Delhi's Moti Mahal retains Punjab culinary traditions
by Ravi Khandelwal

       New Delhi: Every nook and corner of old Delhi emanates the aroma of mouth-watering delicacies, sweet jilebis, imartis and the like and spicy kachoris, samosas and stuffed pakoras served with the tangy `Aloo ki subzi'. More of a business centre of the capital, yet old Delhi sees thousands of visitors experimenting with a variety of delicacies. Travelling through the narrow lanes of the old city, a journey in search of authentic Punjabi food finally led its way to the six decade-old Moti Mahal Restaurant in Daryaganj. Set up by Kundal Lal Gujral, it is a common belief that this is the place where the tandoori chicken was born. The first savour is incomplete without the Chicken Pakora and Chicken Garlic Kebab or the Royal Chicken Afghani marinated in cream enriched with cashew nuts and almond paste. Dal Makhni and tandoori roti are the hot favorites of vegetarians. Though generations have come and gone by, the craze remains intact.

      Vinod Chaddha, the present owner of the Moti Mahal Restaurant said: "We cook all food in butter, and that is the secret of its popularity and people really like it. In Punjab also, people talk about `Makki di Roti' and `Sarson da Saag' cooked in butter. So we too offer butter but in a unique manner, which is a Punjabi delight. We prepare our own spices and it is this flavour that attracts a lot of visitors. The aroma too makes it attractive". The ambience is kept alive just as it was in 1947.The live qawallis, the Punjabi folk and the old Hindi melodies makes everyone nostalgic. From India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Former American President Richard Nixon, many celebrities have been delighted by the tandoori culinary of this extraordinary place. Moti Mahal was the first to bake chicken in a big clay oven - a sight common across villages for baking bread. It is said a gratifying meal is the ideal mixture of all three senses - sight, aroma and taste. It is the magic of the good old flavour that has made Delhiites take time out of their busy lives to come and satiate their taste buds. "The atmosphere is quite pleasant, sitting outside gives a nice ambience. It is famous and the old outlet offers Punjabi food, said Upinder Bhatia, a regular customer. Visiting Old Delhi has a charm of its own even for foreigners. It is the flavour and the golden dishes that are irresistible. Moti Mahal is one such establishment, which offers the genuine flavour of undivided India; one can come across more aromas, as one goes deep into Old Delhi.
-Jan 23, 2006