As I sat down to savor my second lunch of the day, little did I know that I was about to embark on a culinary adventure like no other. After a satisfying meal at home, my friend surprised me with an invitation to try out the newly opened North Indian restaurant, Karigari, curated by the renowned Chef Harpal Sokhi. Despite my initial hesitation, I couldn’t resist the temptation of exploring new flavors.
Upon arriving at Karigari, we were greeted with a warm ambience and a menu that boasted an array of tempting options. As we mulled over our choices, the starters arrived, featuring two kinds of raita – avocado and cucumber. While I wasn’t particularly drawn to the raita, the accompanying dips platter with mint chutney and saunth immediately caught my attention. As a seasoned foodie, I’ve learned that a restaurant’s dips can be indicative of the overall dining experience, and these did not disappoint.
The mutton seekh kebabs and sajji chicken were next on our culinary journey. The mutton seekh kebabs, though flavorful, lacked the moistness and succulence I had hoped for. However, the attentive manager took note of our feedback and graciously removed the dish from our bill. Sajji chicke is, a traditional Balochistan delicacy made with whole chicken and aromatic whole spices. It was a delectable offering accompanied by soft buttered kulchas and a generous drizzle of butter on top. My only regret was that I had just finished my first lunch, and I believe I would’ve appreciated it even more on an empty stomach.
But the real showstoppers were yet to come – the main course. A spicy and tantalizing chicken curry graced our table, displaying a beautiful hue that instantly whetted my appetite. Paired with this was the ever-enticing dal makhani. It was a creamy and rich lentil preparation that lured me into indulging once again. Despite having already eaten, I couldn’t resist having a full-fledged meal once more.
As the meal drew to a close, we were treated to a delightful medley of desserts along with shaadi waali coffee. Mirchi ka halwa, a creatively innovative twist on the traditional sweet, complemented by the classic gulab jamun Shahi tukda. To our surprise, the manager even sent us the Shahi tukda as a gesture of hospitality.
Considering that it was only the second day of Karigari’s opening, we understood that some hiccups were to be expected. Nonetheless, the overall experience left us with a sense of satisfaction and excitement for the restaurant’s potential to grow and refine its offerings.
If you’re a fan of North Indian cuisine and are eager to explore Chef Harpal Sokhi’s creations, Karigari is definitely worth a visit. As the restaurant fine-tunes its dishes, I have no doubt that it will soon become a culinary hotspot for food enthusiasts like myself.
Address
GR-05, GF, WorldMark Gurgaon, Maidawas Road, Sector 65, Gurugram
