Bukhara 2021: ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

Restaurant Name: Bukhara 2021: ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Phone:+911146215152, +911166325124
Address: Sardar Patel Marg, Akhaura Block, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 India
Time: 12:30 Noon – 11:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 6,500
Cuisines: North Indian, Kebab
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Restricted Entry, Romantic Dining, Valet Parking Available, Table booking recommended, Luxury Dining

This iconic restaurant has supremely understated decor: rough sandstone cladding on the walls for a rustic appearance, low stools, ditto sofas neither of which are conducive to lingering on after a meal, no cutlery, aprons in place of napkins, no rice, no ‘curries’ or other tropes of Indian restaurants around the world, in fact, zero nod to the ‘average’ customer and the ‘usual’ expectation of people who dine at Indian restaurants. Why, even the vegetarian section is visibly shorter than its meat-filled counterpart. And it famously does not accept table reservations after 7.30 pm when diners are seated on a firstcome-first-served basis. One thing is sure: you’ll never see an empty table at Bukhara during dinner service!

Bukhara 2021: ITC Maurya, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi: Food

One of the best-sellers for aficionados of red meat is Sikandari raan (₹3850). Cooked in the tandoor till it is tender yet succulent – a rare feat, brought about in no small part because of the careful sourcing of the meat, the cinnamon, malt vinegar, red chilli paste and shahi zeera all play their part almost silently in the background, but the flavour and texture of the meat reigns supreme and has brought name and fame to this restaurant for quality and sheer consistency. It is the same for the seekh kebab (₹2650) minced to retain a bite (no toothless nawabs here!) yet not chewy; meaty yet not without a faint hint of coriander leaf and green chilli in the mixture. But I hasten to say that every single dish on the menu has the same fanatical attention to detail. Take the pudina paratha (₹300) that has so many layers that a prominent chef from a competing hotel exclaimed in private that he has “not seen anyone achieve those layers and that mastery over the art of cooking in a tandoor”! Also, the paneer tikka (₹2350), pillow soft bundles that hold their shape upon being plated and are faintly imbued with the scent of yellow chilli with the voluptuousness of fresh cream, is my choice for the second-best vegetarian dish on the menu. The best is dal Bukhara (₹1095), the most famous and shamelessly (and unsuccessfully!) imitated dal in the northern half of the country.

Plus & Minus:

A leader in the food and beverage space, whichever yardstick you use.