful platter full of tofu cooked in a spicy and sweet sauce along with fresh broccoli. Chef Jerry is particularly proud of this dish as it is a full and hearty meal of protein without any extra embellishments in the sauce. I highly recommend ordering this dish, I have daydreams about it and am sure I will make the 40-kilometre trip to Gurgaon to have it again very soon. The Lo Mein (along with a spot of chilli oil) is a meal on its own. The noodles are hydrated and have a great bite to them, you don’t need anything saucy to accompany it (but if you must, I am reiterating, get the Mapo Tofu!).
The restaurant is also awaiting a liquor licence and has an array of classics and signature cocktails in the works for you to enjoy. I ordered the Passionfruit Cooler upon the manager’s recommendation and loved it immensely. If you like a hint of chilli and jalapeno flavours in your fruit drinks, don’t miss out.
Chairman & Director of Gourmet Investments, Ramit Mittal, shares what patrons of the chain can expect from the Gurugram outlet, "At our Gurugram outlet, we're thrilled to unveil 12 exclusive, meticulously crafted MSG-free dishes, including delights such as the Asparagus Tempura Roll, Truffled Salmon Roll, Pepper Chicken, Chicken and Chilli Dumpling to name a few. Looking ahead, we're excited to announce plans for expansion, with three new outlets slated to open in the bustling Delhi-NCR region and Mumbai’s vibrant Bandra-Khar neighbourhood in the next five to six months."
Whatever it is that you might expect P.F. Chang’s experience to be, prepare to be pleasantly surprised while also feeling a wave of familiarity and comfort overcome you. But more than anything else, it is the quality of the food that I foresee many coming back for over and over again.
Price For Two: INR 2,200 (approx.)
Timings: 12 PM to 1 AM
