Bill Clinton visited Bukhara six times.
Bukhara, ITC Maurya’s iconic restaurant serving flavours from the North West Frontier, is celebrating 45 years of opening its doors to its patrons, from 30 March to 7 April. This Delhi restaurant, started in 1978 and named one of the top 50 restaurants in the world—among the several other awards it has got—is a favourite dining-out place for the who’s who of India and visitors from abroad. There is a timeless quality about Bukhara, with its décor and menu remaining unchanged for the last 45 years—such is its confidence in the fare it offers. And it continues to remain as popular with its patrons as ever. Bukhara’s speciality is its traditional clay oven cooking of kebabs, vegetables, and breads, with two of its most well-known dishes being Sikandari Raan and Dal Bukhara, both of which are slow cooked for hours. The Sikandari Raan melts in the mouth and is flavourful, while the Dal Bukhara elevates the simple lentil to a level of silky smooth luxury. A single Naan Bukhara is large enough to be shared by a table full of guests, bringing to life the concept of “breaking bread” in a community dinner setting. Some of Bukhara’s other signature dishes are Peshawari Kebab, Barrah Kebab, Machli Tikka, Tandoori Jhinga and Kastoori Kebab. For vegetarians, apart from Dal Bukhara, their Paneer Tikka is also a very well-known dish.
Head chef, J.P. Singh, who has been with Bukhara since 1991, told The Sunday Guardian that US President Bill Clinton visited Bukhara six times, and Barack Obama three times, while President George W. Bush, got his meal from Bukhara served in his suite. Donald Trump did not get the time to visit Bukhara during his India trip, but his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner did. Even UK Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May visited Bukhara. Chef Singh tells us that they also did the catering for G20 India Summit held in New Delhi in 2023.
Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, said in a statement, “As we celebrate 45 glorious years of Bukhara, we reflect on a journey filled with timeless flavours, cherished memories, and an unwavering commitment to consistency and quality. Bukhara’s magnificence has not only stood the test of time but has also evolved into an icon of culinary heritage, delighting diners from all over the world and across generations… We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patrons for their unwavering support.”