With more than five decades of history, The Embassy in the Capital established in 1948 has stood on the sidewalk of time and seen many summers go by. Started by two friends who migrated to Delhi from Karachi, PN Malhotra and GK Ghai, the restaurant stands apart among the several other eateries in the vicinity, for its consistency. “Every time we hire a new chef, he is asked to just supervise the staff,” reveals Savar Malhotra, grandson of PN Malhotra, over a dinner celebrating Embassy’s 68 years. So dear is this factor that the chef is not allowed to change even the amount of salt that is put in every dish! The reputation built over time has made regular clientele order without bordering to look at the menu.
The dinner started with a dish I had not tasted before –– chicken salad. Made in mayo sauce, the presentation of the dish was excellent. The tandoori chicken which followed was neither spicy nor plain with the masala in perfect sync to cater to taste of foreign as well as Indian guests. Hardly surprising considering that the spices used are made by the restaurant itself. It is a Pakistani recipe which Savar's grandfather taught the chef. The bhaturas with channa and the samosas were truly delectable –– the best I had ever tasted. The menu was dominated by non-veg dishes including tomato fish and dal meat besides murg mussalum and chicken masala.
Even though quite full, one could resist the Embassy pudding and it simply taste wow.Having done well in the Capital, Savar desires to open a branch in Karachi. “Well that is where it all began.”
