The newest part of the city is very modern. It has malls and grocery stores and all sorts of things you wouldn’t expect…things we don’t even have where I live. In one of the mall areas we found a restaurant called Barbeque Nation. It uses the traditional Indian style type BBQ but with a variety of meats and veggies from around the world (minus beef and pork). The ambience was very nice with low lighting and a live band. The way the restaurant was sectioned off it felt like you had your own private dining area.
First, they serve some veggies with special dipping sauces and take your drink orders. They had some nice fruity drinks and flavored ice tea which I enjoyed. Then they explained the menu. I wrote it down to share with you.
Here are the Starters/Appetizers…
Veg
Peking Mustard Zucchini and Bell Pepper***
Tahina Mushroom with chili & garlic sauce
Thai Corn Cake with sweet chili sauce
Paneer ke Souley
Sweet & Spicy Topica
Rajma ki Galawat
Non-Veg
Yoh Mani Caribbean BBQ Chicken
Egyptian Lamb Kofta
Peshawari Tangri
Hot & Spicy Fish Cake***
Chermoula Prawns***
Shikhampuri Kebab
Then they remove the middle wooden section of the table and insert the BBQ pit. The starters start coming after that. They are partially cooked before they come and then finish cooking at your table. There are special glazes and sauces you can put on them if you wish.
Yoh Mani Caribbean BBQ Chicken
Egyptian Lamb Kofta
Peshawari Tangri
Hot & Spicy Fish Cake***
Chermoula Prawns***
Shikhampuri Kebab
Then they remove the middle wooden section of the table and insert the BBQ pit. The starters start coming after that. They are partially cooked before they come and then finish cooking at your table. There are special glazes and sauces you can put on them if you wish.
***My favorite was the prawns and fish patties. I also really enjoy the veggies (minus the mushrooms and cauliflower). Honestly, we made ourselves so full on the starters that we skipped the buffet and went straight to dessert.
You’ll have to check out the website to see what I passed up on the Indian buffet.
For dessert I enjoyed some ice cream, chocolate mousse, and strawberry cake.
The price of this luxurious meal (with drinks)…around $10! http://www.barbeque-nation.com/
*Not all locations have all items shown on website menu*
The next day we spent the morning at the hotel and then went to my roommate’s friend’s house. We enjoyed the day talking and resting. They served us the best Matter Paneer that I’ve ever eaten. Mattar are simple green peas. Paneer is a type of cheese usually served in cubes and has the texture and constancy of tofu. The peas and cheese are cooked in this tomato based gravy/sauce. The cook actually fried the paneer before she put it in the dish. I like the taste of paneer much better when it has been fried. The Mattar Paneer was served with puris. They are puffed up bread that tastes delicious. The remind me of sopapillas. We also enjoyed some fresh kakri (long melon) which is a cucumber like vegetable. For dessert we had a sweet rice dish.
Puris
Later that evening we met up with the team my roommate was hosting. I had the spiciest chow mein ever. I couldn’t even finish it because it was too hot if that tells you anything. We got the team to the hotel and crashed.
The next morning we went sightseeing. The first stop was the Residency. It was a cool place to check out. It’s where the British representative lived when India was still apart of Britain. Lucknow was also the sight of the Munity of 1857. The Residency turned into a fort to protect the British during that event. You can read more by checking out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Lucknow
Lunch was our next stop. From there we went to the Imambara. It’s a Shia shrine. The tomb is actually a labyrinth. You must have a guide take you through the tomb’s twisting and turning stairways and corridors. We also visited the Water Palace but run out of time to see the Chota Mosque. You can check out more on this wonderful and sacred place by clicking on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bara_Imambara
The best part of the weekend came next. I have a friend who lives in Lucknow. She was a visiting professor at the university where I did my graduate studies. I had tried to contact her before coming but for some reason she never received me email. My roommate’s friend knows my friend and was able to connect us. While the team went shopping I went for tea at my friend’s house. It was so good to sit with someone who knows me. It was great to catch up on life. I finally got to meet her family. She and her husband are both professors. They have invited me to come speak at their schools in the fall about the American school system. I’m excited about the opportunity and the chance to go back and see them.
After tea with my friend I joined the others for dinner at BBQ Nation (of course)! I was able to just eat the things I loved. I skipped the buffet again and went straight to dessert.
Sunday the team, my roommate and I went to my roommate’s friend’s church. It was a good service. Afterwards we had to have a quick lunch and then headed to the train station. Out short trip had come to an end. It was good to get away and good to be back home.
Note: Of course I forgot my camera but I did borrow my roommate's. When I get them from her I will post them.
