Garam Dharam: A remixed dhaba

A restaurant that has taken inspiration from yesteryear movie star icon Dharmendra has opened shop in New Delhi’s Connaught Place. Spread over two floors, the décor is reminiscent of a highway dhaba, with its walls done up in ’90s kitsch inspired from Dharmendra’s movies. The stucco walls have huge Sholay graffiti sprawled across the walls, and a Royal Enfield with a sidecar (another Sholay reference). Hollowed out kettles have been refashioned as lamps to give the place a more earthy, rural look.

The sit-down restaurant is big on Punjabi cuisine, with a generous offering of street food and kebabs. The menu has several humorous references to his popular movies such as Anokha Milan Chicken and Mutton Seekh, Mai Balwan Family Naan and Mast Kalandar Handi ke Andar. The drinks menu is equally colourful, with names such as “Veeru ki Ghutti” for a sandalwood based cocktail and “Pyaare Mohan Masala Nimbu” instead of the regular stuff.

In the background is ’90s Punjabi pop, and remixes of Bollywood music. Dharmendra had himself come down for the launch of the restaurant last week.