Newly opened New Punjab Club in Central – Indian food palatable, drinks pricey
The offer of a HK$268 gin and tonic set the tone for a meal that included tasty and tender kebabs, refreshing lentil dumplings and a yummy sticky toffee pudding, but the Flintstone-sized lamb chops were dry
The New Punjab Club is the pet project of Black Sheep Restaurants co-founder Syed Asim Hussain, whose father owned The Mughal Room (now closed) on Wyndham Street for 20 years.
Hussain grew up working in the restaurant and even salvaged and restored the tandoor ovens now used at New Punjab Club, which has opened on the same street but has a completely different vibe.
To make sure the food is up to scratch, they have brought in Palash Mitra, who used to be chef at the one-Michelin-star Gymkhana in London.
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The attention to detail here is pleasing, from the intricately carved wall panels and dark stained wooden tables to the wait staff wearing sharp navy mandarin collared suits. Tunes from The Beatles and The Beach Boys playing over the sound system, however, seemed out of place.
As we sat down, a trolley was wheeled to our table and we were asked if we’d like a gin and tonic using Monkey 47 gin – for only HK$268 a glass. Water, please!
If that wasn’t a hint of the prices to expect at New Punjab Club, then the menu is an eye opener – if you can read it. The pink-orange letters were in a small font, printed on cream-coloured paper, making it very hard to make out.
The lahori seekh (HK$198) was a large starter featuring two kebabs made of minced Wagyu, served with a spicy green chilli chutney and aloo chaat. The meat was tender and nicely seasoned with cardamom.