A not-so-hectic weekend, after ages. And honestly, I was craving for a break. So while friends were making extensive plans of going to fancy places for dinner, I suggested we do something different. Surprisingly, it was very easy to convince everyone for a lunch at Shatranj, Koregaon Park. Many had heard of the place and it's wonderful tandoori items. I'd heard about it sometime last year, from a friend. Seeing his excitement while he described a relaxed Saturday evening at Shatranj with his colleagues, I made a mental note to visit the place as soon as possible.
So here I was on a Saturday afternoon, excited about finally being here. The place is spacious and well-managed I must say. The seating is outdoor, in an open air arrangement. One is unlikely to find such an ambiance in other parts of the city- a quiet green place where you can unwind over beer and good food, and not spend much by the end of it. Perfect for an outing with close friends after a hectic week, this place is more enjoyable during the night.
The service is prompt, and it's reassuring to know that the waiters have a good idea about the menu (they helped us decide our order) It's the confidence with which the waiters recommend dishes that makes you want to try them out.
This is what our lunch looked like-
Paneer Tikka
Fruit Punch
Margarita
Chicken Tawa
Veg Lahori
Dal Fry
Cheese Garlic Naan
Jeera Rice
Here's how it went-
Paneer Tikka
The paneer could have been a little softer- it tends to become a little hard when it cools down. The masala too didn't seep in too well (though I feel that's how it works with paneer?) The masala is a little salty, though overall the dish tastes fresh and average. It is served with onion- a little cabbage in the salad would actually help balance out the extra salt. We had to ask for the chutney to be served along with it. I suggest you have it with the green chutney, it's pretty refreshing.
In a nutshell- average. There are a few changes that can be made to the presentation, but otherwise it is an okay dish.
Fruit Punch
If in case you don't know it by now, I live on sugar rushes. That's why you'll see me eating a whole lot of desserts, ad drinking a gazillion mocktails. So the Fruit Punch shouldn't come as a surprise.
This mocktail is sweet, refreshing, and when left on the table, takes you to a shack in Goa.
The drink looked a little heavy though- milk, along with pieces of fruit. The drink is a combination of apple, chickoo and orange juice. Perfect, if you ask me, though it could do without the apple pieces in the drink. I really enjoyed the drink, and I suggest you try it on a hot summer day.
Margarita
This one was a disappointment. Since I don't drink, I only had a sip of it, but it was enough to give me an idea- it's TOO sweet (they could do away with the concentrated sugar syrup I feel), a little too strong (maybe cos of the excess sugar, alcohol, and cherry liqueur clashing horribly) and there are smalls pieces of something jelly-like in the drink. Do away with the ice and the jelly and the concentrated sugar syrup...let the drink be a little more easy and relaxing.
Though of course Shatranj is a place you'd like to visit for beer..but once in a while when you do feel like having a cocktail, it must be good.
Chicken Tawa
The dish looked extremely appetizing. Served on a "tawa", this dish came with a thick rich gravy, garnished with tomatoes. The dish tasted as good as it looked. There was a generous quantity of chicken, and the pieces were well cooked and fresh. They could be a little softer though- they could try grilling the pieces a little more before adding them to the gravy. But overall the dish is absolutely delicious, with a nice blend of flavors. This dish is medium-spicy...and almost perfect. This is the kind of good food you would want to eat after a tiring and long week, you know. Do try this, please!
Veg Lahori
This one was a recommendation by the manager. He seemed very confident and positive about it. He also kept insisting we take the whole portion, instead of ordering it by plate. After much persuasion, we gave in. After having one bite of the dish I understood what he meant by asking us to order a larger portion. This dish is one of the tastiest veg dishes I have eaten in a long time.
It looks rich, appetizing, and if you haven't already filled your stomach with starters, it will definitely make you drool. The gravy is semi-thick, rich, and a little sweet. The taste reminded me of the food I had back in Punjab (which basically is a compliment since the Mughlai food up north is mostly brilliant) This is one of those dishes you'd not want to waste, no matter how full you are. TRY IT!
Dal Fry
An inviting color, a delicious aroma, a strong flavor and a rich tadka, this dish will vaguely remind you of home. This with some jeera rice, and you're sorted. Very light on the stomach, and a lovely after-taste. You MUST try this out. Even a simple dish like a dal fry can be tasty, you know.
Jeera Rice
This is well cooked, and it's one of those rare times when I actually got a hint of the jeera in the rice. Coupled with the dal fry, this was one refreshing meal!
Cheese Garlic Naan
The cheese does get a little dry once it cools down, so you might not get the flavor after some point. Though the cheese and the garlic together make for an interesting combo.
Do visit if you're looking for a place to unwind,good food and cheap liquor. It's quite a good deal if you consider the ambiance and the good food, and the service. Not bad, if you're not looking at anything fancy, just a laid back evening with your close friends, beer, and good food.
So here I was on a Saturday afternoon, excited about finally being here. The place is spacious and well-managed I must say. The seating is outdoor, in an open air arrangement. One is unlikely to find such an ambiance in other parts of the city- a quiet green place where you can unwind over beer and good food, and not spend much by the end of it. Perfect for an outing with close friends after a hectic week, this place is more enjoyable during the night.
The service is prompt, and it's reassuring to know that the waiters have a good idea about the menu (they helped us decide our order) It's the confidence with which the waiters recommend dishes that makes you want to try them out.
This is what our lunch looked like-
Paneer Tikka
Fruit Punch
Margarita
Chicken Tawa
Veg Lahori
Dal Fry
Cheese Garlic Naan
Jeera Rice
Here's how it went-
Paneer Tikka
The paneer could have been a little softer- it tends to become a little hard when it cools down. The masala too didn't seep in too well (though I feel that's how it works with paneer?) The masala is a little salty, though overall the dish tastes fresh and average. It is served with onion- a little cabbage in the salad would actually help balance out the extra salt. We had to ask for the chutney to be served along with it. I suggest you have it with the green chutney, it's pretty refreshing.
In a nutshell- average. There are a few changes that can be made to the presentation, but otherwise it is an okay dish.
Fruit Punch
If in case you don't know it by now, I live on sugar rushes. That's why you'll see me eating a whole lot of desserts, ad drinking a gazillion mocktails. So the Fruit Punch shouldn't come as a surprise.
This mocktail is sweet, refreshing, and when left on the table, takes you to a shack in Goa.
The drink looked a little heavy though- milk, along with pieces of fruit. The drink is a combination of apple, chickoo and orange juice. Perfect, if you ask me, though it could do without the apple pieces in the drink. I really enjoyed the drink, and I suggest you try it on a hot summer day.
Margarita
This one was a disappointment. Since I don't drink, I only had a sip of it, but it was enough to give me an idea- it's TOO sweet (they could do away with the concentrated sugar syrup I feel), a little too strong (maybe cos of the excess sugar, alcohol, and cherry liqueur clashing horribly) and there are smalls pieces of something jelly-like in the drink. Do away with the ice and the jelly and the concentrated sugar syrup...let the drink be a little more easy and relaxing.
Though of course Shatranj is a place you'd like to visit for beer..but once in a while when you do feel like having a cocktail, it must be good.
Chicken Tawa
The dish looked extremely appetizing. Served on a "tawa", this dish came with a thick rich gravy, garnished with tomatoes. The dish tasted as good as it looked. There was a generous quantity of chicken, and the pieces were well cooked and fresh. They could be a little softer though- they could try grilling the pieces a little more before adding them to the gravy. But overall the dish is absolutely delicious, with a nice blend of flavors. This dish is medium-spicy...and almost perfect. This is the kind of good food you would want to eat after a tiring and long week, you know. Do try this, please!
Veg Lahori
This one was a recommendation by the manager. He seemed very confident and positive about it. He also kept insisting we take the whole portion, instead of ordering it by plate. After much persuasion, we gave in. After having one bite of the dish I understood what he meant by asking us to order a larger portion. This dish is one of the tastiest veg dishes I have eaten in a long time.
It looks rich, appetizing, and if you haven't already filled your stomach with starters, it will definitely make you drool. The gravy is semi-thick, rich, and a little sweet. The taste reminded me of the food I had back in Punjab (which basically is a compliment since the Mughlai food up north is mostly brilliant) This is one of those dishes you'd not want to waste, no matter how full you are. TRY IT!
Dal Fry
An inviting color, a delicious aroma, a strong flavor and a rich tadka, this dish will vaguely remind you of home. This with some jeera rice, and you're sorted. Very light on the stomach, and a lovely after-taste. You MUST try this out. Even a simple dish like a dal fry can be tasty, you know.
Jeera Rice
This is well cooked, and it's one of those rare times when I actually got a hint of the jeera in the rice. Coupled with the dal fry, this was one refreshing meal!
Cheese Garlic Naan
The cheese does get a little dry once it cools down, so you might not get the flavor after some point. Though the cheese and the garlic together make for an interesting combo.
Do visit if you're looking for a place to unwind,good food and cheap liquor. It's quite a good deal if you consider the ambiance and the good food, and the service. Not bad, if you're not looking at anything fancy, just a laid back evening with your close friends, beer, and good food.
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