Bahi, South Point Mall, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon

By Pawan Soni On October 24, 2011

[Rated: 4.5/5]

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake ~ Henry David Thoreau

There are few who dare to dream, fewer who take a plunge to realize their dreams, and even fewer who are able to dream, dare and realize their dreams.

Leon Baker, is one such rare individual who quit his well-paid ‘Vice President’ job to follow his passion. Making a modest beginning by starting an Ahata (BYOB concept) under his own name – Leon’s in a popular and overcrowded category in Gurgaon; Leon’s immediately got popular with ardent fan followers. Following his heart, live rock music was introduced at Leon’s (as per him he wanted to relive his childhood experiences of music from Guwahati). Despite a rocking success, Leon’s was sold since he realised that girls in North India do not want to be seen in a roadside Ahata and his aim was to get people of both gender together for a good time.

This gave birth to Bahi (Assamese word for bamboo flute) in a new swanky pub in Gurgaon where he combined his love for music and Assamese food. Outlet’s motto – “Bahi is the place where people come to relive the life they have forgotten, and there are no strangers at Bahi but just friends who haven’t met” may sound may sound cliché but the honesty in Leon’s words not only reflect clearly in his eyes but in his efforts and actions.

Leon Baker with Roshmi

Bahi a no-pretense, modest (60-seater) and comfortable restaurant-pub serve usual Indian and Continental dishes (which I am still to taste) during the weekday. I visited Bahi on a Sunday afternoon and was delighted to note that they serve *authentic* Assamese buffet lunch prepared primarily by Leon and his pretty wife Roshmi, every Sunday. I saw the patrons sitting with their families and friends, happily sipping on to their beer while the food was being laid. Despite adequate staff, Leon and his wife enjoyed serving the patrons themselves. I immediately knew if the hosts are as caring then the food would be good too, but never did I know that I am going to taste the best Assamese food ever. With good live music in the background, I had a couple of beers and raided the buffet table.

Live Music

The buffet menu (a different menu is served on every Sunday) consisted of Zinger Pork, Fish Pura Maas in bamboo shoot gravy, Kokura Jhol (Chicken curry with potato), Chicken chops with lots of ginger, Patot diya Maas (Fish baked in banana leaf), Dal with Thekera, Pura Maas and Pura Bilahi (Tomato) chutney and slightly sweet Pudina Chutney. Each dish was at its best; mildly spiced to enable us to enjoy each flavor. Baked fish in banana leaf was light and tasty enough to ensure repeat visit to the buffet spread, while the chicken chops tasted heavenly along with the sweet pudina chutney. The meal was completed with a good serving of fruit cream, which was served as there aren’t many desserts in traditional Assamese cuisine.

8th Sep’12: Editor: This review is only for Assamese Lunch that was served on Sunday, and now discontinued. We tried their usual fare too which is average and at best garner a rating of 3.0/5

Zinger Pork

Kukura Jhool (Chicken curry with potato)

Pura Maas in Bamboo Shoot Gravy (Fish Tenga)

Patot Diya Maas (Fish baked in banana leaf)

Chicken Chop

Pura Maas and Pura Bilahi (Tomato) chutney

Aloo Pitika

Masoor Dal with Thekra

My plate…looks yummy. Isn’t it?

Fish baked in banana leaf

Fruit Cream

In north India getting good pork dish is extremely difficult at honest price, and getting all of the above at Rs550 that too including a pint of beer is a steal. The buffet is a non-vegetarians delight but has nothing much to offer for vegetarians. With live music, great food, efficient service and great ambience, I am surely going there for more.

Editor: Assamese are proud of their cuisine and rightly so. Unfortunately there aren’t many opportunities for North Indians to learn about the same. If you are interested, do check the facebook page of Assamese Cuisine and Recipes which has been doing a great job over the years and is a major source of personal learning and inspiration for me.

Ratings out of 5

Food: 4.5 | Ambiance: 4.5 | Service: 4.5 |Overall: 4.5

Meal for Two: Rs 1200 (Including 2 pints of beer) | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes| Happy hours: Sunday to Thursday, 1pm – 10pm: Unlimited IMFL for Rs 450
Address: 2^ndFloor, South Point Mall (Next to Genpact), Golf Course Road, Phase-IV, Gurgaon| Phone: 0124-6468201

-Pawan Soni

Pawan Soni

An ardent foodie and an amateur mixologist, who loves to eat anything under the sun. His profession helps him to travel the length and breadth of the globe, feeding his hobbies including traveling. It helped him appreciate different cuisines and their cooking methods. His first thought when visiting a new location is to find out the best places to eat and hunting down the local delicacies of the area. Besides writing restaurant reviews for Suburb magazine, Gurgaon and various food blogs, he is the founder member of Indian Food Freak. Pawan is a Post Graduate in Management and works with a MNC. Pawan reviews restaurants in Delhi-NCR