[Rated: 4.5/5]
When people ask my favorite North Indian restaurant in Gurgaon, I would be in a tight spot. There are few restaurants I like but none that I could call my favorite. My visit to 21 Gun Salute luckily filled the void.
A place that awes you by the sheer subdued luxury in the pastel shades as you enter. A rare kitchen that uses desi chicken in its preparations and not the boiler chicken. A restaurant with ethnic royal look without using the ubiquitous Jaipuri paintings which has become a norm. Old pictures of Royal families and vintage cars and bikes displayed in the dining area complete the royal touch. All this and more awaits you at 21 Gun Salute where the name itself spells opulent.
The huge 140-seater restaurant has three private dining rooms beside a huge hall to accommodate the guests. Small show kitchen window lets one view the flying Roomali Rotis and the chefs in action. Post the cold towel as we sat, we ordered for mocktails; Virgin Coriander Mint, and Raja Banaras ki Pasand (Rs 160 each; A beetle-leaf flavored drink). Both the drinks were refreshing in the summers and we found the Raja Banaras ki Pasand to be very innovative; using real beetle leaf and Gulukand. Both Tandoori Veg Platter (Rs 475) and Non-Veg Platter (Rs 575) were made well of which we especially liked the Stuffed Mushroom, the Tandoori fruit Chaat and Bharwaan Aloo. If we were not to order the main course, another order of veg platter was in the offing. Chili Prawns (Rs 625) were succulent and juicy and they were made hot to our liking.
Our main course consisted of Lal Maas (Rs 550; Spicy Rajasthani speciality made well, though with slightly mellowed spices), Yellow Dal (Rs 350; very homely, and we needed something light to complement our rich meal), Kolhapuri Aloo (Rs 350) and the Desi Murgh Mehwari (400 half) with hand picked masala from Rajasthan. I had a good Desi Chicken after ages. Only thing that we didn’t appreciate was Dahi Ke Kebab (Rs 375) where the spices over-took the taste of this wonderful hung-curd based dish.
We found the spices have been mellowed down in most dishes to appeal to public at large but still they do not disappoint heat loving people like me. The restaurant also serves some select variety from global cuisine, which I did not understand given the strong Indian connection it displays.
Rose ice-cream (Rs 150) with dry fruits and real rose petals, and Fried Ice-cream (Rs 175) was a great way to end our rich meal. Service was attentive. Servers hovered just far enough for you to enjoy your privacy but close enough to whisk away any finished dishes or replenish drinks.
Good sized food portions, great food, rich ambience, and attentive service all thrown at a very reasonable price helped 21 Gun Salute made to my favorite list. I am sure you will also find it a winner in your hands.
Ratings out of 5
Food: 4.0 | Ambiance: 5.0 | Service: 5.0 |Overall: 4.5
Meal for Two: Rs1500 (without alcohol) | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes| Happy Hours (Buy 2 get 1): 12pm – 8:30pm.
Address: SCO 35-36, First Floor, Sector 29, In front of Bikanerwala, Gurgaon| Phone: 0124-4898341-44
–Pawan Soni
This article was first published in Suburb Magazine, Gurgaon
