Eating around Lucknow

I spent a lot of time in Lucknow, eating. This blog is a round up of the hits and the misses Check captions for details.

This is the Aminabad branch of the famous Tunday Kebabi. Unlike the many fakes that go by the same name, this is a certified branch. It’s supposedly a cleaner version of the 100-year-old original located in the Chowk area. Photographs of the who’s who of tinsel town line the gallery that leads to the stairway of the sitting area. We found the food NOT OVERRATED at all. Must go!

The Gawlati just melts in the mouth. Ignore the oil because unlike what you see in the photograph the oil doesn’t affect the taste. The biryani is mild and flavourful. The mutton is succulent and cooked just right.

This slightly sweet saffron milk bread is the Sheermal. Apart from the awful colour the bread is actually soft, flaky and delicious. Goes perfectly well with the kebabs.

Don’t miss the Phirni (Kheer made with powdered rice). It’s light. The only meetha you can probably eat after that loaded meal.

The Falaknuma in Hotel Clarks Awadh offers a great view of the Gomti.

The food is not up to the mark. Head here for chai instead.

This is the Ulte Tawe Ka paratha at Dastarkhwan. The soft rotis are made over a pan turned upside down. It is made with maida, milk, kewra, sugar, ghee, saffron and cardamom; it is crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. One of my favourite things to eat in Lucknow.

Shahi Tukda at Dastarkhwan. A sweeter, richer version of the mithai.., yummm

The dhania roti is another highlight at Dastarkhwan. We loved this restaurant and made a second trip there to try the delightful Nalli Nihari that was cooked to perfection.

Dastarkhwan served us the kheer warm, fresh, just off the stove.

The aloo tikki at Shukla Chaat House in Hazratganj is outstanding. The aloo papdi chaat and Dahi Wada were good too. The Batasha, a version of the panipuri was average. The masala boiled, mashed moong is yummmm.

I’ve not had anything quite as cold, soft, fresh, creamy and delicious like this. The Malai Cham Cham at Ram Asrey (yup.. that’s how they spell it).

Breakfast like a king? Chana Bhatura, khasta kachori and jalebi (at Prem’s) - breakfast UP style at Bajpayee Kachodi Bhandari. There was a long queue to get to the meal. We got lucky. The man frying the puri said, “bitiya ko de do pehle.”