Eating out is a multifaceted experience – sometimes it’s about savoring good food while other times it’s about immersing oneself in an enchanting atmosphere. Rarely, however, does one stumble upon a place that leaves you pondering: would I return for the culinary magic, the dining experience or just to immerse myself in the captivating ambience?
It was a crisp and delightfully chilly Wednesday evening when Pawan and I embarked on a journey to Prey, nestled beside Siswan Dam. Our initial plan was to witness the sunset, but work-day traffic delayed our arrival. We reached just after sunset, but the breathtaking sight that awaited us more than made up for it.
We followed Google Maps directions to reach the unassuming entrance gates that belied the magic that lay within. As our car turned the corner over loose gravel, we were immediately struck by the promise of a memorable evening. Ample parking, complemented by the option of valet service, set the tone for a hassle-free experience.
A dimly lit passageway, adorned with an eclectic array of artifacts and photographs, guided us toward the lush lawns. The sight that unfolded before us was nothing short of enchanting – towering trees stood sentinel, their branches adorned with softly glowing kerosene lamps. Tiled pathways wound their way through the well maintained gardens, where tables were spaced with impeccable taste. The warm, inviting staff welcomed us with open arms, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
We were escorted to our table and almost immediately a server came with a shawl, incase it got too cold. As we looked through the menu, someone placed a sigri next to our table. Soft music drifted through the air to create the perfect mood. It was impossible not to be enveloped into that mesmerizing scene.
The first thing we tried was their jungle salad. A mix of fresh greens, candied orange rind and walnuts on a bed of red rice, topped with buratta cheese and a chimichuri dressing. Delightful! Also on the table were banana chips and lotus root fries accompanied with four types of dips. I loved the mango-pineapple salsa and Pawan hovered towards the Chipotle. We also ordered two cocktails. I ordered a vodka based one and Pawan had a gin based one. Both were quite enjoyable.
After this there were a variety of Indian appetizers. We tried their kakori kebab, galouti, chicken seekh and mirzapur chicken. If you like Indian, then mirzapur chicken is a must. Full of flavour and soft, succulent pieces of chicken would surely please your taste buds.
We moved towards the Asian section after this. Pawan ordered their cream cheese and edamame dumplings from the vegetarian section and prawn dumplings from non-vegetarian. Both were silken and delicate but what took us by surprise was the soup that accompanied the prawn dumplings. It was subtle and yet packed.
Next came pork belly with mashed potatoes and sauted vegetables. I loved this! The pork was very well cooked. The mustard sauce complimented it perfectly but what came as a surprise was the mashed potatoes. Light and fluffy like a cloud! Their secret is the use of white butter instead of packaged yellow butter. Pawan also ordered a berry mocktail as well and he absolutely loved it.
We wanted to try their Napoletana pizza as well but the stomach refused even a single bite. We had to save some room for dessert, right?
Each dish kept building our expectations for the next one and we both were looking forward to the dessert. The basque cheesecake and biscoff french toast with icecream came to the table with all the fanfare that the two dishes deserved. The textures, the flavours and the smiles across the table spoke volumes! The cheesecake, made inhouse with a chocolate hazelnut sauce, was gorgeous and perfectly done. The french toast made with thick cut, freshly baked challa bread, caramel sauce and house-made ice cream was sinfully moreish and could make a glutton out of the most disciplined diner! I forgot how full I was before diving in for another spoonful.
Prey is the last private property on that stretch of the road. A lot of the fresh greens that they use come from their own farms. They are probably the only restaurant in the Chandigarh region that has a cover charge of Rs1000 per head and expects diners to make prior reservations. But you get your moneys worth. There is something for everyone’s dining preferences with ample seating including a small indoor area too. They definitely live up to their name and hype as was evident from a constant stream of diners even though it was a Wednesday.
To the two satiated foodies, the dying embers in the sigri seemed to whisper an invitation to stay a little longer and stay engulfed in its warmth and coziness. But it was time for us to leave and we left pleasantly surprised and happy.
Address
Promenade, Siswan Dam, Siswan, Mohali, Punjab 140110
Phone: 099888 51333
