Unlike the typical loud and opulent décor that one would expect at Punjab Grill, the one in Khan Market is younger and fresher. The décor is silver themed, a departure from the regular to appeal to the young working millenials as well as college students who normally throng the narrow lanes of Khan Market. With this being just about the only out and out north Indian restaurant here, the place is airier and smaller, making it more like a casual eatery appealing to the younger profile, rather than the golden, somewhat over the top décor of the restaurant elsewhere.

The menu stays close to the original with all the popular dishes there. But it is the difference that attracts attention. There are some interesting dishes with ingredients not expected in Punjabi food.  But is the food tasty? Not always as I am soon to discover. Prices are unusually high too thereby putting the restaurant in the reach of the well heeled older audience, and not the younger lot really.

As I sit down to taste the new dishes, the first things to land on the table are the papad-pyaaz-chutney triumvirate.  This is soon to be followed by a toothsome Chaat sampler (Rs 325) with jowar bajra ki chaat, makki wala dodda, and Delhi’s recent favourite palak patta chaat. The brave Quinoa methi ki tikki (Rs 575) does not impress though because what one can taste is aaloo tikki with a creamy centre, not so light and healthy.

Tawa asparagus (Rs 695) is one dish that works well because of its simplicity. It has tawa tossed asparagus and snow peas with simple salt and pepper. The accompanying cashew cream sauce is sweet and most avoidable though. The one dish that I am really looking forward to tasting is Tawa scallops (Rs 1895). They are given the same treatment as the asparagus, and is cooked professionally, but in this case the beautiful taste gets totally ruined because these scallops are dunked in a similar sweet sauce. It is a crime to dunk scallops in any sauce, let alone a sweet heavy sauce.

The rest of the non veg starters disappoint too. Raunaqeen seekhan chicken (Rs 675) is limp with an unfortunate texture. Bhatti da Murg (Rs 725) is competent though not much more.

Main course is where the restaurant finds its rhythm. Butter chicken (Rs 645) is superb with a beautifully balanced gravy. It is easily among the best butter chickens in NCR. Nalli gosht (Rs 825) is well cooked but the gravy is not meaty which leads me to suspect that the meat was boiled separately and then put in the gravy (though the chef when asked denies it).

Maah chole di dal (Rs 545) has a nice homely taste lighter than Dal Makhni. Amritsari kulcha (Rs 255) also is perfectly made.

In desserts, Aam ras ki rabri aur choori (Rs 305) is far too sweet for my taste, but Litchi ki tehri (Rs 305) is chilled and soothing in this weather.

Visit this place if you are in Khan Market looking for Punjabi food and are not on a budget.

Please note: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant to taste their food, and no bill was presented to the author. While the author assures you of objectivity, the review may be influenced by the personalized attention the author got.

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 3.5 | Service: 3.5 | Value: 3.0 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs 2000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: No

Address: 70 B, First Floor, Khan Market, New Delhi.Tel: +91 9650776600; 011 40079330