“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
― Anthony Bourdain
Master of the culinary arts, Anthony Bourdain, couldn’t have got it more right! This is the philosophy that drives Saurabh Luthra and Gunveer Seth, owners of Angry Sardar Courtyard. Nestled in the by lanes of Anjuna, Angry Sardar makes for a pretty picture and is a celebration of all things North Indian, something Saurabh and Gunveer thought was lacking in Goa. With years of hospitality experience behind them, Angry Sardar couldn’t be in better hands!
Conforming to no particular style, the space is tastefully vibrant, celebrating every aspect of the Punjabi North Indian cuisine and lifestyle! This unique marriage of ethnic and stylish is something that will appeal to all age groups. If I had to label the aesthetic, I’d call it a “dhaba chic”. The space reflects all the character and soul of those beloved dhabas that line just about every Indian highway, but Angry Sardar has the added advantage of being classy and chic. The bar in particular, caught my eye. With the front part of a truck at the head, the actual bar serves as the body of the truck and is delightfully quirky! Keeping in mind the comfort of their guests, the facade has been cleverly landscaped to be screened from the dust and traffic.
With only the freshest, most authentic North Indian flavours, the menu is chock full of the most delectable, moreish delights, something that thrilled me to no end. One can never go wrong with a mélange of fresh cream, fresh capsicum, onion and aromatic Indian spices blended with a tangy tomato paste and the Kadai Paneer is proof of this. I dunked the trademark Angry Sardar Paratha with it’s stuffing of tomato, onion, green chilli and coriander in this delicious gravy and let me tell you, it made for a delicious revelation! The mutton lovers will go in a tizzy over the Rogan Josh – melt-in-your-mouth tender pieces of mutton cooked in an aromatic spicy red gravy, this is a Kashmiri delicacy that hit every flavour note. Nothing gets more North Indian than a bowl of hearty Butter Chicken, so is it really any surprise that I opted for this signature? An indulgent preparation of chicken simmered in a buttery gravy with oodles of fresh cream, this wonderfully silky curry certainly deserves a spot at your table.
All of this flavoursome fare deserves a worthy accompaniment – cue the cocktails! I might have gone overboard with this one, but honestly, no regrets! The all-time classic Sex On The Beach shone bright, being as it is a mix of vodka and fruity peach schnapps cut through with the tanginess of orange juice and cranberry juice. Sticking to the tried and tested basics, I opted for the Whiskey Sour which certainly left an impression. Whiskey and sugar mixed with the zestiness of lemon juice, this is one iconic libation. I also decided to try the delightfully desi Kala Khatta Jam, a blend of vodka and lime juice mixed with a pinch of kala khatta served in a salt rimmed margarita glass.
With daily live music to regale the crowd, Angry Sardar is quickly on its way to becoming a hip hangout spot. Open till midnight, you now know where to head once the late-night hunger pangs hit!
Happy Reading,
Gigi Martin.
