Lucknawi cuisine done right

Succulent speak

Having recently read a short story by Satyajit Ray about a crime that whisks the characters off to Lucknow, Metrolife remembered a brief stint in Lucknow. 

Visiting the Regency, the Bhulbhulaiya and the Imambaras among a league of picturesque landmarks was memorable no doubt. What stood out, however, was the culinary class that was on display there at almost every shop.

Where the ‘Ustads’ running the kitchen, had earned their title by diving deep and producing gastronomic gems for the regal, before passing on the age old knowledge to their next generation to carry their torch. 

As Ray then went on to describe the food in a fashion so sublime that it got Metrolife yearning for a taste of the ‘City of Nawabs’, whilst sitting in Delhi. Visiting many different spots in both Old and New Delhi, devouring the various tikkas, parathas and other delicacies while we tread our path, none of them really brought that glimpse of reminiscence.

Till we stopped at an eatery in Gurgaon and were transported back to the by-lanes of Lucknow by our taste buds. 

Kitchen of Awadh was not huge in size; modest with simple setting that might remind one of the college canteens across the city, with Mughal-styled windows overlooking trees on one side. But then even David never seemed so big, did he? 

The chef chose to send out a Panchamrita right at the start of the meal. Looking as though it might be too sweet in a playful shade of pink, the concoction was at its deceptive best; hitting the right notes of sweet and salinity, the latter unlocking the taste buds for the next candidate. 

Kitchen of Awadh’s Special Chicken Tikka arrived next, with a reputation for having fended off over 30 odd other versions to keep its place on the menu and our first solid mouthful did not disappoint us.

With the masala playing a beautiful medley with the meat in our mouth, the party had only just begun. Another swig from the Panchamrita was the interval between us and the stars of the evening in our eyes. 

The Galawat ke Kababs were brought up next along with a few Ulta Tawa Paratha and a special recipe chutney that was leaning towards the spice more than most dips of its kind.

Yet, it was a chutney one simply could not avoid after a first impression. As the Kababs broke down at the touch of a fork and the Ulta Tawa Paratha sang a soulful tune to our tongue, we could not help but imagine ourselves far away from the confines of NCR. 

The next item, however, took our breath away. When the platter of Kakori Kabab left the kitchen, one could immediately get the whiff, just like they used to show in cartoons of yesteryears.

Soft and timid it seemed but the punch packed in it mesmerised Metrolife. One bite and we involuntarily closed our eyes to savour the experience. It was an eerie resemblance that still lingers in our mouths, we kid you not.

When the Lucknawi Murgh Masala and Bhuna Gosht were brought out in tandem with a handi of Chicken Dum Biriyani, Kitchen of Awadh had already won our hearts. It then went on to cement its place.

The mutton was so tender that it fell apart with ease while the Biriyani made us wish for more outlets across the city. The evening was rounded off with a polished Kesari Phirni that was the real deal and just a pretender to the throne. If you have been missing Lucknow, they have sent a little piece of it to Gurgaon.