JOIN USTo avoid the evening rush at Connaught Place, we ensured that we reached Bunta Bar around 8 pm. And the plan worked. The place was just starting to fill in, and we easily managed to get a table. Brainchild of restaurateur Anchit Kapil, the cafe-cum-bar draws inspiration from bunta — the local codd-neck bottle drink — which it has beautifully followed to a T, from its interiors to food.
The decor of the place showcases innovative design elements. Right from the lights which have been made using bunta bottles, to the peacock bunta wall made using threads, and the DJ console which is set atop a truck front — Bunta Bar has exquisite interiors.
Impressed by the interiors and the ambience of the place, we now looked forward to trying their food. So, we scanned through their menu and started with their in-house special cocktails — ‘Baba Ji Ki Booty’ (gin shaken with floral elderflower and amla notes, topped with tonic water), ‘Nawabi Taara’ (gin infused with earl grey tea and spices, charged with amla and elderflower) and ‘Desi Cocktail’ (bourbon whiskey charged with elderflower, pomegranate, amla and orange, charged with spices and cucumber).
Much before we tasted the cocktails, we loved the way the drinks were served. While ‘Baba Ji Ki Booty’ came in a cup and saucer, ‘Nawabi Taara’ came in an ornate bottle and glass, and ‘Desi Cocktail’, true to its name, came in a barni container. All the three drinks had sweet and distinctive tastes owing to the use of elderflower and spices, but we really liked the desi drink.
It was now time to savour their food, and the first dish presented to us was ‘Shammi’, mutton and lentil kebabs, which melted in our mouths. Next in line were ‘Chicken 65’, spicy batter fried chunks of chicken tossed in Andhra masala; ‘ Hari-Mirchi Chicken Taco’, chicken cooked with green chillies and ghee, pulled and topped with sour cream, and kachumbar salsa; ‘Crumb Mutton Chop’; ‘Mangodi Vada’, home-style crisp lentil fritters; and ‘Bunta Mutton Seekh’.
Since we were hungry, we enjoyed each bite, but the tacos and the south Indian style preparation of chicken stood out. The balance of spices, the cooking style and the flavours left behind a lingering taste, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Taking a break from eating, we opted for a bottle each of ‘Masala Bunta Vodka’, ‘Kaala Khatta Vodka’ and ‘Aam Panna Vodka’ — which we thought were flavoursome takes on the carbonated roadside beverage.
Finally, it was time for main course and we opted for ‘Mutton Keema and Cream Cheese’ and ‘Shahi Non-Veg’ (divided in half) from their Desi Flat Bread (Pijja) section. The dollops of cream cheese on the elliptical-shaped pizza, which had the perfect crisp and base thinness, added wonders. We also tried the ‘Bengal Mutton Curry’ which was served with a paronthi, but it somehow failed to strike a flavoursome chord.
But the ‘Parsi Dairy Kulfi’, which came topped with pomegranate seeds, made up for the last dish. With the right amount of sweetness, the dessert was finished within seconds of being served. We wish we had more space, we would have definitely asked for another round of it.
FAQs:
Venue: 76, Janpath Road, Connaught Place.
Meal for two: Rs 1,000 plus taxes
Timing: 12 pm to 12.30 am
For reservations, call: 9810747934